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New Christians Should Not Be Given a Microphone

New Christians Should Not Be Given a Microphone

It’s the modern-day altar call that no one asked for: an influencer announces their newfound faith and, before you can even say “sanctification,” they’re launching a podcast, starting a YouTube channel and reposting Tim Keller quotes on Instagram. If you’ve been on Christian TikTok or scrolled through new Christian podcasts, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

Let’s be clear: we’re thrilled when anyone finds Jesus. It’s a big deal and the excitement is real. Sharing that joy? Totally understandable. But in the influencer era, “sharing” often skips some foundational steps and leaps straight into producing content for thousands—sometimes millions—of followers. And that’s where things get a little dicey.

Because while your salvation story might be beautiful, spiritual maturity takes time. And maybe, just maybe, it’s not the best idea to start talking theology before you’ve finished reading the Gospels.

From Living Rooms to Livestreams

If you grew up in church, you’ve likely witnessed the classic new-believer-in-a-small-group scenario. Someone fresh in their faith shares what they’ve been learning, but it’s… off.

Maybe they start blending Bible verses with manifestation tips or they throw out a well-meaning but wildly heretical take because, well, they’re still figuring things out. And that’s fine—small groups are a safe space for this kind of thing. The stakes are low and ideally, someone gently corrects them before the group goes on believing God helps those who help themselves is from Proverbs.

But now, instead of that awkward moment being contained to ten people in a living room, it’s being broadcast to thousands of followers who might not know any better. That’s a problem. What used to be a cringey but harmless part of spiritual growth has become a high-stakes platform where misinformed theology can spread like wildfire.

The result? A lot of confused Christians and a lot of damage control for pastors, friends and actual theologians.

Feelings-Led Faith: A Slippery Slope

Another issue with this trend is that many of these influencer-run podcasts and platforms don’t actually dive into Scripture or theology—they lean heavily on feelings. You’ll hear a lot about personal experiences, vague spirituality and advice on dating, but not much about the actual tenets of Christianity. While emotions and personal stories have their place, faith that’s solely feelings-driven is a shaky foundation. What happens when the feelings change? What happens when life gets hard or God feels distant?

The early stages of faith are often marked by enthusiasm and emotion, but lasting faith requires grounding in truth. And that grounding doesn’t come overnight—it comes from studying Scripture, learning from wiser believers and wrestling with the hard questions. You know, the stuff that doesn’t fit neatly into a 30-second Reel.

The Internet Is Not Your Mentor

Spiritual growth thrives in community—real community. Small groups, mentors and local church leaders provide accountability and space for questions without the pressure of performing for an audience. The internet, on the other hand, is not known for its grace. It’s a place where everything you say can and will be dissected, and while some people thrive in that environment, most new believers don’t have the theological chops—or the thick skin—to handle it.

It’s not just about protecting the influencers though. It’s about protecting the audience. When someone with a huge platform shares half-baked theological takes, they’re not just putting themselves at risk—they’re leading others astray. And in the age of deconstruction and church hurt, the last thing we need is more confusion about what Christianity actually teaches.

Wait, Learn and Then Speak

None of this is to say that new believers shouldn’t share their stories. Testimonies are powerful and they’re a huge part of what makes Christianity so compelling. And for the audience, it can be encouraging to know someone is on a faith journey similar to your own. But there’s a difference between sharing your experience and positioning yourself as a teacher or spiritual leader.

The Christian faith has a long tradition of mentorship and discipleship for a reason. It takes time to learn what you believe, how to articulate it and how to live it out. Rushing into the spotlight before that foundation is built isn’t just risky—it’s unwise. And while social media makes it easy to broadcast your thoughts to the world, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is hit pause.

Enthusiasm Is Great. Wisdom Is Better.

The excitement of new faith is contagious and we don’t want to dampen that. But enthusiasm without wisdom can do more harm than good. So, to all the new believers out there itching to grab a microphone: take your time. Learn, grow and surround yourself with people who can help you navigate this journey. The internet isn’t going anywhere and neither is your story.

When you do step into the spotlight, let it be from a place of confidence—not in your feelings but in the deep, unshakable truths of the faith you’ve come to know.

Because at the end of the day, the world doesn’t need more Christian influencers. It needs more Christians who know what they’re talking about.

© 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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