International Network of Children's Ministry & Bethel Seminary are excited to announce: Side by Side: Children's Ministry Coaching.

Do you long to discover and develop your talents and skills? Do you desire to discuss ministry aspirations and options with someone who’s been there? Need encouragement and support to set and achieve goals? Do you want to learn the unwritten “rules” of ministry? Are you new to Children’s Ministry? Or have you been ministering with children for a while but feel the need to learn from someone who has more experience? Do you want to develop or refine your leadership skills? Do you need support during a transition period? Or do you simply feel the need to be accountable personally and professionally to someone? We may have just the program for you! The Cory Center for Children’s Ministry at Bethel Seminary and INCM are partnering to pilot a nationwide Coaching Network.

The Side-by-Side Coaching Network will pair children’s ministry professionals who desire to be coached, with experienced Children’s Pastors who are graduates of Bethel Seminary’s Children’s and Family Ministry master’s degree program. The commitment will be for one year, beginning at the 2008 Children’s Pastors Conference. The pilot program is limited to twelve mentors and twelve program participants at each CPC location. Program applicants will be asked to complete an informational form. Those chosen for the initial program will be notified prior to the early bird deadline for each location and will be paired with a coach who has specific skills to assist the participant.

Important Details

• Coaches and participants will participate in coaching workshops from 8:00am to 3:00pm during the Extra-Mile day at the 2008 CPC. These workshops will include training in the coaching process and provide an opportunity for individual participants and coaches to spend time together. Lunch will be included.
• Coaches and program participants will connect monthly or bi-weekly online or by phone for twelve months. The frequency and the agenda will be determined by the coaching pair, but suggested topics for discussion will be offered through the Coaching Network.
• Monthly support for coaches and participants will be provided through the network administration, as well as through helpful resources from publishers and ministry organizations that are connected to CPC.
• Coaches and participants will be asked to complete an evaluation of the program midyear and again at the end of the pilot year.
• The cost of the program is $150 and will cover the training workshops during the Extra-Mile day at CPC.
• To apply please e-mail Barbara Cionca, Associate Director of the Cory Center for Children’s Ministry (b-cionca@bethel.edu). You will be sent an application to complete and return.