Video 8A: Next Steps in the Soul Coach Ministry Program

Professor Abigail Dominiak: “All right, we are wrapping up this course. We're going to talk about your next steps of becoming a Soul Coach.”

Professor Abigail Munroe: “So, let's start from the beginning. What is Soul Coaching? Just a reminder again as we wrap up. A Soul Coach is a Christ-centered listener. They are a thoughtful question asker. They're an encourager of growth and accountability, and they are a companion in helping others discern God's direction.

Professor Abigail Dominiak: "Soul Coaching is not counseling or therapy, pastoral authority, or simply problem solving."

Professor Abigail Munroe: "The soul coaching process throughout this course, you've learned these various principles: viewing people as whole persons before God, discerning areas of growth, listening well and intentionally, asking thoughtful and reflective questions, encouraging ownership in your clients, developing practical growth plans that are measurable and create accountability, integrating prayer and Scripture wisely with permission, and supporting accountability and next steps.”

Professor Abigail Dominiak: “Soul Coaching in the CLI vision is something that we are so passionate about here at Christian Leaders. I think coaching as a whole has been growing in popularity around the world, and people are utilizing coaches more and more. We have a huge opportunity, and Christian Leaders Institute is so passionate about raising up Christian leaders around the globe to make an impact for Jesus. Soul Coaching is one of the ways that this can happen, where we can equip believers for ministry, multiply disciples, and help people discover and live out their God-given calling.

Soul Coaching is one way believers can really serve and strengthen others in their spiritual journey."

Professor Abigail Munroe: "Soul Coaching also applies to everyday ministry. These skills, even if you don't become a coach in any formal capacity, are incredibly useful in the church environment, within small groups, discipleship relationships, chaplaincy, mentoring, as a Life Coach within a Soul Center, or simply within your family or community ministry.

So many ministry conversations improve when we implement these Soul Coaching principles—when people feel heard, understood, and encouraged toward faithful action.

I think we can both resonate with this, Abby. Neither of us has an active Soul Coaching practice after the training we took, but so many of the principles we've learned have changed how we show up in our families, how we show up in our jobs, and how we show up in ministry. Whatever next step you take, I think these principles are incredibly relevant.”

Professor Abigail Dominiak: “I like that you brought that up a lot. I mean, the amount of time since we did the soul coach training, I've just kind of been dealing with a difficult situation, and I'll go, like, okay, wait a minute, I think I need to try to take a coaching approach on this and see if there could be some really great, you know, questions asked for discovery, where there could be some bite-sized goals set in the relationship or the situation, and so, yes, this is useful in every area of ministry. And so we want to also talk about the soul centers.

So we have a program called Soul Centers, and basically you could be a soul coach who has a soul center practice where you are actively coaching people using these practices, this credential, and so you can connect with God and connect with others. 

You can help people discover their calling to grow spiritually and to serve their community, and that's what all of our soul centers are trying to do. And coaching is one of the ways that you can do that, where you could become a practical ministry that we then list, we have a soul center directory, and we have a process where you can then get registered to have a soul center with Christian leaders. 

So, if you want next steps on that, we'll have more on the clock in the class about this, but you could take some next steps. Maybe again, you're already sort of doing this in your community, you could sort of make that official then with soul centers."

Professor Abigail Munroe: “There are also other ways to continue your training. We offer quite a few Life Coaching courses and pathways here at Christian Leaders. If you haven't already, consider taking our Life Coaching Ministry course. It dives into the less-directive approach, the semi-directive approach, and the direct approach to coaching. We also have a Coaching Foundations course, along with many other CLI training opportunities and ministry credentials.

As Abby mentioned, Soul Centers are another great next step.

Coaching skills deepen through practice, through repetition, through mentorship, and through actively serving and coaching others."

Professor Abigail Dominiak: "I think that's really important. If you're really engaged with this topic, absolutely continue into the other courses we offer. We have credentials to support that journey.

But I also want to encourage you to practice. One of the biggest things we were encouraged to do during our coaching training was to find someone in our lives who would let us coach them each week. Do ten sessions. Then maybe do ten more sessions with someone else. Start with a good friend who's simply willing to practice with you. The important thing is to begin putting these skills into practice. We have additional pathways that will support you and continue growing your knowledge as you do that.”

Professor Abigail Munroe: "So, some final encouragement for you, the most effective soul coaches are not those who know the most. They are those who depend on Christ, who listen well, who ask wise questions, who encourage responsibility, and who walk faithfully alongside others. There's certainly not a perfect coach, but as long as you are open to growing and staying committed to those bullet points, there you are on a great pathway. Every person you meet is a living soul created in the image of God through thoughtful listening, wise questions, prayerful discernment, and Christ-centered encouragement. Soul coaches help people take their next faithful step towards growth, purpose, and service in God's kingdom."

Professor Abigail Dominiak: "We are so thankful that you've joined us in this course, and we have some more resources and reading and practice examples that you can see in this course, but we are just so glad you've journeyed with us in exploring what is a soul coach, what is that in, you know, philosophical way, what is it in some practical ways? How do you really do it? What are some things to watch for? So we are so glad that you've joined with us on this, and we just pray that the Lord blesses you in as you discern what this means for you, whether that be that you are going to start a practice or that you're already engaging in this. 

We know that God is going to do wonderful things and impact people through your calling, and so we are just so grateful that you have chosen to journey along with us, and we love to hear praise reports of how you've used the training, and we have feedback on this course as well. So we want to hear that and hear how this has maybe impacted your journey as a coach."