Many Christian Influencers Are Not Rooted in the Church

They speak with conviction, post with clarity, and capture the hearts of millions through short reels and well-edited devotionals. From emotional confessions to motivational quotes plastered across sun-kissed selfies, Christian influencers dominate today’s spiritual landscape. But beneath the aesthetic lies a growing concern: many of these influencers are not part of a local church.

This isn't just a minor detail it's a foundational issue.

A viral comment recently put the dilemma in sharp perspective: "It’s time to unfollow that Christian ‘influencer’ who doesn’t attend a local church." That might sound harsh, but it strikes at a truth we can’t ignore. Scripture is clear about the necessity of Christian community. Pastors are called to shepherd actual people, and believers are called to walk with one another in discipleship. Digital ministry, no matter how passionate, cannot replace the vital role of the local church.

Candice Benbow, a biblical scholar, highlighted this tension when she noted the dangers of influencers who lack theological education or accountability. “It’s a lot of people out here calling themselves pastors, prophets, and apostles who aren’t submitting to anything a syllabus or a mentor but got folks submitting to them,” she said.

This is the heart of the problem a growing number of spiritual voices online are leading without being led themselves.

An Alarming Lack of Oversight

Christian influencers, particularly those without church affiliations or spiritual mentors, operate in a space where they are rarely challenged. There’s no elder board, no spiritual director, no congregation to walk with them. And without that structure, the potential for theological error or spiritual immaturity is immense.

Consider this: A recent Barna study found that only 37% of U.S. pastors have a clear plan for discipling others and these are trained, church-anchored leaders. Now imagine the trajectory of someone with no training, no oversight, and a large platform. The results can be more than misleading they can be spiritually damaging.

Jonathan Leeman, author of Rediscover Church, puts it plainly “When Christians are separated from the church, our discipleship could be misshapen. We need the body of Christ.”

And yet, many influencers candidly share that they haven’t attended church in months sometimes years. Some cite past church wounds; others claim their content is their ministry. But intention alone isn’t enough. While online sermons and podcasts can encourage, they cannot provide the transformation that only happens in the context of real, raw, and loving community.

Charisma Over Commitment

Online, it’s easy to build a following. Just say the right things in the right way. Add a filter. Quote a verse. Create a brand. But spiritual maturity doesn’t thrive on branding. It grows in the soil of accountability, in moments of correction, service, and quiet faithfulness.

Justin Giboney, co-founder of the AND Campaign, offers this reminder “A platform can never disciple you. Only people who know your life who can see your blind spots and walk with you can do that.”

And herein lies the true concern: the followers. Young believers in particular are gravitating toward personalities who "feel" right but lack biblical depth. Studies show that 62% of Gen Z Christians say they learn more about faith from social media than from their church. That statistic alone should alarm us. Emotion and relatability are not substitutes for theological soundness and spiritual guidance.

In Acts, we see a model of communal, accountable leadership. The early church was built on fellowship, shared burdens, and lived experience. No one was discipled in isolation. No one preached without accountability. The Church has always been and must remain a community.

How to Discern

If you find yourself encouraged by someone online, pause and ask: Who are they accountable to? Do they speak of a local church or spiritual mentors? Do they quote Scripture with context, or just emotionally resonant snippets?

Do they show the fruits of a life lived with others patience, gentleness, humilit or just polished performance?

These are not questions of judgment but of discernment. Because while that influencer might inspire you, they cannot walk with you through grief, celebrate your wins in person, or sit beside you during hard conversations.

Leadership in the kingdom of God isn’t about platform. It’s about presence.

This doesn’t mean all influencers are off base. Some do it well they name their pastors, speak of accountability, and use their platform to point others toward the church, not away from it. But those voices are, sadly, the minority.

We live in a digital age, but our faith remains deeply incarnational. Jesus didn’t disciple from a distance. He walked dusty roads, ate meals with sinners, and wept beside mourners. That is the model of ministry we are called to not one of curated content but of consistent community.

So next time a viral post stirs your soul, ask Who’s behind this message? And more importantly, who’s walking with me in my faith journey?

Because no matter how engaging a reel might be, it can never take the place of real relationship. And true discipleship was never meant to be streamed.

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