The Fruit Never Lies: Contrasting Healthy and Unhealthy Church Environments
When there is a trail of hurt, confused and wounded people who exit a particular church or ministry, it’s not just coincidence— it’s fruit. What goes on in unhealthy churches to cause this type of mass exodus or fallout? The details regarding the situations may look different but the foundation is actually quite similar.
It can often be traced back to a combination of toxic theology, unaccountable leadership, spiritual pride, and emotional immaturity that create a system where people are used, controlled, or discarded — all in the name of God. Let’s dissect each of these and see if you relate to or connect to any of the descriptions.
I also want to say that exposing and discussing issues is not sinful or demonic, it creates awareness and helps set people free. Truth is a good thing and we should never let anyone try to convince us that it isn’t. I believe had I understood the gospel and finished work of Christ I personally would not have fallen for doctrinal error and unhealthy leadership. Let’s first discuss the toxic and then let’s contrast it with what a gospel anchored ministry or church looks like. These lists aren’t exhaustive but I do hope they help paint a picture of the differences.
Unhealthy Church Cultures
1. Unaccountable Leadership
No plurality of elders or true peer-level accountability
“Touch not the Lord’s anointed” mentality
“God told me” language that ends all discussion
Decisions made in secret, dissent labeled as rebellion
Nepotism or favoritism within leadership
Incorrect doctrinal beliefs regarding the five fold ministry
“I hear from God and I am accountable to Him” mentality
Unaccountable leadership creates a power imbalance where correction is impossible. Leaders become isolated, unchallenged, and insulated from the consequences of their actions. Instead of being shepherds under Christ, they become untouchable kings in their own kingdoms.
2. Performance-Based Christianity
Constant calls to “do more,” “surrender more,” “give more”
Focus on works, manifestations, and outcomes instead of rest in the finished work of Christ
Altar calls become constant pleas for people to “go deeper,” “surrender more,” or “lay it all down again.”
Legalistic pressure cloaked in spiritual language.
The focus is always on what you must do to keep your freedom, favor, or salvation.
People end up exhausted and never feeling secure in Christ. They’re told their struggles are because they “didn’t press in enough,” creating deep shame and burnout. People are asked “How bad do you want this?” And the “move of God” becomes dependent upon their giving, sacrifice, obedience, prayer life and fervor. The finished work of Jesus is quietly replaced with a treadmill of effort that masquerades as revival.
3. Misuse of Authority
Leaders position themselves as the “voice of God”
Prophets are brought in to confirm the leader’s vision, not God’s truth
People are disciplined, humiliated, or isolated for asking question
Dissent is labeled rebellion or witchcraft.
Unbiblical teachings regarding spiritual covering
People are told to align to the correct apostle to fulfill the call of God on their lives
Spiritual authority becomes a tool for domination instead of service. This creates dependency, fear, and confusion — especially when the manipulation is wrapped in “love” or “pastoral care.” People feel spiritually stuck, unsure if disobeying the leader is disobeying God Himself.
4. DARVO and Image Protection
Truth-tellers are painted as bitter, divisive, or under demonic influence
The leader plays the victim while accusing others of rebellion
The story gets rewritten to protect the leader or brand, not the sheep
Sermons become subtle or not so subtle attacks and character assassinations of others wrapped in Scripture
The leader flips the narrative: “They attacked me.”
This leaves people feeling crazy, silenced and spiritually exiled. DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) rewrites reality. The abuser becomes the victim. The truth-teller becomes the enemy. People become isolated, questioning their own sanity, and afraid to ever speak up again. It creates spiritual trauma that can take years to unravel.
5. Charisma Without Character
The leader preaches well, performs well, and looks like a “mighty man of God”
But behind the scenes, there’s lying, slander, manipulation, and control
The external “fruit” looks like crowds, money, and movement — but the internal fruit is confusion, fear, and spiritual damage
Gifts can be imitated. Emotional intensity can be faked. Charisma can cover a multitude of dysfunction — for a while. But eventually, the truth emerges. When people trust in a leader’s gifting over their fruit, they’re often left spiritually disoriented and disillusioned when the mask falls.
Result: A Trail of Hurt, Confused and Wounded Sheep
People leave confused, grieving, and questioning their faith
People are exhausted from performing for approval and chasing freedom they already had in Christ.
They feel alone, silenced, and uncertain whether God is angry or if they’re deceived simply for walking away.
They realize how much of their time, talent and treasure they have put in at the detriment to their own families.
When people leave they are painted in a negative light by leadership
When people leave they are cut off from the church and relationships — A “If you’re not with us you’re against us” mentality.
Some walk away from church entirely
Many are too scared to speak because they’ve seen what happens to those who do
A pattern forms — but the leader always has a “spiritual explanation”
People are left with an incorrect view of God
Now that we have dissected a bit of the unhealthy church culture let’s take a look at the fruit and impact of a gospel and finished work of Christ anchored ministry or church.
Gospel Centered Church
1. Plurally-Led and Accountable Leadership
A team of elders or leaders who share responsibility and accountability.
No single leader is above correction or immune to rebuke.
Leaders invite feedback and walk in humility.
Transparency is normal, not resisted
Concerns from members are taken seriously, not dismissed.
Without accountability, power becomes dangerous. Plural leadership protects the Body from authoritarianism, favoritism, nepotism, and spiritual manipulation. It models Christ-like humility and reminds everyone — including leaders — that no one is above the gospel. When leadership is healthy, the church feels safe to speak, grow, and belong.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” — 1 Peter 5:2–3
2. Grace-Based, Christ-Centered Teaching
Teaching consistently points to Christ’s finished work, not personal performance.
People are taught to rest in their identity in Christ, not strive to earn acceptance.
The New Covenant is rightly emphasized — not mixed with law-based pressure.
Sermons equip believers with confidence in the gospel, not fear of missing out on revival or blessing.
A grace-based message brings freedom, security, and true transformation. When people understand they are fully loved and accepted in Christ, they are no longer driven by fear, pressure, or guilt. Instead, they grow from a place of rest — and their lives begin to bear the fruit of that freedom. Fear-driven faith may produce temporary zeal, but it will eventually lead to burnout, confusion, or collapse. Grace produces lasting joy, rooted discipleship and secure believers.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” — Galatians 5:1
3. Servant-Hearted Leaders
Leaders are accessible, not idolized.
There is no “special class” of Christians (apostles, prophets, etc.) elevated above others.
The stage is not a pedestal; it’s a place of service.
The culture honors every member of the Body, not just the gifted few.
Leaders aren’t preaching their vision and expecting the sheep to be on board and all in.
The sheep aren’t viewed as means to get the leaders vision fulfilled.
The church is healthiest when Jesus is the center and focus, not a charismatic personality, not extra biblical revelation, and not a special vision of the leader. Leaders are stewards and servants who are commissioned to share and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Helping the sheep grow in maturity by rightly dividing the Word and feeding the sheep truth. Stewarding and protecting the flock not using them or abusing them.
“Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26
4. Gospel-Shaped Community
Relationships marked by grace, forgiveness, honesty, and love.
Differences are handled with maturity — not gossip, division, slander, attributing demonic entities to people or shunning.
People can grieve, struggle, question, and heal without fear of being labeled or shamed.
The goal is wholeness, not image maintenance.
A gospel-shaped community mirrors Jesus’ love to the world. And the fruit in the lives and relationships of the sheep in a gospel centered culture will reflect the love and peace of the gospel. Because the gospel doesn’t just reconcile us to God — it reconciles us to one another. When the community is shaped by grace, people can stop pretending. They can grow in vulnerability, love, and mutual care. Healing happens in this kind of soil. But when the culture is cold, performance-based, or image-driven, people hide, compete, and eventually burn out.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35
5. Openness to Correction and Healthy Disagreement
Members can lovingly question things without being punished or used as an example in the next sermon.
Leaders welcome feedback, not just applause.
There is room for healthy theological dialogue — not enforced uniformity.
True unity isn’t uniformity — it’s rooted in love and truth. A church that can’t be questioned is a church that can’t grow. Healthy churches don’t demand silence — they encourage dialogue. Growth requires questions. Healing requires honesty. If disagreement is seen as danger, the church becomes an echo chamber where sin hides and truth is suppressed. But when leaders and members can engage in truth-seeking conversations, the church becomes a place of deep maturity, safety, and real wisdom. People grow up in Christ — not just in loyalty to a leader.
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning.” — Proverbs 1:5
“Speak the truth in love.” — Ephesians 4:15
6. Long-Term Fruit: Peace, Maturity, and Freedom
People grow in love, joy, peace, patience — not fear, striving, or confusion.
Marriages are strengthened, families healed, and relationships restored.
People become more like Christ over time, not more dependent on a leader or system.
The culture feels safe, honest, and life-giving.
The test of a gospel-centered church is not just how passionate people are in the moment — but what kind of fruit remains over time. Are people more like Jesus? Do they have peace, joy, and maturity? Do they know how to rest in Christ apart from striving? If so, that’s evidence of healthy soil. Only the gospel produces lasting transformation.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22–23
Final Thoughts
A healthy, gospel-centered church won’t be perfect. But the fruit and the experience you have there will be marked by humility, integrity, rest, freedom, grace and truth in love. The character of Christ will be reflected and the fruit will be evident. The preaching and teaching will be centered around Christ.
An unhealthy church, on the other hand, will also have its own fruit. In these settings, you will likely feel and experience heaviness, prophetic manipulation, insecurity, spiritual elitism, fear, dependency, demonic focus, focus on contending, pressing in, warfare and battling, pressure to perform to make something happen, and much of the teaching and preaching will be centered around and on the leaders vision.
Look for the fruits of Jesus and don’t ignore red flags. Study and seek to rightfully divide scripture for yourself, so you are aware when someone is teaching you something contrary to truth. Understanding the gospel and finished work of Christ safeguards us against deception and against abuse. Jesus said that His yoke is easy and light so if you’re burnt out, exhausted and stressed then I submit to you that you are not under the yoke of Jesus. Don’t let anyone take away or minimize the freedom that Christ has given you.
