Leadership is one of the most demanding roles one can occupy. The interior, personal life of the leader is often scrutinized and certainly plays a significant role in the success or failure of a ministry. What most people fail to realize is that church leaders are just like everyone else. They are not immune to the problems faced by those who follow them. They often come from dysfunctional family backgrounds; experienced traumatic events in childhood, or just get worn out from the demands of ministry. These experiences shape the inner life of the leader and are formational for the leader’s soul and personality. The pressures of ministry, even very successful ministries, will exert a weight on the soul of a leader causing it to crack. If these cracks are not healed, they become wider and weaken the leader, often leading to failure or moral breakdown.

In this book, the author offers insights into the experiences of several people, most of whom occupied leadership positions. He provides thoughtful perspectives on the root causes of the problems experienced by them and the impact on those who followed them. Like Jesus, we are to be scarred healers, not wounded ones. A scar is a healed wound. As scars mark and confirm the identity of our Savior, so they mark and confirm the identity of all who follow Him in serving as leaders. May this book equip leaders with valuable insights, enabling them to move from being wounded to being healed, resulting in many years of fruitful, productive and God-honoring ministry. While not an exhaustive treatment of this important topic, may it provide a starting point on your journey toward healing.