The church is a place where people often come to learn about God and the Scriptures. People come on Sunday morning to hear a speaker, they go to small groups to grow in their faith and they go to Sunday school to corporately work through biblical topics or books of the Bible. In all these settings, it is easy for errant teaching to slip in, leading a person down a path that is incorrect, or worse, unbiblical. The church leaders – including pastors and elders – have a responsibility to make sure they do their best to guard against errant teaching. Paul says in Acts 22:29-31 that “wolves will come in among you” and that others will “distort the truth,” so church leaders must “be on [their] guard.”

In order to guard the church and keep people on the path of truth, some basic but specific guidelines should be put in place for every church. Additionally, there should also be guidelines for pastors, elders, speakers and teachers. These guidelines will ensure that congregants will hear biblical teaching that is overseen by the pastor and elders. Here are some suggestions:

Members Only

Simply, make church membership a requirement for speaking or teaching within the church. This guideline provides accountability for the teacher and serves as a safeguard to the flock. If there is something being taught that is questionable, or unbiblical, the issue can be addressed by church leadership in an on-going meaningful way.

Pastoral Approval

If there is cause for a speaker outside of membership, make certain they are approved by the pastor and/or elders. In the case where the leadership does not already know the speaker, it is wise for the leadership to meet with the guest to learn about their background, theology and ministry before they gain audience with the entire congregation.

Material Review

Employ a strategy for the pastor and/or elders to review all church teaching material for all ages. This approach safeguards the teacher from sharing any content that doesn’t align with the Bible. Once a publisher or author has been approved, it will usually be ok to continue to use resources from the same publisher or author.

Scripture Based

Finally, and most importantly, is to ensure that all teaching is based on the Scriptures. Sometimes people use a verse or two, and then jump from there into a topic. But if the rest of the teaching is unbiblical, the pastor and elders have a responsibility to step in and either retire the teacher or work with them to approve biblical content ahead of time. This will keep Scripture at the forefront.

Ensure there are guidelines in place at your church to guard people from false teaching. Pastors and elders  must take their responsibility seriously and work to make teaching within the church accurate according to God’s Word.