Comments on: A Church That Suits http://www.shaneduffey.com/2008/05/a-church-that-suits/ by Shane Duffey Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:32:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Shane http://www.shaneduffey.com/2008/05/a-church-that-suits/comment-page-1/#comment-76 Shane Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:27:49 +0000 http://www.shaneduffey.com/?p=75#comment-76 Ron, I'm glad you expressed yourself. I hope that when you have an opportunity you'll visit us again. As I'm sure you know, NewSpring doesn't claim to have all the answers and we do not hold ourselves out as better than any other church. We simply want to strive to see results like this church (by the way, I don't see mention of a particular method or style, just results): Acts 2:37-42 says, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Ron, I’m glad you expressed yourself. I hope that when you have an opportunity you’ll visit us again. As I’m sure you know, NewSpring doesn’t claim to have all the answers and we do not hold ourselves out as better than any other church. We simply want to strive to see results like this church (by the way, I don’t see mention of a particular method or style, just results):

Acts 2:37-42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

]]> By: Ron http://www.shaneduffey.com/2008/05/a-church-that-suits/comment-page-1/#comment-73 Ron Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:13:18 +0000 http://www.shaneduffey.com/?p=75#comment-73 While I understand and agree with you post in general, perhaps the statement, "Church method and style is not really important" is a bit of an overstatement. There are overarching concerns of 'doing church' and biblical mandates of church method. The Bible is absolutely not silent over how we approach worship or 'do' church. I have many friends that attend NewSpring and I attended for over three years. I gave, volunteered, attended home groups, and invited many to visit, some of whom are now members. Much grace was/is preached there and I absolutely do not infer any ill-intent on the part of NS by my following statements. However, one thing I noticed, which led to one of the main reasons I left NS, is that their method of worship, of doing church, without intent, seems at times to lead to a NS centricity. Every one of the many conversations I have heard about NS from attendees, and I really mean every, (and I had been particularly guilty of this) centered exclusively around how awesome the band was on a particular service or centered exclusively on how funny Perry was that particular sermon or centered exclusively on how witty a video intro was to a particular thematic message, etc. I often hear such comments often at work; I often heard them leaving NS after the service concluded. These statements, again, reflect my experience, and I am sure yours are different. Also, most everyone at NS seems both hyper-focused and dismissive of any concern and criticism about NS without regard to the nature of the concern(and I note the irony of the preceding statement in this context and acknowledge many criticisms of NS are quite ignorant and unfounded). Regarding clothing, we (I include myself) have to be careful of the 'thank you God that I am not like that suit and tie Pharisee' attitude. Whether we wear jeans of suits to church, remember that we in Christ are all recovering Pharisees. We in Christ, as we grow in sanctification, still struggle with the old sin nature, every one of us. Just as some are dismissive of casual clothing, we can also be unrighteously dismissive of those who opt to wear a suit and tie in honor of the Messiah. I know I may seem to be slamming on NS, but that is not really my intent. I learned and grew in Christ while there, but my concerns overwhelmed me to the point I had to leave. Long story.... Thanks for letting my thoughts ramble ;-) In His grip, Ron While I understand and agree with you post in general, perhaps the statement, “Church method and style is not really important” is a bit of an overstatement. There are overarching concerns of ‘doing church’ and biblical mandates of church method. The Bible is absolutely not silent over how we approach worship or ‘do’ church. I have many friends that attend NewSpring and I attended for over three years. I gave, volunteered, attended home groups, and invited many to visit, some of whom are now members. Much grace was/is preached there and I absolutely do not infer any ill-intent on the part of NS by my following statements. However, one thing I noticed, which led to one of the main reasons I left NS, is that their method of worship, of doing church, without intent, seems at times to lead to a NS centricity. Every one of the many conversations I have heard about NS from attendees, and I really mean every, (and I had been particularly guilty of this) centered exclusively around how awesome the band was on a particular service or centered exclusively on how funny Perry was that particular sermon or centered exclusively on how witty a video intro was to a particular thematic message, etc. I often hear such comments often at work; I often heard them leaving NS after the service concluded. These statements, again, reflect my experience, and I am sure yours are different. Also, most everyone at NS seems both hyper-focused and dismissive of any concern and criticism about NS without regard to the nature of the concern(and I note the irony of the preceding statement in this context and acknowledge many criticisms of NS are quite ignorant and unfounded). Regarding clothing, we (I include myself) have to be careful of the ‘thank you God that I am not like that suit and tie Pharisee’ attitude. Whether we wear jeans of suits to church, remember that we in Christ are all recovering Pharisees. We in Christ, as we grow in sanctification, still struggle with the old sin nature, every one of us. Just as some are dismissive of casual clothing, we can also be unrighteously dismissive of those who opt to wear a suit and tie in honor of the Messiah. I know I may seem to be slamming on NS, but that is not really my intent. I learned and grew in Christ while there, but my concerns overwhelmed me to the point I had to leave. Long story….

Thanks for letting my thoughts ramble ;-)

In His grip,
Ron

]]> By: tre http://www.shaneduffey.com/2008/05/a-church-that-suits/comment-page-1/#comment-71 tre Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:42:48 +0000 http://www.shaneduffey.com/?p=75#comment-71 Man, you hit the nail on the head. Most of these guys, although my heart breaks for them to get saved or get right are missing the life of Christ. They wouldn't know God if he walked into their church and slapped them in the face! Man, you hit the nail on the head. Most of these guys, although my heart breaks for them to get saved or get right are missing the life of Christ. They wouldn’t know God if he walked into their church and slapped them in the face!

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