Meet Your Coaching Instructor
Naomi García, is a member of the Michigan Conference staff. An aspiring disciple rarely satisfied with the latest take on how The Holy One calls, moves, shapes, beckons, equips, comforts and companions; shuttling between the discipline of mind and the art of soul. Naomi is a facilitator intrigued and longing for inclusive inclusion; Consultant negotiating the wide spaces between meddling and staying home; Mediator stirred by the courage of truth-telling and re-discovering the edges of compassion; Coach channeling Curious George and Hiccup.
Contact Naomi at [email protected]
Hear from Michigan Conference Coaches
Michigan Conference coaches talk about what coach training has meant to them.
Why Become a Coach?
Deep listening, focused questioning, creating new awareness, challenging assumptions, moving toward action steps, accessing resources and following through are fundamental tools of a coach. Learning the skills to coach others can also help you grow in your own life, relationships, leadership abilities and ministry
How to Become a Coach
The Michigan Conference partners with Coaching4Clergy, an Accredited Coach Training Program through the International Coach Federation (ACTP - ICF). Courses are delivered in a combination of live, online classes (Zoom) and on-demand (asynchronous) courses.
See below for more information about each level of coaching and upcoming courses!
Basic Coach Training
Basic Coach Training is 12 hours live by Zoom to get a taste for coaching and learn basic skills. You’ll be able to coach immediately. See details and how to register below.
Professional Coach Training
Michigan Conference coaches are highly trained, meeting instruction requirements of Professional Certified coaches. These requirements begin with four introductory courses on-demand (asynchronous) online (24 hours credit), plus five fifths or series of courses. The fifths may be completed in any order. Each fifth combines four live Zoom sessions and four or eight hours of on-demand video courses (depending on the fifth). Fifth and registration details appear below.
Professional Coach Training is composed of three parts. Satisfactory completion of all three steps is required of all Michigan Conference (MiC) coaches.
No prerequisite or previous experience is required. No particular order of completion is required.
Completing the asynchronous Foundation Courses and the five fifths meets the instruction requirements for the second-tier of the three International Coaching Federation credential, Professional Certified Coach (PCC).
- Asynchronous Foundation Courses on demand: Four coaching introductory courses (24 hours of credit) are designed to be completed at the coach learner’s own pace. May be completed alone or at the same time as the initial enrollment. Access to asynchronous courses is provided through the learning portal of coaching4clergy.com (or, its parent body, coaching4todaysleader.com.) Paid registration includes digital textbooks. MiC discounted registration: $75.
- 5 fifths of four (4) weekly 4-hour sessions live-by-Zoom courses plus one or two 4-hour asynchronous on-demand courses (depending on the fifth). Zoom courses include multiple breaks. Schedules occuring over a typical mealtime include an additional 30-min meal break. Each MiC fifth discounted registration $420.
- MiC asynchronous course credit is dependent on acknowledged 500-word reflection essay for each course. Reflections are due before the start of the next fifth of Professional Coach Training.
Fifths may be completed in any order. MiConference coaches complete all five fifths.
If you are interested in pursuing an ICF coaching credential (such as ACC, PCC or MCC), there are additional requirements, such as Mentor Coaching (see below for details and how to register) and logging the required hours of coaching experience. Mentor Coaching is not required of Michigan Conference coaches. Prerequisites for Mentor Coaching are the five introductory courses plus two quarters.
Basic Coach Training: Start Coaching Tomorrow
Basic Coach Training: Start Coaching Tomorrow
Unlike fixing or solving problems, the discovery-based coaching process is about sustainable results. This starter class is designed for the curious. No previous coaching experience is required. Try on coaching with no obligation to continue. Coaching is about bringing out the best in individuals, teams, organizations and communities. Multiple sessions with multiple breaks. Live, virtual via Zoom. $30 registration. No prerequisite. To request financial assistance, choose pay by check and contact Naomi Garcia to make arrangements. Details on registration form. Instructor: Naomi García
2025 Basic Course Schedule
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Three 4-hour sessions on Wednesdays, February 5, 12, & 19, 2025. 11 am-3 pm CT / Noon-4 pm ET. Multiple breaks.
A Coaching Primer
Asking the right questions is an essential part of being a coach. Basic coaching skills can dramatically improve your effectiveness, increase a leader’s impact in the faith community and the local community, and prepare ministry leaders to effectively coach each other in partnerships with peers. It is ideal for supporting friends, followers, leaders, helpers and supervisors. Basic Coach Training is for everyone engaged in life, decision-makers, and both paid and unpaid leaders. A coach-approach to life enhances ministries and relationships.
Participants in Basic Coach Training frequently discover new avenues of creativity in planning and problem-solving. Basic Coach Training is part of the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church strategy to create a coaching culture in our organizational and relationship systems. Basic Coach Training is not required of Michigan Conference coaches or to complete coach training. However, Basic Coach Training counts toward any International Coach Federation (ICF) credential.- Using artful language and direct communication to nurture the one-being-coached toward new awareness
- Coaching and being coached
- Giving and receiving feedback
- Networking and collaborating with other coaches.
In twelve (12) hours learners will:
- Gain a strong understanding of coaching and the distinction between coaching and therapy, consulting and mentoring
- Develop core coaching skills that can be incorporated into the local church setting
- Receive a combination of coaching theory and practice
- Observe LIVE coaching
- Learn a Five-Step Coaching Model. Sharpening listening skills
- Honing the art of asking powerful questions
Asynchronous Coaching Foundations Courses
Take your first step in gaining coaching skills. Our new program is an easy, convenient, and affordable way to add coaching to your skillset. This program includes a series of instructional videos, coaching demonstrations, and interviews with seasoned coaches.
On-demand coaching introductory courses are available at the learner's pace. You may view the recordings and complete the assignments at your convenience. The following topics will be covered:
- An Overview of the Core Coaching Competencies
- Deep Listening
- Powerful Questions
- Creating New Awareness
- Action and Accountability
This program provides 24 coach-specific training hours accredited by the International Coaching Federation. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. Access to the asynchronous courses is provided through an online learning portal. Paid registration includes a set of three textbooks in digital form. No experience is required. No prerequisite.
$75 includes access to all five courses (24 hours total) and three digital text books. Funds are available for multiethnic and young adult learners. For financial assistance, contact Naomi García
Professional Coach Training
Professional Coach Training meets the instruction requirements for MiConference coaches & an International Coaching Federation credential.
Coaching is about bringing out the best in individuals, teams, and organizations. Instead of fixing or solving problems, coaching is a discovery-based process for sustainable momentum. Similar to athletic coaching, Professional Coach Training (PCT) builds on the skills and talents already inherent in the one being coached; and always ends with a specific next step. This in-depth coach training equips learner coaches to effectively empower others to tap into their potential. In MiC coach training, learner coaches observe coaching, give & receive real-time feedback, learn & apply the principles of effective coaching, collaborate and share with co-learners, and put them into practice!
Fifths may be completed in any order.
***Undecided on taking a professional coach training course? We offer a free one-time viewing session to ongoing courses periodically. Please fill out this form to be considered for the opportunity.
2025 Course Schedule
Intercultural Awareness
Tuesdays, January 7, 21,28, February 4, 2025. 9:00 am - 1:30 pm CT / 10:00 - 2:30 pm ET. No session January 14. Multiple breaks. 30-minute meal break.
Intercultural Mindsets
Tuesdays, February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 2025. 9:00 am - 1:30 pm CT / 10:00 - 2:30 pm ET. Multiple breaks. 30-minute meal break.
Group Coaching
Tuesdays, March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 2025. 9:00 am - 1:30 pm CT / 10:00 - 2:30 pm ET. Multiple breaks. 30-minute meal break.
Leveraging Transitions
Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17 + 24, 2025. Noon - 4:00 pm CT/1:00 am – 5:00 pm ET. Multiple breaks.
Coaching Venues: Peers, Supervisors, Insiders & Outsiders
Wednesdays, October 8, 15, 22 + 29, 2025. Noon - 4:00 pm CT/1:00 am – 5:00 pm ET. Multiple breaks.
Group Mentor Coaching Course
Prerequisite: Completion of five introductory asynchronous courses plus any two quarters of Coach Training.
Meets the Mentor Coaching instruction requirements for an International Coaching Federation credential. It is not required, though highly recommended, of Michigan Conference coaches.
Group Mentor Coaching
Tuesdays, May 13 + 20, 2025. 9:00 am - 1:30 pm CT / 10:00 - 2:30 pm ET. Multiple breaks. 30-minute meal break.
Mentor Coaching is a powerful way to further develop and hone your coaching skills and competency. It focuses on the coach’s readiness for a coaching practice as either an internal coach in an organization or an independent coaching business. Mentor coaching provides guidance in the following areas:
Professional Development
- Building and developing a coaching practice
- Incorporation of coaching/coaching methods into current setting
- Feedback on your coaching skills
- Improve/enhance your coaching competence
Personal Development
- Strengthen personal foundation
- Shape your coaching practice
Group Mentor Coaching Course format:
Each course includes two group sessions plus four 1-on-1 sessions. Multiple breaks. Live, virtual via Zoom.
Group Mentor Coaching Course
Tuesdays, May 13 + 20, 2025. 9:00 am - 1:30 pm CT / 10:00 - 2:30 pm ET. Multiple breaks. 30-minute meal break.
Last Updated on November 6, 2024