1-800-HEAVEN

I Am a Back Door Christian

Definition of: A Back Door Christian is a slang term that suggests someone practices their Christian faith in a more informal or private way—often outside traditional church structures. It implies a walk with God that is deeply personal, sometimes hidden, and not always aligned with institutional norms.

Years ago, in my twentieth year of walking with the Lord, something peculiar happened. I was just waking up when I sensed that the Lord wanted to speak to me. So, I did what I usually did at that time: I went for a walk. That was my way of fellowshipping with the Lord as a young man. It was freeing to be outdoors in the cool, fresh air. It always seemed that having a conversation with my Father was more personal in that setting—especially since I had read that God walked in the Garden in the cool of the evening.

But even as I cherished those walks, something unsettling was stirring in my spirit. I had begun to notice changes in the church that made me uncomfortable. The New Age movement seemed to be creeping into church functions—into the music, the language, and even the atmosphere. The reverence and holiness that once defined our gatherings were being pushed aside. Worship, once tender and Spirit-filled, was being replaced by loud, pounding percussion and polished performances. Where there had once been a sacred hush and heartfelt unity, there was now noise, spectacle, and a growing sense of disconnection.

I started to worry that I was becoming overly critical—discontented, even bitter. I wondered if I was just being nostalgic, blaming others for the loss of something I once cherished. But the discomfort followed me from church to church. I couldn’t shake it. Was I being foolish? Was I just stuck in the past?

I sought the Lord earnestly about these changes. And over time, I came to understand that the call to prayer was for my own good. The Lord wasn’t chastising me for my thoughts—He was calling me out of the local church. Looking back, I realize that had I stayed, I might have struggled with my salvation. I watched friends I had known for years fall away, and it became clear that the church’s embrace of worldly practices had contributed to their spiritual decline—and even to broken marriages.

When the flesh is catered to, spiritual things begin to fade. But when we sow to the Spirit—when we seek God’s desires for us—we find life and peace. Sadly, many churches today are entrenched in worldly approaches to spiritual problems. They advertise programs for every issue under the sun. Struggling with anxiety? There’s a class for that. Addicted to pornography? There’s a group for that. Battling sinful desires? There’s a seminar for that too.

But here’s the problem: these programs often mask the issue instead of healing it. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a dirty wound. You wouldn’t do that with a physical injury—you’d clean it first. Otherwise, infection sets in. The same is true spiritually. If we don’t let the Holy Spirit cleanse us, we’re just covering up festering wounds with worldly solutions.

Take yoga, for example. Many churches now offer yoga classes, unaware—or unwilling to acknowledge—that each pose is rooted in spiritual practices that invoke other deities. Whether people realize it or not, they’re opening themselves up to spiritual influences that don’t align with God’s holiness. And remember: God is a jealous God.

The truth is, Christians are turning to the world for solutions that only the Holy Spirit can provide. If something ungodly shows up at your doorstep, don’t reach for a self-help book—seek God. Until you do, you’re just applying worldly bandages to spiritual infections.

Call upon the Lord. He will hear you and deliver you in your time of need. He is the Healer, the Deliverer, the all-knowing God who loves you. It is His greatest desire to be your first call when you’re in trouble. He’s just a 1-800-HEAVEN prayer away. Be diligent in seeking His face and be comforted by our precious Holy Spirit.

I began this message by defining what I call myself: a Back Door Christian. It was God who called me out of the local church—it wasn’t my choice. And while I thank Him for it, I must be honest: walking this path has been more challenging than staying in the church. It’s hard to maintain consistent prayer and deep fellowship with the Holy Spirit without the structure of a congregation.

But in the long run, I’m overjoyed that I listened to the Lord. My walk with Him has grown deeper, more intimate, and more reliant on His voice. I don’t recommend this path for everyone. If the Lord hasn’t called you out, then stay—because that’s where He wants you. But if He does call you out, trust Him. He knows what He’s doing.