2022 Assembly Reports:
View reports for our 2022 assembly on our assembly report page and in this collection of blog posts.

Grand Canyon Synod Coaching Ministry shares a letter from Phil Gustafson for their synod assembly report. View as PDF or read in this post.

Grand Canyon Synod Coaching Ministry 2022

The Grand Canyon Synod, along with other Synods of the ELCA, offers an exciting and effective ministry that is often untapped or even unknown — Coaching Ministry. Coaching assists a client to focus on a specific goal and identify resources and steps to journey to that goal from the client’s own life situation and experiences. 

Coaching is a process of assisting a client (person, group, team, or organization) to move from a present state or circumstance to a desired outcome.  The present state could be a problem or a sense of being “stuck”.  It could also be contentment with how things are, but a desire to improve on the situation. A desired outcome could be a goal to strive for or even a resolution of a situation.

Coaching is available to assist Rostered Leaders of our GCS in a variety of contexts: beginning a call, ending a call, considering a transition in ministry, seeking to be more effective in a present situation, facing challenge of burn out, preparing for retirement, and other life/career transitions.  Coaching is also available to walk along side the lay leaders in our congregations as well as staffs, groups, teams and organizations. 

Coaching can take-place in person, virtually, or via telephone.  One-on-one Coaching is usually established in a 4-6 session “contract” with opportunity for review and renewal. Group or Team Coaching is usually set in a 4-session “contract.” Any fee charged for coaching services is established between the client and coach.

ELCA trained coaches have specific skills and training to assist clients in the following ministry areas:  Stewardship, Care of Creation, Mission Development and Congregational Vitality, and Discipleship/Spirituality. The network of coaches includes language specific skills and other skill sets. Learn more about the ELCA Coaching Ministry https://www.elcacoaching.org.

In addition to ELCA Coach Training, many of our GCS Coaches are working towards or have received certification from the International Coaching Federation, the “Gold Standard” organization for coaching.  There are 3 levels of certification: ACC (Associate Certified Coach); PCC (Professionally Certified Coach); and MCC (Master Certified Coach).  

The Grand Canyon Synod Coaching Network meets quarterly. We have excellent ELCA Coaches in our Synod that would delight in journeying with you from your present ministry related or personal situation to a desired outcome. Coaches in the GCS available are:

• Pr. Phil Gustafson, Coach Coordinator Grand Canyon Synod, ICF PCC certified, Team Coaching, Life Transition Coaching using faith resources and NLP resources. As GCS Coaching Coordinator, I would be honored to connect you with a coach. My email is: philngustafson@faithmindset.net.

• Pr. Fred Nelson, Mission Development Coaching, Spiritual Growth Coaching

• Pr. Sarah Stadler, General Coaching for Rostered Leaders and Lay leaders

• Pr. Lowell Nelson, General Coaching for Rostered Leaders

• Pr. Charles Newman, Coaching for Mission Development, Redevelopment, Entrepreneurial Faith and Discipleship

• Pr. Tony Scheer, ACC Accredited Coach through ICF for 5 years.  Coach Facilitator for Grand Canyon Synod, General Coaching for Rostered Leaders and Lay Leaders.  Specialized Training in Mission Development and Redevelopment.

If coaching is a tool you would like to use I, as coaching coordinator, would be honored to connect you with a coach to assist you.  My email for contact is pngustafson@gmail.com.