Prayer Leader OnLine Interviews Dennis Conner, the co-founder of Called to Serve.

Q. What is a “Prayer Coach”? Is this merely a new title for an old role or is there a genuine, strategic difference?
In the past four years--beginning with the shocking attack on American soil (9/11/01) and continuing in today’s unsettling economy and unending war on terrorism--more and more pastors are wanting to respond to the “sense of urgency” being expressed by their church members for more meaningful prayer times.

Most pastors clearly recognize that it will take much more than a one-time sermon or one-weekend effort (prayer seminar, retreat, or conference) to effectively expand their church’s current prayer ministry into what Jesus refers to three times in the New Testament as a “house of prayer.” Such an expansion requires someone to coordinate the effort that can deepen and broaden the current prayer ministry for the church. This person has the training and experience to come alongside the pastor and church’s prayer ministry to help implement the needed transition from a church where prayer is one of a multitude of ministries available to the members, to a church where “prayer is the engine that drives the church" to quote Pastor Jim Cymbala.

Seeking to be obedient to the Lord’s mandate (His declaration of it three times--as well as it being a prophetic directive spoken in the Old Testament by Isaiah in 56:7--seems to preclude us thinking of it as an optional wish for church leadership to merely consider), some pastors/churches are seeking the help of such a “Prayer Coach.” Because the title “Prayer Coach” is new to the rapidly expanding prayer movement across America, it needs some clarification.

A “Prayer Coach” (i.e. “PC”) is someone who comes alongside a pastor and the church’s prayer ministry leadership for a “season” (i.e. a mutually desired timeframe) rather than just a single presentation session about prayer. The “PC” is not there to “run-with-the-ball,” but rather to provide “coaching-tips” for the ones who do (i.e. pastor and prayer ministry leaders). These tips will help combine the pastor’s/church’s prayer-ministry “vision” (Prov. 11:14) with a God-focused “game-plan” for its implementation; thus, enabling the church to experience God’s Presence in personal and corporate ministry--inside and outside the church--as a true “house of prayer.”     

The strategic role of a “PC” is, in many ways, similar to that of an “Athletic Coach” (i.e. “AC”). Regardless of the sport, gender, and age-level, the “AC” assignment, as he/she takes on a leadership position with the team, is initially to:

1. Assess the current program and personnel (impact and effectiveness).
2. Initiate new ideas (i.e. goals and procedures) to enhance and expand the program results.

Similarly, the “PC” role is to do the same. He partners with the church for the purpose of providing leadership assistance in enhancing and expanding the church’s current prayer ministry results. Works closely with the pastor and prayer ministry leadership--and using a specifically designed resource (e.g. PMI: Prayer Ministry Inventory)--the “PC” is able to make some initial positive recommendations for the pastor’s and leadership’s consideration and implementation.
 
One distinctive that should distinguish an “AC” by profession versus a “Volunteer Coach” should be similar to the distinction between a “Prayer Coach” and a volunteer Prayer Coordinator for the church. The “PC” should be someone with special training and years of prayer ministry experience; whereas the volunteer Prayer Coordinator is often times a frequently rotated position and filled by one who is leading more from “trial & error” than by years of experience. Just as in athletic coaching, where the coach with actual “on-the-field” playing experience will be much more effective than one with no actual playing experience, the “PC” with experience has much more chance to be of significant help than the volunteer Prayer Coordinator. The “PC” can offer the pastor and church “tried and tested” tips that have already proven effective at other churches.         
 
Another distinctive--at least from my perspective as a former “AC” and current “PC”--is the possible misunderstanding of the two different terms: “Coach vs. Consultant”. For most people, the term “coach” presents the image of someone who is people-centered and results-driven; while the term “consultant” often presents the image of someone who is project-centered and financially driven. For “Kingdom-ministry,” you want a “coach” more than a “consultant.”

Another distinctive between a “Prayer Coach” and a volunteer Prayer Coordinator is in the significant difference an “outside” contributor brings to the table. Normally a church member serves as the volunteer Prayer Coordinator, and can often be unduly influenced by various internal factors and dynamics. Whereas the “PC” would not normally be a member of that church, and therefore not subject to those internal factors and dynamics. But instead, can bring into the picture his knowledge and experience of what God is doing in the prayer ministries of other churches.
 
Q. What did you observe in churches that made you recognize the need for a “Prayer Coach”?
Having been personally involved in the “prayer ministry” of a smaller church (10 years) and currently a mega-church (17 years), I have seen the same characteristic in both, which is commonly true of the vast majority of all churches in America. The prayer ministry is “assumed” and is given little--if any--real chance to grow; and zero prospects of ever becoming the “house of prayer” Jesus declared it should be. Because there is very little “Fulfilling Prayer: How To” (topical) teaching and training from leadership--and virtually no budgetary resources allocated to it (different from all the other ministries of the church)--the churches’ prayer ministry struggles to survive, much less grow and thrive! As with any other of the church’s ministries, without intentional (purpose focused) and attentional (follow-up focused) efforts--on a consistent basis--the influence and impact of the church’s prayer ministry in five years will be no different than it is today. From an evangelistic and discipleship perspective, that is totally unacceptable.
 
Plus, we have close friends who have been in a prayer ministry for more than 10 years, presenting weekend prayer conferences that seemingly impacted every church they were invited to. However, almost 100% of the impact of their prayer conference was lost within months because nobody--on the ministry staff or member volunteers--provided the much-needed (on-going) follow-up support (i.e. further teaching, training and motivating). Thus, nearly 90+% of the churches experienced little or no sustaining growth of influence and impact in their local prayer ministry one year following our friends’ weekend prayer conference. In the churches whose prayer ministry did grow significantly, 100% of that growth started with the “prayer-modeling” and “prayer-vision” provided by the senior pastor. Not that he had to administrate the prayer ministry, but he did have to motivate his church members by his own life of prayer and by insuring appropriate funding was included in the church’s annual ministry budget! In some cases, the overall “Mission Statement” was revised to better reflect the church’s commitment to prayer.

Thus, the “Prayer Coach” can provide that necessary intention and attention to one ministry focus: Prayer. Whereas, often times, the good intentions of the pastor or someone he delegates it to “fall-through-the-crack” and the people and church suffers from the lack of powerful Spirit-led prayer times!

The timeframe for the “PC” to partner with the pastor and church is determined by their mutual agreement, as the Lord so leads. Because a spiritual “house of prayer” is not built all at one-time (e.g. a weekend prayer conference)--no more than a physical church complex (i.e. multiple buildings) is not normally built all at one time--the normal “partnership” between a “PC” and a pastor/church would be 12-36 months.

Q. How would a “Prayer Coach” benefit a local congregation?
Because Jesus’ declaration--“My house shall be called a house of prayer”--is spoken in three of the four Gospels, plus in the Old Testament (Isa. 56:7), it is clear that it is not something He was “wishy-washy” about for His church. And because “brick and mortar” do not pray, only people do, the people must be taught. That was the one teaching request Jesus’ disciples had of him: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk. 11:1). An experienced “PC” is able to provide numerous teachings and trainings in prayer--utilizing God’s Word and many of the outstanding prayer-resources--for the people. Three examples we have experienced with churches:
 
1. Identification of strengths and weaknesses of the current prayer ministry impact.
One church we “partnered” with--as their “Prayer Coaches”--implemented an inspiring and practical 12-week (two-video series) prayer course that we had strongly recommended that created a new excitement for their mid-week prayer service (increased 200 percent) like never before. That mid-week service had almost died out; this video series study recommendation came from us as “coaches looking out on the playing field.” It has become part of their “Discipleship Curriculum” now, being offered on a regular basis just like other “spiritual growth” topics.

2. On-going motivation, teaching, training, and accountability.
The “PC” can be a great co-laborer with the pastor and church’s prayer ministry leaders, providing such helps as:

*Assessing the current prayer ministry impact, and needed enhancement steps.
*Creating a realistic “House of Prayer” vision and implementation game-plan.

 1. What does a “HOP” look like
 2. What are the differences between a “HOP” and a regular prayer ministry
 3. What visible signs of progress toward a “HOP” should be seen
 4. What should be our 6 – 12 – 18 – 24 month progress goals
 5. What resources will be needed to implement the “HOP” game-plan (people, materials, finances)
 6. What should the prayer ministry volunteer “job descriptions” be like
 7. What pitfalls should we be aware of in advance

*Resources for the pastor to use in preaching periodically on prayer
*Creative ideas on how to incorporate prayer into every area of church ministry
*On-site and off-site access to the “PC” by the pastor and prayer ministry leaders                                               
The senior pastor of one church we are currently partnering with was so pleased with our availability to him and his prayer ministry leadership--and the results of our “PC” ministry in just 12 months—at his previous church, that he asked us to partner with him again--and his new “church plant”--because he wanted to start building a “House of Prayer” there from the ground-floor.
 
3. Conducting Prayer Summits and/or Retreats.
Periodically the senior pastor wants to take his ministerial staff off on a 1-3 day retreat for a time of “renewal and re-focus,” but would prefer someone else lead it so he can also benefit spiritually. My wife and I had the privilege of facilitating a ministry staff prayer retreat that revolved around personal and corporate prayer times. They returned home with what one described (like Brooklyn Tabernacle pastor Jim Cymbala’s book title) with “fresh wind and fresh fire.” As their “PC,” by not being a member of their church, we were able to contribute a new and fresh perspective on prayer for the pastor and staff.
 
Q. Is this ministry service more suited to large or mega-sized congregations?
If not, is it too costly for smaller congregations?
There is a bit of irony in your question and my answer. While, on-paper, your first question would seem to be a “no-brainer” (YES). But our experiences have shown just the opposite; it has been the smaller churches that have asked us to partner with them as “Prayer Coaches.” Often times, we believe, the larger or mega-sized churches feel satisfied that one of their current ministerial staff people can do whatever is needed. However, what they tend to discover fairly quickly is that adding another ministry responsibility--especially one that needs major intention and attention--to a staff person’s already loaded-down plate is not very effective. So they eventually will add a part-time or fulltime “Pastor of Prayer,” and everybody wins!

The smaller-sized churches tend to recognize their need for special help and the inability to add it to a current staffer’s job description. They love to have the help. Finances are not the real issue; it’s the “vision” and heart of the senior pastor that determines just where the church’s prayer ministry is going, and how fast he wants it to be more than a “tack-on” ministry.

Q. How would a pastor or church prayer leader search for a “Prayer Coach”?
While the title “Prayer Coach” is new and there is, at this time, no specific location where a listing of such people can be found, the best place to find qualified “prayer ministry” help is through the CPLN organization. In addition to us as CPLN representatives (www.bahop.org), there are other CPLN directors/representatives who serve churches in different parts of the country. There are many outstanding “prayer ministry” speakers, and some are willing to partner with a church for on-going assistance. Harvest Prayer Ministry (www.harvestprayer.com) is another place to find some excellent prayer ministry assistance and on-going coaching.
 
Q. Have you found any resources that approach prayer and prayer ministry from a “coaching” model?
Because coaching is all about teaching (what to do), training (how to do it), and testing (practice doing it), that specific book has not yet been written. However, there are several outstanding resources my wife and I have used in our prayer coaching that would be an excellent resource for any church prayer leader to have personally or in the church library. Here are just seven:

1. The Prayer Saturated Church by Cheryl Sacks. Without doubt, this is the most comprehensive resource on the shelf now. Written by a veteran Prayer Coach, it is full of practical helps for almost any prayer ministry question that has ever been asked.

2. The Praying Church Idea Book by Doug Kamstra. A great compilation of more than 400 pages of creative ideas for expanding the local church prayer ministry, this is one of the first such books published, and is still very relevant and useful.
 
3. Fresh Encounters by Daniel Henderson. Pastor Henderson’s book is a powerful testimony and training manual for transforming the too-often “ho-hum” corporate prayer service into an inspiring encounter with our living Lord. This is a “must” for the prayer leader/pastor who wants God to re-vitalize his mid-week prayer services.

4. The Power of Personal Prayer by Jon Graf. Because it is one thing to do something yourself, but it’s another to be able to effectively teach/coach someone else to do it well also. This book is a great resource for any prayer leader who wants to learn how to teach/coach others in effective personal praying. It’s simple to understand, basic in content, but powerful in communicating how to pray with faith and focus.

5. Lord Teach Us To Pray by Fred A. Hartley, III. This is an excellent 12-week study booklet, ideal for personal or small groups. It inspires and instructs the participants in a biblical perspective of prayer.

6. “How to Have a Quiet Time in a Busy World” (4 weeks) by Jim and Kaye Johns. “Praying To Make A Difference” (8 Weeks): Jim and Kaye Johns. These two video studies have been used in more than 3,000 churches and in five foreign countries. Both come with an individual workbook. Each weekly video lesson is 20 minutes long, lending  itself to an excellent 60-90 minute class (small group study) discussion and prayer-time. This is an excellent resource for a church to have in its discipleship curriculum library. (Available through our CtS Ministry: www.bahop.org).

7. “Love to Pray” (8 Weeks) by Alvin VanderGriend. This study booklet is outstanding by itself and great for group discussion. Now a corresponding video presentation has been added that will enhance each lesson even more. (Available from Harvest Prayer Ministry: www.prayershop.org, 1-800-217-5200).

Q. What resources have aided your own development as a “Prayer Coach”?
Again, because “coaching” is about teaching and training others in some skill you have learned well, I have sought to continue learning how to pray more effectively. In fact, I don’t ever want to stop learning how to pray! Sadly, I think many Christians are frustrated in their personal prayer life because they have never seriously adopted the same heart for prayer that the disciples of Jesus had when they said: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk. 11:1). Likewise, I believe that the majority of church members--sometimes even the ministerial staff--have lost their enthusiasm and commitment to the mid-week “corporate” prayer service because nobody has ever taught them how to truly connect with the Lord in prayer. Consequently, they are self-conscious and/or embarrassed to pray publicly, so they quit attending that service. Therefore, the church suffers from anemia because it fails to benefit from the “power of agreement” prayer promise God has given us (Mt. 18:19).

Therefore, in addition to the Bible, I am usually always reading one book on the subject, plus periodicals such as Pray! magazine each month. Besides the resources listed in the previous answer that we have used personally and in our “PC” ministry, we always recommend the CPLN's (www.prayerleader.com) monthly e-zines, “The Praying Pastor” and “incenseRising.”

Finally, for pastors and church prayer ministry leaders, I would strongly recommend that they avail themselves of the outstanding “coaching” sources that have significantly “schooled” my wife and me up on “praying more effectively” (individually and corporately) these past two years and helping others to grow in their prayer life:

1. “College of Prayer” (www.collegeofprayer.org). This training provides three (3-day) modules per year (October/February/May). Each module features an outstanding “prayer-teacher,” speaking on the specific theme for that module. Plus there is lots of interaction time--with other pastors and prayer leaders—and lots of corporate worship-prayer times.

2. “CPLN” Convention (www.prayerleader.com). These past two years, this single event--held annually in June--draws 1000+ pastors and local church prayer ministry leaders from around the nation. It offers incredibly gifted “keynote” nationally known speakers, plus 50-60 “prayer-topic” workshops. No other place we know of can anyone walk away--in just three days--with such a wealth of “personal and corporate” prayer inspiration and information!