I have considered numerous times of planting a church and calling it “House of Wounded Sheep.” This desire birthed over a period of time while leading small group Bible studies composed of individuals who could be labeled as wounded sheep. A few were hurt by the secular world, but the majority had been wounded within a church, some of them multiple times. As a result, they finally stopped attending and had no desire to return fearing further pain. My unspoken goal was to help them heal and ultimately see them find a good church home and many eventually did.
Everyone in those groups loved God and wanted to serve Him. However, I actually had pastors who knew about my ministry tell me I should just leave them alone because if they really loved God, they would be attending church. A few of the common clichés I heard, “Oh, I know him, he is beyond hope. They should pull up their boot straps and suck up the pain; they have to forgive and forget; they are just too sensitive.” God did not make me that way. He put in me a natural attraction to anything, animal or human that is wounded and hurting. Through the years, I have found too many who fall into the category of ‘wounded sheep’ and needed someone to help them.
In the study of missions and church growth, a lot is written about hidden people groups. This can be a small isolated tribe somewhere in the world or even groups that are around us that have no connection with Christians or the church. For the most part, wounded sheep are a hidden people group. The first step in helping them is discovering who they are. They do not wear a sign saying they are wounded and hurting. They may hide their wounds because the last time they shared with someone, they were hurt again. Wounds, whether physical or spiritual, can get infected and become worse. It is easy for a spiritually wounded person to become bitter or even begin doubting in God. Wounds are painful and make the person more sensitive. Anyone ministering to wounded sheep must have a lot of patience. Healing can take months and even years just like someone recovering from a terrible physical accident.
Why does this happen and how do people get wounded? Remember the Church is composed of people; people who are growing in Christ but still capable of doing sinful and hurtful acts. Wounds can come from careless words, false teaching, broken relationships, disillusionment, being made to feel inferior, betrayed confidence, being taken advantage of, or a host of other weapons the devil can utilize. People who have never been severely wounded have a hard time even understanding those who are.
Please note that I am not against the Church because it is fundamental to Christianity. I hope the majority of you have never had bad experiences from fellow Christians or the Church. Yet, I know some who read this are saying, “Yes, that’s me. I am a wounded sheep.” If you are a wounded sheep, you need to know that Jesus, the good shepherd, is searching for you. The LORD through Ezekiel told the scattered and wounded sheep of Israel, For thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out … I will seek the lost [sheep], bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick (Eze 34:11, 16). I have been wounded by the world and worse of all by Christians numerous times. A few wounds brought me to the point of telling God I’d had enough of church and Christians. When we are wounded, it is easy to become afraid. We may fear that God is angry with us for being wounded. We may fear He will chastise us. We may even wonder if God is there. Note Jesus reaction, When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Mat 9:36 NIV). I thank God He had compassion on me and like a shepherd He anointed my head with oil and brought healing and restoration.
You may not have received one phone call or even a note saying you are missed. You may have slipped into the hidden people group and have no hope. In the parable of the 100 sheep when one had gone astray, the Shepherd goes and searches until he finds it. The parable ends with this verse, So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish (Mat 18:14). The good shepherd is searching for you because the Father does not want you to perish.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
If you are wounded and think you are alone, know that Jesus is there and waiting to pour on the oil of healing.