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Are you experiencing biblical church? Find out now.
Below are seven questions addressing the common reasons Christians are leaving the institutional church. Based on your responses, we will generate three Bible-based articles to support your journey toward biblical church.
01
Are you experiencing the committed, loving, and biblical church relationships seen in the New Testament?
Consider studying these scriptures: Galatians 6:2, James 5:16, 1 Peter 4:8
You’re a rarity.
Approximately 76% of Christians feel they are lacking these types of biblical relationships in their church community. As a result, many Christians feel close but they do not feel connected to one another. Consider ways you can help others experience the same relational depth you feel.
You’re not alone.
Approximately 76% of Christians feel they are lacking these types of biblical relationships in their church community. As a result, many Christians feel close but they do not feel connected to one another. (Research by Barna, 2017)
02
Do you play an active role in your church gathering or do you feel more like an inactive spectator at a weekly event?
Consider studying these scriptures: 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 14:29-31,
Great! But our research says you’re the minority.
Most Christians feel more like consumers of their church gathering instead of contributors to it. Secondly, many Christians feel as if the exercising or use of spiritual gifts at the church meeting has been limited to a select minority of church professionals—an idea which is not supported in the Bible.
Sadly, our research says you’re the majority.
Most Christians feel more like consumers of their church gathering instead of contributors to it. Furthermore, many Christians feel as if the exercising or use of spiritual gifts at the church meeting has been limited to a select minority of church professionals—an idea which is not supported in the Bible.
03
Has your church blended evangelism with the gathering of the saints by encouraging unbelievers to attend your weekly service?
Consider studying these scriptures: 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 1:10,
It’s common, but it’s not a Biblical idea.
In the Bible, evangelism and the meeting of the saints are separate endeavors. While organic guests should never be asked to leave, many churches have gone far beyond biblical hospitality and have encouraged their congregations to regularly invite unbelievers to the church gathering.
As a result, many Christians have habitually outsourced their spiritual responsibility to preach the Gospel, and instead, reduced their role to merely inviting non-believers to their church where a “professional” pastor can preach it for them.
You’re a rare church.
As you might know, evangelism and the meeting of the saints are separate endeavors in the Bible. It’s your job, not only your pastor’s to fulfill the command of the Great Commission, “Go, therefore, and make disciples…”
The mature Christian is actively and organically going out to present the Gospel, baptizing recent converts, discipling new believers, and inviting them to the meeting of the church.
04
Is your church focused on expository teaching through the entire Bible or topical teachings supported by a few scriptures?
Consider studying these scriptures: Acts 20:26-27, 1 Timothy 4:16,
Great news. But expository teaching is becoming less common.
However, topical teaching isn’t inherently bad. But due to the Bible becoming more offensive to the culture, many pastors have opted for topical sermons to avoid unpopular or politically charged topics.
In contrast, the goal of an expository teacher is not to hear, “What an entertaining speaker” or “What an uplifting message” but to hear, “Thank you. Now I know what that passage means.”
Millions can relate.
However, topical teaching isn’t inherently bad. But since the Bible has become more offensive to the culture, many pastors have opted for topical sermons to avoid unpopular or politically charged topics.
In contrast, the goal of an expository teacher is not to hear, “What an entertaining speaker” or “What an uplifting message” but to hear, “Thank you. Now I know what that passage means.”
05
Are you being spiritually fathered or mothered on a continual basis by a more mature believer from your church?
Consider studying these scriptures: 1 Corinthians 4:15-16, Titus 2:3-5,
Be thankful.
Only 17% of Christians have someone spiritually mentoring or discipling them. While our churches are grander than ever, research suggests that the larger a church is the more risk of spiritual independence and/or the ability to hide or blend into the crowd. Ultimately, this gross lack of discipleship is the great driver of immaturity in the church today. (Research by Barna Group, 2015)
Welcome to the crowd.
83% of Christians do not have someone spiritually mentoring or discipling them. While our churches are grander than ever, research suggests that the larger a church is the more risk of spiritual independence and/or the ability to hide or blend into the crowd. Ultimately, this gross lack of discipleship is the great driver of immaturity in the church today. (Research by Barna Group, 2015)
06
Does your church feel like a production filled with predictable programs and schedules or an organic gathering lead by the Holy Spirit?
Consider studying these scriptures: John 3:8, Colossians 1:18,
It’s not all bad.
Over the past several decades the institutional church has added a variety of well-intended, yet, extra-biblical practices to the Sunday gathering. As a result, many churches are now more extra-biblical than they are biblical. As Christians, we must remember that just because we can add something to the church doesn’t mean we should, and likewise, just because something is smart, doesn’t mean it’s right.
Great, let’s keep it that way.
Over the past several decades the institutional church has added a variety of well-intended, yet, extra-biblical practices to the Sunday gathering. As a result, many churches are now more extra-biblical than they are biblical. As Christians, we must remember that just because we can add something to the church doesn’t mean we should, and likewise, just because something is smart, doesn’t mean it’s right.
07
Can you say that because of your church, you’re experiencing significant growth in your spiritual maturity and in your understanding of God’s Word?
Consider studying these scriptures: Hebrews 5:12-14, Hebrews 6:1-3,
Keep it up. Here’s what’s happening to others.
Because many institutional churches invite unbelievers to their weekly service, pastors are often forced to preach to the lowest common denominator. Which means that while you’ve been there for ten years and are ready for deep truths, these truths cannot be delivered because of the many who are attending for their first time—and those advanced truths may cause offense or confusion.
Let’s change that.
Because many institutional churches invite unbelievers to their weekly service, pastors are often forced to preach to the lowest common denominator. Which means that while you’ve been there for ten years and are ready for deep truths, these truths cannot be delivered because of the many who are attending for their first time—and those advanced truths may cause offense or confusion.
One More Step...
Based on your responses, we’ve curated three articles to help kickstart your journey toward biblical church.
Your Results
We believe these articles will support your journey
FIRST PICK
The evidence is weighty and difficult to explain away—the institutional expression of church is hurting. Westernized churchianity is losing steam, its moral authority and
