When the Church Loses It's Way

Albert Einstein once said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

In my conversations, most non-Christians consider the Church irrelevant, perhaps a crutch for emotionally deficient religious hypocrites. They see Christianity as just another system of rules and regulations, and the building with a cross on it as "the Church." While this view may be somewhat uninformed, little in my view effectively argues against the observable reality behind such opinions. Non-Christians don’t differentiate one church from another because the differences are trivial; only the style and format vary. This holds even when comparing denominations from opposite ends of the theological spectrum.

Why is the Church regarded with such indifference? Why has Christianity come to a point where those who need it most see nothing in it at all?

Perhaps the Church lives in a spiritual bubble, deluded by its indifference and consumed by the demands of a religious enterprise. It may no longer pursue the apostolic adventure, suffer the persecution endured by the early ecclesia (people of the Word), or demonstrate the life, vitality, and anticipation they enjoyed before the institutional Church came into existence.

The ecclesia of the New Testament and the "Church" of today appear to be entirely different expressions of Christianity, distinct in meaning, form, and function. So much so, it’s difficult to find anything in today’s Church resembling the early believers' fundamental life. From the beginning, Christianity was counter-cultural, unacceptable, threatening, and problematic for those competing for religious or political authority. This tension was "resolved" by institutionalising the faith, making it a state religion, and subtly redefining theological priorities to retain power where it could be controlled. The politics of this institutional past remain evident in the leadership structures, rituals, and doctrines of nearly every modern denomination.

Over time, this misrepresentation of the body of Christ has become toxic, self-serving, and irrelevant. As society moved away from the moral authority once vested in the Church and rejected the spiritual axioms that undergirded social structure, we witnessed a widespread decline, if not an outright collapse, across many denominations. This cultural disconnect is only growing. And while this isn’t unexpected, the more concerning reality is the corresponding deterioration of the body of Christ itself.

Many churches refuse to examine their history or traditions critically. Most seem content to maintain the status quo, clinging to inherited customs, even as they acknowledge that something is seriously wrong. Compounding this are various splinter groups identifying as emergent or progressive churches. Without delving into these groups in detail, it’s enough to say that the state of the Church is fertile ground for liberal theology and doctrinal drift.

The true purpose of the Church is clearly outlined in Ephesians:

Eph 4:11-16
”So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”.

Nowhere in this passage do we find a Church of brick and mortar, steeped in traditions, rituals, and an organisational structure that primarily serves its self-defined mission statement. Buildings aren’t the issue; what we’ve done with them is. Structure should support the apostolic purpose of the body. Instead, it now exists to maintain itself.

The refusal to confront root issues has created a spiritually depressed environment, where legalistic and idolatrous proclivities are visible across every denomination. One could argue that God cannot use the institution in its current state. Maybe God has left us to our devices, and the visible decline is evidence. Most denominations are run like corporations, led by ruling elders who demonstrate little real-world relevance or example, sheltering the Body from God’s kingdom purpose by acting like gods to them.

Rather than nurturing spiritual maturity, the Church is preoccupied with keeping its buildings, programs, and traditions alive. We’ve constructed a sectarian machine in which most believers are little more than drones, working to preserve a system of bricks and mortar. Let’s be clear: most churches are dying by natural attrition. If nothing else, they’re just getting old. Many will close in the years to come. Yet the core issues remain unaddressed, and the delusion is passed down from generation to generation.

Many leaders view the Church more as a career path than a calling. Their concern is the institution that pays them, not the people they’re meant to serve. Sadly, most Christians are willing slaves to this system, rarely showing signs of real adventure. The institution is burdened by consumption, justifying its existence rather than building the Kingdom.

Does the current state of the Church reflect God’s heart for His people? Has it redefined what it means to live a Christian life?

Gradually, subjective teaching has replaced biblical truth, and lies have become doctrine.

James 4:1-4 speaks plainly:

"What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure."

In its structure, tradition, and spiritual environment, the Western Church no longer reflects the biblical example, from pews to altars, leadership to sermons. These are the remnants of men who sought to control an emerging faith. Christianity was hijacked, politically and religiously, and has never, never, broken free of the chains that bound it over to irrelevance.

The whole point and purpose of the Church can be found in Ephesians:

Eph 4:11-16  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him, the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

False Teachings arising from the early Roman Church

• False - The words “Church and Worship” reflect the activities of early Christian assemblies

• False - The Church saves the lost and builds the Kingdom of God.

• False - The Church leader is God’s anointed representative, through whom God speaks.

• False - Hierarchical levels of church government are supported by scripture.

• False - The word "Pastor" describes a person with governance, and often singular authority, over a Church. (Matt 20:24-27, 2Cor 2:20:21).

• False - A person said to be a "Senior Leader” has overall authority in the affairs of the body of Christ. (Matt 20:24-27).

• False - Elders have assembly authority above the five gifts of Eph 4:11.

• False - Apostles and Prophets no longer exist, and/or their authority has changed between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

• False - The titles of Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher, and Evangelist are only terms to describe general gifting but are not given to specific individuals and ministries. They are only general terms, applicable to all believers.

• False - Believers cannot be real Christians unless they belong to a recognised "religious institution”, thus being a real Christian is judged by the institution they submit to. (Rom16:17-18) (Gal 2:6).

• False - Christians who attend a Church must also be "registered members" of that church. In some cases, they must pass an appropriate course to participate in decisions of that Church. (Gal 2:9).

• False - Unbelievers must be baptised by full water immersion to be saved, and unless they are baptised by full immersion, they’re not Christians, and cannot be members of the church, or participate in decisions of the church. (Acts9:17-18) (1Pet 3:21) (Matt23:16-22) (1Cor1:17).

• False - Christians should not judge the actions of each other, or judge the actions of the Church, and its leader. They should be in submission to the Church (1Cor2:15) (1Cor5:3) (1Cor5:12) (1Cor6:2).

• False - All true believers speak in tongues. Tongues are a spiritual prayer language that only God understands, not first and foremost the gift of speaking human languages for edification and to benefit those who don't understand.

• False - Believers must come under the covering authority of a Church, a Pastor, or any person said to have authority over them. Christians must be accountable to human authority above them. (Acts9:20) (Gal1:11-12) (Gal1:15-24).

• False - Submission to leaders is a commandment, in the same manner as a law, and implies “absolute submission”. We are required to submit to those whom “the church” institutes as leaders, even where this authority contradicts the New Testament example (Gal 6:12-13) (Gal 2:11-14) (Gal 2:6).

• False – That tithing is a New Testament directive, standard, or commandment. Christians must "tithe" at least 10% of their gross income, and this must be given to the church. (1Tim6:3-5) (Gal 3:10-11).

• False - The church must be tolerant, liberal and inclusive. (1 Cor 5:12).

• False – That claiming the blood is an ongoing spiritual requirement for “redeemed believers”, insomuch as proclaiming the blood is needed to instigate spontaneous spiritual protection, power, and authority for prayer and healing.

• False - The use of “any oil” is required for spiritual anointing (for healing, commissioning, or exorcism). That it has any NT support or evidence for its use. Or that it imparts any authority and power in its use.

• False – That the term “Intercessor” describes a gift or any person with special or higher authority in prayer, as a specific ministry, authority, or office.

• False – Christians must pray for the removal of demons, strongholds, principalities, and powers, from within or around buildings, lands, districts, and/or objects, to cleanse the area before God can move.