Professional Christian Coaching Today

What if the very skills that make you a great counselor, pastor, or people-helper aren’t the same ones needed to help someone grow? Many professionals feel a stirring toward coaching but aren’t sure how it differs from what they already do. The overlap with counseling can feel confusing, especially when your heart is wired to support others. In this episode, we unpack the five core differences between coaching and counseling. You’ll gain clarity on what coaching is, how it works, and why it matters. If you’ve ever wondered how to begin, whether additional training is necessary, or how to navigate dual roles with integrity, this conversation will guide you with insight, practical help, and encouragement. In this episode, you’ll discover:     • Why coaching and counseling serve different purposes and how that affects your approach     • How to tell which role you’re in and why that distinction matters     • What motivates coaching clients and how it shifts the conversation     • Key ethical and legal consider

As coaches, we know that awareness is the first step toward transformation. Yet for many leaders, the awareness they most need—the way others actually experience their leadership—remains hidden just beyond their view. That’s why today’s conversation with Bryan Brown is so essential.   In this insightful and practical discussion, we’ll explore: Why feedback is one of the rarest and most valuable gifts a leader can receive The critical role coaches play in helping leaders interpret and apply 360° feedback Common pitfalls to avoid when using a 360° assessment How leadership blind spots can quietly derail influence—and how to uncover them Why trust is the true currency of leadership today, and how 360°s can strengthen it How often leaders should engage in a 360° feedback process for sustained growth   Bryan also shares a glimpse into a newly developed, Christ-centered 360° tool designed to help leaders grow in emotional intelligence, relational trust, and lasting impact. If you coach leaders at any

What if coaching wasn’t about having to ask the perfect question, but about trusting the space between the words? What if silence, curiosity, and presence were the most powerful tools in your coaching toolkit? In this episode, you’ll listen in on a masterfully conducted coaching session with Master Certified Coach Jaime Slingerland, joined by commentary from Master Certified Coach Cindy Schmelzenbach. You will enjoy this rare open window into a deeply moving conversation—one that shows how transformation can quietly unfold when a coach partners with the whole person, not just their goal. Listen in to discover: How a coach’s spacious presence can create room for unexpected breakthroughs When to gently invite new awareness without interrupting the flow The power of noticing what really matters to your client—and staying with it Why asking less can sometimes reveal more You’ll walk away inspired, encouraged, and reminded that powerful coaching isn’t about performance—it’s about partnership. ICF MCC Minimum S

Coaching has come a long way—and today, we’re celebrating just how far. In this episode, we honor key milestones in the growth of professional coaching and Christian coach training, reflect on where the field stands today, and cast a hopeful vision for what’s ahead. Whether you’re new to coaching or have been part of the journey for decades, this conversation will encourage, inspire, and remind you of the sacred calling behind the coaching profession. You’ll hear:   A celebration of some major anniversaries in the field of coaching Surprising statistics about the growth and global impact of coaching today Why Christian coaching uniquely matters in a noisy, fast-paced world How the rise of AI is highlighting—not replacing—the need for deep, Spirit-led connection A compelling vision of coaching’s role in the emerging “wisdom economy”                                  Join us as we mark this meaningful moment in coaching history—and look with anticipation toward all God is still unfolding. Access Your Resources

What makes a team thrive? If you've ever been part of a dysfunctional team, you know how frustrating it can be—miscommunication, lack of trust, and an endless cycle of unmet expectations. But what if there was a way to turn that dysfunction into deep connection and shared success? In this episode, we explore the power of team coaching, how it differs from individual and group coaching, and why it’s essential for creating cohesive, high-performing teams. Drawing from the principles taught in Coaching for Work Teams, we’ll dive into practical strategies for building trust, fostering productive conflict, and aligning around a shared mission. Whether you're a coach looking to expand your skills or a leader wanting to strengthen your team, you’ll walk away with actionable insights you can apply immediately. About Sandra Black Sandra Black, PCC is an ICF certified coach with dual certification as a Professional Leadership and Life Coach and a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. She is passionate about developing lea

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to break free from the cycle of stress? In this episode, we dive into the heart of stress resilience, unpacking what stress really is, how it affects our brains and bodies, and why it’s essential to approach it with practical strategies and spiritual wisdom. If you or your clients seek simple habits to build resilience, this conversation with Dr. Charles Stone offers hope and actionable steps. Tune in to: Understand what stress is and how it impacts your brain and body. Learn proven practices for building resilience. Discover one daily habit that can help reduce stress immediately. Explore how biblical truths address stress and offer lasting peace. Gain practical advice for supporting loved ones who are overwhelmed. About Charles Stone: With over 40 years of pastoral experience, Charles Stone has served as a lead pastor, associate pastor, and church planter, bringing biblical truth and practical leadership wisdom to countless congregations. He is the author of seven books

Speaking can be a powerful tool for building your coaching business. In this episode, Dale Wilsher shares her inspiring journey from being a single mom speaking in faith-based spaces to earning five figures per keynote. From starting with simple survey cards to leveraging coaching success stories, Dale unpacks the strategies and pivotal moments that transformed her speaking into a thriving coaching business. You’ll also discover how to navigate different environments as a faith-based speaker, create signature talks that balance warmth and competence, and turn speaking engagements into coaching clients. Tune in to receive: Insights on combining speaking with coaching to accelerate trust and build your client base. Practical strategies for creating signature talks and using personal stories effectively. Tips for navigating professional spaces while staying true to your values. A process for turning speaking engagements into coaching clients using tools like survey cards and follow-ups. Inspiration from Dale’s

Join us as we wrap up the year with six of our favorite things from 2024—some practical, some inspiring, and all centered on God’s faithfulness in every season. From memorable moments to fresh insights that have shaped our lives and work, this conversation is packed with encouragement and reflection.  Whether you’re looking to discover something new, be reminded of God’s goodness, or simply enjoy a meaningful recap of the year, tune in to reflect and rejoice in what God is doing in and through us all.

Looking to help your clients bring clarity and intention to their family life? In this insightful episode, Geremy Keeton, Senior Director of the Counseling Services Department of Focus on the Family and a licensed marriage and family therapist, dives deep into family values, vision, and creating a purpose-filled family mission statement. Christian coaches will gain practical insights on how to foster healthy dynamics in both family and work environments. If you’ve been feeling the pressure of balancing personal and professional life, or are helping your clients align their values with their actions, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Key Takeaways: Learn how to create a family mission, purpose, and values statement. Gain clarity on fostering healthy family dynamics and team collaboration. Equip your clients to live more intentionally in alignment with their core values. Learn more about Focus on the Family: www.FocusOnTheFamily.com/gethelp

Success that leaves you drained and burned out isn’t really success at all. In today’s conversation, we explore what it means to pursue sustainable success—success that doesn’t sacrifice your soul on the altar of achievement. We’ll unpack: The Pitfalls of Hustle Culture: Why chasing bigger, faster, and more can lead to diminishing returns in both business and life. Biblical Principles for Lasting Impact: How Jesus’ rhythms of work and rest can transform your approach to coaching and business. Practical Strategies for Coaches: Tips and tools for making each day and each season align with God’s pace and purpose. Discover how to cultivate a life and business that flourish, not just for a season, but for the long haul. Pace of Grace Community: You can learn more about The Pace of Grace Community here: www.PaceOfGrace.com/community. 

Understanding and living out God’s calling is one of the most significant pursuits in our Christian walk. While it's easy to grasp the concept of calling, translating it into our daily lives can often be challenging. But knowing our purpose and calling keeps us aligned with God's design, inspires others, and brings clarity and intentionality to our every action. Listen in to reflect on your journey and consider how you can better attune to God's voice, trust Him more deeply, and follow Him more faithfully. Key Takeaways: Clarity and Direction: Gain a clear understanding of your God-given purpose. Fulfillment: Experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living out your calling. Inspiration: Inspire others by aligning your actions with God's plan. Intentionality: Transform daily tasks into meaningful acts of worship and service. Faithfulness: Strengthen your ability to trust and follow God more faithfully. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your walk with Christ and ignite your calling. Tu

God created us for connection—with Him and with one another. The clients we serve are hungry for it. They crave real relationships, genuine warmth, deep caring, and a healthy community. Now, more than ever, we, as coaches, have the opportunity to help our clients combine learning with community through group coaching. In this episode, you'll learn: The documented ROI of group coaching How to choose a compelling and relevant topic The best ways to foster connection and engagement within your coaching groups About Jordan Mercedes: Jordan Mercedes is an executive coach, coach educator, ethics instructor, and mentor with more than 15 years of experience. She has authored two accredited International Coaching Federation training programs, Leaders Coach Forward TM and FoundationsTM.  Known as a “fire starter,” Jordan helps clients recognize and connect the power of their inner fire to create outward momentum. She works with leaders of corporations, faith-based organizations, small businesses, and startups. For

As coaches, we have the privilege of partnering with individuals to help them move toward their goals. Goals around: Career Advancement Health and wellness Personal growth and self-improvement Relationship building Entrepreneurship and more However, the non-directive nature of coaching often leads us to overlook its powerful potential in evangelism. In today’s episode, we dive into a compelling example of the intersection of coaching and evangelism from the Pregnancy Resource Center in Rolla, Missouri. You'll also learn discover the ICF’s competencies can guide us during these powerful conversations. This episode promises to equip you with practical tools and heartfelt insights, enabling you to make a lasting impact on the lives of those you coach.

Coaching is renowned for helping people grow and change in profound ways: enhancing self-awareness, boosting performance and productivity, increasing confidence, improving communication skills, achieving goals, enjoying work-life balance, and much more. However, something we don’t often hear about is how coaching can be a powerful tool in fulfilling the Great Commission. Thankfully, this topic was recently addressed by Chris McCluskey at the Navigator’s annual Coach Camp. Today, we have the privilege of listening in to his impactful presentation. In this episode, you will learn: The best standards for ethical practice How coaching can be utilized as a leadership tool The six styles of evangelism and the transformative power of a coach approach Join us for an enlightening episode on using coaching as a tool to fulfill the Great Commission.

In this rapidly changing world, few things are as important as equipping the next generation of leaders, assisting them in identifying their values, discerning their gifts, and living out their callings. In today’s episode, we will hear from John Basie, Director of the Residency Experience at Impact 360 Institute, as he shares how they employ coaching with their students and staff to achieve these important goals. Tune in to learn more about: • Why obtaining a coaching credential is crucial • How they have cultivated a coaching culture • The transformations they have witnessed About John Basie Dr. John Basie is an alumnus of PCCI. He serves as Director of the Residency Experience at Impact 360 Institute in Pine Mountain, Georgia. He also holds a faculty appointment with North Greenville University (SC) as Affiliated Professor of Leadership. He has served in various leadership capacities in Christian higher education since 1997, and has extensive experience in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors as a certifi

Fostering connections with others can significantly boost our physical and emotional health. Such interactions cultivate mutual support and accountability, pool wisdom and talents, and pave the way for teamwork. However, finding a community that's both Christ-focused and genuinely nurturing can be challenging.   In today's episode, we explore ways you can participate in our growing Christian coaching community. Plus, we share complimentary resources designed to help you honor International Christian Coaching Day—a day dedicated to recognizing the transformative power of Christian coaching, fostering fellowship among Christian coaches, and raising awareness about this profound instrument for personal growth and change.   Get your free resources for International Christian Coaching Day here: www.ProfessionalChristianCoaching.com/day

Join us as we delve into the captivating intersection of coaching and artificial intelligence (AI). As technology evolves at a rapid pace, grasping AI's significance becomes increasingly vital for Christians and Christian coaches alike.  In this episode, we'll trace the origins of AI, discuss its limitations, and unveil exciting opportunities for leveraging AI in your coaching practice. From enhancing research capabilities to augmenting brainstorming sessions and aiding marketing efforts, discover how AI can empower and elevate your coaching journey. About Michael Pfau: Michael Pfau is the Founder and President of Crossways Life   Coaching, LLC. Michael has 25-years working in corporate I.T. departments of several Fortune 500 companies and over 21-year’s experience as a coach giving him a unique blend to understand and apply technology into the field of coaching. Along with his own coaching practice, Michael serves as an instructor for the Professional Christian Coaching Institute.  Learn more about Michael,

Professional coaching is experiencing remarkable growth and evolving in its global significance. In this episode, we'll dive into insights gathered from the latest ICF Research Global Coaching Study, shedding light on the journey of coaching thus far and the promising horizons that await.   Join us to uncover valuable information, including: Global benchmarks for coaches' yearly earnings Insights into the typical client load An exploration of coaching sponsorship The significance of professional credentials An array of additional services coaches provide Prevalent coaching niches Other intriguing findings  About Cindy Schmelzenbach, PCC  Cindy is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, a Gallup-Certified Strengths® Coach, and a Conversational Intelligence® Practitioner.  She also has a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling and serves on faculty and as Director of Education at PCCI. As an ICF mentor coach and Certified Coach Supervisor, she has a passion for supporting coaches in their personal and profes

As a coach and a solopreneur, you find yourself wearing numerous hats. From customer acquisition and coaching to accounting and bookkeeping, the responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders. How do you do it all? In this episode, we have the privilege of welcoming Kris Kelso, the Dean of Entrepreneurship at PCCI, who shares invaluable insights. He offers a fresh perspective that can empower you to not only comprehend each of the roles you undertake but also discover effective strategies for managing them well.  About Kris Kelso, PCC Kris is a professional keynote speaker, an author, and a Professional Certified Coach.  His writing has been featured in Fast Company Magazine and Yahoo Finance, and he's coached and taught entrepreneurs on 6 out of 7 continents.  He is a growth coach at Heroic Public Speaking, and he serves as the Dean of Entrepreneurship and teaches several courses here at the Professional Christian Coaching Institute. Connect with Kris and download his helpful worksheet at www.KrisKelso.com/

As the year draws to a close, we extend a heartfelt invitation for you to join us in this special episode. Together, we'll reflect on the ways God has encouraged us, the invaluable tools that have helped us, the books that have inspired us, and the insights we want to carry into the New Year.  Tune in to learn about spiritual practices, unexpected pets, the life-giving wisdom found in the Psalms, and other treasures that will enrich your coaching journey in the year to come.   Resources Mentioned in this Episode: A Non-Anxious Presence by Mark Sayers The Pace of Grace Podcast with Kim Avery