As I look back on the 15 years since the Coaching 101 Handbook was first published, the main attribute I am struck by is its durability. The work Gary Reinecke and I did on the international qualitative research project to determine coaching competencies, micro-skills and outcomes was a pioneering work yielding robust results that have stood the test of time.

The principles are now proven through the training of thousands of coaches throughout the world. To date, Coaching 101 Handbook has been translated into Spanish, German, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, and French. As a part of a global coach training process, it’s proven to be a very powerful tool.

Over the years, coaching has grown and increasingly impacted churches and ministries. Its principles have been applied to increase the effectiveness of making disciples and raising leaders. Perhaps the reason it’s been so powerful is because it was extracted from biblical principles. It’s about coming alongside to help, just as Barnabas came alongside Paul, and then Paul came alongside Timothy and others, and empowering them for effective ministry. It’s about listening to the Holy Spirit and respecting others enough to believe that they too can listen to the Holy Spirit and live in obedience to what they’re hearing.

If those kinds of intentional coaching relationships—the ones that foster personal growth as well as increasing fruitful results for the Kingdom of God—are something you want to invest in, I highly recommend taking a fresh look at the Coaching 101 Handbook.