What is Christian Life Coaching?
October 26, 2009 by Tara McClenahan
When I first started blogging for Women by Grace, many of you commented asking me just what Christian Life Coaching was and how I got started in it. I must admit that I had never heard of life coaching until about three years ago. Even then I had no idea how it could be used for God’s glory.
What Christian Life Coaching Is 
There are many “life coaches” out there in the world. All you have to do is a Google search for Life Coach and you will find someone for every need you might have: business, career choice/change, life transition, life purpose, etc. The possibilities are endless. What sets Christian Life Coaching apart may be obvious. Christian Life Coaches (CLC) help people based on a Christian worldview and from the perspective that only God can make the changes in people’s hearts and lives as they allow Him to do so by submitting to Him as Savior and Lord and using the Bible to guide them. The job of a CLC is to point people back to Christ and the Word for the changes they desire to see made in their lives. We inspire, encourage and equip you in your growth in Christ and in your dreams, desires and goals. We help you set goals and help you develop and execute steps to reach those goals. We walk alongside you, helping you navigate obstacles, mindsets, roadblocks and detours with the help of God and guidance of the Bible.
What Christian Life Coaching Isn’t
CLCs are not counselors or psychologists. We do not try to handle any issues such as depression (or other mental illness), addictions, abuse, etc. In addition, CLCs do not and will not tell you what to do. We help you look to Christ to guide your way on the path He has you on. For instance, if you wanted help finding out what God wants you to do in a certain area of your life, we help you in the process of discovering that through prayer, incisive questions and assessment tools but it is not our role to give you answers. As CLCs, we believe that is all up to God, not us.
We are also not replacements for your pastor, elders or your local church. God has created the institution of the local church and its leadership for a reason. We in no way wish to replace any of those.
Christian Life Coach Niches
There are as many niches, or specialties, for CLCs as there are life problems to tackle! Here is a short sample list:
- Finances
- Marriage
- Parenting
- Life transition (empty nest, change of jobs, etc.)
- Career guidance
- Ministry guidance
- Health & Wellness
The list is endless and within each niche is a countless variety of subniches! For instance, my primary niche is parenting (although I can and do work with all types of women at different phases of their life and with different goals) and my subniche is Christian moms of children ages 0-10.
How I Got Started
I “stumbled” upon Christian Life Coaching while talking with a friend who had read a book titled “Pathway to Purpose” by Dr. Katie Brazelton. This friend knew that I had a burning desire to be used by God to help women in some capacity. She told me I should check out the Life Purpose Coaching program offered by Dr. Brazelton. I did so and did some introductory life purpose coaching sessions with Kelly Thorne, Founder and President of iBloom. It was during those sessions that I knew that this was an avenue that God could use me to touch women’s lives for His glory so I went through the training and became a Certified Life Purpose Coach through Life Purpose Coaching Centers International. This certification means that I can coach individuals and groups, serve as a speaker, facilitator and/or coordinator for events and conduct individual and group life plans. But as a CLC, I am not limited to just coaching. I also get to do my first love – writing! And there are many other avenues that a CLC can use either as a supplemental part to coaching or in place of coaching. The sky really is the limit!
Kelly then asked me to become one of the first four associates with iBloom. After much prayer and soul-searching, I agreed. This is an organization whose goal is “to inspire and empower every woman on the planet to live a life of passion, balance, purpose and fulfillment. iBloom is dedicated to helping women live intentionally and ultimately have a significant impact with their lives.” This is a huge goal but we trust God to have His way with it!
Being a part of iBloom has been a tremendous time in my life! God has taken me on a personal and professional ride that has been exhilarating at times and a rough molding process at others. But I know that He is using me to touch women’s lives for His glory. And that, after all, is what it’s all about.
What questions do you have about Christian Life Coaching? Please post and I will reply!
I am 52 years old and have been a single mom since I was 15 years old! I have 3 adult children and a 15-year-old daughter at home. I have a passion for women’s ministry, helping single moms, and women who have been abused in ever arena!
I don’t want to take up too much time so I’ll be as brief as possible. I attended Oral Roberts University for 5 years and received two masters degrees (Master of Divinity and Christian Counseling – Marriage and Family Therapy). I did my practicum/internship with Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS). Although I loved working with the women and felt I was in my “element” (anointing), I did not like working in the secular arena. Going through the program, I just did not sense God wanting me to get a license in that field.
I have love working one-on-one and having that close connection and interaction working with women and help them as much as possible. I have done group counseling and started workshops out of my home and I absolutely love it. I have looked into Christian Life Coaching and it is definitely something that I see myself doing among other things. Is there anyway I can offer this type of service to women without have to go back to school for it? When I go back to school, I want to go back for my doctorate in pastor counseling. I have done my research and know the difference between be a therapist (counselor) and having a coaching practice. I think the advantage for me is that I have been trained to recognize mental illnesses and can suggest additional help from a licensed counselor to help them.
Basically, I want to know how can I start my own Christian life coaching ministry/business? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Yvonne
I am totally surprised at how quickly the CLC niche has grown. I am even wondering if we should adjust our business to accommodate it!
Great post and best of luck to you (and Yvonne!) getting your practices to the top!
Cheers
Jesse
Tara, what a great and informative post. I have often wondered what this profession is, especially as it’s grown in popularity recently. You have written such inspirational articles and I am sure you are such a blessing in many lives.
Thanks for sharing and I love reading your articles. I seem to learn so much!
Thank you for your kind words Elizabeth! So many people are curious about what CLC is and how it can help them! I love my job!