Life Coaching


Safer Communities Ministry (SCM) Roles and Qualifications for the Life Coaches of Ex-offenders


Life Coach Roles and Qualifications


Mentors meet regularly and build long-term relationships with ex-offenders, giving guidance and feedback, earning that right by being a good listener and an encourager. In other words, Listen, Learn, Lend a practical hand and encourage the heart -- then Lead. Life Coaches are needed in three major areas:


1) Disciplers for spiritual growth:


Encourage and guide a person with loving accountability to grow spiritually and to apply God’s Word and their life experience with God to everyday issues.


Role Description:


  1. Meet weekly, or as regularly as possible, with an ex-offender, or ex-offenders, in a location conducive to Bible study, personal sharing, and prayer/worship. Could be a team of discipleship mentors sharing the effort together. Clearly set up each future meeting. Meet individually or as small spiritual growth group.
  2. Use approved, proven Bible study materials as part of the meeting. (Use our CD/ sheet packets.)
  3. Train and provide accountability for using the Bible and prayer/worship as part of their own devotional life on a daily basis.
  4. Train and provide accountability for all of the areas that Jesus taught about being a disciple. Be a good listener and encourager, as well as a good spiritual coach.
  5. Give a brief report, which can be verbal, to the team goal setter at least once a month.

Qualification:


  1. Be an example of how a disciple lives out the balanced disciplines of what Jesus instructed disciples to do.
  2. Be recommended by one’s pastor or church leaders for doing discipleship ministry.
  3. Be trained by SCM for Life Coach team work with ex-offenders and SCM’s specific training for doing discipleship work as part of completing SCM’s Volunteer Certification Process.
  4. Allow regular management assistance and direction from SCM staff.

2) Goal Setters for coaching and accountability:


Encourage and guide a person with loving accountability to set and achieve goals in life areas that deal with all aspects of the total person.


Role Description:


  1. Meet at least monthly, but as regularly as possible, with an ex-offender in a location conducive to focused planning, accountability and mentoring. Clearly set up each future meeting.
  2. Use SCM’s assessment/goal setting sheets and SCM training tools. (Use our CD / sheet packets.)
  3. Keep up to date about the needs, goals, and achievements in all the life areas of the ex-offender, either directly or through others, at least once a week.
  4. Be a good listener, encourager, and then a good practical coach as SCM’s list of life area items are regularly discussed.
  5. Help the ex-offender locate the right connections in the church and community to best accomplish their goals.
  6. Using SCM’s forms to write up monthly case notes and report information to SCM staff at set times.

Qualification:


  1. Be an example of a person who can set basic goals and manage their life.
  2. Be recommended by one’s pastor or church leaders or SCREEN Partner leader for being a Life Coach.
  3. Be trained by SCM for Life Coach team work with ex-offenders and SCM’s specific training for doing goals work as part of completing SCM’s Volunteer Certification Process.
  4. Allow regular management and direction from SCM staff.

3) Mentors for alcohol /substance abuse:


encourage and guide a person with loving accountability to maintain sobriety.


Role Description:


  1. Meet as regularly as possible with an ex-offender, or ex-offenders, in a location conducive doing recovery work. Clearly set up each future meeting. Meet individually or as a recovery small group. (Use our CDs/sheets pkgs.)
  2. Use SCM’s exercise worksheet for preparing to work as a Life Coach/sponsor. (Use our CD/sheet packets.)
  3. Help coach the person to maintain recovery, work a recovery program, and stay away from bad influences.
  4. Give a brief report, which can be verbal, to the team goal setter at least once a month.

Qualification:


Same qualifications as a goal setter, with the added responsibility of maintaining sobriety, or show sufficient qualifications to do so. Also, have some specific SCM training for doing substance abuse work.


For suggested wording for a Letter of Recommendation, click here.