Three items in your April magazine caught my attention. First, Carey College lecturer George Wieland’s clear and concise article on tithing – well done! Secondly, Murray Robertson’s article seeking answers for stagnating churches. He had obviously written a previous article on the subject and named seven reasons that could cause a church or denomination to stagnate. Thirdly, a letter from Graeme Young of Whangarei giving an eighth reason – a lack of leadership training.

May I suggest a ninth reason which ties in with number eight. I would call it “neglect of biblical truth.”

I have spent a good part of the last 40 years in Baptist churches and have served as both deacon and elder. I well remember John Wimber’s Signs and Wonders Movement in the l980s, closely followed by the so-called Toronto Blessing, both of which greatly disturbed me. As I became more aware of false teaching and practices entering many churches (not only Baptist) I began to practise being a Berean and test everything biblically.

Then along came Nicky Gumbel’s Alpha Courses which were embraced by many churches and denominations, followed by Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church, both of which are still going strong.

Nicky Gumbel, as a part of Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London, was very involved in the deceptive Toronto Blessing, and still is. He mixes truth and error in his teaching and has strong leanings towards Roman Catholicism and ecumenism.

Ecumenical Rick Warren also mixes truth and error in his teachings and market-driven strategy to build big churches as well as being heavily involved in having all faiths coming together as one to usher in the Kingdom of God! This does not line up with biblical teaching and prophecy.

And if this isn’t enough, percolating away quietly and insidiously contaminating many churches is the mystical and ecumenical Emergent Church. It is a mixture of the Bible, teachings from Catholic monks, eastern religions, meditation and earth worshippers. One of its main proponents is an American, Brian McLaren, who simply doesn’t believe the Bible. If you don’t believe any of this just check out these three gentlemen on the internet and be prepared to be appalled at what they teach. It is the God-given duty of shepherds to protect their flocks from ravenous wolves.

How is it that church leaders have jettisoned biblical truths and have actually invited in false teachings and ecumenism? It is futile to say we take in the good parts and spit out the bad. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump,” Galatians 5:9. Surely God cannot bless churches that condone false teaching and practices.

So I believe that biblically based leadership is vital for a healthy church.

Paul wrote in Titus l:9 about an elder’s duty: “He must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it.”

There is no perfect church, but I am thankful that the imperfect church I attend has pastors and elders who uphold the truth of the Bible and do not allow unbiblical teaching or systems any entry.

– Barry Weston
Manukau