The church is called to live in the world but not be of the world. Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). When the world’s values gradually replace God’s Word, a church risks becoming a worldly church without realizing it.
10 Signs of a Worldly Church
The ten signs below help every church and every believer examine themselves.
Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – Scripture teaches that the church is responsible for being salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13–16), yet some churches today have dissolved into the world. Ezekiel 22:26 is a stern rebuke to those who believe in God but make no distinction between the common and the holy (“common” here refers to worldly things valued only in this life). In this article, “worldly” refers to what belongs to the world, in contrast to God’s purpose of setting His people apart and making them holy.
Indeed, any church that does not draw a clear distinction from the world will sooner or later fall apart! Many new churches keep opening, not necessarily because of a revival of the Spirit, but simply to blend in with worldly culture. Here are ten signs that a church has become worldly:
1. Preaching only what is popular and avoiding controversial issues
Worldly pastors often avoid preaching the moral standards of Scripture to avoid conflict with today’s social trends, because they don’t want to offend their listeners. As a result, believers hear only half of God’s Word, never experience its power to renew the mind, and over time become “worldly saints” rather than disciples.
2. No standards for membership or for those who serve
Some churches allow anyone to become a member and join any ministry without anyone’s approval. This can result in group leaders who are living unholy lives, in sexual relationships before marriage or cohabiting.
3. Treating sex before marriage and cohabitation as normal
Any church becomes worldly when its members share the world’s views on sexuality.
4. Young people holding unbiblical views of marriage and family
A church becomes worldly when most of its young people accept and support views of marriage and family that contradict Scripture (same-sex marriage being one example).
5. Playing secular music in church
Some churches combine hymns and secular songs in worship services or other events. Although the goal is to attract visitors, this erases the distinction between the world and God’s church and pushes spiritual matters to the margins.
6. Accepting clubbing, drinking and drunkenness
Some churches even allow believers to go to clubs and bars to dance and get drunk! They choose these activities to avoid being labeled “religious” by the world, but this lifestyle brings them closer to the world than to true faith.
7. Embracing the world’s values more than biblical truth
These churches constantly update themselves and adjust to fit the world. As a result, they support and value worldly things more than God Himself! When believers would rather reflect on the world’s values than on God’s Word, they have become worldly.
8. Valuing entertainment more than biblical discipleship
When a church’s main goal is to give Sunday attendees an “experience” rather than a commitment to sound teaching, its focus has shifted to the empty entertainment of the world.
9. Promoting greed and self-love rather than sacrifice and generosity
If the preaching only encourages believers to enrich themselves by exploiting faith, without teaching Scripture’s call to surrender and give everything to God, that church has become worldly.
10. Jesus is only my Savior, not my Lord
If believers only want God to save them but not to transform them, they have become worldly. When Jesus is regarded only as Savior, with no mention of submitting to Him, the church is more concerned with personal salvation than with God’s glory. Worldliness focuses only on human needs and desires, with no concern for a life surrendered to the Creator.
The author, Joseph Mattera, is the overseeing pastor of Resurrection Church and the United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more about the author at josephmattera.org.
Keeping the Church From Worldliness
Worldliness usually does not come suddenly, but in small steps: a little compromise, a little neglect of God’s Word, a little chasing of numbers. So the church needs to return regularly to Scripture, prayer and repentance.
This begins with each believer. Ask yourself: which values of the world are creeping into my life? A strong church is built from people who live faithfully for God every day.
You may also like: Why You Need the Church and the Church Needs You and 6 Bad Habits Christians Should Drop.
Prayer
Lord, guard Your church from worldliness. Help us love Your Word more than the values of the world, and live as salt and light in this world. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Article: Communications Ministry – Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church
Adapted from: TodayChristian.net
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