Help Others Find Clarity
and Move Forward
As an ICF-aligned Level 1 certification program, we equip leaders with coaching skills to listen well, ask better questions, and guide others toward clarity and purpose.
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Why Become a Coach?
Some of the most significant moments in ministry happen in conversations, when a leader asks the right question at the right time and someone's whole perspective shifts.
Coaching training doesn't just make you a better coach. It makes you a better leader, a better listener, and a better minister. The skills you develop here will change how you lead your team, disciple your people, and walk alongside others in their calling.
The Center for Christian Coaching's certification program is recognized and accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the global governing body for professional coaching ethics and standards.
Our program exists to equip staff and leaders within the Brentwood Baptist network, as well as leaders in other churches and local ministry nonprofits across our region.
Certification Pathways
Certified Christian Coach (CCC)
Our foundational certification, designed for ministry leaders who want to develop and master coaching competencies for use in church ministry.
Requirements:
- CCC 301: Coaching Foundations (16 hours)
- 16 hours of additional courses through the Center for Christian Coaching
- A total of 3 hours of one-on-one mentorship provided by a qualified, certified mentor coach
- 10 hours of earned practicum hours
- Coach Certification Application
- Certification Exam (after application submission)
Associate Certified Coach (ACC) — ICF Credential
For those pursuing a professional coaching credential through the International Coaching Federation.
Requirements:
- 60+ hours of coaching education (including mentor coaching)
- 100+ hours of coaching experience
- A total of 10 hours of mentor coaching is required with a qualified, certified mentor coach. At least 3 of these hours must be conducted one-on-one, while the remaining 7 hours may be completed either in a group setting or individually.
- Successful completion of a performance evaluation
- Application for Level 1 Certificate
- Passing score on the ICF Credentialing Exam (after Level 1 application submission)
Available Courses
CCC 301 | Coaching Foundations (16 hours)
Prerequisite for all advanced courses
Coaching Foundations is an essential class for every leader and is a prerequisite course for our advanced class, Coaching Relationships. Coaching Foundations answers the foundational questions: What is coaching, and how does it differ from mentoring and counseling? What are basic coaching principles? What are the do's and don'ts of being a coach? And how can coaching conversations make you more effective as a leader?
Topics include:
- Introduction to the International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- Exploring what coaching is and its use in a Christian environment
- The Language and Format of Coaching (Coaching vs. Mentoring vs. Counseling)
- Coaching Basics (The philosophy of coaching and steps to a coaching conversation)
- Coaching Skills (the coaching mindset and the ICF Core Competencies)
- Coaching Models (the process of a coaching conversation)
Because this class is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF), you will also gain a firm understanding of the Coaching Core Competencies as outlined by the ICF.
Taught by: Sandy Hamilton, MA, PCC, and Kim Hancock, ACC
In-Person: August 21 & 22, 2026 | Friday: 1:00–8:00 PM | Saturday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Rd., Brentwood, TN 37027
Cost: Church Members: $75 | Ministry Partners: $150 | Non-Members: $350
2027 Dates
- January 22 & 23 (Friday 1p-8p & Saturday 9a-4p)
- August 20 & 21 (Friday 1p-8p & Saturday 9a-4p)
CCC 302 | Coaching Relationships (16 hours)
Prerequisite: CCC 301
Understanding how to build a strong coaching relationship with your coachee is essential to achieve effective coaching outcomes.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
- Important elements for co-creating a strong coaching relationship with your coachees.
- How to talk about coaching to educate others and build a culture of coaching in your organization.
- The ingredients needed to have a strong first session.
- The difference between doing coaching and being a coach.
- How to identify your strengths and challenges as a coach
Because this class is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF), you will also gain a firm understanding of the Coaching Core Competencies as outlined by the ICF. Increase your effectiveness as a leader in your community, church ministry, workplace, and family with the valuable skills you will learn in the Coaching Relationships class.
Taught by: Sandy Hamilton, MA, PCC, and Glenda Betts, ACC
Virtual: October 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2026 | 6:00–8:30 PM each session
Cost: Church Members: $75 | Ministry Partners: $150 | Non-Members: $350
2027 Dates
- February 26 & 27 OR March 5 & 6 (Friday 1p-8p & Saturday 9a-4p)
- October 4, 11, 18, 25 (VIRTUAL: Mondays 7p-9p)
CCC 310 | Coaching Leaders (9 hours)
Prerequisite: CCC 301
This advanced course is primarily geared toward coaches who will be coaching leaders* in Christian ministry. The content is designed to help coaches engage in Christ-centered conversations regarding leadership attributes and competencies with the leaders they coach.
PARTICIPANT WILL:
- Review a historical perspective of leadership including examples of biblical leaders.
- Gain insight on Christian competencies and explore tools and techniques to assess competencies for coachees.
- Discuss how the specific leadership style of a coachee may impact the coaching approach.
- Be introduced to a leadership philosophy tool that can be utilized in coaching leaders.
- Examine a coaching tool for leadership multiplication
*A leader can take many forms in Christian ministry, ranging from a pastoral/ministry role to lay leadership.
Taught by: Todd Bishop, ACC. Minimum 9 registered students required.
Virtual: September 14, 21 & 28, 2026 | 7:00–9:00 PM each session
Cost: Church Members: $75 | Ministry Partners: $125 | Non-Members: $250
2027 Dates
- April 16 (Friday 1p-8p)
- September 13, 20, 27 (VIRTUAL: Mondays 7p-9p)
CCC 311 | Coaching Skills for Gospel Conversations and Discipleship (9 hours)
Prerequisite: CCC 301
This advanced course is designed to equip coaches on how to use coaching skills in discipleship as well as in gospel conversations. The content will explore how to define discipleship and will aid in distinguishing the differences in discipleship, mentorship, and coaching. It will also explore ways to develop trust and a safe environment for your coachee to process various gospel topics and conversations.
PARTICIPANT WILL:
- Define “discipleship” and distinguish the differences between discipleship, mentorship, and coaching.
- Use coaching skills and techniques to accompany discipleship and mentoring.
- Develop an action plan for your Personal Discipleship Strategy.
- Use coaching skills and techniques in gospel conversations and evangelism.
Taught by: Michele Dyer, ACC, and Sandy Hamilton, MA, PCC. Minimum 6 registered students required.
Virtual: November 9, 16, 30 & December 7, 2026 | 6:00–8:15 PM each session
Cost: Church Members: $75 | Ministry Partners: $125 | Non-Members: $250
2027 Dates
- June 4 (Friday 1p-8p)
- November 8, 15, 29, December 6 (VIRTUAL: Mondays 7p-9p)
CCC 312 | Coaching Transitions
Prerequisite: CCC 301
2027 Dates
- February 12 (Friday 1p-8p)
- July 16 (Friday 1p-8p)
Mentor Coaching
Mentor coaching is a one-on-one or group relationship between someone pursuing a coaching credential and an experienced coach who provides feedback and support for skill development. Both individual and group mentor coaching are available through the Center for Christian Coaching.
Coaching Supervision
Coaching Supervision is a collaborative process where you engage in reflective dialogue with a trained supervisor to explore your practice, enhance your skills, and deepen your self-awareness. Through this partnership, you gain valuable support and guidance. It focuses not only on what you do as a coach, but on who you are and how you show up in your practice.
While Coaching Supervision is not required for certification, it creates a safe space to reflect on both your successes and challenges, helping you become a more impactful coach.
Standards and Policies
Absence Policy – if a student misses more than 10% of a course, we are not able to offer credit for partial completion of the course. If you have questions about this policy, please contact Sandy Hamilton.
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