When you are a kid, It's natural to find a "coach". It's common to sign up for karate, join the golf team, play football, baseball, basketball or even piano or guitar lessons. These activities are all "coach" driven.
Most parents wouldn't just put their kid out in the middle of a baseball diamond and say "do it". They would immediately look for the best coach available.
Sometimes, if we have the right coaches in our lives pushing, pulling, keeping us accountable, then we may even get a scholarship to college.
But, that's usually where coaching stops for most people. Sadly, finding coaching is more of a sign of weakness than a sign of taking responsibility for possibility. As an adult, it's one of the hardest things you can do… to invest in YOURSELF. I know. I'm doing it.
I watched the Olympics a few weeks ago, and I noticed that the first person, and the last person the athlete talked to was a coach or even a team of coaches.
I watched the Academy Awards show a while ago. Actors don't think twice about hiring a dialect, fitness coach or someone to teach them the skill that their "character" knows in the movie. It's their job to do that. It's money well spent. At worse, the actor is more skilled than before. At best, they are more skilled AND they win an Oscar or Screen Actors Guild award!
So, here's my question. Is what YOU do important enough for you to seek out someone to help you? Is there room for improvement?
Are you reading books about your career, your ministry or your hobby? You should be. I am. I can tell you that it's fulfilling.
I wonder, in the Bible, when Jesus told the story of the talents, when the third guy said, (and I'm paraphrasing a little) "I didn't want to risk losing any of your money, so I went and hid it" -- which REALLY ticked the rich man off. I just wonder, if that third guy didn't know what to do with the talents, why didn't he go and find a "coach" who would know what to do and listen to them?
I am actively seeking guidance from very smart people. I read blogs, I read books, I listen to audio-books. I have hired two coaches since the first of the year. I have also invested in some instructional DVDs and I have bought software that I think will help to get me where I want to go.
Notice I said "I think". Yes, I may even waste some money, but what I do learn will make the "wasted money" seem very small.
As ministers, what we know is immediately usable in our own ministries, right? So what holds us back from getting the best coaching we can find?
What's holding you back from hiring a coach? Comment below and let's talk about it.
Kevin Ward's permanent record says he's the owner of kiloWatt Productions, the VP of Vine Records and the co-creator of EmPower Your Ministry. (His mom would want you to know he's also a Dove-Award-winning producer who's been nominated for his songwriting as well.) In real life, he's a happy husband, soon-to-be father, a seeker of knowledge, and a pursuer of great people.
Online, you'll find Kevin striving daily to be a mentor and thought leader with his blogs at KevinWardMusic.com and EmpowerYourMinistry.com, where he uses his gifts as a success and life coach to help others do just that. Connect with Kevin on Twitter and FaceBook to join him on the journey.
Author: Kevin Ward
| Author's Website: http://empoweryourministry.com/
Written: 04/05/2010
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Category: Kevin Ward
Comments: 4
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I find your article very interesting. I have given serious thought to this, I've considered it, I've even asked questions about it to others. The problem is I've never been able to find anyone in my area to do this. What books are you reading? I'm very interested in doing whatever it takes to further the Gospel.
sarah 
Kevin Ward is one of nicest professionals in Gospel Music. It has been my privilege to know this guy for almost 30 years. He has always researched the things he wanted to know more about so he practices what he has advised.
Hi Sarah, I'm glad you liked the article. Thank you for saying so.
I think my personal "coaching" journey started with Zig Ziglar. He's an incredible coach. I've never met him (yet) but he has taught me SO much.
Some of my favorite authors are Tim Ferris, Seth Godin, Andy Stanley, Andy Andrews,.. the list could go on for awhile.
If you are interested in coaching for your ministry specifically, you should check out http://EmPowerYourMinistry.com. It's a ministry blog that I run...you might like.
Thanks again for the kind words.
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Kevin Ward
http://empoweryourministry.com
Thanks Uncle! Has it been 30 years?...wow, I feel old now...
Kevin
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Kevin Ward
http://empoweryourministry.com
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