Unbiblical doctrines and practices are being exposed and purged. Believers who are growing in their hunger for the spiritual nutrition that the Bible promises are passionately pursuing the will of God. Many are extremely dissatisfied with the status quo. They do not want to be deceived by traditions, doctrines, or practices, no matter how old or cherished they may be. They are crying out to the Lord for biblical reality in their lives and churches. And, God is answering!

This biblical reality will be manifested when the church fulfills these four basic objectives:

1) Evangelizing the lost: Every church should be actively engaged in local and global evangelism so that new believers are regularly added to the church. The fulfillment of the Great Commission is every Christian’s responsibility. Every believer is to be an active personal witness of the Gospel. We either go ourselves, or we help to send others (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19).

2) Perfecting the saints: In order for believers to grow in spiritual health and maturity, they must be in an environment where the Word and Spirit of God impact their whole lives. This environment should provide the necessary nutrition for growth, maturity, and development of all aspects of biblical ministry, including worship, prayer, communion, baptism, study, preaching, teaching, healing, spiritual gifts, and building quality personal relationships (Colossians 1:28; 2:19; Philippians 3:12; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 1:7).

3) Training the mature: As believers reach a certain level of maturity, they are ready for the appropriate kind of discipling, educating, and equipping needed to fulfill their particular ministries (Ephesians 4:11-12; Matthew 28:19).

4) Sending the trained: All trained members are sent out to fulfill their own ministries, whether locally, as part of their own church, or in another place in the world. No one buries his/her talents! (Matthew 25:25).

A biblical church is evangelizing the lost, maturing the saved, training the mature, and sending the trained. Every activity a biblical church sponsors must be designed to accomplish God’s eternal purpose–the maturation of the saints so that they can fulfill the His will, grow into the image of Jesus, and be worthy of reigning with Him (Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17, 19; Colossians 1:28; Ephesians 4:12; Romans 8:29; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10; 20:6; 22:5).

The church described in the Bible is a living organism, the physical body of Christ in the earth. It exists to facilitate the fulfillment of these goals in the life of each individual believer. Any church that is not working toward the spiritual maturation of every member is practicing a non-biblical religion.

Tradition and Ritual vs. Relationship

Many churches teach that your proper place is in a pew, observing and partaking in traditional rituals. You are taught that this minimal participation will alleviate guilt and justify you before God. What actually happens is that you are forced to be dependent on the "spiritual authorities" for your personal relationship with God. They take the place of Jesus as your mediator. This is the exact opposite of what the Bible promises you. Every believer is to have a strong personal relationship with God and be dependent upon Him, not on any human organization, even if it claims to have divine origins. The biblical church is people, not a building or an organization, no matter how old it may be.

Non-biblical churches provide virtually no spiritual nutrition necessary for spiritual growth. In fact, this is one reason why reform movements have begun throughout history. Tragically, they also failed because they eventually fell victim to the same spirits and strategies that create an "empire of self" instead of the Kingdom of God. This "empire" seeks to keep itself in its place of power, authority, and control, rather than constantly re-adjusting itself to keep its vision focused on Christ’s goal for the church. This re-focusing is accomplished through the Holy Spirit, using the Bible and the many membered body of Christ overseen by the gift ministries of Ephesians 4:12. God has provided oversight for the body of Christ through these gift ministries–men and women who function in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, not a professional clergy that functions because of office or title. God never intended that a clergy-laity distinction exist. True ministry exists to see every member equipped in his/her particular ministry. Only when all believers are functioning properly will the entire body build up itself in love (Ephesians 4:16).

Spiritual Slavery vs. Spiritual Freedom

There are many churches whose proclamation of vision sounds very good. A pastor stands in his pulpit proclaiming his vision to "evangelize the city" and calls for everyone to get involved. This is a Godly biblical vision. When the strategies to implement that vision take on non-biblical characteristics, however, people are coerced into doing things that are not part of God’s plan for their lives. This is where the deception enters in. The biblical mandate of all true pastors is to equip you to fulfill your ministry, teaching you how to do what God has put in your heart (Ephesians 4:11-12). Biblically-based pastoral ministry to the church focuses, as Paul expressed it, on "presenting you complete [mature] in Christ" (Colossians 1:28). Your leaders are responsible to help you find your place in the work of the Kingdom. No one has the right to put you into a place where you do not fit. The Bible teaches us that God "crafts" the body together, with each person fitting exactly in the proper place (1 Corinthians12:18). God has not created any "demagogues" who can arbitrarily assign people to certain jobs so that the "work of the Lord" can be done. God will lead you and your leaders into finding the place where He wants you, and when you do, you will have great peace and joy, even if your assignment is difficult.

If a church is more concerned with how you can make it grow than it is with your personal calling and training, you have a problem. When your calling ceases to be important to your leaders, you have to begin to question motives: "Is the Kingdom of God being built or the ‘empire of self’?" The King places great value on the gifts and calling He has assigned to you. The "emperor" sees your value only as you work to accomplish his goals. Is your pastor personally discipling you? If your pastor is too busy to even talk to you, that person is your preacher, not your pastor.

Godly Authority and Submission vs. Manipulation and Control

Using Christian buzzwords like "authority" and "submission," non-biblical churches use subtle and not-so-subtle means to manipulate and control. You are not given the freedom to act according to your own conscience and understanding of the Holy Spirit’s leading. If you manifest too much freedom, you become a threat to the "empire of self." You may be rejected forcefully in an attempt to intimidate others. You may be accused of having "demons of rebellion" or an "independent spirit" when you are actually expressing legitimate concerns over doctrines and practices or following the leading of the Lord. Churches like these are extremely threatened by individuals who think for themselves, who pray and read the Scriptures for themselves, and who hear from God for themselves. Efforts will be made to undermine and eliminate such behavior. Some will say that you must conform to the group and to the leader if you are going to be "right with God." If leaders or churches threaten you with "judgment and damnation" because you dare to disagree with or attempt to leave them, you know you are involved in a cult.

Division vs. Unity

Non-biblical churches will try to separate you from other believers, churches, and denominations. Jesus is always working towards unity in His body; Satan is always working to divide the body of Christ. Have you ever heard a leader say something like, "You can only hear the truth from me (or us)," or, "We are the only true church, and I am the only true prophet"? Listen for the word only. It can be a danger sign that a spirit other than the Holy Spirit is at work. Be sensitive to an attitude of separation regardless as to how it is presented. A biblical church is in relationship with other parts of the body of Christ and is able to look beyond cultural, traditional, and doctrinal differences to see Jesus in people’s lives. Your spiritual enemy wants to separate you from other believers by branding or vilifying them and warning you about the danger of even talking to them. Separation from the rest of the body of Christ is a satanic strategy intended to keep you under a single, insulated influence. This is fertile ground for doctrines of demons to manipulate and control you, preventing you from hearing the "whole counsel of God." The Bible clearly teaches that, in order to grow into maturity, we all need what every other "joint" in the body of Christ supplies (Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 12). There is great strength in unity, for in the multitude of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). Only a unified church will be able to impact our society for the Gospel (John 13:34; 17:21).

Love of Money vs. the Love of God

Non-biblical churches often revolve around the love of money. Money is more important than people. It is exalted over God and becomes a primary focus. God is presented as your servant, who can be manipulated when you give money to the "ministry." You can get in the $200, $500 or $1,000 prophecy line where the "prophet" will hear a "word" for you. Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." God is not for sale!

Jesus said that money has the ability to compete with God for your spiritual loyalty. You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Additionally, financial openness and accountability are indicators of the health of a church. Things done in darkness are usually done so for a reason. God’s people walk in the light. What excuses for a lack of openness do you hear?

Of course, you must also remember that the Bible teaches that workmen are worthy of their hire and that they should not receive a meager wage. If your ministers are supplying you with spiritual sustenance and training, you should be sowing liberally into their lives and ministries so that they are free from financial concerns (1 Corinthians 9:7-14). The Bible has much to say about a believer’s proper stewardship of money.

By Whose Authority Do you . . .

Church leaders who operate in non-biblical manners tend to diminish the authority of the Bible in order to exalt their own interpretations, their special revelations, or their mystical truths. The Bible is spoken of as an authoritative book only when it is used to justify their position and establish their personal authority. When it is convenient, the Bible is used, but when it contradicts self-serving doctrines and practices, it is dismissed by one means or another. Be very careful when someone or something is exalted over the Scriptures as the final rule for spiritual life. Study the Scriptures. Examine such behavior in the light of the Bible, and then pray. If you are convinced that something is wrong, it may be time to discuss your concerns with your leaders. Their response to you will be a good indicator of where their hearts are and whose purposes they are really serving.

Sexual Immorality

Perverted sexual practices, including celibacy in marriage and fornication with the leaders, are often signs of a non-biblical church. Paul warns us about those who forbid marriage (1 Timothy 4:3). Sexual immorality in all of its manifestations is often part of the dynamic of churches that have strayed from the biblical design. When you know that sexual immorality is being condoned, or ignored, you should leave immediately. The Bible approves of only one kind of sexual practice, and that is between husband and wife. God makes no "special exceptions." Any statements about such "exceptions" are intended to manipulate and control you for sinful purposes. God will never put you into a situation that compromises your sexual purity.

Are You Being Entertained or Equipped?

One symptom of non-biblical church practices is the attempt merely to pacify or entertain you rather than to equip you. But you still have the responsibility to choose the kind of Christian life you want. Are you being pacified by the demonic doctrine that church attendance equals fulfilling the will of God? God is not interested in how "faithfully" you attend church services, but rather in how faithfully you fulfill His will for your life. There will be no attendance award in heaven! Do you go to church because it makes you feel good? What if the pastor’s message makes you feel "bad?" Does that mean you leave the church? Do you go to church because you like the building? What if they met somewhere else? Are you entertained by the "song service," or does the music ministry inspire you to worship with your whole heart? Is the preaching really dynamic and inspiring? Do you forget the message by Tuesday morning (Sunday night)? Do you ever take notes (in a real notebook, not on scraps of paper) when the pastor preaches? Maybe, just maybe, God will speak to you through him. What if Jesus gave you a surprise test and asked you to tell him about your pastor’s last message? Do you think you would pass? Could you get an "A"?

Is your church equipping and empowering you to do the will of God (James 1:22-25)? Too many Christians are spiritually weak because the churches they attend from week to week are not creating the kind of environment that produces the necessary nourishment for spiritual growth. Just attending a typical Sunday morning "worship service" will not change anyone. We are changed not by hearing a message, but only by applying its truths in our everyday experiences. Don’t allow yourself simply to be an observer of a "theatrical performance" type of church service. The "come to a building and be an observer" mentality is a satanic substitute for the life-imparting biblical gatherings that we all need. We must be involved with others in situations where "every joint can supply" the spiritual nutrition we need to grow. Small home groups are so important and valuable because they can provide a loving, supportive, secure atmosphere that allows relationships to grow. In this way, real changes in people’s lives can be fostered, encouraged, and overseen. Loving relationships that express positive input, prayer, and lots of encouragement have tremendous potential for the personal discipleship and spiritual growth of all involved.

Nourishing Your Spiritual Life

Is your church really nourishing your spiritual life? Don’t ask if your pastor is feeding you. If you are more than one year old in the Lord, you should be able to feed yourself. Your pastor and church leaders should be teaching, exhorting, challenging, comforting, counseling, and training you. In short, your leaders should be your mentors who are discipling you into the image of Christ and into the fulfillment of your calling. They should be finding out about your personal vision through prayer and getting to know you, so they can nourish your development as you mature. You must ask yourself this question: Is my church supplying the spiritual nutrition I need so that I am constantly being conformed, little by little, into the image of Christ? Your spiritual diet must also include the occasional uncomfortable doses of confrontation and correction (2 Timothy 4:2).

Are you being equipped to fulfill your ministry, or are you just attending services every week? Is the ministry of your church providing you with a spiritual environment that is conducive to your spiritual maturity? Are you being sent out to fulfill your calling? Are ministry opportunities available to you in your calling?

Let’s be honest though! Are you taking advantage of opportunities when they arrive? Or are you making excuses? Perhaps your spiritual immaturity and lack of equipping is your own fault. Maybe the problem is not your church but you. Could it be that your church is a biblically-based church, but that you are not a disciple? Repent! Don’t just be a churchgoer or a do-nothing believer. Become a disciple, fulfill your calling, and bring forth fruit for the Kingdom of God, so that on that day you will hear Jesus say to you, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Preparing For Eternity

The Bible clearly teaches that each member of the body of Christ has a ministry and will on the Day of Judgment be called to give an account for that ministry (Romans 14:12; Matthew 25:14-30). If you have not discovered your ministry or if you have not and are not being trained to fulfill it or are being hindered from fulfilling it by church practice or teaching, you must take personal responsibility for your own spiritual life. If your church is not fulfilling its biblical role in providing the spiritual nourishment you need, don’t wait until you die of spiritual malnutrition! Be a good steward (Luke 12 and 15). Take responsibility to fulfill your ministry. Find a church where the sustenance you need is being ministered. Don’t be discouraged. God is restoring to many churches a passion for, and a knowledge of, the way to produce environments that provide such sustenance.