7 signs you're in a postmodern church
7 signs you're in a postmodern church
By Joseph Mattera, Op-ed Contributor
One of the greatest challenges facing the Church today is the subtle invasion of postmodern thought. Postmodernity, at its core, denies the existence of absolute truth. Instead, it elevates subjectivity, personal experience, and cultural trends above divine revelation.
Unfortunately, this philosophical current has spilled over into the Church. When a congregation embraces postmodernism, it inevitably compromises the very Gospel it was called to proclaim.
Below are seven signs that you may be in a postmodern church.
1. They don't preach the absolutes of salvation
The central message of Scripture is the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ: that salvation is found in Christ alone, by grace through faith, apart from works. Yet in many postmodern churches, this truth is watered down or ignored altogether.
Rather than proclaiming that humanity is under sin and needs redemption through the cross, messages are often framed in vague language about "spiritual journeys" or "discovering your best self." The exclusivity of Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) is either denied or downplayed, so as not to offend seekers. This shift robs the church of its prophetic edge and turns it into little more than a religious social club.
2. They have low standards of morality for volunteers and musicians
In historic Christianity, those who minister — whether from the pulpit or on the worship platform — were held to high biblical standards. Leaders and servants were expected to exemplify holiness, repentance, and a lifestyle consistent with Christ's teachings.
But in a postmodern church, pragmatism often trumps purity. If someone can sing well, play guitar skillfully, or draw crowds, then their moral life is considered irrelevant. This attitude is directly opposed to the apostolic expectation that leaders be "above reproach" (1 Timothy 3:2). When churches lower the bar for leadership, they not only dishonor God's Word but also confuse the congregation about what holiness actually means.
3. Sermons are self-help messages without any reference to sin and repentance
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