Q: What is coaching?

A: Coaching is a collaborative relationship which deepens understanding for the purpose of implementing more effective actions.

While coaching for founding pastors is relatively new, the concept of coaching is not. Athletic, music, acting and fitness coaches have been encouraging and training others toward greater effectiveness for hundreds of years. Without their coaches, most of the heroes and stars of these fields would never have reached their pinnacles of effectiveness and success.

The methods used by these coaches are similar for our LaunchTicket coaches: encouragement, specific guidance for change, objective and direct feedback, friendly accountability, training on "best practice" techniques and tools - until the next level of effectiveness for Christ is reached. Coaches never call to "just talk." Coaches explore, challenge, encourage, probe, suggest, facilitate, praise, focus, direct and stimulate…but never just talk. The goal of every coaching session is to implement specific strategies and actions that will help you create a church of maximum impact.

Q: How much of my time will this program take?

A: The coaching calls will take 45-60 minutes per week. At the conclusion of those calls, you will understand how to spend your time most productively during the coming week. For the coaching process to work, the commitment to scheduled telephone coaching sessions and implementation work is crucial. You will find that as you begin to lead more effectively you will ultimately free up more time to invest in the most important and strategic areas of your ministry. 

Q: Why should a founding pastor need to “depend on” a coach?

A: Some pastors believe they should tough it out alone, or that with God on their side they have all they need for success. With that mindset, working with an organizational leadership coach may be seen as a sign of weakness, or fostering continued dependency on man. The pastors who have participated in this coaching process can tell you this is simply not so.

A coach is not a crutch. A coach will not do the work for you, or drag you somewhere you don't want to go. A coach is like having a leadership development expert on staff at your beck and call. Your coach empowers, inspires, challenges, questions, teaches and facilitates. You do the work, ask God to give you wisdom and bless the results, and you and your church will reap the rewards.

Q: Is having a coach like having a counselor?

A: Not really. A coach is an encourager, instructor, challenger, and a facilitator for positive change. Having a coach is like roping up with a climbing guide when you are trying to scale a high peak. As you climb, you work together to assess the conditions, plan the route, execute the next steps, and evaluate progress. A counselor is typically trained to deal with problems or pains of the past. A coach, on the other hand, is trained and experienced in the tools and processes to guide you to your next peak of effectiveness.

Q: Is coaching confidential?

A: Yes. Some pastors are wary of "outsiders." We understand that talking openly with a coach is a leap of trust. So our LaunchTicket coaches seek to build an environment of trust, confidentiality, and safety for the pastor being coached. Our coaches understand the need for complete confidentiality whether the subject is personal or professional. Most importantly, because our coaches are dedicated to you and the success of your church, they understand the significance of trust.

Q: Does coaching ever “not work”?

A: Yes. As pastors know from experience, whenever you are in the people-serving business, there can be problems. The issues that can interfere with successful coaching relationships and experiences generally fall into one of three categories: lack of time, absence of a teachable spirit (ego), and poor communication. However, when these issues are openly discussed and addressed, they can be short-circuited and even turned into strengths.

Q: How are coaches selected and trained?

A: LaunchTicket only selects coaches that meet the following criteria:

• Has planted a church that has grown to over 300 in attendance
• Is passionate about helping other pastors
• Is compassionate in his manner of dealing with clients
• Is open to feedback and a lifelong learner
• Is on the cutting edge of the latest church planting and leadership literature

Our coaches' training process was developed and is supervised by Ministry Advantage, the nation’s premier coaching system for pastors of established churches. Each coach is certified on the unique systems and approaches of the LaunchTicket system. Our coaches also receive ongoing training and performance feedback from management and clients in order to improve their effectiveness.

Q: How does LaunchTicket measure success and insure quality?

Q: How are coaches matched with pastors?

Q: What is a typical coaching session like?

A: Coaching sessions typically begin with a brief discussion and agreement on priorities for the session. Then your coach will give specific input and direction on the assignments you have done since the last session and discuss the next steps of implementation. You can expect clarifying questions, fine-tuned planning and implementation tools, and friendly accountability. Your coach will help you set realistic expectations and support you through each step of implementation. At the end of each session you will agree on specific assignments and any documentation to be submitted to your coach for review prior to your next coaching session.

Q: How can I justify the financial investment?

A: The LaunchTicket coaching system is best viewed as an investment in the long-term potential of your church. The most crucial season of a church is the first year while the church is forming teams, setting DNA, and building momentum. The investment of $295 a month for weekly coaching, module material and off-site workshop will return a rich reward in the years to come. (Note: Pastors who attend the Founding Pastor Assessment program, are recommended, and start a Mission Catalyst church receive a voucher for the entire cost of the system, minus travel expenses for the workshop.)

Q: Where is the off-site workshop held?

A: The workshop is held at various locations depending on the mix of pastors in your cohort. Every effort will be made to position the workshop as conveniently as possible for the group.

Q: Can I enroll in the coaching system if I am not planting a Mission Catalyst church?

A: Yes. Founding pastors from all denominational backgrounds are welcome.

Q: LaunchTicket is a division of Mission Catalyst. What is Mission Catalyst?

A: Mission Catalyst is an association of growing churches that are outreach-focused, grace-oriented, fully committed to God, and proclaim a common view of Biblical truth.

Q: What if our church is already meeting? Will this system benefit us?

A: The LaunchTicket system is designed to take you from the first day you start your project through your first eleven months. If your group is willing to back up to a pre-launch phase and begin building toward an official grand opening, you can enroll. If you are too far along and your DNA is already set, you would be better served by enrolling in the Ministry Advantage coaching system.

Q: Can lay persons enroll in the system? Do I have to be a trained pastor?

A: The system is designed for the founding pastor of a new church. We don’t care if the pastor is professionally trained, but the lead pastor of the church must be the primary client.

Q: What if I start the process but decide to bail out after a few months?

Q: Can others from my team be on the phone calls and attend the workshop?

Q: What if I don’t have time to attend the workshop or complete the assignments?

Q: Can female founding pastors enroll in the system?

Q: What if I want to get started right now but the next launch track is still a few months away?

A: Our staff is glad to give you some initial assignments to get you headed in the right direction. You can use your lead time to get a jump on the calendar and to begin the process. Once the launch track begins, you will be enrolled in that particular cohort. If you want to begin formal coaching in advance of the launch track, you can do so for an extra $295 a month.

Q: Let’s say I want to continue in the system beyond the 11 months. Is that possible?

A: If you and your coach agree that your church is not ready for grand opening, you can continue the coaching relationship for as many months as both of you decide. You will expect to pay $295 for each additional month. If you are ready for grand opening but you want to receive further coaching beyond the eleven months, your next step is to enroll in the Ministry Advantage coaching system.

 

The LaunchTicket coaching system gives you a chance to rope up with those who have gone before. It is especially designed for the ordinary person who is clearly called, fully focused, and irrationally committed to paying the price. You bring the call and the commitment; we’ll equip you for the climb.