What’s new at Milestones Ministry? Life Coaching!
Over the past three years, Debbie Streicher of Milestones Ministry has had over 200 hours of training and been certified as an ACC (Associated Certified Coach) by the ICF, International Coaching Federation, and by Coaching at End of Life. She believes that effective coaching can lead to change and has experienced it making a difference for those in leadership roles in the congregation. She has coached pastors, lay leaders, and ministry teams.
Debbie describes her role as a professional coach as one of building a trusting setting that includes actively listening, being non-judgmental, and asking thought provoking questions. This helps unlock a person’s full potential and guides a person to discover their own answers and solutions.
Having been trained as a coach with the International Federation of Coaches, Debbie knows that coaching sessions do not involve “fixing” but are about strengthening a person’s abilities and walking alongside them as they move towards a strategy through self-discovery. This honors the client’s expertise in their own life.
How is this different than traditional consulting and training done by Milestones Ministry?
- A consultant analyzes data and then decides what needs to be done. Consulting for Milestones Ministry works with congregations and leaders to assess the setting and help align existing resources as a tool to help grow the congregation.
- A trainer teaches you how to use existing resources in your setting. Training for Milestones Ministry is teaching individuals and congregations to use specifically the Milestones Ministry resources in their setting.
- A coach facilitates and nurtures growth. Coaching for Milestones Ministry is listening and walking alongside someone to help move them from where they are now to where they would like to be through a process of thought-provoking questions. Coaching never involves giving advice. The client has the answer inside themselves.
What led Debbie to become certified as a coach?
Debbie has lived in different states, overseas in Japan and Spain, is fluent in Spanish, and is comfortable in both urban and rural cultures. She describes herself as specializing in congregational leadership coaching. However, also embraces the opportunity to coach individuals in other settings.
She has served on staff in a congregation and been a consultant for both clergy and lay leaders in congregations across the country, in Canada, and in Australia. She has a passion for empowering all ages in using their God-given gifts to embrace and be engaged in ministry in their daily lives.
Feeling alone, over scheduled, and burned out is something Debbie has experienced. As a result, she has learned that coaching done well can be an effective tool for help and support. She has a great desire to listen, encourage, and support those in leadership roles in congregations.
The pandemic changed our lives. It sped up unexpected, and in some cases, unwanted changes. Change happens when something has ended and something new is beginning. Anytime there is change, we grieve the loss of how it used to be.
These turning points in our lives trigger a milestone moment. Something has ended. Something else is beginning. When something has ended, a time to grieve and talk about it is often helpful in order to move forward in a healthy, caring way.
- Death of a loved one
- Terminal Illness
- Divorce
- Becoming a Caregiver
- Surgery
- Moving to a New Location
- Changing to a New School
- Becoming an Empty Nester
- Becoming Parents
The list goes on and on…
Debbie feels that coaching provides an opportunity to be heard in a trusted, caring, safe, and non-judgmental setting. All ages experience milestone moments. Some are happy. Some are sad. Debbie has begun scheduling both individuals and groups.
Interested in learning more or want to schedule a coaching session with Debbie? Please contact her at dstreicher@milestonesministry.org
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