Coaching clergy, non-profit executives, and those discerning What’s Next? grow into their future and face opportunities and obstacles with active listening and provocative questions is what I love.

Coaching:  Are you ready to get clear about your mission or recapture the one you have forgotten?  Are you ready to set some personal or professional goals or take action to expand your leadership or ministry skills?  Are you running into obstacles, either within or outside of yourself, that makes success elusive?  Are you challenged to integrate your personal and professional life?  Do you feel like you are compromising your values?  Are you finding your parish challenging or thinking about leading your parish through change?  Coaching can help you address all of these things, and more.

Vocational Discernment:  All baptized persons are called to minister in Christ’s name, to identify their gifts, and to serve Christ’s mission in the world.  Frederick Buechner says, “Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”  Sometimes it is difficult to figure out where God is calling you.  That is why the best discernment happens in community or with a wise and deep listener sitting by your side.  I enjoy accompanying others as they discern what God might be calling them to.  Listening, silence, prayer, and asking questions are my basic tools for discernment.  Is God calling you to the ordained ministry?  Is God calling you to a new ministry?  Or perhaps, is God calling you to retire?

Mentoring New Clergy & those Seeking Ordination:  Let’s face it, navigating the ordination process can be anxiety producing and confusing.  And stepping into newly ordained shoes can set your heart racing, especially when you encounter something you didn’t expect or don’t know where to turn.  Each newly ordained priest needs to have a mentor according to the Canons of The Episcopal Church.  If your diocese is having a hard time finding an experienced priest to serve as your mentor, I will work with your bishop to provide the service as a mentor.  As a priest with 30 years of active ministry in the church, there isn’t much I haven’t seen.  I have led parishes part and full-time, served on two different diocesan staffs, and most recently moved around the country as an Interim/Transition Minister.  My specialties are vocational discernment and transition ministry.  My passion is encouraging, equipping, and inspiring others to rediscover their best selves.

Testimonials

“Debra's coaching style encouraged me to better develop my own leadership and other gifts. She is good at nurturing and holding others up.”                             

“I learned how to set boundaries and make time for myself, something that was missing in my life and ministry.  Debra helped me see myself in a new way, as a real leader who has authentic and spiritual authority.”    

“I knew it was time, but I was afraid.  ‘What did you love to do that you gave up when you became a parish priest?’  With that one question, Debra helped me realize that not only was it time to retire, but that I had something to look forward to!”