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The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Christian Coach [2024 Edition]

Is being a Christian coach a good idea?

Well, let us find out.

Do you get the feeling that the world is living its worst fears right now? You are not alone. Look around and you will find economic, geographic and political norms in a state of flux. Things are no longer as they used to be. And at times like this, everyone is bound to feel anxious, stressed out and hopeless.

This is where you have a huge role to play. In the last segment of this blog I have listed the link to my free webinar. Sign up and get ready to kick start your career as a Christian coach.

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What is a Christian Coach?

What does being a Christian coach mean?

Well, coaches have different ways of labeling themselves. Some call themselves a religious coach, while others call themselves spiritual coaches. The freedom to call one’s self anything comes from the fact that the coaching sector is still largely unregulated. This means anyone can claim to be any kind of coach and does not need to adhere to a certain code of regulations.

Christian coaching is primarily about integrating a Biblical worldview within the practice of coaching. The coaching can be for personal or professional growth but a Christian coach will focus largely on incorporating teachings from the Bible to help clients to recognize their full potential.

Christian coaching is best summed up by this quote from a book, Living the Life You Were Meant to Live, by Tom Patterson.

A Life Plan is God’s plan for your life. It is not a plan that you conceive and develop, but a plan that you discover through a series of helpful exercises and processes.

Network for Christian Coach

As a Christian coach though, you are in luck! There are quite a few support networks for Christian coaches. Some of them are:

There are also blogs and websites specifically for Christian coaches right here.

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Difference between Christian coach and Counselor

Is a Christian coach similar to a counselor? No, not entirely.

A counselor focuses on the past to understand the root cause of any problems and helps the client heal from the trauma. A Christian coach uses the past to understand but does not dwell on it. Instead, a Christian coach encourages a client to work towards the future. A lot of the answers and doubts are resolved by looking at the Bible and seeking help in religious testaments.

Difference between Christian Coach and Mentor

It is also different from mentoring. A Christian coach encourages growth by advocating the path that God has laid out.

Difference between Religious and Christian Coach

What then is the difference between being a religious and Christian coach?

A Christian coach is somebody who frames perspective from a Christian world view. Spirituality or a mention of other religions is only used in that context.

Difference between Pastor and Christian Coach

The Church is considered critical to the growth of Christians. However, sometimes there can be a disconnect between what is taught and the application in everyday life.

A Christian coach does not tell a client what to do. He/she does not teaching a client new concepts. The coaching is a relationship dedicated to active listening to the client. The client arrives at the solutions himself. The coach merely provides guidance to show how God’s grace will guide the client forward.

A Christian coach equips a client with tools that will enable him to live a more satisfying and focused life.

What does a Christian coach Do?

What a Christian coach does is similar to what a life coach or a business coach does. The difference, however, is an added element of religious and spiritual dimension that defines a Christian coach.

The added elements that shape a Christian worldview can be:

  1. Understanding God’s purpose for life
  2. Responding to one’s true calling
  3. Living life as a true follower of Jesus Christ
  4. Power of prayer
  5. Finding abundance through seeking God
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A Christian coach believes that God has a plan for everyone. He is eager to enable mankind to live it. Christian coaching facilitates the discovery of that plan for an individual. It shows the path that can be followed as God meant it.

In reality, this is what every coach does. A Christian coach merely frames the concept in a Christian worldview.

It shows a client how to discover his true purpose in life and develop strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams.

How Does A Client Find A Christian Coach?

How will a client choose a Christian coach?

Or in other words, how will they find you?

Well, you are in luck! Christian coaches have more help in the form of support networks. So, word of mouth will take you places.

But, first things first.

Scroll down to the end of this blog. I have provided some links there which will direct you to my free webinar. Let this be the start of your career as a Christian coach.

In order to be a successful Christian coach in these times, you have to achieve 3 things:

  1. An impressive list of clients and recommendations
  2. A marketing plan customized for your target audience
  3. Knowledge of how you can build your brand

I have written about these in several of my blogs. I have listed a few here which will answer any additional questions you may have.

Some are listed here and here.

And if you have reached a midway point in your coaching career, rest assured. Check out my blog 40 Coaching Tools To Grow Your Coaching Business if you want to grow your business.

There are a number of directories that list certified, reputed Christian coaches. Some of these are on Noomi, the Christian Coaches Network or the International Coach Federation.

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Target audience for Christian coach

Do you know that sometimes pastors of multi-campus churches also sign up for coaching? Surprised? Don’t be.

What a coach has to offer is much broader in scope. And some people find it easier to talk to a coach rather than a pastor.

There are several potential clients for Christian coaching. A small business or corporation may hire a Christian coach for leadership, business, management or improved employee relations.

Finding the Right Christian Coach

There are certain things your clients look for to decide which Christian coach is right for them. Knowing this will help you advertise these skills.

  • Professional Certified Coach. While many clients may not insist on a degree, some may prefer Christian coaches who have finished a certification program from a reputed coaching institute
  • Experience. Clients often look for experienced Christian coaches. Eventually your clients will also refer you to others. So make sure you ask for a client recommendation.
  • Flexibility. Is the coach available and trained to fit specific needs? Advertising your niche clearly will help clients understand your unique selling point (USP)
  • Rapport. Ultimately it will boil down to whether a client feels comfortable with you. Clients nowadays look for websites and blogs to get a better feel of a Christian coach’s personality and style. So do look into investing in your online brand persona.
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Qualities of a Good Christian Coach

What do great coaches have in common irrespective of whether they are Christian coaches or not.

Good coaching skills and experience is naturally a given. But what else do they have that separates them from the average coach?

I have also provided tips throughout my blogs on what you can do to become a successful coach. In a previous blog Top 10 Coaching Skills You Must Have as a Life Coach, I have mentioned the top qualities. Some of them are listed here.

  1. Active listening. This is the most important thing that separates a good coach from a great one. It is important to practise active listening.
  2. Confidentiality. Maintaining trust is more important than building it. Only when the client trusts you and your judgment will he open up to you. The onus of building a rapport with the client rests on you and you alone.
  3. Objectivity. The best way to approach a client’s problems is to listen and understand what they have to say with empathy. But then, take a step back. The only way to help them is to be truly objective, and that cannot happen until you are emotionally detached from the situation.
  4. Perspective. Clients hire you because you can offer objective criticism. The essential qualities that they trust in you are objectivity, patience and the ability to help them become a better version of themselves.
  5. Accountability. Every client that comes to you is ultimately going to have to help himself/herself. The most you can do is to ensure that your clients have the necessary skills to help themselves. Hold your clients accountable to the goals you set out. They will thank you long after you are done!
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There are several other qualities that make for a good coach. You may read my whole blog for more tips as a Christian coach.

You may also want to refer to my blog on 21 Coaching Skills Every Successful Coach Needs and Top Qualities Of A Successful Coach.

These qualities mentioned are helpful for all coaches, including a Christian coach.

Top Qualifications Required In A Christian Coach

Are your clients looking for certain specific certifications while seeking a Christian coach?

While some respect coaches with certifications, others may not be so fussy. The reason is that experience and aptitude will go a long way to secure you a client as a Christian coach.

Coaching, as a process, is fairly common across all niches. Irrespective of whether you are a life coach or a sports coach, you will follow the same process. You may follow a particular coaching style. In my blog Types of Coaching Styles and Models Every Coach Should Know About, I have spoken about some of these styles. The truth is your style of coaching will depend on your personality and the niche of your coaching practice. However, you should know the different coaching models and tailor your style to suit your client.

Do You Need Certification As A Christian Coach?

No, you do not!

This is because right now, the coaching industry is still unregulated.

This means everyone can offer coaching and call themselves a Christian coach. What sets you apart is your expertise at being a good coach, marketing yourself smartly and getting good client recommendations. Learn more about these in my blog Is Marketing Crucial to my Coaching Business?

Salary of Christian Coach

How much do Christian life coaches make?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for “Christian life coach” ranges from approximately $28,928 per year for Life Skills Trainer to $89,777 per year for Director.

Some websites have claimed that working with an individual Christian coach may cost $50 – $300 (and sometimes more) an hour. The broad average is $75 – $200 per hour. Many coaches also offer coaching packages, like three 50-minute sessions a month for $250 – $300 or six one-hour weekly group sessions focusing on a particular issue for $150 – $400.

Working with a small or large business will mean higher salaries. This type of coaching is priced anywhere from $750 to several thousand dollars a month, depending on what is included.

Market Realities For A Christian Coach

As you know coaching is a growing industry.

Let us look at some market realities. I have mentioned these statistics in my earlier blog posts as well. But this sets the context in terms of what you can expect to earn as a coach.

This post claims that the life coaching industry has crossed the $1 billion dollar mark.

  • The International Coach Federation boasts 53,300 members. It has a steady growth trend.
  • Average income for life coaches ranges from $27,100 to $73,100. Specialty coaches can charge more than $100,000 annually.
  • Growth projections for the life coaching industry are an estimated 6.7%. This would take revenues to $1.34 billion by 2022.
  • 92% of life coaches remain active in the field.
  • In Asia, there were around 3,700 coaches. They contributed $113 million in total annual revenue.
  • More and more corporations are hiring life coaches instead of mental health counsellors to work with employees (no stigma).
  • Life coaches remain unregulated. There are no state licensing requirements. This suggests freedom of practice, but also raises concerns about quality.
  • Executive coaches can earn a handsome salary too. Salaries start at $150 and can go up to $350 for most coaches. Executive coaches can also charge $1,000 per session.

Since Christian coaching is a very specific niche, tap into this enormous market.

Now, you may be wondering how you will you get your brand name noticed? The market is evolving and growing. But the competition is also getting tougher. You may want to refer to my blog How to promote your life coaching business? for more on this.

Resources to Help Your Career As A Christian Coach

Firstly, read up the one document you will need to quote from over and over again as a Christian coach.

Yes, the Bible.

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A simple Google search will show you several books and podcasts online. You may want to look up some of these resources and stay updated in your career as a Christian coach.

Books to help Christian coach

A search on GoodReads will offer several books for Christian coaches. Some are:

  1. Christian Coaching: Helping Others Turn Potential into Reality by Gary R. Collins
  2. Leadership Coaching: The Disciplines, Skills, and Heart of a Christian Coach by Tony Stoltzfus
  3. Christian Life Coaching Handbook: Calling and Destiny Discovery Tools for Christian Life Coaching by Tony Stoltzfus
  4. Ethics & Risk Management for Christian Coaches by Michael J. Marx
  5. Coaching by the Book: Principles of Christian Coaching by Ruth Ledesma
  6. Called to Coach: 50 Inspirational Stories of Christian Coaches Who Answered God’s Call by Janice LaVore-Fletcher, Donna Wyland
  7. Christian Life Coaching Bible by Dennis Gomas, Suzanne Gomas
  8. The Complete Guide to Christian Coach Training: 2014 Edition by Linda C. Hedberg
  9. Empowering Coaches: A Christian Coach’s Guide to Building a Successful Business by Kelly Thorne Gore
  10. The Christian Writer’s Coach: How to Get the Most out of a Writers Conference by Lynnette Bonner (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Dennis Brooke (Goodreads Author) (Contributor), Kathleen Freeman (Contributor)
  11. Christian Coaching: The Master’s Guide to Becoming a Professional Christian Life and Recovery Coach by Kevin T. Coughlin (Goodreads Author), Melissa Manes (Editor)
  12. The COACH Model for Christian Leaders by Keith E. Webb (Goodreads Author)
  13. A Leader’s Life Purpose Handbook: Calling And Destiny Discovery Tools For Christian Life Coaching by Tony Stoltzfus (Goodreads Author)
  14. Becoming a Coach: Wisdom from Leaders in Christian Coach Training by Linda C. Hedberg (Contributor), Shelly Cantrell (Contributor), Keith E. Webb (Goodreads Author) (Contributor)
  15. Called to Coach: Marks of a Christian Coach (Character Series Book One) by Gordon Thiessen, Rod Handley, Wes Neal
  16. Lighthouses: Christian Coaching in a Post-Christian World by Dean Alan Eaton, Paul Whetham
  17. A Leader’s Life Purpose Workbook: Calling and Destiny Discovery Tools for Christian Life Coaching by Tony Stoltzfus
  18. Christian Life Coaching Handbook by Miriam Kinai
  19. Christians Helping Christians, Christian Coaching in a Secular World by William Perry
  20. Some other books specifically for Christian coaches are listed here.

You may also consider reading some life coaching books in general. Here is a list of some top life coaching books. This list is helpful as it breaks down books on the basis of training books for coaches and audio book recommendations.

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Top 5 best sellers listed for aspiring coaches are:

  1. Co-Active Coaching – Laura Whitworth, Henry Kinsey-House, Phil Sandahl, and John Whitmore
  2. Transformational Life Coaching – Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott and Lynn U. Stewart
  3. Coaching Questions: A Coach’s Guide to Powerful Asking Skills – Tony Stoltzfus
  4. Becoming a Professional Life Coach: Lessons from the Institute of Life Coach Training – Patrick Williams and Diane Menendez
  5. The Life Coaching Handbook: Everything you need to become an effective life coach – Curly Martin

Podcasts and Videos for Christian Coach

There are several YouTube videos and podcasts online to learn from and better yourself as a Christian coach. Some of the links are here:

  1. https://professionalchristiancoachingtoday.com/
  2. https://player.fm/podcasts/Christian%2520Women%2520Coaching
  3. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/todd-stocker/take-back-your-life-podcast
  4. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/professional-christian-coaching-today/id1050199066
  5. https://www.christiancoachinstitute.com/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Christian Coach?

A Christian coach is a spiritual coach who helps clients to understand the word of the Bible better and to incorporate those teachings into their everyday lives.

What does a Christian coach do?

Christian coach focuses largely on incorporating teachings from the Bible to help clients to recognize their full potential.

How do you become a certified Christian coach?

You will need to complete a course that is certified with the International Coach Federation (ICF)where you need to finish at least 60 hours of coaching instruction plus an extra 100 hours of coaching practice on clients.

How does a client find a Christian coach?

You can find the right Christian coach for yourself by comparing the testimonials and experience level of different coaches and choosing the right one for you.

How much does a Christian coach earn?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for “Christian life coach” ranges from approximately $28,928 per year for Life Skills Trainer to $89,777 per year for Director.

Do you need certification as a Christian coach?

No, you do not need a certification to practice as a Christian coach. This is because right now, the coaching industry is still unregulated.

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