Mentoring/Ministry Coaching

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed the privilege of coming alongside worship leaders, creative arts directors, and artists to offer support, advice, and encouragement. I believe that personal mentoring is one of the most effective ways to help facilitate personal, spiritual, and/or professional growth. Whether you need help sorting through ministry issues and conflicts or just looking to take your leadership the next step, a one-on-one coaching relationship may be just what you’re looking for. To inquire further about mentoring, please fill out the Ministry Coaching Inquiry Form and you will be contacted shortly thereafter.

What does a ministry coaching relationship look like?

Basically, it’s a series of one-on-one meetings with Rory over the phone, Skype, or Zoom. Monthly meetings typically last an hour and can be slated for 3-6 months, a year, or be open-ended. The fee for each session is $125 an hour.

Who pays for the ministry coaching—the church or the individual?

Some clients consider ministry coaching part of their ongoing personal development and are more than happy to pay for it themselves. They see the need, reap the benefits, and have no problem justifying the cost. However, many churches and ministries these days have funds available to staff members for continuing education or ongoing development. Coaching or mentoring would fall under either of those categories. If you’re interested in coaching, be sure to run the idea by your church leadership to see if they’ll foot the bill or at least split the cost with you.

Benefits of Mentoring/Coaching

  1. Professional Growth. What’s the next step for you in your development as a leader? Whether it be specific ministry abilities or those all important people skills, a good mentor/coach can help you grow as a leader. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17).
  2. Valuable Wisdom and Advice. When facing ministry issues, difficulties with volunteers, or conflicts with your pastor, it’s always helpful to have someone to go to for wisdom or advice—preferably someone who’s “been there” and dealt with the same challenges you’re facing. Wise advice can save you from a lot of bad or untimely decisions. “Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:6).
  3. Creative Ideas. Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut creatively? A seasoned leader with a well-rounded background and a wealth of experience can offer creative programming ideas as well as alternative solutions to problems. “In abundance of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 24:6).
  4. Spiritual Guidance. You pour yourself into caring for the souls of others. Who’s looking after your soul? Do you have anyone in your life who regularly checks in on how you’re doing spiritually? A good mentor is also a faithful soul friend who genuinely cares about your walk with the Lord and the welfare of your soul (Philippians 2:20).
  5. Personal Character Growth. What is the next step for you in your character growth? A mentor who’s attentive to his or her own spiritual formation can be an invaluable asset in your own journey to be all that God has for you to be. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, Paul to his young protege, Timothy).
  6. Spiritual Friendship. Do you have someone to talk to when in need? Someone who’s 100% safe? With whom you can be completely honest and transparent? A mentor who’s attuned to your unique needs can help shoulder any personal burdens you desire to share. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
  7. Accountability. Do you have accountability in your life? A trusted mentor/coach can keep you accountable in whatever areas you and he or she set up. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16).
  8. Prayer Support. A good mentor prays for you regularly. “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9).

Why Am I So Committed to Mentoring?

When I was in my twenties, I had an older man in my life named John Allen who spent time with me, prayed for me, and mentored me. I am who I am today due in large part to John’s investment in my life. Now I’m the older guy and God seems to have put a number of young worship leaders, creative arts directors, and artists in my path, all of whom I deeply love and respect. A large part of my mission for this season of life is to invest in the next generation of worship and arts leaders. I want nothing more than to encourage them, support them, and help them flourish.