Every Leader needs a Coach

Every leader needs a coach. Paul was a coach to a young disciple, leader, and protégé named Timothy. From a prison, Paul wrote what is regarded as his last public letter to Timothy. It is a treatise on leadership development. Paul proclaimed the gospel and God saved Timothy. Timothy grew in his faith and Paul took Timothy under his care and they ministered together for many years.

In the letter found in 2 Timothy, Paul is handing off or entrusting this ministry to Timothy’s oversight. He could only do so because of the years of coaching that took place between them. Gospel Coaching is leadership development with focused attention on a disciple’s personal, spiritual, and missional aspects of life. You cannot just train someone how to do something; you have to train them who to be. Gospel Coaching does both.

"You cannot just train someone how to do something. You have to train them who to be."

Leadership is lonely. Church leadership is even lonelier because other people’s problems become the leader’s problems, and the leader naturally ignores the very real and acute personal, spiritual, and missional challenges they are facing. Chapters 1 and 2 of 2 Timothy give us three insights into how a Gospel Coach functions in the life of another leader.

Grace Strengthens Leaders

It is grace that strengthens leaders, not their abilities, personalities or skills. Paul reminds Timothy of God’s grace (1:2) that continually strengthens him (2:1) and Paul reminds Timothy of his own grace extended without merit in three specific ways.

1. Paul prayed for Timothy constantly (1:3),
2. Paul was compassionate toward Timothy’s needs (1:4), and
3. Paul infused faith that rested in the gospel as Timothy’s empowerment (1:4–7). Paul didn’t just try to make Timothy feel good about himself, but he encouraged him to be more dependent upon the gospel (1:8–9).

Gospel-Entrusted Leaders

Leaders are entrusted with the gospel, not because they are trustworthy, but because of a holy calling of God (1:9–11). Leaders are called to “guard the gospel” with every fiber of their being (1:12–14). Leaders are also called to entrust that gospel to other faithful disciples (2:2). We develop leaders by the gospel and not just skill development. Gospel Coaching is a Spirit-empowered relationship where both participants are allowing the gospel to transform their lives completely (1:14).

Glory-Giving Leaders

Leaders often seek glory for themselves when they operate outside of the gospel. But only God deserves any glory. Often, leaders are called to glorify God in the midst of personal or ministerial suffering. A Gospel Coach shares in that suffering (with Jesus and with the other person) “for the gospel by the power of God” (1:8). Paul entreats Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus,” as an athlete and as a farmer. Jesus is the soldier (2:3) who defeated Satan, sin, and death. Jesus is the athlete (2:5) who competed within the rules by living without sin. Jesus is the farmer (2:6) who sowed his own seed into the grave and God raised him up as the firstfruits of all believers (1 Cor. 15:20, 23). A Gospel Coach reminds the disciple of the glory that only belongs to God—no matter how well they performed. A Gospel Coach shares in the suffering with the disciple. The coach does this by proclaiming the good news of the One who suffered on our behalf for the glory of God.

By Scott Thomas

Excerpted from his and Tom Wood's book:
"Gospel Coach: Shepherding Leaders to glorify God"