The following is based on talking to others and from reading. This is not directed at any particular church but American churches in general. I believe that our church is doing fairly well, but every church could do better. Only a very few churches that have been discussed or read about actually teach that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Many of those that do gloss over it as if everyone should know this and they can spend time on more “urgent things”. They can sing about Jesus and talk about Him without emphasizing His way to Salvation.
Another topic that is even less favored is the price a person will pay if they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. At best they will go though the terrible trials in the Tribulation if they are alive when Jesus returns. At worst their souls will go directly to hell, with no stop at Go.
While most churches ask for donations and appeal for tithing, they do not tell parishioners that tithing is a command from God, not an option. Failure to pay a full tithe (10% of gross income) could keep them from Heaven.
I read that only 20% of the churches are putting the Lord first. The rest are worrying about what people will think if they teach the truth. Also many churches are not concerned about reaching out to lost souls at all. That is the most important thing that a church can do for the Lord.
The reasons given for not teaching and practicing the above are usually that the church leaders are afraid it will offend some in the congregation. Possibly it would, but these folks need to wake up. Is it worse to offend them now, or is it worse to let them continue in their ignorance? As in raising a child, “tough love” may be what is needed so that proper practices are acquired. But it is not enough to talk about this once a year, perhaps once a month is not too often. Of course, no matter what a church teaches, there will be some people who are truly of faith and living their faith, and many other half-hearted church attendees.
Many people who attend church think that their very attendance is all they need to have an afterlife in Heaven. If a pastor teaches this, you should find another church. Anyone who reads the Bible with a sincere desire to know what it teaches will learn that there are many things that a Christian should be concerned with, not church attendance alone.
Also many believe that they can earn their way to Heaven by doing good deeds. The Bible teaches that after a person has been saved, the Holy Spirit will give them the desire to do good works, but that is after they pledge their life to Jesus Christ. After achieving personal salvation, doing good deeds may earn them a higher place in Heaven, and it does give great satisfaction and a sense of purpose. It also demonstrates to outsiders what Christian life really is. The best thing we can do, though, is to lead another person to true faith.
What should an individual who is concerned about what their church teaches do about it, if anything? Perhaps they can occasionally speak from the pulpit and voice their concerns and suggestions. Also, in Bible studies there may be opportunities to simply compare what the Bible teaches to what is actually practiced in their church. The Lord has said that someone with a special blessing from Him can bring blessing to an entire church. Do I claim to do everything I could or should do? Not by any means, all we can do is try