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Christian Life Coaches: Key Details for Coaching Agreements
Christian Life Coaches: Key Details for Coaching Agreements
Introduction: Structure That Protects Your Calling
When you step into the world of coaching, you're doing far more than offering a service; you're stepping into ministry, stewardship, and Kingdom assignment. Coaching is sacred work. You’re listening deeply, guiding hearts, and walking with people through transformation. And because your work carries both spiritual and practical weight, it deserves clarity, structure, and protection.
This is where your coaching agreement and intake form come in.
Think of them like the foundation of a house: invisible to most, but absolutely essential. A clear agreement doesn’t take away from the Holy Spirit’s leading — it supports it. It removes confusion, protects relationships, sets expectations, and keeps your work aligned with biblical integrity and professional excellence.
Many Christian Life Coaches struggle with knowing what exactly to include in these documents, and how to create something that is both God-honoring and legally sound. Today, we’re going to walk through everything you need — step-by-step — so you can coach confidently, clearly, and professionally.
Let’s build something strong.
Let’s build something Kingdom-centered.
Let’s build something that protects you and your clients.
Why a Coaching Agreement Matters for Faith-Based Coaches
As you coach, you’re stewarding people’s stories, vulnerabilities, dreams, and struggles. A written agreement is not about being “too formal” it’s about honoring what God has entrusted to you. Scripture encourages us to work with diligence and clarity:
“Write the vision and make it plain…” — Habakkuk 2:2
A coaching agreement “makes it plain.” It defines what coaching is, what it isn’t, how the relationship works, and what both sides can expect. It protects you legally and spiritually while also giving your clients peace of mind.
Many Christian Life Coaches feel more confident and more effective when they have a clear agreement in place because everything is communicated upfront — no guessing, no assuming, no awkward misunderstandings.
What to Include in Your Coaching Agreement 📄✨
Below is a full list of sections every coach needs. Your final agreement can be simple, but it must be thorough. Let’s walk through each one with purpose and clarity.
1. A Christ-Centered Coaching Disclaimer
Because your niche involves spiritual encouragement, your agreement clarifies:
You offer faith-based guidance, encouragement, and personal development
You are not acting as a therapist, counselor, legal advisor, or medical provider
Coaching is not a substitute for professional mental health or medical care
Your disclaimer protects both you and the client. It also sets the tone so that clients understand what your coaching relationship will look like spiritually.
This section is especially vital for Christian Life Coaches who incorporate Scripture, prayer, or Holy Spirit-led conversations into their sessions.
2. A Clear Definition of Coaching
Coaching is often misunderstood, so define it clearly.
You may include phrases such as:
Coaching is future-focused
Coaching is action-based
Coaching requires the client’s participation
Coaching is about growth, accountability, and support
This is where you communicate the difference between coaching and counseling. Many clients don’t know the difference, so defining it upfront protects the relationship.
This definition helps Christian life coaches maintain ethical boundaries and stay fully aligned with both spiritual and professional standards.
3. Scope of Your Services
List what your coaching includes, such as:
One-on-one coaching
Group coaching
Workshops or digital programs
Prayer or spiritual encouragement (if applicable)
Also include what your coaching does not include (examples):
Diagnosing conditions
Crisis intervention
Legal, financial, or medical advice
Clarity is kindness. The more you explain, the better the relationship flows.
4. Session Structure & Frequency
Let your clients know:
How long each session will be
How often you meet
How sessions take place (Zoom, phone, in person)
How they can schedule or reschedule
How much advance notice you require for cancellations
This eliminates confusion and sets boundaries that keep your coaching sustainable.
Many Christian life coaches underestimate how important this section is, but it’s one of the most frequently referenced parts of the agreement.
5. Payment Terms
Be extremely clear:
Total cost of your coaching program
Whether payment is due upfront or in installments
Accepted payment methods
Whether late fees apply
What happens if someone stops paying
Do not leave finances up for interpretation. It can damage the relationship and create unnecessary strain.
Remember: professionalism is ministry. Handling finances honestly and clearly honors God and your client.
6. Refund, Cancellation & Rescheduling Policies
This is one of the most important sections. Be sure to include:
Whether you offer refunds
Under what conditions a refund may be issued
What happens if a client cancels a session
What happens if you must cancel
No-shows and forfeited sessions
Whether sessions can be “made up”
You also need a clause that states: “Unused coaching sessions expire after ___ months.”
This protects your time and prevents clients from resurfacing months or years later, asking to redeem old sessions.
This structure is especially helpful for Christian Life Coaches who want to lead with grace but not end up overworked or taken advantage of.
7. Confidentiality & Privacy
Coaching requires safety. Clients must feel comfortable knowing their personal stories are protected.
Your confidentiality section should include:
A commitment to keep all client information private
Exceptions required by law (e.g., if the client threatens harm to themselves or others)
Whether coaching sessions may be recorded
How you store client notes
How long data is retained
This builds trust and demonstrates integrity, a pillar of biblical leadership.
Confidentiality is non-negotiable for Christian Life Coaches, especially those helping clients navigate sensitive spiritual or emotional topics.
8. Client Responsibilities
Coaching is a collaborative relationship. Clients need to know what is expected of them.
Include statements like:
The client agrees to attend sessions on time
The client agrees to show up prepared
The client agrees to be honest, committed, and open
The client understands that results depend on their effort
The client takes full responsibility for their decisions
This sets the tone for accountability and keeps coaching effective.
9. Coach Responsibilities
This section helps your client understand what you are committing to.
List your promises:
To maintain confidentiality
To be fully present and prepared
To provide a supportive, judgment-free space
To maintain ethical boundaries
To honor God in how you lead
This should align with your values as a faith-based coach and reflect the character of Christ.
When Christian Life Coaches outline their responsibilities, clients feel more secure and more willing to trust the process.
10. Communication Boundaries
What access do clients have outside of sessions?
Email access?
WhatsApp?
Voice notes?
Response time expectations?
Without boundaries, you’ll burn out quickly, especially when your work is ministry-heavy. Establish communication guidelines that protect your peace and time.
11.Termination Clause
Every agreement must include conditions under which either party can end the coaching relationship.
Examples may include:
Lack of payment
Repeated no-shows
Disrespectful behavior
Failure to participate
Ethical concerns
Include language that empowers you to end the agreement if the relationship becomes unhealthy or unproductive.
This is something many Christian life coaches overlook, but it is vital.
12. Liability Release & Legal Protection
You need a clause stating the client acknowledges:
Coaching results vary
You are not responsible for their decisions or outcomes
They enter the relationship voluntarily
You cannot guarantee success
This protects you legally and spiritually.
13. Signatures & Agreement Dates
Finally, your agreement must include:
Client signature
Coach signature
Date of agreement
A note acknowledging that both parties have read and understand the terms
This makes the agreement legally binding.
What to Include in Your Intake Form 🧾
Your intake form sets the stage for your first session. It tells you what you need to know before coaching begins.
Include sections like:
✔ Client contact information
✔ Coaching goals
✔ Their biggest challenges right now
✔ Past coaching or counseling experiences
✔ Faith background (if relevant to your niche)
✔ How they heard about you
✔ Emergency contact
This form helps you prepare for your sessions with clarity and spiritual insight.
It also gives Christian Life Coaches a deeper understanding of how to pray, prepare, and lead each client effectively.
Final Encouragement: Structure Honors God
Creating a strong coaching agreement is not “too formal,” “too much work,” or “too business-like.” It is stewardship. It is protection. It is clarity. It is wisdom.
Proverbs 4:7 says:
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.”
Your coaching agreement is a form of wisdom. It safeguards your calling and gives your clients a foundation they can trust.
You are building something sacred — and sacred work deserves excellence.
Next Step for You
If you’re ready to strengthen the foundation of your coaching business, download the free resource:
📘 “Tools I Used to Launch and Scale a 5-Figure Christian Life Coaching Program.”
This guide helps you align your calling with a sustainable, compliant, and Spirit-led business structure.
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE GUIDE
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of a coaching agreement for Christian Life Coaches?
A coaching agreement sets clear expectations between the coach and the client. For Christian Life Coaches, it helps protect the relationship by defining boundaries, service scope, payment terms, confidentiality, and faith-based values. It also ensures both parties understand that coaching is not counseling, therapy, or pastoral care, helping prevent legal or ethical misunderstandings.
2. What key elements should Christian Life Coaches include in an intake form?
An intake form should gather important client information, such as contact details, goals, coaching preferences, spiritual background (optional), health disclaimers, emergency contacts, and readiness questions. This helps Christian Life Coaches understand where the client is starting from and design a Holy-Spirit-led coaching plan that fits their needs and season of life.
3. Why is it important to clarify the difference between coaching and therapy?
Clarifying this difference protects both the coach and the client. Christian Life Coaches should state clearly that coaching is future-focused and spiritual growth–oriented, while therapy addresses mental health issues. Adding a disclaimer ensures clients know that coaches do not diagnose, treat, or provide clinical services. This reduces liability and keeps the coaching relationship healthy and ethical.
4. Should Christian Life Coaches include faith statements or Scriptures in their agreement?
Yes—if faith is a foundation of your coaching model. Many Christian Life Coaches include a short statement of beliefs, scriptural alignment, or a note explaining that coaching sessions may involve prayer, biblical principles, or spiritual insight. This allows clients to give informed consent and ensures you’re connecting with people who are aligned with your faith-based approach.
5. What payment terms should appear in a coaching agreement?
Your coaching agreement should include payment schedules, refund policies, session cancellations, and late-payment terms. Christian Life Coaches benefit from outlining these clearly to avoid confusion later. A transparent financial structure allows you to steward your business with integrity while serving clients in excellence and order.
