Guess what, I can now blog from my phone thanks to a new app on my I-phone, wow! To borrow the title of a contemporary book, "The World Is Flat. " So what does that mean?  It means I can now reach anybody in the world who has Internet access. So can you!

Several years ago we were admonished that the cell phone would one day rule the world. And that before long you couldn't operate efficiently without one. (Thomas Friedman) Its a little scary but that day is almost upon us.

Today I can conduct Facebook conversations, tweet, track my friends whereabouts, type in any address in the U.S. and get a picture of the house at that address, blog, access files, upload, download, and last but not least, get a current listing of this weekend's garage sales in any major city in America, (yes that's really true for all you garage sale junkies!) all done from the convenience of my cell phone.

It really is possible to reach the world from the palm of your hand. So, what will you do with the tool you have in your hands? Will you go into all the world (Matt 28) or will you simply stay home?

BTW, this blog was posted from my from my I-phone.

Coach John

Learning to navigate the new social media revolution will be the next real challenge for many busters, boomers and seniors. Suprisingly though, many are beginning to adapt well to Facebook and other popular avenues of social media . For example, my 80 year old father now navigates Facebook with his new Ipad!

As a boomer, I can honestly say that I do enjoy the world of social media. However, at the same time I am challenged by the time consuming demand it puts on my life. At times I ask myself, "is it really all that advantageous to engage? ... is it a tool or a time robber?"

Paul admonished us to avoid distraction and when we have contact with things of the world, to make good use of them without becoming attached to them...(I Cor. 7:31,35 TLB)

Conclusion:

Self control, discipline, and wisdom is needed in the use of social media. However, lest anyone think it's an unnecessary evil, think again. Check this video out, it tells the story! So Concerning Social Media - You in or Out? Let me know your thoughts on this important topic.

Coach John

Works Cited: www.youtube.com

Learning models in America are rapidly changing. This is due to the fact that a contemporary generation no longer processes life as the previous one did. In light of this reality many of us run the risk of becoming out-dated and even antiquated in our approach to teaching and equipping the body of Christ.

The question we should be asking ourselves is not “are we teaching,” but rather “is anyone learning?”

For most, the change will present a major paradigm shift in the way we currently perceive learning. Some even believe that the sun is setting on many of the previously accepted learning modules. For many who are of the Baby Boomer generation and older, challenges abound. I know because I happen to be a part of this generation.

So what are some of the adult learning models that are shifting in America? And, how do we as the church embrace them and leverage them to reach a generation for Christ? Here are just a few for our consideration:

1. A Shift from the Greek model to a Hebraic One

Most Western models of learning are built upon the Greek method of education. This model says that learning comes from the simple acquisition of information and knowledge. Give me a book, an article or more information and I will know it.

The Hebraic model says that you cannot truly learn something by the mere acquisition of information; rather, one learns by combining information with experience and participation. This is why Jesus called the disciples to “be with him.”

2. A shift from a Monological style of teaching to a Dialogical One.

Jesus rarely taught through the means of a monologue. When we study his methods we find that most of his teaching, especially in the temple, turned into dialogue or a discussion. Why? Simply put, because adult learners learn best through processing and interaction with information. They perceive truth at a deeper level through interaction with the topic and with others.

The postmodern learner longs for community and relationship in all areas of life, but especially the classroom. They learn best by hearing others views, and at the same time assessing their own thoughts and experiences. Maybe as teachers we need to endeavor to open up more conversational space in the classroom instead of trying to fill it with our expert information. i.e more discussion and interaction.

3. A shift from top down lecturing to a style that promotes personal discovery of truth.

Studies show that adult learners learn on a deeper and more meaningful level when they discover truth for themselves. (Malcolm Knowles) If this is true, then the discovery process itself, becomes imperative. Could this be why it is recorded that Jesus himself asked over 300 questions during his ministry? I think possibly so.

Powerful questions is a tool that forces one to process his or her inner life and engage truth at a personal level. Do you know how to ask powerful questions?

Conclusion

New models of learning are emerging today due to a wide variety factors, many of which we do not have time to address in this article. However, it would suffice to say that many of the influences are the result of a postmodern shift in culture and the rapid rise of technology. Many models that have served us well in the past are now irrelevant and need to be discarded.

So have you learned how to navigate these modern shifts in learning? Even more important, are you willing to change?

Coach John

For several years life coaching has been stealthily moving from a so called "fad" to what many now call a pacesetting trend. I call it the silent coaching revolution. And I believe that it is poised to change the way we train and empower leaders in the 21st century.

To quote the famous Renaissance man Victor Hugo, "There is nothing more powerful as an idea whose time has come." I believe coaching fits this principle.

So the question is, "What now makes coaching a trend?" With a growing body of credible evidence to validate the coaching model, I still tend to be a pragmatic optimist! I say "show me the money." So - here are a few things that cause me to believe the coaching revolution has begun:

1. Coaching is no longer seen as being remedial in nature.

In it's inception, coaching was viewed as a last ditch effort to save a leader or an organization. Not any longer. In corporate settings, coaching is now primarily offered to enable the good become better. To sharpen and improve those who are already competent.

2. Coaches are no longer seen as mere "fixers" with all the answers, but rather, as thinking partners.

Rapid changes in technology and culture have forced good leaders to stand in the need of continued improvement. With some information and knowledge fields doubling every 18 months, leaders are in a constant state of flux. The leader must be able to recreate themselves or their organizations quickly and safely.

The coach comes along side and helps the leader move with speed and accuracy. He also helps them avoid the landmines that often come with rapid change. A good coach is a thinking partner.

3. Coaching no longer needs to fit into an old paradigm, it now stands alone.

In years past, coaching was a buzz word that was used interchangeably for almost any and every form of training. It has been used to describe things like mentoring, counseling, discipleship, etc; that simply is not true. Yes, they are first cousins and often skills overlap, however, coaching has taken on a unique distinction of its own. That is, its primary function is to pull out of people that which is in them. Intangible things like potential, destiny, life purpose, calling, and creative ability.

Of course, these other skills are needed, but don't just re-label your mentoring and call it coaching. Don't slap the name coaching on any and every training event and expect anything to change.

Coaching now stands alone as a new and innovative paradigm that differentiates itself from other models and gets the job done.

Conclusion

With many individuals and organizations standing in need of revival and reinvention, life coaching now is poised to move to the forefront of leadership training.

So are you informed and competent in this new paradigm called coaching?  Or do you just use it as a buzz word that is catchy and new? How you answer these questions determine if you are ready for the silent revolution?

Coach John

Works cited: Robert Hargraves, Masterful Coaching, Jossey-Bass, 2003, San Francisco

I was embarrassed! I had just sat through an entire meeting, grossly misunderstanding its agenda and purpose. It finally dawned on me - I wasn't on the same page as everyone else. I had even made a few ignorant comments. Much to my dismay, I hadn't thoroughly read the memo. Luckily, there were only a handful of people at the meeting.

As I walked away from the meeting I felt about two inches tall - know what I mean? As I sat down at my desk, I felt the Lord nudge me, encouraging me to make this a learning experience. So I grabbed my pen and began to jot down the specific lessons I needed to learn from this real-life blunder.

What did I learn? Basically, I learned the tremendous power found in "unpacking a failure." So what is the anatomy of a failure? Here are a few tips on how to unpack failure:

1. Always take time to review the situation
All emotional experiences contain information. They contain powerful clues so take time to jot down what you saw, how you felt. Pull aside for a few minutes and capture the feeling of the moment - then record it.

Always take time to review what just happened, while it's fresh.

2. What did I learn from my failure?
I learned that you and I have to make a choice to ignore the nagging voice of failure and instead, must make it a learning experience. Accept it for what it is - then move on. Ask yourself, what are the lessons I learned?

Believe me; I jotted down many lessons as I dissected the above mentioned failure. Valuable lessons are waiting to be learned from your failures too.

3. Given a similar situation, how will I respond next time?
I’ve learned that it’s good to also make a list of things you won't do next time, or maybe things you will do! I did that several years ago, after a lengthy building program during my pastoral days. I still have the list! Today, it would be timely advice for those in building programs.

You haven’t learned anything until you can say “that won’t happen again!”

4. What is God saying to me in the midst of this?
It is important to ask yourself, “Did I recognize God in the situation?” Remember, I made the statement; God nudged me and admonished me to move on - to make this a learning experience?

Write down what you feel God is saying - even if you're not sure. The pen helps clarify what the mind conceives.

Conclusion:
The anatomy of a failure can be painful; however, many distilling principles can be learned from failure. By the way, I've never attended another meeting haphazardly! I have been well prepared and fully cognizant.

Think about Jesus' experience; Hebrews 5:8 says "though He was perfect, yet He learned obedience through the things He suffered." What are you learning? Never fail to learn from failure.

Coach John

Works sited: Transformational Leadership Coaching Notes