The Discernment Survival Guide: How to Find a Healthy Church
In an era of viral scandals and "End Time" deception, finding a safe spiritual home is more important than ever. Use this guide to evaluate any ministry you consider joining.
Step 1: The "Financial Transparency" Test
A healthy church treats the congregation's tithes and offerings as a sacred trust, not a personal bank account for the lead pastor.
- The Sign of Health: The church has a public board of elders or a financial committee. They are open about how money is spent on the community and the building.
- The Red Flag: If the pastor is the only one who knows where the money goes, or if he becomes angry when asked about financial accountability, run.
Step 2: The "Berean" Check (Acts 17:11)
In the Bible, the Bereans were praised because they checked everything the Apostle Paul said against the Scriptures to see if it was true.
- The Sign of Health: The pastor encourages you to read your Bible for yourself and doesn't get offended if you ask questions about a sermon.
- The Red Flag: If the pastor claims he has "new revelations" that contradict the Bible, or says you must believe him because he is "The Man of God," he is manipulating you.
Step 3: Character Over Charisma
Don't be blinded by a "big" personality, expensive suits, or a large social media following.
- The Sign of Health: The pastor lives a modest, respectable life and is known for being a good husband, father, and community member.
- The Red Flag: If the leader has a "Mafia" style entourage, treats people poorly behind the scenes, or is constantly involved in public feuds and legal drama (like the recent Doris Ogala or Harrison Gwamnishu cases).
Step 4: The "Fruit" of the Members
Look at the people who have been in the church for 5 or 10 years.
- The Sign of Health: Are they becoming more peaceful, loving, and wise? Do they have healthy families?
- The Red Flag: If the long-term members are fearful, broke, or obsessed with "spiritual warfare" and "enemies" all the time, the environment is toxic.
Step 5: Freedom vs. Control
God gave you a "sound mind," not a spirit of fear.
- The Sign of Health: You feel free to come and go. You are encouraged to have a life, a career, and friends outside the church.
- The Red Flag: If the church tries to control who you marry, where you work, or tells you that you will be "cursed" if you leave the ministry, you are in a cult-like environment.
A Final Word for Your Blog
Healing from spiritual abuse takes time. If you’ve been hurt, don't rush into the next "big thing." Take time to study the Word for yourself, find a small group of honest friends, and remember that God’s love is free. It doesn't require a ₦1 million "seed" to be activated.
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