Year of the Coach Day 4

What a day.  On Thursday we got into some nuts and bolts of the sharing 3D at clinics, schools, and with small groups.  We also heard from Mark Hall the presenter of the 301 material on the web-site.  He killed it.  As he unpacked more of the theology of 301 and went deeper into the "why" behind it I was encouraged and challenged.

One of the main things Mark talked about, building on Wes and Jeff, was that 3D isn't some program that you go through and then say you are finished.  Rather it is an operating system.  It is a place from which coaches are challenged to operate as a coach.  In other words it isn't just something you can grab, implement and then move on when you are finished...rather it is a dynamic process of transformation that challenges the coach to coach and 'operate' differently.  This isn't just something a coach can use as a coach and then separate from the rest of his/her life.  That spoke volumes.  My small group spent some time talking about that, reflecting on what that meant for sharing, as well as what that meant for ministry, follow-up, and more.  It also helped me to not feel like it's one more thing that I have to add to my plate, this 'program', but rather it can become my operating system throughout the entirety of ministry within FCA in Portland.

Another thing that Mark shared was the formula for change:

Change = Discontent x Vision x Next Steps > Resistance

I love this.  First, it's a reminder to slow down.  We need to put a good plan in place.  Second, there has to be a clear understanding of where we are going, of what the preferred future is.  Third, it's a reminder that there will always be resistance.  I love the discontent piece as well...a little holy discontent plays a huge role in seeing change come about.  If any of these is "0", then there is no change.  I want to see change; and if I want to see change, I have to put in the hard work of casting vision, creating discontent, and crafting the next steps...only in doing so will I be ready to overcome the resistance.

Today, we'll head home...and then it's time to get to work.

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Year of the Coach Day 3

What an adventure today was!  As you can see, we did have a little fun.  We went out to Gator land, watched a guy wrestle the gator I'm sitting on and then walked around to see the gators out in the swamp.  Some of those suckers were HUGE!!  It was a sweet night.

Yesterday we talked a TON of logistics; the how to's of presenting this at clinics and to coaches, the why's of sharing the material and then we went and saw one of our presenter's share with coaches.  It was another day of taking furious notes and dreaming and thinking about how we can put this down on paper and create a clear vision for sharing 3D Coaching with coaches across the PIL and the entire Portland Metro!

I think one of the most inspiring things from yesterday was a video that one of our presenters, Wes Simmons, shared with us.  This whole deal is set up to take a coach on a journey into becoming a 3 Dimensional Coach, to give them a vision and a plan for their future and how to run their program.  At the end of the 3D Journey, the real work begins with the crafting of a transformational purpose statement.  Wes had taken a coach on that journey and once they had reached the end, Wes went to this coach's pastor and spoke to him about having a commissioning service.  The video showed Wes, the coach, and the coach's pastors praying for him, commissioning him, and then sending him out to coach and live out that transformational purpose statement as a worker of the kingdom.

Visions of coaches commissioning services from across the metro began to flood my mind, I began to think of and dream about coaches who go to coach, knowing they have the support and backing of their family and their church to do what they do in the name of God.

Today we will get into some of the 3rd dimensional materials, and I cannot wait!

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Year of the Coach Day 2

Slow down. 

I keep repeating that phrase.

Slow.

Down.

There is so much I want to share, so much I want to type, so much I want to get back to Portland to get going on.  And I have to keep reminding myself…

Slow. Down.

Quick summary of the day.  We had an intro to 3 Dimensional Coaching this morning (including one of the module sessions), then we broke off into our small groups to discuss how to make it our own.  Then it was off to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports.  This mega complex of athletic facilities for tournaments, championships, and club team competitions in all kinds of different sports.  While there we heard from different club sport directors on ways we could look to connect with club sports as well as the way sports seem to be moving more into the club realm.  We then had dinner then and went off to Downtown Disney to relax and walk around. 

As someone who has only coached in the youth realm while serving coaches and athletes beyond that; the idea of presenting to coaches in the High School and College realms seems a bit daunting.  Who am I, what have I got to offer these guys?  Listen, I believe in this stuff, there is a solid biblical backing for everything wrapped up in 3D Coaching; but, will my voice carry any weight. Two things happened today that encouraged and affirmed me that I’d like to share with you all.

1.  One of the things we talked about is relevance.  Basically, what makes your voice relevant?  How can you connect with the coaches and disarm any prejudice they might possess about why they should or shouldn’t listen to you? So as we spoke about how we would make it our own, we had to share how we would connect.  I shared my story in sport, coaching, and working with youth as if I would as a part of the presentation; and expressed my concern with being able to be relevant and they all looked at me and sort of laughed.  “You just did it.  That was perfect.  You had me”.  Oh, ok, well then…whew…

2. Then after the panel discussion at ESPN I sat with the two main presenters.  The guy with the Doctorate in coaching and the guy who’s done the most work with 3D coaching as a staff guy.  I shared with them my excitement over the material, the potential opportunities for serving and strengthening these coaches and could hardly contain it.  I shared of how we’ve used pieces of it within our Youth Football program since I had first met the good Dr. Duke; as well as in conversations with coaches in Portland.  And the guy with the Doctorate looked at me and said, “Nick, listen, you were made for this.  You were made for this stuff.”  These two men then began to breathe life and encouragement into me; affirming my passion, affirming the vision and encouraging me to be strategic and deliberate and to….

…slow. down.

This has to be done well.  It’s too important.  It’s potential impact for transformation too great.  I’m excited for tomorrow.  We’ll get into more logistics on the clinics and then go see one of our presenters give a clinic at one of the local prep academies.  I can’t wait.  I’m taking furious notes and dreaming big dreams.  RJ, are you ready?  This 'blue guy' is feeling a little red...let's get it!

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Year of the Coach Day 1

As I sit in the lobby of this hotel in Orlando, the sun is coming through the glass atrium ceiling reminding me that I'm not at home.  And then when I get on google maps to find a nearby coffee shop and I there are only two within a 4 square mile radius; I realize, I'm REALLY not at home.  (Seriously, you have fast food joints EVERYWHERE and only two coffee shops?  And one is in the hotel?!  Step ya game up Orlando.  Ok, I'm done.)

I've got a great job, it is a blessing to get to do what I do.  As I've found myself back in the sports world, I believe more than ever that coaching is a phenomenal tool for youth development.  As I finish reading Inside-Out Coaching; i'm reminded even more of the potential impact for better or worse that coaches possess.  I've been getting tons of training lately, and that's a good thing.  A few weeks ago I was reminded of the necessity of my own growth in discipleship and will be a formative training that I need to remember to go back to often.  But this week has the potential to be the most important training I go through in my young career within FCA.

We keep hearing things about The Year of the Coach.  The emails sent out from our HQ, the words are mentioned on every conference call, and now this week is all about the coach.  It's about impacting the coach and setting them free to coach the body, mind, and heart of every athlete that comes across their field

or court.  To say I'm excited for this training would be an understatement.  In the short time I've spent as a coach, I've seen the impact.  I've seen the impact of a coach who is more concerned with his own success.  I've seen the impact of a coach who gives herself away for her athletes.  They are both equally powerful, and both are equally difficult to undo.  In our world where young athletes are DESPERATE for hope, encouragement, and an adult they can lean on; a coach holds a special place of authority that has the potential to build or destroy.  I've spoken with high school athletes, and some college athletes, who all share stories of a coach who has produced more pain than encouragement.  My heart breaks as the damage that is done is buried deep and will take a long time to work through.

Coaches, you possess power.  Uncle Ben had it right when he told Peter, "With great power, comes great responsibility."  Scripture tells us that the one who teaches will be held to a higher standard. (James 3).  I'm not sure how many of my coaching friends will read this, but to those who do...if you have a heart or a desire to impact the lives of young people...then learn a sport and get out there and coach!  I don't care if it's TBall!  I watch my 7 and 6 year old respond to their coaches praise and encouragement and I can tell you that it makes a difference!  

If you are the praying type...do me a favor, pray for this week.  Pray for this time in Orlando, pray that I'm challenged, pray that I grow, pray that my heart and mind would be an absolute sponge at what we are taught this week.  May I come back equipped, encouraged and confident in my own coaching and in what I have to share with those coaches I look up to.  Coaches, if you are reading this, I'm praying for you.  I'm praying we don't take our opportunity to serve our athletes lightly.  I'm praying for wisdom and discernment as we seek to raise up a generation of young men and women who will be good fathers, good mothers, good husbands and wives and active members of their community.


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For those who have always wanted an opportunity to be a part of what God is up to out here, there is no better time than now.  I need your help to bring this training back to the coaches of Portland.  Consider sponsoring me in our Golf Marathon Fundraiser.  My goal is $5,000, we've already raised $3,600 in pledges.  Will you join me?  Take a moment and fill out this form: Golf Marathon Sponsor.

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