Having witnessed PN's teachings a couple of times, that behavior is born and fostered by the way he speaks about his skeptics/critics in his sermons. His tone and attitude is one of butthurt and mockery when anyone challenges why he/New Spring do things the way they do. Reference this uncensored version of him doing just that here. While I do believe his core intentions are good, there's no denying his clear narcissism and narrow focus on numbers.
I understand what you are saying about the "hero worship" culture. However, most of the time it's not the leaders who create this, but it's immature followers who do. This has always been a problem. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address "hero worship" in that congregation and he was one of the heroes the people there were worshipping. In church history we have "camps" and theological positions that are stated around the names of "Christian heroes" : Calvinist, Lutheran, Wesleyan, Arminian, Zwingliest. This is not a Newspring problem it is a people problem that has been a thorn in the side of the Body of Christ since the first century church. It is also a mark of spiritual immaturity. Some leaders do promote it, most don't. Also, just because someone says they love their pastor and want to honor the leaders God has given to them to add value to their lives, there is nothing wrong with that. When we value leadership, we are valuing what God values. However, it can go overboard. Just my 2 cents.
To the first question, yes, Ben Milstead is the producer of Philpott's show.
I have never been to a newspring service or know Perry Noble, but to say he does not want his "rockstar status" is a bit of a reach. Guy puts himself in the spotlight every single chance he gets.
I'm an owner (what we call members) and LOVE my church. Our church, or any church for that matter, is not for everyone. But I LOVE my chuch, and we are reaching thousands across this state for Jesus. I'm proud of that, and I'm proud of ALL churches doing that. EDIT: For another poster above, we say "I love my church" because (1) we love Jesus and the church is the bride of Christ, and (2) we truly do love our church. I love Jesus Christ, my lord and savior, more than anything in this world and in eternity, and He is the reason that I live and am blessed with each day.
We use the term "owner" rather than "member." The reason we do so is because Christ called all of us to play an active role in the church and actively pursue others with the gospel. We take "ownership" in our church by being active and involved members, so that's why we use the term owner rather than member. That's all really.
It doesn't matter to me what denomination you call us. Our goal is to reach as many people across this state, country and world for Jesus Christ. Seeing hearts changed and people saved in the name of Jesus is the most important thing, and that's what our church is all about. We will do anything biblically correct, short of sin, to reach those far away from God. Eevery number has a name, every name has a story, and every story matters to God. And because of that, we are always going to celebrate numbers/salvations at our church and reach as many people as possible. Anyone is welcomed at our church no matter what you've done in your past or where you are right now. As we say, "it's okay to not be okay, but it's not okay to stay that way."
I agree and we understand that everyone should be involved in a local church (and it doesn't have to be our church). It's just a different term that we chose to use. It's not a big deal or anything different from a member of another church. We just encourage people to get involved with the local church, because many people just go to church on Sunday morning and that's not solely what Jesus called us to do. And we believe (as Jesus said) that you can't do life alone.
Your first post is a prime example of the difference between debating and attacking as I pointed out. You've never been to Newspring and you don't know Perry, but you know that he puts himself in the spotlight. Clearly you don't understand the difference between wanting to be in the spotlight and having the spotlight put on you.
They identify as a community church. They started at Anderson and that is a baptist school. They baptise (sp?), which is unique to Baptists and maybe methodists. The full immersion thing, ya know?
Baptism is not unique to Baptists and Methodists. Lutherans, Catholics, and several other denominations do it as well. I think they all do.
Well, I commend you on admitting you didn't know what you were talking about or a poor attempt at humor. Whichever it was.
Good post. My wife and I host a home group and have seen amazing things happen in the lives of some of our closest friends. It has been a great thing and one that we'll always do from now on. We are actually doing our own bible studies until another NewSpring-led series begins in the fall (which will be based on Perry's new book Overwhelmed fwiw).
I'd like to read some of these. Got a link or can you tell me how to find them without having to weed through google?
Our group NewSpring developed studies are physical booklets that we picked up at the beginning of each home group series. I can mail you a few if you'd like..? The ones that we are doing independently between NewSpring-developed materials are located at the link below. We are doing the six week ones (our group meets every other Sunday evening).
Nope. Naturally, you will make more connections within the church and, therefore, perhaps reach out to other church members, but NewSpring does not encourage members to do business with other members.
What are we doing to "better the community" we are in? 11,983 total salvations in 2013. That's a start.
