Add to the list of things that made 2020 different to normal the fact that the Netball season didn’t wrap up until mid-September (instead of early-mid August).

Wow, it got too hot towards the end there…. and I was just coaching most of the time.

Yep, I decided to give coaching a go this year, seeing that my regular team wasn’t reforming. I then discovered that when you coach modified Netball you are also going to be umpiring a few of the games as well. That took me by surprise.

But now the season is over, having wrapped up yesterday and it’s causing me to reflect on a number of things (including whether I have ‘the gift’ of coaching or not). The whole concept of coaching is a big deal and somewhat fashionable in current western society. The concept of coaching exists in the Church as well, but it’s often given other labels, such as mentor or pastor.

But what does a coach do? (I sure hope I know the answer).

A coach is about training in skills, mindset, fitness, longevity and performance.

A coach has to do things over and over again, even when they seem boring.

A coach has to highlight strengths when they see them and make a big deal of them.

A coach has to monitor weaknesses, and break them down into manageable chunks to ensure they’re unlearnt and new skills relearnt.

A coach has to train people in the way to do things and/or not do things.

Some years back I used to wear this t-shirt that said PERSONAL TRAINER on the back of it (… I think I bought it at Supre… ). It always amused me when people thought I actually was one.

I also used to wear the t-shirt a bit when I was leading youth group and then found it even more amusing when teenagers just assumed that I really was a personal trainer and I had to work hard to convince them otherwise. However, usually I’d take the opportunity to lead the conversation in this direction:

We’ll actually I am a personal trainer; because that’s my job as a youth group leader. I’m training you how to be a Christian. It’s training in righteousness.

Interestingly, they were somewhat disappointed by my being this type of trainer as opposed to the type that might work at a gym. Yet, there’s no reason why the Christian trainer/coach/mentor should be looked down upon compared to someone working in sports.

Because they do exactly the same thing in the Church…

A coach is about training in skills, mindset, fitness, longevity and performance.

A coach has to do things over and over again, even when they seem boring.

A coach has to highlight strengths when they see them and make a big deal of them. A coach has to monitor weaknesses, and break them down into manageable chunks to ensure they’re unlearnt and new skills relearnt.

A coach has to train people in the way to do things and/or not do things.

Is saying that over and over starting to seem boring? 😉

Quite obviously I’m making a point. Training in a new skill doesn’t come easy. It takes practice. It takes time. It takes effort to work out where all the little errors are that need to be fixed. And if you’re someone thinking about Christianity, it’s worth it, just like practising shooting hoops…

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4

Who is your coach in Christ?

If you’re interested in Christianity, remember… you don’t have to make the journey on your own. You might not even know where to start.

So, why not find yourself a coach?

Yours in coaching,

Alison