By Evan Englezos and Carol Clark
18 November 2022
On Thursday 10 November, about 50 people from across the diocese joined in Choral Evening Prayer at St Paul’s Cathedral to give thanks for 10 years of the diocesan Coaching Program.
Calling us to worship, Dean Andreas Loewe reflected that the modern tool of coaching was present in Jesus’ ministry as he paired people with experienced leaders and sent them into mission together.
Thanksgiving flowed, with the choir and director Philip Nicholls leading us in Psalm 25 (To You, O Lord, I Lift My Soul), the spine-tingling Magnificat, readings from Proverbs 8 and Ephesians 4, and heart-felt prayers gathered from coaches and coachees.
Coaches and coachees shared stories of personal growth, ministries revived, and God’s calling followed through sometimes stressful ministry and life stages.
“Having a coach and being a coach has greatly encouraged me in ministry,” said Reverend Karen Winsemius. “I’ve seen people have moments of clarity and identify where to move forward in ministry, just as I’ve had those moments too.”
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Reverend Howard Langmead, also a coach and coachee, was stopped one day by his coach’s question. “As I grappled with establishing our Introducing Jesus program, he asked: ‘What if it works?’” Mr Langmead said. “It moved my thinking from problem-solving to positive expectations.”
Ordained in Jerusalem, Reverend Canon Farag Hanna had to adjust to leading an Anglican parish in Melbourne. “By God’s grace, I have greater confidence in doing God’s ministry [here],” she said. “When I need help, there’s always a door to knock on!”
Reverend Esther Zhang feels similarly: “I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to my coach for always being there to support and safeguard me as I seek to fulfill God’s calling in my ministry.”
The congregational hymn, I Am Carried, and the prayer of blessing from Bishop Kate were a fitting culmination to joyful worship.
Over a grazing table supper, several people were acknowledged. Ken Morgan for his foresight and action in bringing the program to life, Program Manager Carol Clark for her vision and passion for coaching, coaches who’ve given thousands of volunteer hours to coaching and professional development and coachees who faithfully turn up each month to work on their ministry.
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