Let’s say I call to schedule an annual physical, and my doctor says, “Naw, you don’t need to come in. I have a good hunch about what you need. My office will call in some prescriptions to the pharmacy, and I’d like to suggest we take out your gallbladder.” 

How would you respond? You’d probably tell the doctor, “You’ve lost your mind!” Without debate, that type of behavior would be medical malpractice at the highest level.

But are pastors doing the same thing in churches today? Are we approaching the people we serve and minister to with hunches and best guesses about what they need? 

Consider: Pastors and other church leaders offer sermons and a range of programs, often without listening to discover people’s specific needs. We don’t take time to learn their dreams, aspirations, or hurts. We move forward without asking if any gaps exist in church members’ faith or beliefs. Although it may be a bit bold to state it this way, I suggest that approach is a form of spiritual malpractice.

A Medical Analogy

For several years, my primary care physician was Dr. David Player, founder of Health By Design and author of “Health Starts Now: A Backdoor Approach to Treating Faulty Immunity and Chronic Disease.” He never left my health to hunches. Dr. Player drew my blood, conducted bone density and stress tests, performed an ultrasound on my internal organs, and checked my vision, hearing, fingernails, toenails, and a few other things I’m not willing to talk about here. He also asked me a series of questions about not only my physical health but my spiritual health, mental health, relationship health, and vocational satisfaction. A checkup with Dr. Player was an all-day event. 

Two weeks later, I would return to his office. Bringing along my wife, Rozanne, was mandatory. Dr. Player insisted that she stay dialed in on the state of my health. After all, holistic health isn’t a solo sport. At each year’s post-physical meeting, the doc gave me a 68-page hardbound book with my name on it. Page one introduced Dr. Player as “Your Shepherd to Good Health.” Next came the results of all those tests, plus an action plan tailor-made for me.  

Dr. Player, a devoted Christian, shared with me his conviction that the church should take the same approach. He went so far as to say a church shouldn’t seek to grow until it has a plan to attend to everyone who comes under its care. As a pastor, those words pierced my soul. I knew the doctor was speaking truth—God’s truth. Proverbs 27:23 offers these instructions: “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds” (NKJV).

The Value of Assessments and Feedback

Seven years ago, I became the lead teaching pastor at Westside Family Church in Kansas City, Kansas. I was determined, in partnership with the wonderful team I serve alongside, to accept Dr. Player’s challenge. Our first task involved locating some tools to measure the health of the flock I serve as an under-shepherd to Jesus. 

We chose two assessment tools that offered useful feedback to help our folks become and stay healthy. The first, Reveal, was created by The Willow Creek Association and is now owned by Gloo. The tool, which is unavailable at this time, asked congregants to identify where they are in their spiritual journey—from “exploring Christ” to being “Christ-centered.” Then it asks a series of questions about beliefs, spiritual practices, and virtues. Finally, people have an opportunity to share what catalyzes their spiritual growth and how their church is doing in assisting them. 

The second assessment, Church Pulse, goes beyond measuring spiritual factors. The survey from Barna looks at seven dimensions of “human flourishing” and 15 dimensions of “church thriving.” The reason? Discipleship and following Jesus are holistic. They extend beyond the traditional categories of spirituality to include health and well-being, finances, relationships, vocation, contentment, and character. As with Reveal, Church Pulse offers a report card on how well the church is serving congregants. The intent is for the body of Christ to improve at its core calling. This tool—free to use after you set up an account—is available at www.barna.com/services/assessments/.

Each year, our church uses the same survey tools to create a baseline and common language. Both tools also show us how we “rank” in comparison to other American churches, which is super helpful.

Why Assessments Receive Pushback

Many people and pastors resist assessments and surveys. One reason they cite is that being “data informed” sounds too corporate. I agree the language seems a bit cold and mechanical. But it’s simply a way to listen to your congregation—and to do so effectively. People appreciate it when you listen to them. 

Insecurity is a second reason that churches tend to resist assessments. The tools I mentioned provide a report card and feedback on how you’re doing. Are you helping people embrace all that Jesus makes available to them through his death and resurrection? I’ll admit that several findings about our church have been tough for me and our team to swallow. Every time this happens, we journey together through the stages of grief. Yet I’ve decided that I want to know the truth. I don’t want to be the king who didn’t know he was naked because no one would tell him. It’s your choice. 

A third reason organizations, especially churches, resist assessments is because people usually don’t do anything with the information they receive. Despite good intentions, congregational leaders often fail to apply the insights and advice. That’s why our team has been determined to use feedback from the church checkup to drive our priorities and initiatives. 

To pull this off, we’ve established an annual rhythm.

• January – Survey members on Sunday morning during worship.
• March – Debrief and create an executive summary about core findings.
• April and May – Pray and ponder, seeking direction from God.
• June – Present a plan (with only one or two points of focus) to church leadership.
• August and September – Build budgets around the plan.
• October – December – Develop detailed steps and timelines.
• January – Present the State of the Church, implement plans, and conduct the next survey.

Don’t Just Guess

Through the process of first listening to the congregation, we’re now convinced that knowing is greater than guessing. Here’s an example:

A few years ago, as America was coming out of the pandemic, our leadership team met to look ahead. We wanted to gain a sense of what God had in store next for our church. As a veteran pastor, I had a hunch it was time to either build a bigger worship auditorium or plant another multi-site. So, on a Sunday morning in January, we administered the Church Pulse survey to members. More than 2,500 people participated, which is a very good sampling. Next, we invited the entire congregation to join us in 40 days of prayer and fasting—and to share feedback about what they were sensing. To do that, we used a free texting service provided by Gloo.

When we received the results, a significant finding stood out. Our congregation was struggling with mental health and overall well-being, especially among Millennials. Soon afterward, our county in Kansas released a study that cited mental health as the area’s No. 1 challenge. Then, believe it or not, the organization Mental Health America released a national study about how each state was doing in terms of psychological well-being. We assumed that California, New York, or Washington D.C. would be at the bottom of the list. To our surprise, our state was dead last! How could the home of Dorothy and Toto be struggling so much? Clearly, we weren’t in that Kansas anymore.

Thanks to all that information, our church had clarity. We knew it wasn’t time to build a bigger auditorium or plant a new multi-site. Instead, it was time to double down on the mental health of our congregation, county, and state. The texts that church members sent us during the period of prayer and fasting only confirmed that we heard correctly.

Next, church leadership moved to assemble an action plan. Part One was centralized. We decided to greatly expand our capacity to care for the mental, emotional, relational, and financial health of our congregation and county. That included building a new 20,000-square-foot Care Center to house Christian counselors, Care Groups, benevolence, Stephen Ministries, and our church’s foster and adoption ministry. In a recent 11-month timespan, we conducted 6,109 counseling appointments!

Part Two of the plan was decentralized. We chose to organize our congregation into smaller communities, centered primarily around elementary-school boundaries. Think of it as a multi-site without walls. Each Area Community has a shepherding couple and a neighborhood captain for each of the eight to 10 neighborhoods within the area. 

The vision is simple: Create a deep sense of “connected community” (an area that Church Pulse recommended we focus on) and “serve others” (another area the survey suggested we improve). 

Our message to the Westside Family congregants?

Your Area Community is your mission field. Don’t let anyone fall through the cracks on your watch. Meet one another’s needs and the needs of people around you—in your neighborhood, at your elementary school, the widows, the orphans, the hurting. Wrap God’s love and family around these precious people. Meet them at their point of pain. 

We also created training classes; for example, Care Like Jesus equips congregants to come alongside neighbors and listen to them, pray for them, and direct them to our church’s centralized care resources. So far, we’ve launched 14 Area Communities. By 2027, God willing, 20 more will be in place. The territory that covers is breathtaking!

The Ministry of Listening

One feature of the Area Community will make Dr. Player, my former physician, very proud. Twice a year, Area Shepherds contact each member of the Area Community. They sit down with people to listen to them…to see how they’re really doing. The shepherd simply asks congregants about the seven dimensions of human flourishing represented in the Church Pulse survey. How’s your spiritual life?  How are your relationships? How are you doing financially? How’s your health? How’s your job going? The Area Shepherd then rallies community members to come alongside anyone who’s struggling or points them to our Care Center.

Previously, our church attracted visitors through seeker-driven or seeker-sensitive weekend services. But these days, I believe care is the new attractional strategy. Acts 2:42-46 describes how members of the first church devoted themselves to belonging, growing, and meeting the needs of people around them. As a result, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Verse 47, NIV). We try to follow suit, focusing on our part and letting God focus on his. 

That is precisely what’s happening at Westside. I think it’s one of the main reasons our congregants rate us high in the Church Pulse category of “trusted leadership.” We’re growing without focusing on growth. In fact, we may need to build that new worship center or launch a new site after all. 

I share my story not so you’ll replicate it. After all, our church’s focus likely isn’t your church’s focus, and our members’ needs likely aren’t your members’ needs. That’s the point! Jesus designed the Christian church to be local, with local shepherds. Ministry is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. I share my story to demonstrate the power of listening to people as your starting point. 

I’m glad our congregation experienced a wake-up call a few years ago. In hindsight, I’m convinced that building a bigger worship auditorium or launching another campus would have been akin to removing my gallbladder. It was just a hunch. A very bad hunch.

In a typical week, a Black church hosts many activities that nourish the whole person. During choir rehearsal, gospel anthems fill the sanctuary with uplifting melodies. On weekday afternoons, retired teachers tutor students, blending academic support with warm encouragement. A community breakfast on Saturday morning brings neighbors together over a hot meal, addressing both physical and social needs. As Easter approaches, children practice speeches with the help of patient volunteers, building anticipation about cherished traditions.

These moments, experienced in Black churches across America, illustrate a commitment to caring for every aspect of life—not just on Sundays but throughout the week. This holistic approach provides valuable lessons for church leaders and faith communities, demonstrating how ministry can enrich neighborhoods and help the larger society flourish.

Historical Roots

For generations, Black churches have stood as havens of strength and hope in African American life. During slavery and segregation, these faith communities provided refuge, spiritual leadership, and a sense of belonging. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, Black churches became command centers for justice. In every era, these congregations have inspired creativity, community, and social uplift.

The Black Church isn’t a monolith; these congregations vary in tradition, worship style, and focus. Yet they share a common mission: building faith in Jesus while meeting people’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. These purposes, shaped over centuries, challenge all faith communities to restore hope and put love into action.

Authentically Christian, Distinctly Black

The Black Church was born out of necessity. It emerged to meet the spiritual and social needs of people who were excluded from mainstream worship spaces. Both enslaved and free African Americans created sacred communities where they could worship in freedom and fullness. During the Great Awakenings, an emphasis on personal salvation and spiritual equality deeply resonated with African Americans. They were drawn to messages that powerfully affirmed their humanity and dignity.

Yet the Christianity that Black believers encountered was often distorted. Some people misused Scripture to justify oppression and deny worth. In response, African Americans reclaimed the faith, seeking its true message and interpreting the gospel through the lens of their struggles and lived realities. Black believers forged an expression of faith that remained wholly Christian while offering fresh insights into grace, perseverance, and God’s boundless love.

Through Spirit-filled worship, expressive music, and participatory prayer, the Black Church cultivated a worship environment that reflected the fullness of life in Christ. Whether through songs of adoration and thanksgiving or prayers of lament and renewal, these expressions embraced the breadth of human emotion and a deep trust in God’s providence. At the heart of this worship was a strong sense of community, where shared acts of praise brought healing, encouragement, and spiritual rebirth.

This distinct identity, shaped by both faith and cultural heritage, equipped the Black Church to serve as a place of spiritual refuge. Contributions such as discipleship and vibrant expressions of worship continue to inspire believers worldwide. As a result, the Black Church reminds the global Church of faith’s power to transform individual hearts and entire communities.

Spiritual Anchor and Social Catalyst

In America, the Black Church quickly evolved beyond its role as a place of worship. It embraced dual roles: a spiritual anchor and a driving force for social change. By the 20th century, the Black Church had become a command center for movements of equality and justice. It elevated leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a champion of nonviolent resistance, and Fannie Lou Hamer, a voice for grassroots activism. These figures—alongside countless other pastors, community organizers, and congregants—demonstrated how faith communities can inspire movements for justice while nurturing the spiritual strength required to persevere.

These simultaneous roles remain central to the identity of the Black Church. It continues to address members’ holistic needs of body, mind, and soul while challenging and overcoming systemic biases. At the core of the Black Church’s two-pronged purpose lies a commitment to mentorship, ensuring that its mission endures across generations. This dynamic blending of pastoral care and advocacy offers a compelling model for churches of all traditions. It shows how Christians can use the power of the gospel to bring about individual spiritual renewal as well as much-needed social change.

The snow kept falling, as strong winds began to howl. No one wanted to be caught in this sort of weather. With a fire roaring inside and friends gathered around the kitchen table, the family had hoped to ride out the night indoors. But the barn door had blown open, so someone needed to venture out and shut it. 

The farmer and his son stepped outside in the swirling blizzard, grateful that they had hung a rope between the house and barn. Clinging tightly to it, they gradually made their way to the barn to fix the door. Then the rope guided them safely home, preventing them from getting lost in the whiteout. 

Although this is a fictional scene from a Christmas episode of “The Little House on the Prairie,” it’s also a parable of the perils of discipleship today. My father-in-law, who farmed for 50 years in Iowa, recounted that when a blizzard was coming in, prairie residents needed that rope just to find their way back and forth. In a blinding snowstorm, even walking a brief distance could be confusing and disorienting. That familiar journey taken hundreds of times before could turn into strange terrain, leaving people to freeze in the cold winter night. But with the reliable rope, they knew they could always find their way back home. 

Today we’re living in a cultural blizzard, as opinions about God, life, and faith swirl around us. TikTok and Instagram influencers vie for our attention, presenting hot takes and pithy arguments about what Christians should believe or how Christians should live. Meanwhile, our timelines are crowded with stories about church scandals and leadership failures. We wince as people use the name of Jesus for their own personal agendas. 

Christianity is being corrupted and co-opted, leaving us believers disoriented and confused. If discipleship is about following Jesus, then the challenge of modern-day discipleship is that we can’t see him amid the snowstorm. We need a rope to help us find our way. 

Becoming Fully Human

This inability to follow Jesus in a swirl of confusion affects our ability to both grow as disciples and make disciples. Why is this significant? Because discipleship is not spiritual extra credit that’s optional; it’s the ordinary Christian life. It is apprenticeship to Jesus, fully and completely. The goals of discipleship are to know Jesus, become like Jesus, and join Jesus in his work in the world. And discipleship’s “reward,” if we can put it like that, isn’t bonus points in the afterlife. It is to be a human, fully alive. 

After God created humans in his image, he called us to reflect his love, wisdom, and order into the world. Sin is an infection that affected both our identity and our ability to fulfill this vocation. It fragmented what God had joined together, breaking our relationships with God, with one another, and with the created world. 

Salvation is God’s work of putting the world back together through Jesus. But at the heart of that work is putting human beings back together. When humans are set right with God and then with one another, the Holy Spirit gives them power to join God’s mission of setting the world right. 

Flourishing humans lead to flourishing communities, which in turn foster the conditions for flourishing humans. This cycle of flourishing starts with humans being set right with God. Professor N.T. Wright puts it like this: “[F]rom whatever angle you look at Jesus, he was concerned not just with outward structures, but with realities that would involve the entire person, the entire community. No point putting the world right if the people are still broken” (“Simply Jesus,” HarperOne).

So much discourse about human flourishing falls short because it fails to articulate the vision for what a human being is and what a human being is for. More than that, it fails to properly diagnose the problem, the obstacle to human flourishing: sin. Secular conversations about human flourishing aim at the right ordering of power and of communities for the good of all people. But for the Christian, human flourishing isn’t a generic vision of liberty, justice, and peace. It’s a particular vision of a life conformed to the image of the Son of God. 

At the end of his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul penned a line that hasn’t made it onto many T-shirts or coffee mugs. The words don’t inspire us with visions of the church advancing into the future. First Corinthians 16:9 (ESV) starts out positively enough: “For a wide door of effective work has opened to me.” But the last clause turns away from this seemingly positive vision: “and there are many adversaries.” 

In this verse, we feel a tension or contradiction between the opportunity of a “wide door” and the difficulty of “many adversaries.” But Paul saw things differently. For the apostle, seasons of uncertainty helped birth opportunities for the gospel. 

Now, a quarter of a century into the third millennium since Paul, church leaders also face a challenging moment of cultural turbulence. We’re walking through a season in which cultural shifts significantly impact the church. Again and again, the church faces “many adversaries” and issues. Instead of embracing fear or denial, I think naming these issues will help us navigate them. Facts are our friends as we assess the condition of the church, and new State of the Church research from Barna and Gloo provides a helpful cache of accurate, insightful data.

That said, we can’t assess the church’s condition simply by running through a series of statistics. We must move from the details to the larger issues at play. So I want to examine the state of the church from a big-picture perspective. Let’s explore two major trends shaping the church today, before considering implications for our faith communities.

The Changing Face of Faith: Two Trends Defining the Landscape

America’s religious landscape has been undergoing profound transformation. Two trends vividly illustrate this: the rise of the “nones” (people with no religious affiliation) and the declining percentage of people who identify as Christians. These realities highlight a significant shift in the perception and practice of faith in our society.

Trend #1: The Rise of the Nones

The General Social Survey, which has provided data since 1972, shows a gradual but unmistakable increase in Americans who identify as non-religious. For decades, this group of nones tracked consistently at about 5%-6% of the population. That shifted in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the numbers began to climb. 

Throughout 30 years, the number of nones has increased to almost 30%. Each year, the number of Americans who identify as Christian drops nearly 1%, while the number of non-religious Americans grows at a similar rate. This rise is one of the most important religious trends in the Western world over the last generation. 

Now, the rise of the nones doesn’t necessarily mean that 1% of Americans “deconstruct” or abandon their faith each year. Instead, many people who previously described their religion as “Christian” on a survey question now choose to answer with none. This trend underscores a generational shift—a pattern that Pew, Gallup, and other researchers have also noted. The number of non-religious people has been growing. While older generations may have held onto Christian identity despite waning personal conviction, younger generations refuse a label that doesn’t align with their beliefs. 

Such generational differences play a significant role in this changing landscape. Compared to their predecessors, younger generations start at a different baseline of religious affiliation. While people often become more religious as they age, younger cohorts start out as markedly less religious. Thus, their trajectory is unlikely to mirror that of older generations.

Trend #2: The Decline in Identifying as Christian

Directly related to the rise of the nones is the decline of Christian identification. Church leaders can acknowledge this shift without becoming too dramatic or buying sensational headlines that Christianity is vanishing. Although the numbers have shifted, evangelical Christianity is not collapsing. 

Compared to two or three decades ago, fewer people now identify as Christian. Again, the shift relates to generational differences. The Christian affiliation of 18- to 35-year-olds has declined significantly, accompanied by a corresponding rise in the nones.