Life Coaches in the Church???

[D4Christ]

Through my studies over the past 8 or so years, which started in eschatology, I found that I also needed to be aware of New Agesim, their leaders and their techniques. One thing I found over and over again is the term "Life Coaches." In fact, if you type New Agers or Ageism on the internet you will find many references to life coaches. Some openly claim to be new agers, while others only talk in general spiritualities. Either way, I felt that "Life Coaches", imho, supported a type of back-door christianity that lets you talk about Christ without really needing him....in other words undercover new age speak.

Today, I find that more and more "christian" enterprises and churches teach life coaching classes or claim to have life coaches available for their congregation. Is anyone else alarmed by this???

Dee

 

[Ed the Ned]

I am not alarmed or surprised as the new age influence has been a threat to the church from the beginning. It had major influence in christian teaching from the 60's. With so many "life coaches" and different psychology theories and how they "blend" with the gospel we are bound to have a multitude of false gospels and interpretations of biblical teachings.
I feel it is the biggest threat to teaching sound biblical doctrine.

 

[reba]

The almost truths are the ones that sneak in. Blatant contradictions to Scripture are easy to see... No need for a spirit guide when led by The one and only Holy Spirit.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

You would have to know what a life coach is doing and teaching in a church before you could know if it's 'new age', or just someone in the church guiding the church into spiritual truth and doing their God given jobs.

 

[Gazelle]

You would have to know what a life coach is doing and teaching in a church before you could know if it's 'new age', or just someone in the church guiding the church into spiritual truth and doing their God given jobs.

I agree. I am cautious about nearly anything "new" these days (perhaps because of my age! :toofunny) but just because someone uses a new term doesn't make them new age. I'd be interested in the where and why of someone's credentials, for any "expert" recognition...whether that be counselor, coach, etc. ;) A lot of this stuff is trying to come in the back door, for sure though.

 

[for_his_glory]

I'm going to reply only with scripture for this one.

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

A lot of this stuff is trying to come in the back door, for sure though.

'Life coach' reminds me of another new age term being used in the church today: 'vision casting'. As far as I've seen it's Biblical in how it gets used in the church, but certainly the potential is there for someone along the line to use it to subtly pollute the church with new age beliefs.

I can see how borrowing terms from false spiritual belief systems and religions can be a stumbling block to someone. It comes across to me as just part of the church's attempt to be relevant in our modern times, not necessarily a conscious and purposeful attempt to bring new age beliefs into the church. But as I say, that can certainly happen.

 

[D4Christ]

All I know is everybody is some type of "coach" today. Everybody claims that they can help you find your "purpose" in God and they want to teach you "practical" Christianity.

Gone are the messages in the gospel about living wholesome, righteous, quiet lives, until the Lord's return. We are supposed to, according to the church, be looking for all of our blessings and money and wealth now so we can be a bank to the world.

Every life coach website I read is all about them..."I can do this...and I can help you learn that." It reminds me of the tactics used in The Secret....all you need to do is learn these simple techniques and you will have the keys to unlock the universe and its blessings. Take this excerpt from the website Heir to Life.

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Take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared
for you since the creation of the
world...that which is life indeed.

Are you ready to launch a new lifestyle, life's work, ministry or business with God at the center? Or perhaps you are ready to transform how you live your daily life or how your ministry or small business shows up in the world so it's tailored to fit with your true person, purpose and passions.



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It's no mistake. Satan is very clever indeed.

Dee

 

[Jethro Bodine]

All I know is everybody is some type of "coach" today. Everybody claims that they can help you find your "purpose" in God and they want to teach you "practical" Christianity.

Gone are the messages in the gospel about living wholesome, righteous, quiet lives, until the Lord's return. We are supposed to, according to the church, be looking for all of our blessings and money and wealth now so we can be a bank to the world.

Every life coach website I read is all about them..."I can do this...and I can help you learn that." It reminds me of the tactics used in The Secret....all you need to do is learn these simple techniques and you will have the keys to unlock the universe and its blessings. Take this excerpt from the website Heir to Life.


It's no mistake. Satan is very clever indeed.

Dee

These are definitely Biblical themes...even promises in this coach's website. But to set your heart on them, or redefine abundance to mean gross material excess is completely unBiblical.

Reminds me of the people who only followed Christ because he fed them:

26 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
(John 6:26-27 NIV 1984)


And it wasn't until he revealed the complete spiritual truth that Christ himself is the essence of abundance and eternal life that they departed. Literal food not being the food that satisfies and gives life, but rather the food of Christ himself.

...the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
(John 6:57-58,60-63,66 NIV 1984)

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I honestly don't get too terribly excited about what particular deception in the church is frustrating the truth of God. I'm more concerned that the church seems to have less and less of the truth to measure the deception against.

 

[handy]

I honestly don't get too terribly excited about what particular deception in the church is frustrating the truth of God. I'm more concerned that the church seems to have less and less of the truth to measure the deception against.

You have spoken quite a truth here, brother!

 

[Christ_empowered]

I think "Christian" Life Coaching is just an outgrowth of the psychobabble-ization of the church. How many Christian writers have made money writing about "self-esteem" or "psychological problems" or "emotional healing" ? How many sermons have you heard where the pastor emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate psychiatrist and counselor, rather than as sovereign Lord and Savior? Got problems in your life? Turn to Jesus--he'll help.

I have no doubt that following Christian guidelines and adopting Christian morals and a Christian worldview will, in most cases, improve one's outlook and ability to handle life. I also don't doubt that applying Christian morality can help make someone more disciplined and productive, which can lead to financial benefits. However, I think all of this ignores the real reason we follow Christ, which is to be separate from the world, a "peculiar people," living quiet, productive lives and waiting on the Lord. All Christians suffer; many suffer a good bit. Are they "failing" as Christians because they suffer? Whatever happened to traditional Christianity, with its emphasis on us all being clay in the potter's hands? What happened to the sufferings of Job or the understanding that Christians shouldn't store up for themselves wealth on Earth, but rather riches in Heaven? (Not that wealthy Christians are bad, I'm just saying--the emphasis is on the hereafter).

This is just Jesus+psychobabble. You can't pray or think your way out of unemployment, cancer, schizophrenia, suffering in general, and God doesn't owe you happiness just because you follow His word. What God offers us is joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding, regardless of our circumstances. Now, while I do think that Christians should try to be productive and use their talents to provide for themselves and their families, I don't think a Christian life coach will help in that endeavor.

 

[D4Christ]

You can't pray or think your way out of unemployment, cancer, schizophrenia, suffering in general, and God doesn't owe you happiness just because you follow His word. What God offers us is joy and the peace that surpasses all understanding, regardless of our circumstances. Now, while I do think that Christians should try to be productive and use their talents to provide for themselves and their families, I don't think a Christian life coach will help in that endeavor.

Now that's not a message you'll hear in too many churches on Sunday. It doesn't make the pastors enough money.:D

 

[Chan]

The only "life coach" we need is the people who, in obedience to the very last part of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), are "teaching [us] to obey" what Jesus taught.