Introducing Pinnacle Coach Robin Sandbothe

This is part of a series introducing Pinnacle associates who provide individual and group coaching.

I am Robin Sandbothe, an ordained minister in the Baptist tradition with an ecumenical understanding of faith. I serve as a solo pastor of Bethel Church, an American Baptist Church located in Columbia, Missouri, as well as being an associate with Pinnacle Leadership Associates. My primary emphasis with Pinnacle is coaching. 

About ten years ago I was introduced to coaching through a course that Ircel Harrison and Mark Tidsworth taught called Discipleship Development Coaching. Out of that experience I gained Ircel Harrison as my coach. I also got a little taste of what it was like to be a coach. Ircel helped me discern where I wanted to go next to develop my career. Through the course of several sessions, I chose to pursue a certificate program in spiritual formation with Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Ircel has continued to help me as I’ve set goals and explored next steps over the last decade.

I loved my spiritual formation courses, which fed my passion for that understanding of Christian development, but I didn’t forget about my introduction to coaching. When I learned that Pinnacle was going to begin a certification in coaching, I knew I wanted to pursue it and felt sure it would complement my certificate in spiritual formation. 

Having completed the Summit Coach Training Certificate with Pinnacle, I have discovered that I love coaching. I love helping clients discover their inner wisdom. I love seeing them find the answers to life questions and make decisions which move them closer to where they want to be. I appreciate when they trust me enough to tell me what is going on in their lives - at home, at work, with their faith community. Sometimes I’m the listening ear they need to sort through things that are happening in one or all these arenas. Coaching is self-care.

Listening is the key. Coaching is not about supplying answers or giving directions. In fact, we coaches don’t have the answers or wisdom that our clients already have within themselves. We aren’t counselors or spiritual directors, but we do ask good questions which we hope will lead clients towards those answers and wisdom.

Because I also have the certificate in spiritual formation, the questions I ask sometimes lean into that understanding — questions like, “How does (whatever the issue is they want to discuss) affect your spiritual growth?” Or “What does your relationship with God tell you about the decision you want to make?” Or I might say, “Take a moment to let that feeling/understanding (they have just experienced in our conversation) settle into your being… What is your spirit saying to you?”, then we are silent until they are ready to speak.

When I meet with individuals or groups for coaching, I like to use a lit candle or a dancing flame oil lamp to remind us that the Spirit of God is present as we meet. This depends on the individual or group I’m coaching. Coaching for spiritual formation, as well as leadership coaching, and life-transition coaching are all areas for which I am equipped and to which I am drawn.

In addition to pastoring and coaching, I have led seminars, studies, and retreats in contemplative prayer and other faith practices. To speak with me if coaching is something you would like to pursue, please contact me at robinrsandbothe@gmail.com.