Churches are led by their leaders based on everything they've learned from experience, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Each congregation draws from these sources in unique ways, creating a wide variety of leadership and shepherding styles. While this diversity can reflect the richness of God’s work in His people, it’s crucial to ensure that Fundamentally Biblical (FB) principles remain at the front.
There are many ways churches approach leadership and shepherding, but they can often be understood through three broad categories:
Culturally Modern (CM) churches are skilled at engaging with the current culture, using modern tools, technology, and language to make ancient truths more accessible to their communities. These churches are innovative and connect with people in ways that resonate with today’s society, striving to make truths of the past relevant in a modern context.
Traditionally Practical (TP) churches honor the practices and traditions passed down through generations. They preserve time-tested ways of worship, such as sacraments, liturgy, and structured governance, providing a sense of stability and continuity. Their strength lies in their commitment to maintaining practices that have been central to the life of the church for decades or even centuries.
Fundamentally Biblical (FB) churches are firmly rooted in Scripture, ensuring that every practice, decision, and teaching is directly aligned with the Word of God. These churches place Biblical truth above all else, keeping the Holy Spirit’s guidance central to their leadership and shepherding.
All three approaches can be valuable and fruitful when grounded in Biblical truth. However, there is always a danger when churches allow Culturally Modern or Traditionally Practical methods to overshadow their Fundamentally Biblical roots. Over time, if careful attention isn’t given to regularly reassessing priorities, a church can easily drift away from its Biblical foundation. When churches begin to prioritize cultural relevance or maintaining tradition over Biblical truth, the core principles can be obscured, leaving the church vulnerable to Spiritual Drift.
To prevent this drift and ensure your church remains centered on Fundamentally Biblical principles, here are five of the most essential doctrines for you to consider—are these leading the way in your church, or are they merely included here and there?
God leads the way in all things: There are no other gods before the one true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Exodus 20:3, Matthew 28:19). We don’t worship one at the expense of the whole, nor do we put anything above Him—not ourselves, our neighbors, or even our churches (Matthew 6:33).
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength: This goes beyond worship services, small groups, or devotions. It means that everything we do, whether at home, work, or play, is fruitful and multiplying for the glory and enjoyment of God (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27, Genesis 1: 27-31 and Colossians 3:17).
Love your neighbor as yourself: This includes not just your biological family or close friends, but your church family and everyone you live and work with, treating all equally as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39, Romans 13:9-10, 1 Timothy 5:21).
Make disciples of Jesus who pray to the Father and are led by the Holy Spirit: Jesus provides the only way to a deeper relationship with the Father (Matthew 28:19-20, John 14:6), not just to avoid hell, but to glorify and enjoy God in all we do (1 Peter 2:9, Romans 11:36). This relationship requires all three—two-way conversations with the Father made possible by Jesus Christ as our mediator (John 15:1-2, Hebrews 7:25, 1 Timothy 2:5), and through the indwelling Holy Spirit leading us all as one (John 16:13, Romans 8:14).
Continuously grow closer to God in knowledge, service, and worship: Learn to devote every breath to knowing, serving, and worshiping God in all things (2 Peter 3:18, Romans 12:1, Philippians 3:10). Your local church will help you do that as you help others in your local church do the same (Hebrews 10:24-25).
It’s important to go beyond merely reading the headlines—we need to compare all of our motivations and practices to fundamental doctrines like those meant to guide everything we do, as we are led by the Holy Spirit and Scripture. This requires pulling back the veil and honestly assessing whether the church is still aligned with Fundamentally Biblical principles.
For example, has the focus shifted from leading people into deeper discipleship, to simply gathering larger numbers? Are messages encouraging true spiritual transformation based on Biblical teaching, or have they shifted toward cultural comforts and peace? Is the church’s growth being measured by spiritual development and the spiritual fruit of its members, or by broader organizational goals? Does leadership resemble a business hierarchy more than the servanthood Jesus teaches? Is the focus more on honoring traditions and offering programs, or on practical steps to ensure Biblical disciplines are increasingly learned and practiced?
Alternatively, consider if the fruits of the church are showing signs of decline. Is the parking lot emptying, volunteerism decreasing, or staff burning out? Is the energy of the church fading, with the average age of attendees growing, and signs of God's blessings becoming harder to find? God blesses those who love Him—not always with numbers, but most of all with peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and joy that becomes overwhelming (John 15:11). Any church that experiences that kind of peace and joy is likely embracing Biblical Fundamentals and can help those who might be drifting.
These are important questions to consider, and they can reveal areas where adjustments may be needed to bring things back to the Biblical principles that should always guide the church.
If, through this self-examination, a church discovers it has drifted from its roots, the next step is to take intentional actions toward returning to those fundamentals. This might include a few minor adjustments or a comprehensive restructuring, but either way, the first step requires pulling back the veil and being honest, because you know God already knows the truth. It's the truth, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that will set you free, with His leadership.
One of the most valuable resources churches have is the support of one another—from within your own congregation to other churches in your community and around the world. Sometimes, God speaks through people we wouldn’t expect, and it's important to stay open and listen. By learning from the experiences of others, God can provide exactly what you need to move closer to Him. Likewise, faithful churches that have been in your position are often more than willing to share what they have learned with those seeking help and much needed wisdom. This kind of mutual exchange—built on humility and a shared desire to grow His Kingdom—helps strengthen the body of Christ in powerful ways that can lead to the revival so many desire.
The Better Ministry (TBM) hopes to help by serving as a catalyst for linking churches throughout the country willing to help one another become "more fruitful and multiplying for the glory and enjoyment of God." We are here to facilitate churches helping churches rediscovering their Fundamentally Biblical foundations and to encourage the global body of Christ to grow together through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If that sounds like something you need or want to help with, you are The Better Ministry the moment you express your interest and begin sharing with one another this way.
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