Unleashing the Impact of Transformational Workers
Dear Friend,
"I want to reclaim whole life transformation as the domain of the church."
When Michael Warden, the founder of WayPoint, first heard those words, spoken by a longtime friend and pastor, they hit something deep...a longing in his soul that he'd struggled to put words to for years. Having both served in churches for decades, he asked his friend what he longed to see happen in the Church in his lifetime. His response immediately named the one thing that should be happening, but too often is not, in Christian faith communities;
authentic, irreversible, transformational life change.
Of course, we've all heard the great "conversion stories," and we're grateful to have witnessed many of these in our own journeys. But for the vast majority of souls who choose to follow Jesus, the story commonly witnessed is more often one of repetitive and ongoing struggle, year after year after year, with the same old issues and broken places that had led them to Christ in the first place. Even after decades, the lives of many Christians don't look appreciably different from those of people who do not follow Christ. They're no more free, no more alive, no more whole than many non-Christians.
And the thing is, it isn't for their lack of trying.
"I want to reclaim whole life transformation as the domain of the church."
When Michael Warden, the founder of WayPoint, first heard those words, spoken by a longtime friend and pastor, they hit something deep...a longing in his soul that he'd struggled to put words to for years. Having both served in churches for decades, he asked his friend what he longed to see happen in the Church in his lifetime. His response immediately named the one thing that should be happening, but too often is not, in Christian faith communities;
authentic, irreversible, transformational life change.
Of course, we've all heard the great "conversion stories," and we're grateful to have witnessed many of these in our own journeys. But for the vast majority of souls who choose to follow Jesus, the story commonly witnessed is more often one of repetitive and ongoing struggle, year after year after year, with the same old issues and broken places that had led them to Christ in the first place. Even after decades, the lives of many Christians don't look appreciably different from those of people who do not follow Christ. They're no more free, no more alive, no more whole than many non-Christians.
And the thing is, it isn't for their lack of trying.
We believe the gospel is true. We believe it is the hope of mankind. But why, then, does its power seem to fall so short for so many so much of the time? Shouldn't whole life transformation be the norm, rather than the exception, of the Christian journey?
It was questions like these that prompted a small gathering of friends to explore these issues more deeply. Little was it known at the time that the first WayPoint tribe had just been launched. That was over 10 years ago.
All of us were professionally trained coaches. We'd each seen dramatic life change happen through our coaching work, and believed they we had our hands on a set of skills that was deeply needed in the Church.
It was questions like these that prompted a small gathering of friends to explore these issues more deeply. Little was it known at the time that the first WayPoint tribe had just been launched. That was over 10 years ago.
All of us were professionally trained coaches. We'd each seen dramatic life change happen through our coaching work, and believed they we had our hands on a set of skills that was deeply needed in the Church.
Over the years since those initial conversations, we've studied other branches of what we've come to call "transformational work" ~ drawing insights and skills from a variety of fields, including spiritual direction, psychology, counseling, intercessory ministry, experiential education, change theory, relationship systems theory, and culture work ~ and weaving them all into what we already knew of biblical leadership and discipleship methodologies common in the Church.
What we discovered is this: God loves transformation. He loves taking broken things and restoring them to their original glory, redeeming their value by the work of His grace. But transformation involves more than a prayer or a bible study program. It is wholistic work, involving and encompassing multiple arenas of a person's life ~ spiritual, of course, but also emotional, intellectual, relational, sexual, physical, even cultural....any area where we experience wounds and lies can take hold. No wonder the gospel has seemed so anemic in our faith communities! We have largely not applied it holistically to the full spectrum of people's lives, nor learned the essential skills to do so.
But a few have. More are needed. And that's why WayPoint exists.
We believe one of the most powerful and effective tools God is using in the world today to produce authentic transformation in the hearts and lives of those He loves are highly-trained transformational workers--whether they be life coaches, spiritual directors, counselors, social workers, teachers, 12-step recovery leaders, pastors, missionaries, artists, business leaders, people in public office, or some other position of influence. Regardless of the specific job title, we're finding God raising up and using people who have a passion for Him and for transformational work in every-increasing ways and in ever-expanding venues as a means to bring His grace and love to those He longs to set free to pursue His highest dream for their lives.
WayPoint Coaching Community exists to support and unleash those workers, and train others to do the same. We've designed our structure to address what we call the 5 C's that all transformational workers need: Christ-centered, authentic community that calls them forth and commissions them for their work in the world, and strategic collaboration to help make it happen. We hold firmly to the belief that Christ is the head, and we are the body...so we intentionally look to Him for our inspiration, instruction and direction as a community of faith. We also believe every member of WayPoint is a commissioned agent of transformation, Divinely-positioned to be catalyst of change within their sphere of influence. We intentionally call forth our members to forge intimate, collaborative communities specifically designed to unleash them into the fullness of their God-inspired calling as transformational catalysts in the world.
What we discovered is this: God loves transformation. He loves taking broken things and restoring them to their original glory, redeeming their value by the work of His grace. But transformation involves more than a prayer or a bible study program. It is wholistic work, involving and encompassing multiple arenas of a person's life ~ spiritual, of course, but also emotional, intellectual, relational, sexual, physical, even cultural....any area where we experience wounds and lies can take hold. No wonder the gospel has seemed so anemic in our faith communities! We have largely not applied it holistically to the full spectrum of people's lives, nor learned the essential skills to do so.
But a few have. More are needed. And that's why WayPoint exists.
We believe one of the most powerful and effective tools God is using in the world today to produce authentic transformation in the hearts and lives of those He loves are highly-trained transformational workers--whether they be life coaches, spiritual directors, counselors, social workers, teachers, 12-step recovery leaders, pastors, missionaries, artists, business leaders, people in public office, or some other position of influence. Regardless of the specific job title, we're finding God raising up and using people who have a passion for Him and for transformational work in every-increasing ways and in ever-expanding venues as a means to bring His grace and love to those He longs to set free to pursue His highest dream for their lives.
WayPoint Coaching Community exists to support and unleash those workers, and train others to do the same. We've designed our structure to address what we call the 5 C's that all transformational workers need: Christ-centered, authentic community that calls them forth and commissions them for their work in the world, and strategic collaboration to help make it happen. We hold firmly to the belief that Christ is the head, and we are the body...so we intentionally look to Him for our inspiration, instruction and direction as a community of faith. We also believe every member of WayPoint is a commissioned agent of transformation, Divinely-positioned to be catalyst of change within their sphere of influence. We intentionally call forth our members to forge intimate, collaborative communities specifically designed to unleash them into the fullness of their God-inspired calling as transformational catalysts in the world.
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We are a Christian networking organization...but if you haven't already guessed, we are far more than only that. In a variety of ways, we actively engage transformational workers to become all that God dreams them to be, so that He can be fully unleashed through them to change the world.
None of us can achieve that dream alone. We need a tribe of fellow workers to travel with us on the path to all we may become and accomplish in the world. And we need Christ to lead the way. |
The 5 "C's":
Christ-centered Authentic Community Srategic Collaboration Fully Commissioned Boldly Called Forth |
So, welcome, fellow traveler. We're thrilled to have you explore the possibilities with us for the road ahead. Perhaps we are the tribe you've been looking for.
Kathy Sandquist
President, WayPoint Coaching Community
Kathy Sandquist
President, WayPoint Coaching Community