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The Discernment Survival Guide: How to Find a Healthy Church

By Oluwa Extone



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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