The Whole Body Fully Alive
Understanding Coaching Leadership
Tom Camacho, in his book Mining for Gold: Developing Kingdom Leaders Through Coaching, presents an exciting approach to developing leaders in the local church, in the business community, in government, in the family setting, and in the broader world context. The purpose of his writing is to help identify, shape, and accompany leaders as they seek to live out their God-given calling throughout their lives in their unique environment.[1] The book is based on a coaching style of leadership and, in Camacho’s own words, offers a “presentation of a leadership paradigm that incorporates the best principles of Christ-centred coaching into our everyday practice of developing others.”[2] Through this Spirit-led approach, Camacho merges coaching with leadership to create an energizing approach to leadership development in which leaders seek to help others discover and develop their skills and talents in ways that empower them to live fully into the potential God has set within and before them. The process of coaching other people through everyday leadership is hard work, other-centered, guided by God, and an incredible privilege. “Coaching Leadership,” adds Tom Camacho, “feels more like a shepherd leading sheep than a CEO building a corporation. It is much more relational, intimate, and patient. The pace is slower and more relaxed. To become a coaching leader requires us to rest more in God’s ability and cooperate more with his Spirit’s work in people. I am convinced this is the way Jesus led his disciples and can be a fruitful way to practice leadership in any context and culture.”[3]
Camacho offers practical principles, concepts, and steps important to learning and living out a Coaching Leadership or “Mining for Gold” perspective through which leaders can develop other leaders. His focus is on helping people to become all that God has created them to be. There are many gems to be found throughout the pages of this book that inspire daily living, equip us to mature as leaders, and empower us to join others in creating communities that are wildly alive and providing opportunities for all people to experience abundant health, environments in which to thrive, and meaningful relationships grounded in Christ.
Finding a Gem
Of all the gems mentioned in his book, what caught my attention was the material in Chapter five, entitled, “The Whole Body Fully Alive.”[4] The whole body fully alive? Not only does that sounds intriguing, but it’s motivating, action-packed, and a goal for which I’d like to strive! The chapter starts with the story of Gideon, highlighting the fact that God uses ordinary people to accomplish great feats. Camacho says, “It is this dynamic of God using ordinary, anxious, and unskilled people to do amazing things that makes Coaching Leadership such an exciting process.”[5] In each person, confident or unconfident, seemingly talented or not, God has placed the potential to accomplish valuable and needed tasks in society and in the Kingdom of God. As leaders, what a privilege to be part of accompanying our sisters and brothers on their journey of self-discovery as they emerge with clarity around their place and role in their congregation, family, neighborhood, world.
Camacho goes on to build his image of the “whole body fully alive” saying, “Coaching Leadership principles do more that mine the gold in individuals; they work to equip and release whole communities of people to represent Christ.”[6] This is an incredible image. I wonder what whole communities, fully alive would look like?
Flooded with Questions
I am inspired to continue thinking about what it would look like for me to live fully alive as an individual, as well as to be part of creating communities that are fully alive. In some ways, this seems like a goal that is unobtainable, too perfect. In other ways, this seems doable. Did God intend that we would be anything but fully alive and living up to the potential given us on earth? I think of Jesus stating that he came so that people could have life to the full, now and into the future.[7] Could “fully aliveness” lie in settling into the here and now with a rich awareness of our own complex reality and clarity of vision regarding the value we have to offer the world?[8]
Could the body fully alive be achieved as numerous people discover this truth in their life and courageously share their presence and gifts for the betterment of their community? What could we accomplish together with hearts set on loving God and each other with our entire being?[9] Maybe therein lies the key. Does a body come fully alive, individually and corporately, as we engage our whole being in loving God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind and as we love others as ourselves through the unique compilations of personality and strengths that God has given and which we have developed?
In Conclusion and Pondering Further
I am flooded with questions that I am excited to pursue further. I am thankful for Camacho’s challenge to consider a Coaching Leadership approach in my current role at the nonprofit where I work and in my broader life. I am especially inspired and interested to continue thinking on “the whole body fully alive” and practical steps we can take to realize this transformational goal for living in relationship to God and each other.
[1] Tom Camacho, Mining For Gold: Developing Kingdom Leaders Through Coaching (London, England: Inter-Varisty Press, 2019), 11.
[2] Camacho, 11.
[3] Camacho, 25.
[4] Camacho, 49.
[5] Camacho, 50.
[6] Camacho, 52.
[7] John 10:10.
[8] Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long, The Molecule of More, How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity – And Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race (Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, Inc, 2018), 208; and Steinbrenner Hale, “The Complexities of Reality: A Practical Exploration from Where I Sit,” DLGP: Crafting Ministry in an Interconnected World, https://blogs.georgefox.edu/dlgp/author/jenny-steinbrenner-hale/, January 12, 2023.
[9] Mark 12:30-31.
About the Author
Jenny Steinbrenner Hale
6 responses to “The Whole Body Fully Alive”
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Jenny,
Wow, I needed to read this again…thx for including this in first paragraph:
“Tom Camacho, “feels more like a shepherd leading sheep than a CEO building a corporation. It is much more relational, intimate, and patient. The pace is slower and more relaxed. To become a coaching leader requires us to rest more in God’s ability and cooperate more with his Spirit’s work in people. I am convinced this is the way Jesus led his disciples and can be a fruitful way to practice leadership in any context and culture.”
I love this question. It got me thinking and asking it as well! You quote:
“This is an incredible image. I wonder what whole communities, fully alive would look like?”
I am curious if you have seen or experienced this in your staff which helps youth? I work in private practice so I do not work with a staff. There are times I wish to collaborate more. I think this is why I am asking.
I pray the Spirit will lead you in all the questions you are asking. I pray you find answers with God’s guidance.
Hi Kristy, That’s a great question. Thanks for asking. I think I have had glimpses of the “fully alive body,” in my team at work. One instance is when we were creating our strategic plan this last summer. Everyone was excited and energized and at the table, sharing from their unique strengths and personalities, and listening well to each other. It was fun and the work flowed fairly easily.
Thanks for your comments!
Awesome!! “Fully alive” and “aliveness.” It pumps me up like no other. If we want to live to our full potential, we need to experience Christ and actually die in ourselves so we can live out that optimized lifestyle that can only be found in Jesus. Wow. I read your thoughts and pondering and love your questions. They really brought it to life and I want to continue to reflect on them. There is so much here and not it’s not just our physical bodies. I will continue to ponder this and appreciate your post very much. Well done!
Thanks for your comments, Michael! I appreciate your insight regarding the fact that we live up to our potential even as we die to ourselves. Our culture today puts so much emphasis on promoting ourselves that I think it is a very scary thing to imagine putting ourselves to the side and allowing God to care for us and lead us in ways that actually help us live fully and more directly into who He has created us to be. Such an act of trust on our part. Such a fulfilling result.
“The process of coaching other people through everyday leadership is hard work, other-centered, guided by God, and an incredible privilege. “Coaching Leadership,” adds Tom Camacho, “feels more like a shepherd leading sheep than a CEO building a corporation. It is much more relational, intimate, and patient. The pace is slower and more relaxed.”
Americans are so fast paced and a want it yesterday society. This is such a good read and a reminder that we need to sit back and be a good steward of God’s people and his resources.
We are a couple weeks from when you originally posted this… have you adapted this system? If so what have you found to be the most difficult?
Thanks, Alana, for your comments and question. I have recently found the coaching approach to my work difficult. I have a team member who is struggling. Our larger organization is taking a corporate view of the problem, which feels harsh. My more “personal” view might be ineffective, as well, as I may not be challenging this person effectively. It’s hard to recognize when a person is taking advantage of coworkers and the system. Praying for guidance and wisdom and empathy in hard conversations.
Hope you’ve had a good break! See you tomorrow.