Reading 7.1: A Discernment Guide for Your Christian Life Coach Path

Completing this Getting Started course does not require you to know exactly where your Christian coaching journey will lead.

It does invite you to make a thoughtful decision about your next step.

Discernment is the prayerful process of noticing God’s leading, examining your motives, receiving wisdom from Scripture and Christian community, evaluating your preparation, and taking faithful action.

Begin with Calling, Not Status

Christian ministry roles should not be selected merely because one title sounds more important than another.

Ask what kind of service God may be placing before you.

You may be drawn toward:

  • Listening to people who feel stuck

  • Encouraging spiritual growth

  • Helping people clarify goals

  • Supporting healthier relationships

  • Walking alongside people during transitions

  • Helping Christians discern their calling

  • Using Christian Growth Courses in coaching conversations

  • Offering prayer and biblical encouragement

  • Developing a structured Christian coaching ministry

  • Combining coaching with broader ministry leadership

The needs you notice and the people you feel drawn to serve may offer clues about your calling.

Calling should also be tested through preparation, service, Christian community, and feedback.

Consider Your Present Readiness

A future calling does not always describe your present readiness.

You may sense that God is leading you toward a developed coaching ministry, but your next faithful step may still be a foundational course.

Ask yourself:

  • Do I listen before giving advice?

  • Can I ask reflective questions without controlling the answer?

  • Am I teachable when someone corrects me?

  • Do I respect confidentiality and its limitations?

  • Can I recognize needs outside my competence?

  • Am I willing to make professional referrals?

  • Do I keep commitments?

  • Am I accountable to a Christian community?

  • Do I help people become responsible rather than dependent on me?

  • Am I prepared to serve without receiving immediate recognition?

Honest answers do not disqualify you. They help you identify where growth is needed.

Review the Four Options

Certified Life Coach

Consider the Certified Life Coach credential when you want structured Christian coaching education without pursuing an ordained clergy role.

This Christian Development School credential recognizes completed education. It does not provide Christian Leaders Alliance clergy standing.

This option may fit you when:

  • You want Christian coaching knowledge and skills.

  • You are not presently seeking ordination.

  • You want to use coaching skills in your work, church, family, or community.

  • You want an educational foundation before making a ministry decision.

Soul Coach Ordination Credential

Consider the Soul Coach Ordination Credential when you sense a call to a focused, accessible Christian coaching ministry.

This option may fit you when:

  • You expect to serve primarily as a volunteer or part-time leader.

  • You want to support people through prayer and listening.

  • You want to use Christian Growth Courses.

  • You want to encourage faithful next steps.

  • You are prepared to pursue endorsement and local commissioning.

  • You want a defined foundational clergy role.

Ordained Christian Life Coach Credential

Consider the Ordained Christian Life Coach Credential when you want more developed preparation for structured coaching conversations.

This option may fit you when:

  • You want to help people clarify goals and pursue growth.

  • You want additional coaching and theological preparation.

  • You may be developing a coaching ministry or practice.

  • You want training in role communication, boundaries, and practice development.

  • You are prepared for endorsement, profile development, and commissioning.

Life Coach Minister Ordination Credential

Consider the Life Coach Minister Ordination Credential when your calling combines Christian coaching with broader ministry leadership.

This option may fit you when:

  • You feel called to teaching or discipleship.

  • You expect to offer pastoral presence.

  • You want to use reflective, semi-directive, and appropriately directive ministry coaching.

  • You are preparing to lead a coaching ministry.

  • You want broader biblical, theological, relational, and ministry preparation.

  • Your Christian community recognizes a broader ministry calling.

Seek Confirmation

Christian calling is personal, but it is not meant to be isolated.

Speak with trusted people who know you well. These may include:

  • A pastor

  • A ministry leader

  • A mature Christian friend

  • A spouse

  • A small-group leader

  • A Soul Center leader

  • Someone who has observed your service

Ask them:

  • What strengths do you see in me?

  • Where do I need more growth?

  • Do you see evidence of a Christian coaching calling?

  • What type of role appears to fit me?

  • How do I respond when people disagree with me?

  • Am I dependable and teachable?

  • Do I maintain healthy relational boundaries?

Do not seek only people who will tell you what you want to hear. Wise discernment welcomes honest feedback.

Make a Provisional Decision

Your next decision does not need to be permanent.

You might decide:

  • I will begin the Certified Life Coach educational credential.

  • I will explore the Soul Coach Ordination Credential.

  • I will begin preparing for the Ordained Christian Life Coach Credential.

  • I will review the Life Coach Minister Ordination Credential.

  • I will complete one foundational course before deciding.

  • I will begin with a Christian Growth Course.

  • I will seek feedback from my pastor or ministry leader.

  • I will continue praying and exploring my calling.

A provisional decision gives you direction without forcing you to claim certainty you do not yet possess.

Use the Active Dashboard

Review your Home Page Dashboard and Available Credentials panel before creating your study plan.

The active panel should be used to confirm:

  • Required courses

  • Credit totals

  • Minimum grade requirements

  • Endorsement steps

  • Profile requirements

  • Commissioning requirements

  • Completion progress

Requirements may be updated. The current Dashboard should guide your final plan.

Your Next Faithful Step

Write one sentence completing this statement:

My next faithful step in the Christian Life Coach Program is to _______________________________.

Choose a step you can begin rather than a distant goal you cannot yet act upon.


Last modified: Thursday, July 30, 2026, 1:27 PM