Explore more information about coaching. Then connect with a coach!
The Why of Coaching
How Coaching Works
NC Synod Coaches
This group of individuals are eager to walk with you as you discover ways to make concrete changes in your life and in your ministry context!
Coach training is provided in the ELCA by ICF (International Coaching Federation) certified trainers. If you’re interested in developing this skillset, first have a conversation with the Bishop and discern how this might benefit you and the synod. Then connect with Pastor Charlie Zimmerman.
For more information about becoming a coach, contact Pastor Charlie Zimmerman.
Timothy Brown
Director of Special Gifts for Methodist Home for Children
Coaching has helped me develop the muscle of deep listening and issue tackling, and as a coach I’m grateful I get to pass these things on to others. I love helping people listen deeply to themselves, identifying the stuck places and working it out with them. I am in coaching because it works. Simple as that. It has been the single best tool at helping me shape my life and vocation.
Meg Fielding
Retired at St. Mark's, Charlotte
I’ve been active in the ELCA on a local and synodical level for over 25 years. When I retired and moved to Charlotte, I discovered coaching. I’m excited to take this next step and walk with others as they discern their path to their personal goals and ministry. I feel called to be in relationship with people looking to discover new pathways and to walk with them as they discern those new opportunities.
Jennifer Ginn
Interim Pastor at St. Luke's, Tyro; NC Synod Council Member
While I am new to coaching, I am well-seasoned at listening deeply to individuals sharing the desires of their hearts. Recently retired from 20+ years in full-time pastoral ministry, I now serve as an interim part-time pastor and have more time to spend walking with ministry professionals and others in coaching relationships. I bring to coaching a passion for helping clients align actions with intentions. My greatest coaching joy is the moment my dialogue partner discovers inside him or herself both the resources needed to meet the intended goal and the capacity to set concrete steps in that direction. Then we celebrate!
Grace Gravelle
Senior Pastor at Holy Trinity, Raleigh
I am a Certified Level One Coach with 2 years of experience. I have been a pastor in rural churches, a Redevelopment Pastor and now Head of Staff. My previous career was in the Mental Health field as a Case Manager as well as working on a Behavioral Health Unit in Mpls. MN. My top strengths in ministry are Communication, Strategic Planning, and Thinking outside the box. I enjoy coaching because it has helped me be a better pastor and I like helping others grow and stretch their imaginations as well as work through issues that arise. My motto is: "We all do better, when we all do better." ~Paul Wellstone Senator from MN
Barbara Huffman de Belon
Retired at St. Andrew, New Bern
Coaching, whether with first-call or well-seasoned clergy, college professors or non-credentialed laity, teams or individuals, is truly an amazing journey where I have the privilege of accompanying my clients. To help them arrive at their personally-set goals and objectives, and find along the way that they have the ability to impact both themselves and their world, becomes a blessing to me as well.
Heidi Kleine
Director of Faith Formation at Christ the King, Cary
My experience growing up as the child of a pastor and working in ministry for the last decade while caring for a busy family of six gives me a unique perspective to work with individuals seeking to find balance in life and ministry. Coaching has provided me a venue to lead others to insight and direction in their lives, clarifying their values and focusing their priorities to more clearly reflect them.
Jeff Linman
Retired Pastor, Living in Franklin, NC
I have a holy discontent about the ELCA’s decline but believe that congregations can learn to thrive. In 2018, after 33 years as a pastor, I retired to pursue my passion for church renewal by encouraging, inspiring, and challenging leaders for the sake of future generations. My passion was ignited in 1996 when I was called to redevelop a congregation in Orlando with 50 mostly retired members and no building. We rebranded ourselves “Spirit of Joy” and for the next 20 years lived Ephesians 3:20 as we converted a bowling alley into our mission outpost, sent three teams to Burundi, Africa, and helped launch a faith based, government supported homeless ministry. If you’re passionate about renewal, believe that God’s power is at work in your midst, and long to realize greater Kingdom impact in your ministry, I’d be honored to serve as your coach.
Rosemary Peek
Pastor at Shepherd of the Hills, Sylva
Coaching is a wonderful practice of deep listening and reflecting back to the other what is happening in their lives. It is a joy to reflect to others in a way that brings clarity and vision to what God has been, is, and will continue to call them to do.
Jonathan Schnibben
Pastor at Good Shepherd, Mount Holly
Coaching has been a powerful tool in my own ministry. Deep listening and powerful questions help us to move our dreams into reality. It is my passion to share this gift I have benefited from so greatly with others as they seek to grow in their own ministry goals. I look forward to helping you on your journey.
C. Pierson Shaw
Associate Chaplain at Abernethy Laurels (CCRC) operated by the United Church of Christ
My definition of Coaching: Coaching involves a relationship between a coach and a client, where conversations are maintained in confidence by the coach and through which I as the coach assists the client or group through their own agency in establishing, setting, and achieving the goals and objectives of the client.
I was ordained to Word and Sacrament Ministry on June 3, 1994 and I am Certified as a Level 1 Coach and a Level II Coach in Discipleship by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is now is licensed by CoachNet to use their cnLaunch® for our training, and the course work for this program is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
In addition I have been Certified in Advanced Coaching Training Level II in Discipleship, and I participate Bi-Monthly required Level I Coaches gatherings to maintain my credentials with the ELCA and ICF.
I have a a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto; Licentiate (STL) from Regis College in Toronto, Master of Sacred Theology (STM) in Church History and Liturgy from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS), an MDiv from LTSS, and a Bachelor of Science in Music from Appalachian State University.
Scott Suskovic
Pastor at Christ, Charlotte
For many leaders, it is not a theological crisis, but rather the organization principles and skills that must be address in order to return to their passion and love of Jesus. A coach is a fellow traveler in ministry, asking questions and providing follow up to the vision of ministry that is locked inside you. I welcome the chance to help you unlock that vision in order to figure out life so that you can return once again to that passion and love of Jesus.
Frank Waugh
Pastor at Amazing Grace, Granite Falls
Passionate faith and church growth are contagious aspects of intentional ministry led by ordained and lay leaders who are willing to do the work of addressing the challenges of community engagement and planning. Under the stress of busy lives and ministries, it can become convenient to avoid difficult questions that are critical to unleashing the full power of the gospel in various locations. Ministers and lay leaders sometimes attempt to go it alone, adopting lone wolf approaches to solving ministry problems rather than utilizing the resources of the wider church in fulfilling the call to service. ELCA Coaching provides ministries the opportunity for companioning support along the journey of growth, fulfilling our call as synodical Christians - working together for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Greg Williams
Pastor at Grace, Hendersonville
I have been married to Brenda for 35+ years. We have two adult children who both work in careers rooted in their faith. I embarked on coaching certification to improve my skills in leading a ministry team. As I have benefitted from coaching, my interest in it has grown. I want to share in cultivating strong, healthy leaders and supporting them in moving visions to reality for themselves and their context.
Charlie Zimmerman
ELCA Coach Trainer and Mentor; NC Synod Coaching Coordinator
I've been coaching 10+ years, am certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF) at the Professional Level PCC), am an ICF Mentor Coach. Coaching experience includes: time management, self-care, strategic planning, staff, transitions, and retirement. I coach because it helps people grow and change! Coaching empowers us to become the person God has created us to be and live out our purpose. It enables us to get unstuck and move forward as we discover the answers for what we need lie within us.