Pastor Sherry Begins Work with Clergy Coach

As part of implementing our Vital Church Initiative prescriptions, I will receive personal clergy coaching. The purpose of the coaching is to assist me to enhance my leadership skills for the successful implementation of VCI and beyond. I will meet with the coach for 60 minute conversations each month. The coaching sessions run concurrent with the Clergy Peer Mentor group that both Deacon Loretta and I attend monthly.

Prior to each coaching conversation, I am asked to complete a "session focus form" that will help our time together to be fruitful. I will set the agenda of each coaching session and will focus on goals (both the congregation's and my own) and the issues that I face in ministry.

Naomi Garcia is my assigned coach. She is also the directive coach for our church's implementation team for the next 24 months. Naomi is the Associate Director of Discipleship for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. She lives and has her office in Grand Rapids. Her formal education is in faith formation teaching and learning. She has also had extensive training as a coach and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and with the United Methodist Church congregational development team, Path 1.

I look forward to these coaching sessions and the opportunity to grow in skill and knowledge. I ask that you be in prayer for me as I work to personally serve Brighton First to the best of my ability.