“Explore Getting Coaching,” a free tutorial for those interested in getting coaching, has been posted. The tutorial focuses on 4 questions:

1. What is coaching?
2. In coaching, who does what?
3. What could you work on with a coach?
4. Are you ready for coaching?

Seniors at Christian Academy in Japan practiced their coaching skills during a 90-minute coach training. After watching demonstration of a coaching conversation, seniors reflected on what coaching is/isn't, considered the power of asking questions, changed closed questions into open-ended questions, and gave and received coaching.

On May 23 at SEND Center, 22 staff from 8 Christian organizations participated in a 6-hour coaching workshop. During the training, participants reflected on Christian coaching beliefs, identified their goals, watched coaching demonstrations, practiced their coaching skills, and finished the workshop by giving and receiving coaching.

Today at Seisho Kirisuto Kyokai Tokyo Kyoukai, 13 participants completed day 1 of the 5-day Core Coaching Skills Certificate Program (CCSCP). Led by Keith Webb and Takeshi Takazawa, participants watched a coaching demonstration, reviewed and practiced listening skills, and learned the COACH model.

Roger Hederstedt, Sean Collier, and Michael Essenburg (Close the Gap Now) served as table coaches.

As part of team training, 16 YWAM Japan staff located in the Tokyo area participated in coach training. During the 6-hour coach training held January 3-4 at Tokyo Bible Church in Shin Koiwa, participants:

• Discussed Christian beliefs about empowering others, including the belief that God is at work in the heart of every believer.
  
• Considered questions like, “What can a question do better than a statement?”
  
• Enhanced their skills in listening, inquiring, focusing, and encouraging.
  
• Gave and received coaching.

Here’s what participants said about GROWLIFE Fundamentals coach training:

• I learned to encourage others better.
  
• Simple skills used intentionally to help others can make a big difference to someone.
  
• I enjoyed learning how to listen better and ask questions in a different way.

YWAM Japan focuses on training, evangelism (including church planting), and mercy ministries.

During the Dec. 13 GROWLIFE meeting, participants reflected on how to encourage others and gave and received coaching. Facilitated by Close the Gap Now, GROWLIFE will continue meetings in 2008:

• Feb. 14 (Goals)
  
• March 13 (Reality)
  
• April 10  (Options)
  
• May 8 (Will do)

During the November 6-9 Church Planting Institute held near Mount Fuji, over 300 missionaries and Japanese church workers further developed a vision for God’s kingdom. Participants worshipped and listened to keynote speakers, including Nobuji Horikoshi, Steve Childers, Mitsuo Fukuda, Josiah Bancroft, and Gary Fujino. Participants also attended a variety of workshops, including Close the Gap Now’s GROWLIFE Fundamentals.

Sixteen staff from the Christian Academy in Japan participated in GROWLIFE coach training. Participants identified their goals, transformed closed questions into open-ended questions, watched and discussed coaching demonstrations, and gave and received coaching.

Said one participant, "GROWLIFE has helped me see the importance of setting goals in all of my life in order to make progress."

Oct. 19-20, the Church Multipication Team of Asian Access participated in GROWLIFE coach training while staying on Etajima (near Hiroshima). The 26 participants enhanced their listening and inquiry skills and used the GROW process to empower each other.

Said one participant, “It enhanced my ability to help people think about the big picture before they zoom in on what they need to do to accomplish their goals.”

Participants in the Sept. 24 GROWLIFE Inquiry coaching workshop focused on their inquiry skills. The 10 participants began the day by considering questions like "How is God growing you?" and "How is the Holy Spirit at work in your heart?" Then, participants learned and applied 3 inquiry tools (REALITY√, SWOT, and 6 Keys), before wrapping up the day by giving and receiving coaching.

"GROWLIFE helped me to clarify what my goals are...to take the next steps in achieving them...to know effective ways to help others achieve their goals," said a participant of the Sept. 15 GROWLIFE coach training.

During the workshop, the 10 participants used open-ended questions to help others clarify a goal, explore it, and take action to achieve it.

June 14- 15, thirteen participants learned about, experienced, and used the GROW process (Goal, Reality, Options, Will do) and LIFE skills (Listening, Inquiring, Focusing, Encouraging).

Participants commented:

• "I came wanting coaching to become a reality, to put flesh on a concept. I not only saw it, but I was able to do it."
  
• "I enjoyed lots of guided practice in a relaxed atmosphere.... An insight I had is I need to give less advice and ask more questions."
  
• "The seminar is well prepared and anyone will feel comfortable joining the seminar."

Here's what some of the participants in the May 11 GROWLIFE Fundamentals workshop said:

• "This workshop gave me some tools that I will be able to use in discipling."
  
• "I gained confidence and believe I can help others with GROWLIFE. Thanks!"
  
• "I came away from the workshop with concrete, measurable, attainable action steps to achieve my goal. Amazing!"
  
• "I don't know when I've been to a workshop that is so practical."
  
• "GROWLIFE can transform your life and your ministry and your organization."

During the workshop, the 17 participants learned about the coach's heart, practiced coaching skills, and gave and received coaching.

On March 2, 20 missionaries and Christian Academy in Japan staff attended Close the Gap Now's GROWLIFE coach training. Participants learned about, experienced, and used the GROW process (Goal, Reality, Options, Will do) and LIFE skills (Listening, Inquiring, Focusing, Encouraging).

Said one participant, “It was helpful for me to see the role coaching can play in a pastor’s ministry.”

Another added, “I can already take home and apply some skills.”

Today, Close the Gap Now initiated monthly GROWLIFE coach training sessions for missionaries and staff members of Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ). Held at CAJ, training sessions are scheduled for February 15, March 15, April 18, and May 17.

During these 90-minute sessions, participants will:

• Watch coaching demonstrations
  
• Learn about Christian coaching beliefs and the GROWLIFE coaching model
  
• Practice coaching skills
  
• Give/receive coaching during 15-minute coaching sessions

Sessions are designed for those who want to explore coaching and see if they want to attend a coaching workshop (1-4 days), or if they want to pursue coach certification.

Today, Close the Gap Now started monthly COACHLIFE training sessions designed for participants in and graduates of the Core Coaching Skills certificate program (and certified coaches) who want to network and further hone coaching skills.

Held at Christian Academy in Japan, training sessions are scheduled for February 1, March 1, April 5, and May 10.