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To be coached or not to be coached? If someone is sitting on the fence asking that question, Mining for Gold<\/em> by Tom Camacho is the go-to apologetic to help answer the question for the fence straddler.<\/p>\n Camacho uses GOLD as an acrostic to define his \u201ccoaching style of leadership\u201d[1]<\/a> and unpacks this style with 6 principles to guide individuals to thriving leadership.[2]<\/a> Mining for Gold<\/em> offers an over abundance of scriptural exegesis for a Biblical context for leadership in general and coaching specifically.\u00a0 Camacho frames his proposition for coaching style of leadership with a plethora of personal life stories and learnings. He also utilizes an overwhelming number of metaphors and analogies to facilitate an easy access for the reader.<\/p>\n There were several ideas in Mining for Gold <\/em>that raised questions or perhaps resistance with in me.\u00a0 In chapter 3 Camacho encourages the leader to come alive by submitting to the Spirit. He places this in the context of his own brokenness due to lack of engagement with the Spirit.[3]<\/a> He says, \u201cYou can only give what you have and you can only lead others where you have been.\u201d[4]<\/a>What does this look like?\u00a0 I do believe one can lead where no path has been made. If he means someone cannot lead unless one has walked the darkness that is something different. And what about the emotional or psychological dynamics that are in play in those broken places? If a person is well-differentiated can they actually lead in place they never have explored?<\/p>\n Chapter 8 and 9 Camacho touches on two interrelated themes of love and freedom.\u00a0 His theological exegesis is remedial, meaning Camocho addresses these from a basic theological understanding without intertwining other aspects of our humanity (i.e. psychology) into the conversation. Camacho says, \u201cLeaders need to grow and understand the depths of God\u2019s love as revelation, not just information.\u201d[5]<\/a>This statement is said so matter-of-fact, but how does one experience God’s love not just understand it? He goes on to say<\/p>\n Knowing God as the perfect loving Father is the doorway to thriving. If we don\u2019t see him correctly, our hearts will forever struggle with lies that tell us we are less than, and undeserving of, his love. When we see him as he is, we will see ourselves as we truly are: beloved sons and daughters.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n It is hard to compartmentalize this idea when it comes to actually living in faith communities. So often the church is not a healthy reflection of God’s love. The community hurts\/batters humans. Having revelations of God’s love then becomes an individual event instead of something in community.\u00a0 Most people in the church do not really believe or have experienced being loved by God. Fear and anxiety is so prevalent in people of faith.<\/p>\n I do appreciate his theological grounding that freedom is found with God when we understand we are loved.[7]<\/a> The U.S. is “founded” on freedom, but our history has mutated what God given freedom is. The notion of freedom in this country is self-serving and we tend to define others by our human standards of freedom. Freedom in God is not only about being freed to be who God has created us to be but using that to free those who are still in prison. Instead, humans create shame for those who are not embracing the freedom identity when it looks different.<\/p>\n Although Mining for Gold<\/em> is targeted for the individual leader, there was merit for application with the Session of the church I serve.\u00a0 In particular, the discussion of the \u201csweet spot\u201d in chapter 10.\u00a0 Camacho touches on the intentional focus and practice a leader must take to move to the sweet spot.\u00a0 It requires the leader to discern what to say \u201cyes or no\u201d to in deciding what tasks to take on.[8]<\/a> The questions he poses here along with the questions to ask in discerning passion[9]<\/a> could be so helpful if utilized with the Mural exercises Razzetti suggests for working on purpose and identity.[10]<\/a> This would be an interesting process to go through with the session especially as we think about the energy crisis (shrinking membership leads to fewer people to do the work) we face in the church.\u00a0 In addition, Camacho taps into a Friedman, Taleb, and Bolsingers\u2019 subject around the value of pain in shaping the leader.[11]<\/a> It is important for the Session to understand the \u201cwhy\u201d of the community\u2019s pain and how it can liberate and frame discussions of purpose and identity.<\/p>\n Mining for Gold did not add much to my leadership journey of discovery.\u00a0 However, for those who are new faith leaders Camacho\u2019s apologetic could be just the book to get them off the fence embrace the idea to coach and to be a coach. For the Lord knows riding fences for long is painful.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a>Camacho, Tom. Mining for Gold: Developing Kingdom Leaders through Coaching<\/em>. Nottingham: IVP UK, 2019. Page 14. Kindle.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Ibid. Page 16. Kindle. These 6 principles are 1. The Holy Spirit does the work of refining, 2. Our true identity is the foundation of thriving, 3. We thrive when we cooperate with our God-given design, 4. Each of us has a sweet spot \u2013 a place where we naturally bear the most fruit. 5. The cross is God\u2019s great refining tool. 6. All true thriving is relational.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Ibid. Page 49-50.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Ibid. Page 116. Kindle.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Ibid. Page 126.<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Ibid.\u00a0 Page 143.<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Ibid. Page 140<\/p>\n