Guest Post: What are we here for?

I write as one who has benefited significantly from being on the receiving end of coaching from Tom Camacho. I am, as a result, enthusiastic about what coaching could do both in your life and, through you, for others.

This book is a practical manual, written in an engaging, accessible and sometimes vulnerable way. There are helpful suggestions for application to your own life, and also to those you might coach yourself.

I love the simplicity with which Tom captures and unpacks some profound truths. On one level these concepts are not that complicated, yet they can be life-transforming when they are applied.

Take, for instance, the idea that thriving comes from living out of the way we were designed as individuals. It’s much more enjoyable as well as productive if we are doing what we’re good at. When we love what we do, we find energy we didn’t know we had.

Tom explores how we might identify ‘what we are for’, and provides tools to help align that understanding with what we spend most of our time doing. The greater the alignment, the greater our effectiveness and fulfilment in life, relationships, work and ministry.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, ‘we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (2:10, NIV).

With the help of a coach, we can go a long way towards understanding how God made us and identifying which of our activities are those he has prepared for us to do. Most of us are probably doing some of the good works which God designed someone else to do. As long as we hold on to them, not only are we in danger of striving rather than thriving, but actually we could be denying someone else the opportunity to fulfil his or her calling.

Coaching is so helpful in that journey. It brings an objective perspective and draws out of the person being coached his or her own answers to the really pertinent questions. The coaching process gives rise to action points, and creates accountability to do something that contributes to tangible progress before the next coaching session.

In mentoring, the helper has to be further ahead in an area of relevant experience than the person being helped. A coach, however, simply needs to learn the skills of helping a person to reach his or her own answers and solutions. It can be hugely rewarding for both parties: the coach sees how valuable such work is to the person on the receiving end, and the one being coached finds breakthroughs in challenging areas. Within our movement, many have benefited from this approach, and as we continue to train more coaches we are excited that the fruit we have seen so far will be multiplied.

I commend this book to you.

John Wright
National Director, Vineyard Churches, UK & Ireland

As well as Tom's book, there are a few other things we think can help all leaders and disciples live and serve in ways that honour Jesus. Have a browse...