Coaching School
Learn to Coach Leaders, Teams, and Congregations
Use coaching skills to develop leaders and grow spiritually vibrant congregations.
Our History
Our Training
- A comprehensive, continously-updated coaching manual.
- Recorded audio and video sessions to help students refine their skills.
- Blog articles and Youtube Shorts that describe ways to be an effective coach.
- Access to links and downloads that support coaching practices.
- Free monthly training events and discussion groups to connect with and learn from other students.
- Free Master Classes (offered once a quarter).
- Free coaching resources via our Coaching School Community.
Options for Online Coaching School Training
ACC-Level Training
Prepares you for:
- Coach Knowledge Assessment exam
- Becoming an Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
68 hours:
24 asynchronous training hours (101: Core Competencies Course)
44 synchronous training hours
Cost: $3600
PCC-Level Training
Prerequisites:
Completion in Training Part 1 or ACC certification
Further Develops:
knowledge, skills. and capacities to consistently coach
at a Professional Certified Coach (PCC} level
68 hours: Asynchronous and Synchronous Training
Cost: $3600
Continuing Education Courses
These additional elective courses are 2 hours each and offer additional training for current and new coaches
Cost: $200 per course
Mentor Training
This is a requirement to earn
ACC or PCC Certification
Includes:
8 hours Group Mentor Coaching
3 Individual Mentor-Coaching Sessions
Cost: $1000
Why Coaching School?
The church needs more trained and skilled individuals who are coaching churches toward a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ. Coaching training and certification is essential for that process, especially with the unique focus on congregational thriving through faith formation.
How to Register
You will receive an email about regarding registration and additional inquiries you may have about our program
You will receive a link to select your preferred course payment plan.
Meet our Coaching School Faculty
Jim LaDoux
Vibrant Faith Coach
Coaching Focus: Coaching for leaders, teams, cohort groups, congregations, and non-profit organizations
About Jim: Jim LaDoux lives in Burnsville, MN and is on the Vibrant Faith leadership team since 2003. He currently oversees our coaching program. Jim has been a coach since 1992. He has a Master of Management Arts specializing in organizational development and is a certified PCC (Professional Certified Coach) in Training. Jim has been part of church staff for Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian congregations. In his spare time, Jim likes to travel, go hiking, and biking.
You may have read Jim’s work: Surface To Soul: Coaching Spiritual Vitality in Congregations, Vibrant Faith Coaching School Manual.
You may have seen Jim at: The Vibrant Faith Coaching School, at any Leading Well event, at all of our Vibrant Faith Staff meetings, at the 2019 Symposiums, and in anything coaching related with Vibrant Faith.
Rev. Brandyn Simmons, PCC
Instructor & Mentor Coach
Coaching Focus: Organization Development, Executive, Business, Leadership, NonProfit, Life Coaching
About Brandyn: Rev. Brandyn Simmons lives in Chicago, IL. He is the Executive Director of Generations Care Partners Foundation, is the Pastor at Christ Church of Chicago, and is the owner of Generations Care Partners. Brandyn has been coaching for over 10 years. He holds the following degrees MBA, Master of Geriatrics, Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry in Community Organizing Candidate, and is a Professional Certified Coach, and is certified in Mindfulness and Appreciative Inquiry. Brandyn has also served on numerous adjudicatory board in the United Church of Christ, assisted in the revitalization of the Illinois Conference in the UCC, mentor coaching, and teaching in various coaching programs. In his free time, Brandyn enjoys hiking and writing.
You may have read Brandyn’s published work:
- Kindling Hope: Discovering a Life of Meaning and Igniting the World
Rev. Dr. Felix Villanueva, MCC
Director of Coaching School, Instructor & Mentor Coach
The Rev. Dr. Felix C. Villanueva is the Director and Co-Founder of the Vibrant Faith Coaching School. Dr. Villanueva has been coaching for over two decades. He is a Master Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Dr. Villanueva’s coaching practice includes: clergy and congregational coaching, executive and professional coaching, and group coaching. He is also specialist in the areas of grief and loss, diversity, equality and inclusion, team building, conflict management, and business and leadership development. Dr. Villanueva holds a Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership (EdD), and two Master Degrees: one in Divinity and the other in Pastoral Counseling. He was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1982 and has served as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, local church pastor, and as a denominational executive. He is currently retired from church ministry and dedicates his time to transforming lives through coaching. Dr. Villanueva’s favorite faith practice is walking labyrinths. He says: “Walking a labyrinth refreshes my soul and inspires me. I never miss an opportunity to walk one.”
Rev. Dr. Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, PCC
Instructor & Mentor Coach
Coaching Focus: Leadership Coaching; Organizational Leadership; Life Coaching; Team Coaching; Leadership Team Coaching; Coaching Through Transitions — Corporate and Personal; Mentor Coaching; HR Coaching
About Nathan: Rev. Dr. Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, D.Min, lives in Fairfax, Virginia. He is the lead pastor of a multi-site congregation in Northern Virginia. A coach for nearly two decades, he holds an International Coach Federation credential as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He has a Doctor of Ministry in leadership, culture, and change. Nathan is a coach trainer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Coach Coordinator for the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, and the owner of Summit Coaching and Behavioral Consulting LLC. Nathan is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) since 2019 through CoachNet Global and is a Certified Behavioral Consultant (DISC). He has been coaching for 18 years. Nathan also enjoys pen turning, car detailing, reading science fiction, and playing acoustic guitar.
You may have seen Nathan participating in these Vibrant Faith activities: C3 Culture of Calling Participant, and working in the Coaching School as a Mentor Coach Teacher/Facilitator