Is Your Church Leading You Astray? 5 Scary Red Flags to Watch For in Tennessee!
Religious institutions face increased scrutiny as members question concerning behaviors within their church communities. 🌐 #News #FranklinTN #Tennessee #Faith
FRANKLIN, TN — The white church steeples of Franklin, Tennessee pierce the Sunday morning sky as thousands of faithful followers file into their weekly services. But beneath the polished pews and harmonious hymns, troubling patterns have emerged in some religious institutions. While most churches offer authentic spiritual guidance, others may stray from their sacred mission – and the signs aren’t always obvious.
1. Financial Transparency Issues
When church leadership refuses to share clear financial records or pressures members for increasing donations, it’s cause for concern. Legitimate churches maintain open books and never shame members about giving.
2. Isolation From Family and Friends
Any church that encourages cutting ties with non-members, including family, raises serious concerns. Healthy faith communities support all family relationships, regardless of beliefs.
3. Questioning Not Allowed
If church leaders respond with anger or punishment when members ask reasonable questions about teachings or practices, this signals a problem. Sound religious instruction welcomes thoughtful discussion.
4. Extreme Control Over Personal Life
Be wary if church leadership demands control over personal decisions like dating, career choices, or how you spend your money. True spiritual guidance offers wisdom while respecting individual choice.
5. Scripture Manipulation
Watch for leaders who consistently take Bible verses out of context or twist their meaning to support personal agendas. Responsible religious teaching considers full biblical context and accepted scholarly interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Church Red Flags
Q: How can I tell if my church’s financial practices are legitimate?
A: Look for regular financial reports, clear budgets, and multiple people handling church funds.
Q: What should I do if I notice these warning signs?
A: Trust your instincts, seek counsel from trusted outside advisors, and consider discussing concerns with other church members.
Q: Are these issues common in Tennessee churches?
A: While most Tennessee churches operate ethically, these warning signs can appear in any religious organization.
Q: Should I leave my church immediately if I notice one of these signs?
A: Take time to evaluate the situation carefully, document specific incidents, and make an informed decision rather than acting hastily.
Q: How can I find a trustworthy new church?
A: Research potential churches thoroughly, attend several services as a visitor, and ask direct questions about their governance and beliefs.
RELATED TOPICS: Faith | Lifestyle | Tennessee
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Your opinion matters! Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We love hearing from you!
1). Calvery Church: I’ve been a member of a couple churches, my home church I was raised in, normally had 1,000 members. Easter-Sunday was accustomed to 3,800. We left there do to moving to a new town. It took the church office a little over a year to realize we left. They called on Monday morning and said, hey we missed you Sunday. I said really…that’s interesting… we been gone a whole year. They were shocked. Yeah, sometime churches get to be too big. And beware of Clicks in churches too. This church was something else… it had isles of course and if you sat to the far left, you better own a Rolls Royce and have a nice business. If you sat to the far right, you own a Yugo GV and was a cashier at a fast-food restaurant or worked at a secondhand store. Now the 4 Center isles, you owned a nice Chevy or Ford. Oh, and Pickup trucks, you must sit in the back last seats across the auditorium
2). Country Baptist: The next one was as small as the first was big. Typical Sunday morning was 125. Great church, wonderful Preacherman from Oklahoma. Needless to say, the congregation ran him and his family off, he was too hard-core hell fire and brimstone… preached the truth but the people couldn’t handle it.
3). Free-Will: typical Sunday morning was 80, at best 98 on Easter Sunday. This is the one that broke me, and I have never step foot back into ANY church for the last 23 years. I got in good with church, volunteered, did allot of things there. Infact I became a maintenance man as well. I started doing allot, until I looked up the OSHA requirement on fire extinguishers, that’s when all hell broke loose. I was measuring the distance between extinguisher and wherever the mark ended is where I place an extinguisher. So happens the mark ended in a tiny cubby hall 3×4’ft between the baptistry and Preacher’s office door. So, I hung it there. Well, it took about 24 hrs when I got a call to see the preacher in his office Tuesday morning ASAP. I got there and notice the extinguisher was gone, screw holes patched and painted. I stepped in, he remained seated and began his rant & rave at me that he’s not going to have his congregations staring at a fire extinguisher while he tried to preach and grab their attention. (Folks I swear to you the honest truth and he was angry, face red and very upset.) I never raised my voice, I stayed calm and quietly left after he said –DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME… DON’T EVER DO THIS EVER AGAIN! I went downstairs gathered my personal belongings and left the keys in the kitchen. I walked out the kitchen door and never went to anymore churches since.
4). The encounter: I went back home for the weekend to Gods Country (Old Appalachia) just enjoying the long ride through the mountains on a gorgeous fall day. Wife and I arrived at my cousin’s cabin. Climbing off my iron horse, just as the preacherman came walking up the yard and stopped us, asked did I know the boys inside? I said most respectfully –yes sir, I sure do, it’s been a long time, I was just checkin on Clinton and Russell my cousins.
I reached out to shake his hand when he pulled his hand back quickly from mine and took three steps backward, cocked his head looking me over in my sleeveless shirt & jungle camo pants with my black Jump boots all polished and the wife in her thigh-high leathers. He said; “son do you know you and your wife are bound for hell?” “Do you know you are going to hell and there’s nothing you can do about it now, it’s too late boy?”
I said Sir, you have me at disadvantage. “Yeah, it’s those Tattoos you both have on your arms you and your wife… you have tattoos and now you’re going straight to hell and it’s too late to help you.” I said well I’m sorry mister, and you are ??? “I’m the preacherman from the Holiness church up the holler.” “I’m sorry son I need to slip by you an check on the boys inside. It’s too late for you two, I can’t help either of you.”
Yup that’s how it went down just like that… One day I reckon I’ll find out the truth to this encounter. But I kept my peace and rode away very loudly instead. (I have no tat’s that are shameful or would offend anyone.)
5). On the road: A few years ago out riding on a Sunday mornin enjoying an old back road. I was coming up on a church that was letting out after service. I could see up ahead, everyone leaving when I noticed one car sitting in a handicap spot. I came thundering by the place with all the chrome sparkling and loud pipes scramming up the small grade. This elderly couple looking at their car. The little elderly man was helping his wife walk to the trunk of the car and tire barely pulled out the back. I geared down, pipes popping and cracking and I turned around right there in the middle of the road and rode back into the parking lot. I could see the little couple standing at the trunk.
I pulled up, killed the motor, I said howdy folks, looks like a flat, you aint going anywhere with that. The little lady looked at her husband as I stood up from my iron horse… I said Sir, let me help you all? He looked at his little wife, I was a big guy towering over them. I said ok, first lets get you two over under that tree where it’s cool and out of the sun. I helped them over there and I knelt down. Looking up at them, I said folks let me fix your flat and I’ll get you on your way. I got busy and in 14 minutes I had everything tucked away nice an neat in the trunk and told the little couple they was good to go. “Momma” came up to me she said “son, we both are so thankful for you… here’s some money to pay you.” “We was going to dinner but you helped us and its worth more than food to have our car fixed.” I looked at them and smile gently with a lump in my throat, I pushed the money back. It was all I could do to talk…I said no, you enjoy your Sunday dinner, this ones on me.
The little elderly man had tears in his eyes shook my hand several times as is wife wiped her nose with a handkerchief, I said folks… It’s a shame that everyone ran off, leaving you two behind. I just happen to see you and thought I could lend a hand. I said ya know, Kinda makes one wonder about the people you sit beside claiming to be your brothers and sisters. They asked for my name, I said oh heck it aint important… just someone who cares about the elderly. I made sure they got back to town and I broke off after they pulled into ta famous chicken joint. I often passed the church but never saw that car there again.
— Folks I aint against churches at all. Iffin it wasn’t for God I would not be here today… I have sure put my guardian angle through the ringer for sure. What a life I’ve had… but some people put on a good show and or sometimes other folks condemn others before they know your heart and mind-set. These happened to me and I will never forget it. sorry this is long but just sharing my experiences.
Good morning, Don! Wow – thanks so much for reading and sharing. Life sure is a journey, isn’t it? Have a blessed week! 🙂 Jack and Kitty