Naming the Wounds Before We Can Heal

Imagine walking into a doctor’s office with a deep pain in your chest. The doctor listens for a moment, smiles politely, and says, “Let’s not dwell on what’s wrong—let’s just focus on feeling good again.”

That might sound comforting for a moment, but without naming the disease, there can be no cure. Avoiding the diagnosis doesn’t lead to health—it accelerates the decline.

The same is true for our churches. If we want to lead healthy, vital congregations that make disciples through relational evangelism and relational discipleship, we must be willing to name the wounds. This requires being honest enough with ourselves—and with our people—to identify our biggest challenges and fears. Only when we clearly see what’s broken can we take deliberate steps toward renewal.

This is not about growing numbers, packing pews, or creating a slick calendar of events. It’s about following Jesus, our Great Shepherd, wherever He leads. It’s about returning to the mission He gave us:

“Go and make disciples” – Matthew 28:19

The Shepherd’s Heart

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” – Jeremiah 3:15

God’s plan for His people has always been leadership rooted in His heart—leaders who see reality clearly, love the flock deeply, and guide them with wisdom. That means we cannot afford to lead with blinders on.

Yet, many pastors and leaders—often unintentionally—end up pandering to popularity, forgetting that we are called to shepherd the Lord’s flock. We feel the pressure to increase attendance, maintain the budget, and help the congregation “feel good” about what’s happening each week.

The danger? Feeding our congregations with empty calories—spiritual Twinkies—instead of the Living Bread we have in Christ. Just like junk food leads to poor physical health, this kind of diet creates an unhealthy church.

So how do we refocus on the main thing? Below are three simple self-assessment tools to help you begin diagnosing your church’s health. These aren’t exhaustive, but they are a good place to start.

Three Self-Assessment Tools for Church Leaders

These tools are not about shaming or blaming—they’re about clarity. As Jesus said in John 10, a good shepherd knows the condition of the flock and leads them to life.

1. The Great Commission Alignment Check

Ask:

• Are our primary ministries focused on making disciples, or are they mainly about maintaining programs and keeping people comfortable?

• Can every leader articulate how their ministry connects to Jesus’ mission?

• If a new believer joined our church today, do we have a clear, relational path for their growth?

2. The Health Over Numbers Audit

Ask:

• Are we measuring success by attendance and budget, or by transformed lives and missional impact?

• In the last 12 months, how many people in our church have grown from seeker to disciple to disciple-maker?

• Do we celebrate stories of life change more than we celebrate event turnouts?

3. The Honest Fear Inventory

Ask:

• What are the unspoken fears holding us back from full obedience to Jesus? (Declining attendance? Loss of traditions? Financial insecurity?)

• Which of these fears do we need to name publicly so we can face them together in prayer and faith?

• What would we do differently if we truly believed Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20)?

The Next Step

Leading a congregation into health always begins with truth-telling. A shepherd who ignores the wounded sheep cannot expect a thriving flock. But a leader who names the wounds, applies the healing Word of God, and guides the people toward the mission will see the church begin to flourish—not because the numbers spike, but because hearts are being transformed.

We are either following the Great Shepherd… or we are not. The path to renewal begins with the courage to see where we are so we can faithfully follow where He leads.

Need help? I provide several hours of free consultation each month for Christian leaders and pastors. All you need to do is reach out through my website or email me at sam.peters@smallchurchcoaching.com. I would love to help your church get healthy again.

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