In regards to true Christianity the word "church" is often mistakenly taken to mean a building or particular organisation. It is neither of these. It originates from the Greek word "ekklēsia" which means those called out of the world and set apart for God. Thus referring to the collective body of true converts to Christianity wherever they are found, globally or locally. Naturally even cults will refer to themselves as "the church" or "a church" though they are false. (See note 5)

As the Bible says to review/test ourselves to see if we are "in the faith"¹ we should also continually review what is happening in the Church we attend. Jesus and the Apostles warned the believers² in the first Churches repeatedly that false teachings were coming and had already come. Just because a Church falls under a particular banner or organisation name this does not automatically ensure that what is occurring within that Church is correct. It is possible for any Church to have error or false doctrines occurring temporarily or on a continuing basis. Don't panic and don't gossip or slander. If you've read your Bible you will see that there were errors at times in the first Churches. It is up to you to discern, with God's help, from the Bible, as to what is in fact from God and what is not. After prayer and preparation take your concerns to the Church's leadership. If there is no response then move on. Do not leave your spiritual well being in the hands of others.

Notes
1. See 2nd Corinthians 13:5 & the book of 1st John.
2. See Acts 20:30 & 31, 2 Corinthians 11:3-5 & 13-15, Galatians 1:6-9, Colossians 2:18, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Peter chapter 2, and chapter 3:15 & 16, 1st John 4:1 & Jude 1:4 and the letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation.

Regrettably there is in these current times an increasing trend across the whole spectrum of churches to use psychological, emotional and life enhancement methods to draw people into attendance and also in their preaching and church programs. Many of the doctrines associated with these techniques or programs have their roots in myths, rituals and psychotherapeutic methods having no scriptural basis or at least use scripture out of context. Though Church leaderships may have had all the best intentions when allowing these programs or techniques to be introduced the effect is to cloak or immunise the church goer from scriptural conviction of sin, diminishes the faith of people in the completeness of what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross and adds rituals and dogmatism outside of what the Bible teaches as sound doctrine. Often this is the intent of the source behind some movements.

The only way to navigate our way through the forest of false teachings out there these days is to first be reconciled to God; See the Why Christianity or the Why Jesus links, then know well, believe in and live by God's Word (the Bible). When you truly believe that Jesus Christ has redeemed you from the consequences of a life of sin and you love God this is not a chore but a delight. If you are finding this is not your desire and delight then something is wrong and it's time to ask yourself some hard questions. The main method that Satan uses to deceive man is to have him doubt God's Word and usually this is by mixing truth with error so that the error seems true. This is what happened in the beginning with Adam and Eve³ when they sinned and it is what Satan tried to do with Jesus when he was tempted in the desert⁴. Like Jesus, when lies and deceptions come we need to be able to say I know the truth because "it is written". When a Church does not teach from the whole Bible and hold it up as the sole source of doctrine then you should be very suspicious.

Notes
3. See Genesis 2:8 to 3:24
4. See Matthew chapter 4 and Luke chapter 4

Note 5. We can believe in the truth but our belief in something does not make it true. Truth stands apart from our beliefs whether we perceive it correctly and believe in it or not. In other words truth is not want we want it to be.