By Dr. Floyd Godfrey

In my years of counseling, mentoring, and working alongside pastors and church leaders, I’ve noticed a consistent and concerning pattern. When a leader operates from a place of emotional immaturity or spiritual shallowness, it inevitably shapes the church culture around them. While it may not always be visible at first glance, over time, the signs become unmistakable: lack of spiritual depth, superficial teaching, stagnation in discipleship, and an overall culture of performance rather than transformation.

Scazzero (2015) powerfully reminds us, “Leading a church, an organization, or a ministry that transforms the world requires more than the latest leadership strategies and techniques” (p. 48). Unfortunately, many churches today prioritize charisma over character, opting for style over substance. The result is a form of leadership that may appear successful externally but lacks the depth necessary for lasting spiritual impact. This kind of leadership often thrives on short-term momentum but fails to build long-term discipleship or meaningful spiritual formation.

I’ve seen firsthand how immature leadership can stunt the growth of a congregation. Without a leader who models self-awareness, emotional integrity, and deep intimacy with Christ, church communities tend to drift toward shallow expressions of faith. Sermons may become repetitive and motivational but lack theological richness. Relationships remain surface-level, and discipleship is often reduced to attendance or program participation. When the inner life of the leader is neglected, the spiritual health of the entire body suffers.

As Scazzero (2015) states, “Lasting change in churches and organizations requires men and women committed to leading from a deep and transformed inner life” (p. 48). This truth is not optional. The health of the leader sets the tone for the health of the church. If a leader is emotionally reactive, disconnected from their personal growth, or functioning out of unresolved wounds, those dynamics will echo through the church culture. Programs may continue, and worship services may go on, but real transformation becomes increasingly rare.

This is why the process of becoming an emotionally healthy leader must be taken seriously. It's not about perfection; it's about intentional growth. Leaders must carve out space to examine their motivations, confess their weaknesses, and cultivate a life deeply rooted in Christ. Scazzero (2015) puts it clearly: “We lead more out of who we are than out of what we do, strategic or otherwise” (p. 48). In other words, ministry fruitfulness is more about being than doing.

The consequences of neglecting this truth are not small. “If we fail to recognize that who we are on the inside informs every aspect of our leadership,” Scazzero (2015) warns, “we will do damage to ourselves and to those we lead” (p. 48). I have observed this in churches where leaders avoid accountability, resist emotional transparency, or over-function in ministry roles to compensate for their own lack of inner peace. These leaders may not intend to hurt others, but over time, their unprocessed inner life becomes a barrier to the very gospel they hope to proclaim.

On the other hand, when a leader begins the journey toward emotional and spiritual maturity, the church follows. Depth increases. Sermons carry more weight because they emerge from a life of personal transformation. Discipleship becomes authentic and relational rather than mechanical or programmatic. The congregation senses that their leader is not simply directing them from the front but walking with them on the path of faith.

This is the kind of leadership that endures. It is grounded in humility, honesty, and a desire for transformation. It recognizes that the true measure of a leader is not in their platform or polish, but in their ability to remain connected to Christ and live authentically before others. May we raise up leaders who are committed not just to ministry success, but to the deeper journey of emotional and spiritual health.

Floyd Godfrey PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed clinician for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.

References
Scazzero, P. (2015). The emotionally healthy leader. Zondervan Reflective.