You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

Being new to a church or ministry is a beautiful gift, once you get past showing up to the wrong room or inevitably sitting down while everyone remains standing. The new person gets to ask all the questions. There are no dumb questions or taboo subjects. The new person is likely to ask the why questions about process and meaning. This famous story about process comes to mind: “Why do you cut the end off the roast before cooking it?” “Because my mother did.” And the grandmother did it because the pan was too small.

Within every community, there is a historical knowledge holder. This person carries the stories and context for why decisions were made. They remember who has been part of the community and share immeasurable stories of growth and transformation. They can explain the long-forgotten programs whose furniture and habits have been repurposed for something else.

A leader, whether new or seasoned, has the responsibility to listen, ask good questions, gather data, and make wise, knowledgeable decisions. Vision is shaped after insight from people who live and breathe the ministry every day.

Leaders use the strength of relationships and are informally assessing all the time. They know the usual questions to ask. They are insightful and passionate about the ministry. Great leaders keep the ministry moving forward through changing seasons and life cycles.

And yet, there is a risk. The informal nature of assessing can quietly lead to assumptions. We assume things are going well because no one is complaining or drawing attention to themselves. The urgent issues of the day might be masking over hidden, important areas. Team members may have insights that go unheard in the busyness of ministry.

You don’t know what you don’t know.

This is where a structured assessment matters. It gives leaders permission to pause and look honestly at how their organization is currently functioning in relation to its mission. It surfaces strengths, highlights risks, and helps leadership teams notice where systems or practices may no longer be serving the ministry well. Perhaps most importantly, it invites board members, staff, and key leaders to share in the ministry’s health and future.

An assessment is most powerful when it becomes a rhythm, not a reaction. When reflection is normal and not triggered by a crisis. Even the overlooked areas get a response. Over time, this creates a culture where learning, alignment, and course correction are signs of faithfulness.

About The Studio

The Studio is a guided organizational design workshop created for ministry leaders who want space to step back, reflect, and strengthen the foundations that support their mission. It offers clarity through assessment, insight through conversation, and practical next steps shaped in partnership with CCCC.

With CCCC as your guide, you’ll shape an organization grounded in your ministry’s reality and designed to magnify your mission impact. Through a thoughtful assessment, you’ll see how your board and team members perceive your organization: what’s strong, what could grow, and what needs more clarity.

You don’t have to interpret the results alone. Our team walks with you to make sense of what you’re seeing, identify practical next steps, and move forward with purpose. Faithful leadership means being willing to learn what you didn’t yet know.