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This year at Leadership Days, I'll be introducing many people in the Baltimore- Washington Conference to the concept of coaching. No, not for baseball or lacrosse teams, but for clergy.

Coaching has become one of the most successful support strategies used by effective pastors. Coaching is exactly what it sounds like, but it is also much more.

Coaching is professional support for effectiveness in ministry. It provides a peer-oriented, self-directed accountability structure that is cooperative with, but outside of, the supervisory structure offered through the district superintendent's office.

Coaches are not supervisors, counselors, consultants or mentors. Coaches are lay people or clergy approved by the bishop and Cabinet who have proven experience in church development or re-development. They focus on skill development, resourcing and effectiveness. Coaches have a passion for making disciples of Jesus Christ, a drive to build the Kingdom of God and a calling to equip clergy and churches for their ministry in the world. Coaches don't give answers; they ask questions. Coaches don't solve problems; they enable problem solving. Coaches help deliver results.

I was first introduced to church coaching by the Rev. Ed Delong in 2001 when, as an initiative pastor, I was invited to attend a special training that was given at the Conference Center. After attending, I was really pumped and looking forward to having the support of a coach who would improve my effectiveness. However, I soon found out that my budget did not allow for the expense of a professional coach and our conference did not yet have a team of coaches available for pastors.

Then in 2003 I was offered the opportunity to be trained as a coach who would offer this ministry to pastors receiving equitable compensation. Since then, both initiative pastors and pastors serving churches with high potential have discovered that increased effectiveness is only one of the benefits of the coaching ministry.

Coached pastors have learned that the process of church development and re-development is greatly accelerated. They are participating in incubator groups where they are connected to other clergy in similar ministry settings, and they are sharing resources, ideas and new strategies for making disciples.

Here are some reasons to consider having a coach:
? You can get an opinion from someone who has no vested interest in the outcome;
? Coaches point out what you can't, won't or don't see;
? Coaches provide a compassionate, secure and confidential outlet to vent problems and frustrations;
? Coaches provide reality checks on vision, values and strategies;
? Coaches help you to navigate conflict when it arises;
? Coaches help you to implement your master plan in proper sequence;
? Coaches ask questions others don't or are afraid to ask;
? Coaches help you to develop strategies for recruiting, launching and fund-raising;
? Coaches help you to balance personal and professional demands.

Currently, I am the team leader for coaches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Our vision is to equip churches for effective and timely ministry in the world. Our long-term goal is to be able to provide qualified coaches for all churches and pastors desiring this ministry.

The Rev. Susan Hallager is a pastor at Severna Park UMC in Severna Park.