I am happy to announce to my friends and family at River of Life that on Friday, December 5, having successfully completed a twelve-month professional coach training process with Lifeforming Leadership Coaching; I received my final certification as a Lifeforming Leadership Coach.

This landmark event in my life is the culmination of a year of intensive training in the skills and principles of leadership coaching. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the growing popularity of life coaching, I can tell you that the power of working with a life coach to help people take their lives to a whole new level of performance, fulfillment and achievement is a phenomenon that is gathering momentum in all sectors of society – from the corporate world to the social service arena to educational institutions to the health care industry to churches. Personal and group coaching works anywhere people want to fulfill their destiny, resolve conflict,  navigate transitions or catapult themselves forward – individually or collectively!

Why did I select Lifeforming? Because it embodies the values and presuppositions  I embrace. It’s designed to help me help others “assemble the whole story,” to  integrate all the facets of human design, to offer the kind of relational dynamic that results in sustainable transformation and change. If you want to know more about  this coach training organization, check out their website at www.lifeformingcoach.com.

What does this mean about my place in the church?  It means I’ve  expanded my ability to serve people like you, who know me in my other capacities, but might not be aware of the resource I can be as a Leadership Coach. How many of us are looking for a “strategic friend” to walk along side us for a season to give us the  skilled extra support, encouragement and accountability we need to get where we  want to go? I’m excited about the way this training has unleashed my desire to be a catalyst of growth and change in the lives of everyone I care for, and everyone I meet!

In particular, as I’ve gone through this process, I’ve discovered that my own passion as a Leadership Coach centers around the themes of values clarification and life purpose, with a particular interest in the emerging leaders in the millenial generation (20 somethings!).

In addition to my responsibilities at River of Life, I will be utilizing my training in various endeavors around Hot Springs and other churches in Arkansas and in the surrounding region.  In addition, I will be implementing some training in our church that will impart these values and skills to our leadership team, as well as small group leaders and mentors.  Be looking for an upcoming workshop I will be doing in January called “Real Talk Training.”  I would love for you to participate in this transformative experience!

Thanks for rejoicing with me as I conclude this chapter of ongoing vocational growth!

Pastor Ben