Some of the people God has used in my journey have provided keen awareness of God’s activity in my life. We have never met in person, but they have influenced me through their books, teachings, videos, etc. One writer, who is currently sitting in that space in my life, has helped me on my journey to create new spiritual rhythms in the midst of launching our adult children into their chosen fields, helping sort through health issues with various family members, and exploring new ministry opportunities internationally.
The writings of St. Ignatius have been the instrument God has used for this purpose. I will never meet him, this side of heaven, however, his writings from the 1500s have put light on my path and many, many others who are looking to deepen their understanding of God’s activity in life.
A note about the Ignatian Exercises: you should not attempt to go it alone! In the development of the exercises, Ignatius encouraged the vital role of a “listener” to help the participant discern the voices we hear and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to navigate the process of spiritual formation
I wrote a blog entitled How to Make a Prayerful Decision, where I summarize the decision-making process St. Ignatius introduced. This process can change the focus and intent when discerning God’s will in a matter. When I used it as part of a weekend planning conversation with a regional, denominational team, it helped participants come to a God-honoring decision regarding the future leadership structure.
God has used many authors and teachers to help me sharpen my coaching skills. One of those voices he has used is Michael Bunjay Steiner, author of “The Coaching Habit.” I referenced him in a blog entitled: What Is the Best Way to Turn a Corner? Of all the books I’ve read on coaching, this is the best secular book I have come across as I’ve progressed through my coach certification with the International Coach Federation (see bottom of blog for more). His simple approach boiled the coaching conversation down to these four questions:
- What’s on your mind?
- What’s the real challenge for you?
- What do you want?
- How can I help?
In addition, throughout the certification process I learned from dozens of international practitioners who are thought leaders in the international coaching community.
These are just two people who have influenced me in my personal and ministry journey.
Who has influenced you?
Expanding on the Types of Influence:
- Books and Writings: These offer a unique window into another person’s thoughts and experiences. They can provide new perspectives, challenge our assumptions, and offer practical guidance. The written word transcends time and space, allowing us to connect with individuals from centuries past, like St. Ignatius, whose wisdom remains relevant today. Beyond the content itself, the act of reading engages our minds and encourages reflection, further deepening the impact.
- Teachings (Formal and Informal): Teachers, whether in a formal setting or through recorded lectures and videos, distill complex ideas into digestible formats. They often provide frameworks for understanding difficult concepts and inspire us to learn more. Michael Bunjay Steiner is one such teacher God has used in my development as a coach.
- Shared Experiences and Stories: Hearing about the lives of others, their struggles, and their triumphs, can be incredibly impactful. These stories offer vicarious learning experiences, allowing us to glean wisdom from others’ journeys without having to walk the same path ourselves. Biographies, documentaries, and autobiographies provide these valuable insights.
- Personal Conversations: Direct interaction, even if brief, can leave a lasting impression. A single conversation can spark a new idea, offer encouragement, or challenge a long-held belief. The personal connection creates a different level of engagement and can be particularly powerful.
The Impact of These Influences:
- God’s Faithfulness: Recognizing the diverse ways God works through others reinforces His faithfulness. It reminds us that He is constantly present and actively involved in our lives, even through seemingly ordinary encounters.
- Diversity of Gifts: The variety of individuals who influence us highlights the richness and diversity of God’s gifts. Each person brings unique talents, perspectives, and experiences to the table, enriching our understanding of the world and ourselves.
- Lineage of Faithful Servants: Connecting with the wisdom of those who have come before us creates a sense of continuity and belonging. It reminds us that we are part of a larger story, a lineage of faith that stretches back through generations.
- Spiritual Direction and Growth: As I mentioned, the influence of figures like St. Ignatius can provide profound spiritual direction. Their writings and teachings can offer guidance in prayer, discernment, and the development of spiritual practices. The Ignatian Exercises, with their emphasis on guided reflection, exemplify the importance of having a “listener” or spiritual director to help navigate the journey. This highlights the value of seeking counsel and guidance from others as we grow in our faith.
Reflecting on Your Own Influences:
It’s a valuable exercise to regularly reflect on the people who have influenced you. Consider:
- Who are the individuals whose words or actions have resonated most deeply with you?
- What specific lessons have you learned from them?
- How have these influences shaped your beliefs, values, and actions?
- How can you continue to learn from these individuals, even if you can’t interact with them directly?
By consciously acknowledging the impact of these “multitude of voices,” we can gain a deeper appreciation for God’s work in our lives and continue to grow in wisdom and understanding.
MENTORING FOR COACH CERTIFICATION
Over the 13 years (2007-2020) it took to move through the three levels of coach certification with the International Coach Certification (ICF) I learned a lot. One of the requirements to attain the initial certification for the Associate Certified coach, advance from the Associate to the Professional, and from the professional to Master – is 10 hours of coach mentoring. This was the most impactful aspect of the certification process for me. Having a trained assessor provide feedback, create awareness, and introduce new ways to engage was a game changer!
In this last cycle, to maintain my Master certification (that is me in the photo at the top), I went through 40 hours of coach assessor training (called Continuing Coach Education Units or CCEUs) so that I can come alongside other coaches as a mentor to assess their coaching competency. The extensive work I’ve done with my colleague, Bob Logan, to research and develop world-class Christian coaches, gives me the added advantage of bringing those two worlds together. Here are the resources we developed to equip leaders in coaching – CLICK HERE. Whether working one-to-one or in a cohort, I come alongside coaches to attain the next level of certification or simply improve their coaching. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a certified coach with ICF or improving your coaching, I invite you to explore a coach mentoring relationship with me.
Please schedule a free discovery call with my assistant, Samantha (admin@inforcusnet.org), to explore how we can work together to cultivate your coaching effectiveness in 2025!
