As more Americans seek solace in the Bible and community through church attendance following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Ally Beth Stucky, a host on BlazeTV, engages in a discussion with Rev. Todd Wagner from Watermark Church. They are exploring crucial questions regarding faith and leadership.
Stucky mentions that many are grappling with what to expect from their pastors. “It’s a complex issue,” she says, recognizing her own role as a pastor and questioning if there’s a firm gospel foundation being taught.
She adds, “How do we evaluate our church leaders? How do we confirm that we are part of a congregation that truly honors God?”
Wagner responds, emphasizing the importance of understanding a pastor’s vision for the church. He references Matthew 28, urging leaders to make disciples and asking, “What exactly does that mean? How do you define a disciple?”
He notes that the term ‘disciple’ doesn’t simply refer to regular attendees of services.
Many pastors, Wagner points out, tend to limit their engagement with churchgoers to mere attendance. They might think, “Your presence affirms me, and you’re providing the funds to keep our lights on.”
However, this approach doesn’t align with Jesus’ teachings about His church. “He said the gates of Hell won’t prevail against it,” he observes.
Wagner argues that an alarming number of pastors imply, “We’ll preach; you just need to support this ministry.” He terms this as a “non-Bible church.”
This leads him to discuss what he calls “the deceit of sin.” He explains that sin creates an illusion that lives outside of faith are appealing and fulfilling, while, in truth, they suffocate true faithfulness. “Concerns of the world and the lure of wealth can be distracting,” he says.
When faced with divine judgment, if church gatherings merely become a routine without meaningful engagement, people might find themselves unprepared. Wagner warns, “If your church isn’t taking a stand against harmful influences, you’re likely not in a Bible-believing community.”
