As part of the best practices of church planting I work with a coach, Nicole Reilley. It took a while to find the right person and I consider myself so fortunate to have such an amazing coach now. She lets me talk about everything and is the right mix of challenging and encouraging. Whenever I talk to her I feel sharper about my ministry, more clear on what God is asking of me. I’m supposed to have a one hour phone call with her every month. And I totally do, but apparently I don’t.
I had an amazing coaching session last week and at the end of it we were talking about her contract and the expectations for our coaching relationship and she said the most outlandish thing to me, “This is only our third session this year.” I could not believe it, but then she listed out the dates and I began to realize she was right. In all of the busyness of last year, in all the preparing for renewal leave, I had neglected something that is such a wonderful gift to my ministry.
There was no guilt in our conversation, just a reminder of the reality, and the choice to do something about it. At the end of our session she gently encouraged me to book the next one. And this is why I love her being my coach, she holds me accountable in helpful and healthy ways. No more of this going months without booking something because I’m too busy to prioritize what’s actually important.
I know from my own past experiences that it is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind and drift from habits and practices that are good. I was just so surprised to see how far off course I was this time! I’m thankful to be back from renewal leave with a sense of spaciousness and room to focus on what really matters. And I’m thankful for people like Nicole who help me to do this work of the SE Portland Parish.
-Eilidh
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