Make it Transformational: A Blog for Champion Discipleship

"What's the greatest barrier(s) you face in comprehensively coaching champions in your cause?"

Well, that was the question I posed to an executive director and his board during a recent one-on-one consultation. The question came up as we were discussing the Transformational Giving Principles, in particular #8 and #10, with reference to the idea of comprehensively coaching champions. Just so those two principles are top of mind, here's what they say.

Principle 8: Giving is not the process but rather the result of the process of a champion being comprehensively coached to share the cause effectively within his or her sphere of influence.

Principle 10: Champions connect with each other and with organizations not according to the amount of their giving but by the degree of comprehensive personal ownership they are exhibiting in the cause.

The question seemed straight forward enough to me, and I certainly didn't have any subtle agenda in asking it, but boy was I surprised by the conversational flury that ensued. Here's a synopsis of what was discussed. (Note: The "they" in the responses below refer to the ministry's current donors.)

• They believe it requires a certain calling and unique gifting to do what we do and appear almost scared!
• They don't really understand the Bible's clear teaching about the cause.
• They don't have a sense of urgency, but seem more sentimental about the cause.      
• They've given-up on the cause, and seem almost overwhelmed by the immesity of the need.
  
• They believe that getting too close to the cause may give them "cause coodies."

So I responded, after observing that the subject of the reasons given was the donor and not a single one was with reference to the ministry, why do you think that is? And at the risk of offending them, which was not my intention, I officially ended our brainstorming session by proposing, in the form of a question, one final barrier that may stand in the way of people being comprehensively coached in the cause.

Is it possible that you are one of the greatest barriers to people being comprehensively coached in the cause? In otherwords...

• Is it possible that you've given the impression that the work you do is "for professionals only"?
• Is it possible that you've neglected to build a Biblical apologetic for your cause and then to share that with them?
• Is it possible that you've encouraged them to feel sentimental about the cause versus feeling a true Biblical compassion (i.e. a genuine emotive response that compels one to loving action)
• Is it possible that discussions of "the need" have simply overwhelmed them and they have very little understanding of the ways that the cause can be impacted?
• Is it possible that you've intentionally kept them at arms link, perhaps for fear of complicating things by their involvement or in an attempt to control things?

The silence was broken by a simple but insightful response. "I guess we have some work to do to coach our champions huh."

The balance of the conversation was amazing. We spent time discussing each of the above items and came up with some very produtive ways to recognize internally (i.e. reshaping the questions to serve as a guide), as well as intentionally address these barriers that stand in the way of real champion maturity. Though not exhaustive, each of the above questions has stimulated a few "coaching points" for them to develop in the context of their PEO chart, communications (including their thanking & receipting which is our upcoming workshop topic in May), events, and other ministry related activities.

So I ask you, what's the greatest barrier(s) you face in comprehensively coaching champions in your cause?