Six Signs That Something Is Amiss At Your Church

On Crosswalk.com in June of 2023, an article appeared entitled “5 Signs Your Church Might Be Heading toward Progressive Christianity.”

Below are the main points from Crosswalk’s piece:

1. There is a lowered view of the Bible.
2. Feelings are emphasized over facts.
3. Essential Christian doctrines are open for re-interpretation.
4. Historic items are redefined.
5. The heart of the gospel message shifts from sin and redemption to social justice.

I would say that if all these things are true of your church, it has arrived at the point of “progressive Christianity.” It’s either already a “woke” church or well on its way to it.

The article in Crosswalk inspired me to put together a list of signs that indicate something might be amiss at your church.

1. There’s A Lack Of Respect For The Words Of Scripture

The “lowered view of the Bible” mentioned in Crosswalk’s list most often begins with the spiritualizing of its words in regard to biblical prophecy. By this, I mean that many pastors and teachers today retrofit God’s promises to Israel so that they apply to the church, albeit spiritually. This disregard for the intent of the author often has severe negative repercussions for other portions of Scripture.

For example, if one can assign different meanings to John’s written record concerning what he saw and heard concerning the future (the book of Revelation), it opens up other passages in God’s Word, such as those that forbid homosexuality, to continue retrofitting in order to make its words align with secular human wisdom.

2. Attendance Numbers Trump Teaching The Whole Counsel Of God

If your pastor avoids mentioning the truths of Jesus’ appearing for His church, the Rapture, lest it upset a few people and they leave, something is amiss at your church. If you hear the Gospel presented without one word regarding “eternal life” or eternity, you can be certain that something’s amiss.

Churches primarily dedicated to putting people in the chairs often use the word “tertiary” to describe their beliefs regarding future things. This conveys that message one’s view of future things is of lesser importance than the essential doctrines of the faith and should not be a dividing factor in the congregation.

However, in my experience, the use of the word “tertiary” means that the church accepts all views except that of Jesus’ appearing before the Tribulation starts and His’ thousand-year rule over the nations. Those holding these views are often silenced in “tertiary”-minded places of worship and told that their beliefs are not acceptable. For us, we sense that a “Not Welcome Here” sign hangs over the door.

Despite their claim of avoiding disunity, the leaders of such churches divide the body of Christ over the matter of future things by denying many saints a place where they feel at home because of their hope in Jesus’ imminent appearing.

3. The Preaching Lacks Relevance To What’s Happening In The World

Because of its amillennial beliefs (the denial of Israel’s restoration and Jesus’ thousand-year reign), the preaching at many churches lacks relevance to what its members read in their newsfeeds or see in the world around them.

This is especially true in regard to the war in the Middle East. Since many pastors today regard Israel’s miraculous rebirth as a fluke, they see Israel’s war as just another conflict and, worse yet, fail to defend Israel’s right to the Land from the pulpit. They fail to recognize Satan’s ongoing opposition to Israel and how that contributes to not only the war, but also to the demonstrations on the streets of major cities around the world in support of Hamas.

Today, more than at any time since Pentecost, believers urgently need to hear how biblical prophecy speaks to the wickedness, lawlessness, and violence of our world. Preaching that suggests Jesus is already reigning over the nations not only contradicts God’s Word but gives those in the pews a false sense of security regarding current events and diverts their attention away from the comfort found in the “blessed hope” of the Gospel.

4. The Elders Rule Rather Than Shepherd The Flock

I agree that elder leadership in the church has biblical roots. Today, however, the elders sometimes rule rather than shepherd the flock. They ignore the Lord’s admonition to not “lord it over” those He intends for them to serve (see Mark 10:42-46).

Many churches emphasize the biblical qualifications for its overseers but ignore the words of 1 Peter 5:1-8, which emphasize humility for those who lead. If key decisions at your church are made without any input from the members whatsoever, it’s a sure sign something’s greatly amiss and that the elders rule rather than inspire the type of body life described in Romans 12:3-8.

I wrote a post about this last summer entitled, Silencing the Remnant Church, where I go into more detail concerning this matter.

5. The Pastor Preaches Grace To The Lost, But The Law To The Saints

What makes life all the more challenging for those of us seeking to find a church where we feel welcome with our beliefs regarding the future is this: several churches that faithfully adhere to what we believe miss the mark when comes to the Gospel. Its pastors preach grace to the lost, but place the demands of the Law upon believers by saying that such obedience precedes blessings in the Christian walk…

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE... (harbingersdaily.com)

 

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