Before I go further, I will say as I often have:  I don’t believe every coach needs ICF credentials.  You need training that will help you fulfill your unique purposes.  You may simply want to gain some coaching skills to enhance your current ministry effectiveness or job performance and you may not need to pursue credentials.  Of course you would want quality training whether or not you plan to pursue credentials – and either way you can find information about great training programs in my book The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training.   

But if you want professional level training that can lead to industry-recognized credentials, know the following:

• The International Coach Federation (ICF) is the industry standard accrediting and credentialing organization.
• If you want to get professional credentials from ICF, you need to know that the training you’ve taken will be considered as part of your application.  Acceptable training can be from an ICF accredited/approved school or from a non-approved school that they determine meets their standards.
• If you are considering taking training that isn’t ICF accredited or approved and you want to obtain professional credentials, you can do some research in advance of taking your training that will help you know the chances of your credentialing application being approved.
• If you want to research your chances of your non-ICF-approved training being approved, start by familiarizing yourself with the portfolio application for ACC credentialing at the ICF website.
• As you consider a training course or program that is not ICF approved, ask the director if students from their school have applied and been approved for ACC or PCC credentials using the courses you are considering.  The directors of non-ICF approved schools should not tell you that “yes,” in fact you will be approved – because they can’t speak for the ICF.  However, if students from their training have a history of being awarded their ACC’s or PCC’s from ICF, then you have evidence to believe that your chances of approval are positive.
• Be aware that ICF standards for acceptable training include that courses involve 80% “student contact hours.”  Here is a quote from ICF about this:  “Student contact hours – clock hours spent synchronous (real- time) interactions between faculty and students… A minimum of 80% of all training must be delivered in synchronous activities.”  In other words, acceptable training includes predominantly live, real-time interaction between students and instructors.  A small percentage can include independent study (for example by pre-recorded video or audio).

Are there Christian programs and courses accredited and approved that can apply for your ACC or PCC credential with ICF?  Absolutely!  And are there Christian programs and courses that are not approved but have had students use their courses in their applications resulting in obtaining their ACC’s or PCC’s?  Yes, definitely!   Get my book, The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training to identify which might be options to help you meet your unique purposes and God-give vision.

I do not want you to experience a sad story of money, time and heart spent on coach training that didn’t meet your expected outcomes.  I am passionate about helping you and I offer three resources that can help you find the right training path for your vision.

• The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training – Get my ebook for more on the coaching profession, accreditation and credentialing, Eleven Factors in Decision Making, and two page profiles on 18 top Christian coach training programs.
• The Explorers Class – Self-paced video and includes a download of The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training, expands the info and helps you with deciding what training is right for you.
• Explore Coaching with Linda – Consulting package that includes a 60 minute session with me for personalized help with identifying your next steps toward training and/or a possible career or ministry in coaching.  Access to the Explorers Class and a download of The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training is included.
• Get these resources at www.mychristiancoachtraining.com.

I want to recommend an addition to your launch – the dedication of your business.  A celebration.  Maybe even a commissioning.  In essence, I recommend an actual event scheduled for a specific date and time, when you focus and formalize your intention that this is God’s business.  Ten years ago, I did this myself and the memory of this serves as a powerful marker of God’s presence in what I do.

I chose a day of dedication for my business and began by inviting those in my inner circle to participate by writing words of encouragement and prayers of dedication for my business and ministry.  I asked trusted friends and associates who were part of my personal, professional and ministry networks to participate.  I invited them send either an email or a physical letter or card by a specific date.  When I received the emails, I didn’t read them.  Rather I printed them off and put them in an envelope to be opened on dedication day.

On dedication day, a friend hosted a small gathering of my trusted supporters.  I took the emails and cards from friends and associates with me to the event and we read each one aloud.  Then those present shared from their hearts and prayed for me, my clients, and my business.  There were prayers for the present and for the future.  Prayers of gratefulness for what had been started and prayers of expectancy for things to come.  Prayers that God’s purposes would be accomplished in my business and that God would be glorified through my work as a coach.  And then we celebrated (with food, of course, and laughter) the excitement and joy of a new adventure and all that was to come.

Over the past ten years, I’ve been able to reference the precious memory of this event as a marker of my intention to have been about God’s business from the start.  When doubt or discouragement loom, I don’t have to try and remember what my prayers were back when I started this work or if I was actually listening to wise counsel.  I have a memory of an actual physical event that was shared with others that represents to me my intention to invite God’s presence into all aspects of my work as a coach.

If this stirs desire in you to take action…

• Perhaps you’ve already started your business and a dedication as I’ve described sounds like something you wish you’d done.  Please don’t let that stop you!  It is possible to do it now!
• Suggestions for whom to invite as participants in your dedication include family, friends, pastors, mentors, ministry co-workers, your mentor coach, your coach trainer(s), your coach training classmates, buddy coaches, other Christian coaches, etc.
• As you receive words of encouragement and blessing from your supporters, consider where God is drawing your attention through the words people are sharing, the scripture, etc.  An example from my experience included a scripture reference that has been very meaningful for all of these ten years since:  “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith.  Be courageous, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:13-14u
• Put your collection of emails, letters, cards, etc into a special binder or file.  Write down your thoughts documenting your experience and your sense of what God is telling you and where God is drawing your attention.  You also might include your business mision and vision.  Perhaps include a copy of your coach training certificate or your ICF credentialling.  Include anything else of meaning – i.e. pictures, etc.  Keep this file or binder available and refer to it periodically as you continue your prayers and rededicate your business and ministry over the years.
• If you choose a dedication day and want me to pray for you on that day, please let me know.  I would be honored to pray for you!

For those considering becoming a coach in 2013 there are many things to consider.   Three of the most important are:

1.  Know your training options.  If you are looking for coach training at the professional level, there are a variety of great Christian coach training programs available.  Some are accredited or approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF).  Several that are not ICF approved provide training aligned with ICF standards and have alumni who have become credentialed via the ICF portfolio application process.

2.  Know accreditation, credentialing and certification.  Unfortunately, navigating to an understanding of accreditation, credentialing and certification can be a journey through murky waters.  The words mean different things to different people which can (and often does) lead to confusion and frustration.  Various types of certification and credentialing are available.  Some certifications reflect light exposure to coaching skills and others involve very rigorous coach training and experience.  Since any person or organization can create and award certifications according to their own definitions and standards, there are substantial differences in the quality of the training, the requirements for the awards and the accomplishments they represent.

If your goal is to obtain professional credentialing through ICF, it is important to be clear that the training you choose will get you there.  Ask the school specific questions about how their training will support your goal.  Learn from the ICF website about their accreditation of schools and credentialing processes.  Do not assume that because a coaching program offers “certification” that the training will automatically then lead to ICF credentials.

3.  Know your vision.  What has God called you to?  What does your coaching vision look like?  The specifics of your unique vision will help you determine what training is right for you and whether credentialing is important to you.  Often people start with the question “do I need to be certified?”  A better place to start is “what is my vision?”  From there, the question about whether you need to be certified will be answered.

There is no one right path to becoming a coach.  There is no one training school that is right for everyone.  For many, obtaining ICF credentialing is very important, and for others it is not.  Work from your unique vision to determine your path.

What resources are available right here at Christian Coaching Resources?

• For help with training options and definitions of accreditation, credentialing and certification, get The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training.  The new 2013 edition includes two-page profiles on 19 of the top Christian coach training programs.  Find it here.  www.mychristiancoachtraining.com
• For a free live presentation with opportunity to ask direct questions, attend “Becoming a Coach:  What You Want to Know,” an event co-sponsored with the Christian Coaches Network, Tuesday, January 22.  Register here.
• For help from Linda personally, arrange this consulting package to include:  a copy of The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training 2013 (ebook version), access to the self-directed Explorers Class and a 60 minute personal consultation with Linda go to this link:  Explore Coaching With Linda

What besides coach training contributes to your success as a coach?

Coach training is key, but not the only answer for your success as a coach in business or ministry.  Of course, first and foremost your success is defined by God’s call and work in your life.  And most likely God will use your coach training as key to the success to which you’ve been called.  But he will also use other factors in your success as well.  Completing an excellent Christian coach training program will not be the sole factor.  Other factors God may use include  your previous business and technology expertise, your established network of contacts, your personal community of support, ongoing mentor coaching, and your investment of time, money and hard work. 

Before you invest your money, time and heart into coach training, become familiar with options.  Even before you evaluate your options, get very clear on your unique God-breathed vision.  Use that vision as a guide for choosing the training you will take.  Then follow God’s lead as you make the best use of your training and resources to step into the coaching vision to which you’ve been called.

For more information on your options:  www.mychristiancoachtraining.com

What basic curriculum is covered included in an effective program of coach training?

Coach training curriculum will teach you coaching skills, challenge you to apply coaching to yourself and train you in business start-up skills.  To be successful at starting up a business or ministry you will need knowledge and skills in each of these areas.  Each program will address these areas in different ways and to different extents.  Some will offer a basic introduction to each of these things in one class while others offer separate classes for each topic. 

Based on your background and what you know about your own experience, plan your training accordingly.  For example, if you have no experience with starting up a business and you plan to start a coaching business, you will need training in this area.  Ideally the coach training program you choose will cover all you need to know about creating a business.  But if the curriculum in your training program is not thorough with the business start up information you need, you may have to supplement your training in other ways – for example with alternative business-focused workshops and/or mentor coaching.

In honor of International Coaching Week, I’ve been posting every day on Five Things to Know About Christian Coach Training.  As the author of The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training (ebook), my hope is that you find the coach training that is uniquely right for you.  The posts this week have been dedicated to supporting the decision about coach training that will be the best match for the vision that God has uniquely called you to.  

The current edition of The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training features fifteen programs that teach classic coaching in a Christian context.   Included are thorough descriptions of certification and accreditation.  Eleven decision-making factors for how to choose coach training are identified.  The ebook goes beyond answering the obvious questions and equips those new to the field with the answers they need in order to make great decisions for themselves.  Learn more about the ebook by clicking HERE. 

During this 13th annual International Coaching Week observance, I’m posting on Five Things to Know About Christian Coach Training.  Here is Post 3:

Questions about certification and accreditation are probably not the most important ones.  At least, they are not the first questions to ask.  Most importantly, make your initial questions about what your unique vision is and how to clearly identify what you’ve been called to do.  This is a great time for you to work with a coach.  Determining what you believe God has called you to do will reveal your answer to other questions like whether certification and accreditation are important for you.

Sorting out the meaning and value of the various types of certification offered, and that of accreditation of schools, is challenging.  It is primarily important to know that the terms “certified” and “accredited” mean different things in different conversations.  So expect to confront a learning curve if you decide to evaluate this for yourself.  Many schools offer proprietary certificates and titles – with widely varied requirements amongst schools.  The current professional standard for certification and accreditation is found with the International Coach Federation (or “ICF” at www.coachfederation.org).

There is no “one size fits all” answer to the questions about certification and accredited training.  One can point out that it’s possible to be a coach without certification and without attending accredited training.  That is very true.  Furthermore, there are examples of successful coaches who have never had formal coach training of any kind.

To offer you a personal example, the ICF accredited training I took mattered to an employer who contracted with me for coaching and consulting services.  The Christian coach training I chose was part of the fulfillment of the vision God had for me.  The question for you then becomes, what training (accredited or not) and then what certification (if any), is necessary for you to fulfill the unique vision to which God has called you?

In my mom’s Christian family, she was never allowed to go to movies.  My father’s Christian family went to movies occasionally, but he became a pastor and married my mom which meant we typically did not go to movies.  There were people in the churches dad pastored who thought it wasn’t appropriate for Christians to go to movies.  However, I remember a time when I was about twelve years old and dad took me to see Fiddler on the Roof.  Of course my memory of this experience is special.  But my dad felt it necessary to drive to the next town, so no one we knew would see us and so we would not to offend any of my dad’s parishioners.

A few months ago, I had a conversation with a friend whose oldest son is in the media communications program at a Christian college.  She told me about an interesting statement one of her son’s professors had made.  He said that if Christians had entered the film industry at its inception, rather than originally shunning it as a career option, the state of film and movies today would be very different.  He held strong beliefs that Christians can be salt and like in a dark world. 

As I thought about the film industry, I began to consider the mainstream recording industry.  When I was in high school and college there was, of course, only “Christian” music and “secular” music.  Now there are increasing numbers of Christians working in the mainstream recording industry – excellent musicians and songwriters, today’s popular artists who claim faith in Christ but aren’t labeled “Contemporary Christian” artists.  If they are played on Christian radio, it’s because they first have hit songs on pop, rock or country charts, for example, and their music crosses-over to the Christian charts. 

I recently listened to an interview of alternative rock band, Switchfoot.  They were playing at a radio gig with a list of popular chart-toppers on the bill.  When asked about their Christianity, they said who they are as people – as Christians – influences their artistry and songwriting, but they don’t call themselves a “Christian band.”  A band member expressed their view, “Christianity is a faith, not a music genre.”  So they live their faith and play their music and record hit songs that are played on “secular” radio stations.  I also enjoy Lifehouse, Jonny Lang and Kris Allen, who do the same.  If you follow popular music, you can find others – and you may have your favorites on the tip of your tongue as you read.

So what do movies and Switchfoot have to do with coaches being certified by ICF or taking ICF accredited training?  Well, for anyone who has heard me speak or read my writing about this, you know that I believe God has called each coach to a unique path that for some requires ICF certification and for others does not.    Probably the biggest reason that some coaches are called to pursue certification is so they can apply for and step into jobs that require ICF certified coaches – whether those jobs are in Christian or secular organizations.  Just like in the film and recording industries, some Chrisitans coaches are called to jobs that aren’t labeled “Christian.”  Sometimes to do those jobs, ICF certification is required.

But another reason struck me last week.  I received an email asking for referrals of coaches who could participate in an excellent coaching research project.  The participants needed to be ICF certified.  What made me sad was that I wondered how many Christian coaches would qualify.  I know a lot of Christian coaches, and quite a few ICF certified coaches.  This is niche-specific research and I don’t personally know someone in this niche who is ICF certified.  But you can count on me to contact my network with the info in an attempt to connect with coaches who would qualify to participate in this research.  Why?  Because my network is made up of Christian coaches and I would very much like find Christian coaches who are qualified to participate in this excellent coaching research.  I want Christians represented in the research, to bring salt and light to the mix.    

I want each Christian coach to follow the unique path that God has called them to.  For you, it may or may not involve ICF certification.  But for those who are called to ICF certification and to those who open the doors for themselves to get jobs out “in the world,” I say thank you for being salt and light.  Thank you for bringing Christ with you into your “secular” work environments.  Thank you for being available to represent Christians coaches by participating in excellent research.  Thank you for making yourself available to impact the fast growing field of coaching.  And thank you God, for calling each of us to unique purposes – for Your glory.

If you’re a new coach interested in cost-efficient resources, that’s exactly the topic Beth Cole (www.thewebservant.com) and I have been discussing.

Need an affordable website?  If you’re new to establishing a web presence, please know that you have many choices.  Put time into your research and learn what your choices are even if you’re not a technical person.  Don’t go with the first thing that makes sense to you – dig even deeper to best understand your choices and make an informed decision.

My recommendation is that you establish a site that can easily be updated with basic text changes, fresh content and your latest updates.  Most coaches aren’t technicians, but you can hire someone create a site that you can maintain by learning to update fairly easily.  That creates freedom for you and saves you money that can be invested in hiring technical help for when more major design changes or revisions are in order. 

Here is part of an interview with Beth:

Linda:  What are the most efficient, cost effective ways to create a great website?  

Beth:  For efficient and cost effective I’d say WordPress.com, or a WordPress hosting service like Page.ly, or  Web Coaching Solutions. 

WordPress.com has a limited number of included free design themes. 

Page.ly offers free and premium themes with great support for WordPress (like automatic upgrades). 

Web Coaching Solutions is plug-n-play with pre-written text and images. 

Any of these tools will allow you to manage your own content.  The WordPress options will give you more freedom in terms of blogging, audio, and social media, etc. 

There are many free website solutions – many that come with a hosting package for instance.  Some have mentioned Site Build It as an option.  I have not used this tool so I don’t want to give an opinion. 

Linda:  When I interview you on May 18, can we talk about the pros and cons of the various options? 

Beth:  Absolutely, Linda, that will be fun!  It’s one of my favorite subjects and I will look forward to it.  

Linda:  I know I’ve been really happy with WordPress at one of my sites.  I can see myself converting them all to WordPress.  

Beth:  Here are couple of articles from my blog that may be helpful for coaches considering WordPress:  Is WordPress a Good Fit for You? and Choosing a Free, Premium or Custom Theme for WordPress. 

Linda:  Thanks for the excellent resources Beth! 

OK, everyone!  Put this on your calendar now!  For more about creating a cost-effective website, join us as I interview Beth live at the next Christian Coaching Resources free monthly “Christian Coaching…Tell Me More” meeting on Tuesday, May 18 at 12 noon Central time.  Click here for free and easy registration. 

Beth and I invite you to comment on this post with questions you have about setting up a website. That way we’ll be sure to cover your special interests on May 18.

Recently Milana Leshinsky sent out an email with the subject line “breaking the silence about coach training.”  

She makes the following statement: 

“There is NOT a single coach out there who is successful because they went through coach training or received their certification.” 

Many of you know of Milana, but since this post is written to prospective and new coaches, let me clarify.  Milana Leshinsky is widely known as a consultant to coaches on setting up successful businesses – go to http://www.accpow.com/, for example – to see some of her work.  

So back to Milana’s statement:  “There is NOT a single coach out there who is successful because they went through coach training or received their certification.”  

I agree with her.  

In her email, Milana goes on to market her products that address business success, making the point that if coaches don’t manage their business well they won’t be successful.  I certainly agree with her point.  And what she’s suggesting can certainly apply to those who want to run a successful coaching ministry as well. 

Coach training and certification alone will not make anyone successful in business and ministry.  While important components of success for a coach, training and certification will not guarantee success.  Business management, effective marketing (branding, target marketing, list building, web marketing, i.e.), and multiple streams of income are just a few of the business practices to master for success. 

Acknowledging the importance of effective business management doesn’t devalue coach training or certification – both are essential components to excellence and success for a coach. In fact, many coach training programs address the business skills necessary to set a foundation for success.  However, it can be difficult to effectively master these skills during the training.  Excellent options for help in generating business success include hiring a mentor coach or participating in a practice building coaching group after you complete training. 

So does training and certification plus business savvy equal coaching success? 

No.   

There are other components of success as well.  I invite your comments here at this post with your thoughts and questions on success factors.  Share your thoughts.  And then check back for a future post with my thoughts on remaining success factors.  

Until then, don’t forget the most important success factor – your dynamic relationship with God through prayer, attentiveness to Scripture and worship.  There is nothing more important to the true success of your business, ministry or your life than making choices based on your relationship with Christ – as you consistently acknowledge and live in God’s presence, wisdom and love.

Before I spoke with Judy, I had researched the ICF accredited programs and was seriously looking at the Hudson Institute, CTI and Coach U.  I now know that there are excellent Christian coaches who have trained in these and other ICF accredited programs.  I was considering this myself. 

In talking with Judy, I learned about the Christian Track of the Institute for Life Coach Training program.    At the time we spoke, the Christian Track was just about to be accredited by ICF.  This accreditation was important to me (I’ll tell you why in a future post;  in the meantime I encourage you to do your research – consider carefully what you believe God has called you to and, light of that, learn all you can about the profession – before you decide what training to invest in).

I was thrilled to learn of the ILCT Christian Track, taught by Judy Santos and Christopher McCluskey.  All I had to do to learn more about Chris was to refer back to Christian Coaching by Gary Collins.  I signed up, took the classes and have been completely satisfied with my training at ILCT.  The classes far exceeded my original hopes for coach training.  I received excellent training within a Christian context that gave me what I needed to establish a successful coaching business.

If you go to web page to investigate ILCT’s Christian Track you will discover that the program is designed for counselors.  Don’t be deterred if you are not a helping professional and you are interested.  Just look for the link to a form you can fill out to see if you qualify. 

As I said, check back for a future post on the value of considering accredited training and ICF certification.