Mentor coaching

Last Wednesday I started the next phase on my journey toward obtaining a Certificate in Christian Leadership Coaching. This is through Coach Approach Ministries and the International Coach Federation. The requirements for becoming a licensed  ICF coach include:

• CAM 101 – Intro to Christian Coaching (6 hours of self-paced online learning)
• CAM 501 – Foundations of Christian Coaching (2 days in person or 16 hours online over 8 weeks)
• CAM 502 – Establishing a Dynamic Coaching Relationship (2 days in person or 16 hours online over 8 weeks)
• 10 hours with a qualified ICF-credentialed mentor coach or completion of the Portfolio Prep Package
•  Certification Fee of $375 (reduced to $75 if you’ve completed the PPP process with CAM)

I have taken classes 501 and 502, but actually skipped the 101 class, so following my 10 hours of mentor coaching (which I am doing now) I can take an online course 'Mastering the Core Competencies' for $99 in its place.

This 10 hours of mentor coaching will take place through online and phone conferencing with 7 other students, the course instructor, and then 3 more hours of one-on-one coaching with 3 certified coaches - all over the next 8 weeks. The weekly conference calls are on Wednesdays from 4-5pm EDT. The emphasis of this class is on practicing and implementing the ICF's 11 Core Competencies. They are:

A. Setting the Foundation
1. Meeting Ethical Guidelines and Professional Standards
2. Establishing the Coaching Agreement
B. Co-creating the Relationship
3. Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client
4. Coaching Presence
C. Communicating Effectively 
5. Active Listening
6. Powerful Questioning
7. Direct Communication
D. Facilitating Learning and Results
8. Creating Awareness
9. Designing Actions
10. Planning and Goal Setting
11. Managing Progress and Accountability 

Personally, I am still undecided as to what I will do with this certification (should I achieve it). I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around charging people money for me to coach them, but... I can also see the value in it (for the person in need of coaching). Sometimes we all need someone to help us walk through - or think through - something. Plus it's something I can kinda sorta do. So... we will see.

Tomorrow I will [probably] post: What Exactly Is Christian Coaching?