Top Ten tips for checking church credentials

In Mark 1, we're given the credentials of John the Baptist. We know that he was a Nazarite, dedicated to God from birth, and holy. He didn't unclean food, even in the desert where food is hard to come by, he existed on locusts and honey. He followed in the tradition of Elijah with his camel hair coat and leather belt, and perhaps was part of the community at Kumran.
Check out the credentials of anyone you follow, website you consult, or church you attend. Here are some great questions.
1. What tradition are they following? Where have they been? What qualifications do they have? None of these markers are guarantees in and of themselves, but they help you to know something of the way this person sees the world. Be wary of people with a history of going from church to church, who have not submitted themselves to the discipline of academic study, or who operate independently from established churches.
2. Are there signs of power and effectiveness in their ministry? Is there evidence of growth, healing, and change? Is sin challenged, and are lies exposed? John's ministry was effective, both in numbers and in the spiritual growth of those who came.
3. Where does their authority come from? Beware of people who vest authority in themselves or in their relationship with God. This can lead to spiritual abuse - it is really hard to challenge someone who claims to be more enlightened, more spiritually aware, or more mature. Mark establishes John's credentials by carefully placing markers in the text that locate John's life and ministry in an Old Testament context. This is important because John witnesses to Jesus. Even Jesus did not claim authority in his own right. He was affirmed by the witness of John the Baptist, the witness of scripture, and the witness of his disciples. Mark also records the authority Jesus has over nature, demons and disease. Jesus taught with such remarkable authority that people were amazed. Jesus pointed to his relationship with the father, and he invites us to participate.
4. Is there a balance between bonding and boundaries? Is this person or church setting up healthy relationships or not? Healthy relationships lead to growth, health, a valuing of the distinctiveness of the individual, and a growth in intimacy, that is, the ability to share about deeper issues. Unhealthy relationships are distinguished by power imbalances and reinforcements of unhealthy systems. For example, a powerful preacher can set up a co-dependancy with people who just want to be told want to do, and abdicate all responsibility for their spiritual journey. A rescuer will set up situations where they constantly have to help people who are only too willing to be rescued rather than do the work necessary to own their problems, ask for the help they need, and work to understand themselves in step with the Counselor.
5. Is the teaching Biblical? Both John and Jesus proclaimed scripture, even those the gospel was new. Churches should be able to demonstrate the same, not just isolated verses here and there, but solid exegesis of a variety of passages.
6. Test the spirits - is there a sense of holiness, godliness, and genuine love?
7. Are there secrets? Is there an inner core who hold the power, a special revelation, or knowledge or can anyone learn? True Christianity is an open book. A mature faith can hold different points of view in tension, not insist on a particular doctrine. 
8. Is the focus on increasing intimacy with Christ or something else?
9. Is there integrity and congruity between the teaching and life of the ministry staff? Do they walk the talk or is there one standard for leaders and another for followers?
10. Do the leaders demonstrate Christlikeness? Can you have a real discussion, are they open about their own frailties?

We are called to exercise discernment. Critical thinking means bringing your brain to church, but also your emotions. We are called to be whole people in Christ, to exercise our freedom in Christ, and to grow to be like Christ.
Finally, no church is perfect. Any church that teaches that has a problem. While we treat our teachers and ministers with dignity and respect, we can and must examine their teachings for ourselves.