October 1, 2026
Healthy things grow. Healthy things also require attention.
Farmers walk their fields. Business owners review their operations. Families evaluate priorities and schedules. In much the same way, healthy churches periodically pause to evaluate their ministry, celebrate God’s faithfulness, and consider how they can be even more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. That same spirit of reflection is one reason pastoral coaching serves as an important first step before a church enters the ReFocus process.
ReFocus by Corpus through Georgia Baptist helps churches evaluate where they are, clarify their mission, and identify practical steps toward greater health and gospel impact. But lasting renewal begins long before a new strategy is adopted or a new ministry plan is announced. It often starts with a pastor who is growing as a shepherd and a congregation willing to seek God’s direction together.
A Biblical Pattern for Reflection and Growth
When Paul met with the Ephesian elders for the final time, he gave them a charge that remains deeply relevant for pastors today. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28, NKJV).
Before caring for the flock, the elders were instructed to pay careful attention to themselves.Peter echoed that same responsibility when he wrote, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2, NKJV).
Together, these passages remind us that pastors serve as elders, shepherds, and overseers. They are called to lead God’s people, care for God’s people, and guide God’s people toward God’s purposes. That responsibility deserves intentional investment.
Pastoral coaching is not about evaluating a pastor’s worth or questioning his calling. It is an opportunity to gain perspective, reflect honestly, and prepare for the work ahead. The work of renewal is too important to enter casually. Churches need prepared leaders, and pastors need trusted places where they can be encouraged, challenged, and strengthened.
Encouraging the Shepherd
Most pastors spend their lives investing in others. They preach week after week. They walk families through crises. They visit hospitals, disciple believers, lead staff, care for hurting people, and help churches navigate challenges both large and small. Amid those responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time for honest reflection, prayer, and evaluation. Coaching creates space for that kind of intentional assessment.
Through the Pastoral Readiness Assessment, pastors are encouraged to consider their leadership strengths, communication style, ministry challenges, personal resilience, and overall readiness to lead through seasons of growth and change. Many pastors discover that the process confirms strengths they may have overlooked. Others gain a fresh perspective on challenges they have been carrying for years. In both cases, the goal is not discouragement. The goal is clarity.
No pastor leads perfectly. Coaching creates space to reflect, grow, and prepare for the work ahead. A growing pastor is better equipped to lead a healthy church into the future.
Listening to the Church
No church is strengthened by a pastor alone. Healthy churches move forward when pastors, leaders, and congregations share a common understanding of where they are and where God may be leading.
That is why ReFocus also includes an opportunity to assess the church’s receptivity to vision and change. The purpose is not to grade a congregation or assign blame. Instead, it helps leaders listen carefully to the church and gain a clearer picture of its strengths, challenges, and areas for growth.
Many pastors already know this instinctively. A church may be eager to reach more people, but unresolved conflict, unclear expectations, leadership fatigue, or fear of change can quietly limit future effectiveness. Taking time to address those realities before beginning a renewal process often prevents frustration later.
Just as importantly, these conversations frequently uncover encouraging realities. Churches often discover a deep commitment to the gospel, strong relationships among members, trust in leadership, and a genuine desire to make a greater impact in their communities. Those strengths become important building blocks for the future. Rather than creating discouragement, the process often creates hope. Leaders gain a clearer understanding of where the church stands today and where future ministry opportunities may exist.
Why Coaching Comes First
Church leaders often feel pressure to move quickly. When opportunities emerge or challenges become visible, the desire to act is understandable. Yet meaningful progress is rarely rushed.Significant ministry decisions benefit from thoughtful preparation. In the same way, churches benefit from taking time to pray, listen, and seek God’s direction before launching into a renewal process.
Pastoral coaching and church assessment provide an opportunity to slow down, gain perspective, and prepare well. In some cases, churches discover they are healthier than they realized. In other cases, they identify obstacles that can be addressed before those obstacles become barriers to future ministry.
Either way, preparation strengthens the path forward. This is especially important because renewal is not simply a matter of adopting better methods. Church renewal is spiritual work. It involves people, history, relationships, expectations, fears, hopes, and faith. A process may provide structure, but the Lord must give wisdom, courage, unity, and fruit. That is why preparation matters.
An Opportunity Worth Exploring
Most Georgia Baptist churches have a strong foundation. The opportunity before many churches is to build on that foundation and position the church for even greater gospel impact. ReFocus begins with a conversation.
Before discussing strategies, structures, or solutions, pastoral coaching helps pastors and churches ask important questions, seek wise counsel, and respond faithfully to the opportunities God may already be placing before them.
Acts 20 reminds pastors to pay attention to themselves and to the flock. First Peter 5 reminds them to shepherd willingly and faithfully. Pastoral coaching and church assessment provide practical tools to help pastors and congregations do exactly that.
Renewal is never guaranteed, but churches that are willing to pray, listen, learn, and lead often discover that God is not finished with their story.
Want to Learn More?
Pastors, staff members, and church leaders are invited to join the Georgia Baptist Church Renewal Conversations on July 27 for a live webinar on “Pastor Wellness and Church Health as the First Step of Revitalization.”
Together, we will explore how pastoral coaching, church readiness, and the ReFocus process can help congregations strengthen their foundation, clarify their mission, and increase their capacity for future gospel impact. If your church is asking what God may have next, this conversation is a great place to begin.
Often, the first step toward renewal is simply being willing to prepare for it.
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Chris Reynolds is the lead strategist for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board's Pastor Wellness team.
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