Coaching the New Model
STEP 1 — CELEBRATE THE CLIENT
Begin with gratitude. Possible wording:
“Before we talk about anything financial, I want you to know how grateful Tall Oaks is that we have had the opportunity to walk alongside you. Our mission has always been to help ministry leaders never walk alone.”
Remind them that their coaching has been made possible by generous donors who believe in ministry leaders.
STEP 2 — EXPLAIN THE REALITY
Be clear.
Do not apologize for the change.
Possible wording:
“Tall Oaks has grown dramatically. That is a wonderful problem to have, but our current donor-supported model can no longer provide unlimited free coaching to everyone.”
Starting January 1, 2027. 2/3 of the coaching cost is being scholarshiped by donors who are committed to seeing ministers thrive. Every client will need to pay the other 1/3 of the cost which = $100. A month.
Step 3 — HELP THEM FIND THE MONEY
Do not merely ask: “Can you pay $100?”
Each of us as coaches are coaching our clients on how they can raise that $100 support
“Where could $100 per month come from?”
We believe there are at least three primary sources.
OPTION 1 — THE CHURCH OR MINISTRY BUDGET
Coaching is professional development. Some churches may ask why they need to pay for this, what is in it for them?
Churches regularly pay for:
· conferences
· books
· continuing education
· counseling
· leadership development
· retreats
· travel
· denominational events
Coaching belongs in the same category.
Ask:
“Does your church have a professional development, continuing education, ministry development, or pastor care budget?”
“Could $100 per month be added to next year's ministry budget?”
“Who would need to approve that?”
“Would it help if Tall Oaks provided a letter explaining the coaching program and its value?”
Help them think through who should be approached:
· Personnel Committee
· Finance Committee
· Elders
· Deacons
· Executive Pastor
· Senior Pastor
· Church Treasurer
· Personnel Team
Coaching Question
OPTION 2 — A CHURCH MEMBER OR MINISTRY PARTNER
Many churches contain people who care deeply about their pastor or ministry leader.
A church member may gladly invest $100 per month. Or:
· two people could give $50
· four people could give $25
· ten people could give $10
Coaches should help clients identify potential ministry partners.
Ask:
“Who in your church believes strongly in you and your ministry?”
“Who has encouraged you personally?”
“Who might see helping fund your coaching as an investment in your church?”
OPTION 3 — PERSONAL INVESTMENT
Some ministry leaders may choose to personally fund some or all of the $100.
The coach should never shame a client who cannot do this.
However, we should also help clients think honestly about priorities.
Sometimes $100 may be found by adjusting discretionary spending.
OPTION 4 — A COMBINATION
The $100 does not have to come from one place.
For example:
Church budget — $50Church member — $25Personal contribution — $25
Total — $100
PART 5 — Coach’s Discretion
If a client can’t use one of the above options to find the funding, it is up to you as the coach if they need the coaching or if they need to be let go as a client because they are not fully engaged in the coaching relationship. We as coaches have the discretion to provide the $100 cost by coaching them for $100 instead of the full $200. That means you would provide one coaching session free and be paid for the second session.
Action Questions
“What do you believe is your best funding option?”
“What is your first step?”
“Who will you talk to?”
“When will you have that conversation?”
“When should we follow up?”
The conversation should end with an action step.
HANDLING COMMON OBJECTIONS
Objection #1
“I thought Tall Oaks Coaching was free.”
Response:
“It has been provided at no cost to you because generous donors have been paying the cost on your behalf. The coaching itself has never been without cost.”
“Those donors made your coaching possible, and now we are trying to create a model that allows us to continue helping you while opening the door for additional ministry leaders.”
Objection #2
“My church doesn't have the money.”
Response:
“I understand. Let's not assume the answer is no before we explore the possibilities.”
Then coach:
“Is there a professional development budget?”
“Could one individual help?”
“Could several people share the investment?”
“Could part come from the church and part personally?”
Objection #3
“I don't feel comfortable asking someone for money.”
Response:
“I understand. But you're not asking someone to fund your lifestyle. You're inviting someone to invest in your health and effectiveness as a ministry leader.”
Then ask:
“If someone in your church knew that $100 per month could help keep their pastor healthy, encouraged, accountable, and growing, do you think they might see that as worthwhile?”
Objection #4
“Why is Tall Oaks making this change?”
Response:
“Because Tall Oaks wants to help more ministry leaders, not fewer.”
“Our ministry has grown beyond what our existing donor base can sustainably support. Shared investment allows us to strengthen Tall Oaks financially and continue expanding the ministry.”
Objection #5
“Why $100?”
Response:
“Because $100 represents only a portion of the true cost of providing coaching. Tall Oaks and our donors continue investing substantially more than the client's contribution.”
WHAT COACHES SHOULD NOT SAY
Avoid phrases like:
“We're going to start charging you.”
“You have to come up with $100.”
“Tall Oaks can't afford you anymore.”
“The free ride is over.”
“If you want coaching, you have to pay.”
Those statements destroy the vision.
Instead say:
“We are moving to a shared-investment model.”
“We want to help you develop a sustainable funding plan.”
“Tall Oaks will continue subsidizing the majority of your coaching.”
“We want you to help us pay forward the generosity you have received.”
SAMPLE COMPLETE CONVERSATION
Coach:
“Bill, I want to talk with you about an important change at Tall Oaks.
For years, generous donors have made it possible for pastors and ministry leaders like you to receive coaching without having to personally fund it.
That generosity has allowed Tall Oaks to grow dramatically.
The challenge is that the ministry has now grown beyond what our current donor model can sustainably support.
We have more ministry leaders who need coaching, and we want to keep opening the door for them.
So Tall Oaks is moving toward a shared-investment model.
We are asking clients to provide or raise $100 per month toward their coaching.
That $100 represents only about one-third of what it actually costs Tall Oaks to provide the coaching. Tall Oaks and our donors are still making a substantial investment in you.
But I don't simply want to tell you that you need $100.
I want to help you figure out where that $100 could come from.
There are three primary possibilities.
Your church could include it in the ministry or professional development budget.
A church member or ministry partner could sponsor your coaching.
Or you could personally provide some or all of it.
It could also be a combination of those three.
Someone else's generosity helped make your coaching possible.
Our hope is that this new model will allow you to continue receiving coaching while helping Tall Oaks extend that same opportunity to another pastor.
So let me coach you for a minute.
If you had to identify $100 per month to continue investing in your leadership, where do you think the first $25 or $50 could come from?”
Then stop talking.
Let the client think.
That is where the coaching begins.