17
Dec

Do You Know Him?

   Posted by: Shane   in Life, Ministry

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Over the last 4 years I have been a part of the leadership team at NewSpring Church. It has been a great privilege to be a part of the work God is doing in His church here. It has also been a privilege to move into ministry and get a first hand look at the life of one called into such labor. I love it and pray that God will allow me to do what I do until the day I die.

My first visit to NewSpring was a result of hearing the pastor of the church I was attending say something derogatory about this “church in town”. Being one who was full of pride (I didn’t really know this at the time, but in hindsight I do now) based on knowing all about God and the bible, I felt it my duty to evaluate the place and then heap my own, well informed, condemnation on this “church in town”. I mean, it was my responsibility to protect God’s good name, so it was something I had to do.

Needless to say, that first visit didn’t leave me with chest stuck out and my nose in the air… God used that first visit to break my heart with His truth and instead I found my head in my hands and tears flowing from my eyes. That was the first time I had ever seen Perry Noble or heard him teach. I went into the church looking for any out of line syllable and was met with the force of Truth - the whole Truth - taught in a practical way.

Fast forward five years and here I sit not as one who has seen or heard Perry preach a couple of times but as one who literally lives life with the guy. He first became my pastor, then my friend, then the one who asked me leap into ministry full time and be a part of what God was doing at NewSpring.

Over the last few years I have seen Perry verbally attacked in just about every way imaginable. Today if his name or NewSpring’s appears in a blog post, newspaper article, tv news story, radio talk show or even a casual conversation… everyone has an opinion… some of them very negative… some even go beyond questioning the ministry and actually question the man… his motives and his methods… some even dig into his personal life… I have yet to see one of these negative comments come from someone who actually knows Perry.

I know him. I have been with Perry when things are great and when things are really bad. I have seen him preach in front of thousands and I have seen him lying on a gurney very close to death. I have helped him plan amazing church services and I have talked with him about a staff person who’s hurting. I have laughed with him over the silliest things and I have wept with him over the most important things. I have seen him battle demons and I have watched him hold his daughter like nothing else matters in the world. I have argued with him and I have held his hand in prayer. I have seen the inside of his bible (which is cluttered from so much time spent in it) and I have seen his heart broken over idle words said or printed that are lies about him. I have been with him as he patiently talks to people who approach him at the most inappropriate times and I have heard his vision and passion for people to know Jesus when it was just the two of us. I have watched him give away his time and resources to all sorts of people (including church planters) and I have felt his hurt when those same people take advantage of his kindness.

I could go on and on… but the bottom line is… I know him… do you?

There seem to be too many people who claim to know Jesus that want to spend most of their time in the seat of scoffers. And my primary concern for those who sit in the scoffers seat and cast hate toward this man I know… is that I’m afraid that they are just proving that they don’t know Him. Oh, just to be clear… I don’t mean that the scoffers don’t know Perry… I’m afraid they don’t know Jesus. My fear is that their hate toward a man they don’t know is just evidence that they don’t know a Man they can know.

I Corinthians 8:1-2
But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

I John 2:9-11
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

So, I pray that the haters out there will remove their focus from the person they don’t know and probably never will and begin to focus on the One who they can know. Then we all can rejoice together and marvel at what God is doing in the lives of those who need Him.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am and is filed under Life, Ministry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

25 comments so far

Mario Hood
 1 

Wow…thanks for this. I too feel into the position of “taking up for God”. I had never heard or been to Newspring Church, but some family members of mine had and they talked and talked and talked so good about the church I knew it had to be a cult. I mean really church isn’t that awesome.

So I starting listening to the sermons online, to find out the false teachings, so I could prove to them how they were being lead astray. But as you said the TRUTH hit me so hard around the 4th sermon that I could not deny it.

I have learned so much for you guys even through the Internet and I praise God for your ministry. Keep seeking after HIS face and we will continue to left you up in prayer.

December 17th, 2008 at 9:51 am
becky
 2 

I have read his blog and recently from here in the midwest have begun following his twitters….such passion and always pointing to God…Christ the Bible the Holy Spirit..such passion is so fun to watch from afar and allow myself to be impacted by that.

December 17th, 2008 at 10:55 am
brad
 3 

Shane Duffey…. That is SO NAILS…. Thank you for taking time to really think through how to respond— you glorify Jesus with this and you leverage His Kingdom….

One Love

December 17th, 2008 at 11:58 am
trevor
 4 

dang.

December 17th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Sandra Counts
 5 

Shane, that is so well said! Nothing means more than words from a best friend who really knows what he is talking about-we all need to keep supporting and affirming Perry-our AWESOME leader and God’s servant. Woo-Hoo!

December 17th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Jane Keperling
 6 

Shane, Your love for Perry is so beautifully expressed; I agree with you! Moreover, I appreciate how you remind us of God’s unconditional Love for us through His Son Jesus and as Perry says- He is the Reason for Life, not just Christmas. We are so incredibly blessed to have the leadership of real men like you two (among all the many others at NewSpring!) who are not afraid to speak the truth even when it is not easy or popular. You show us strength,and compassion; thank you for supporting Perry when the going gets tough.

December 17th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Emanuel
 7 

Shane, I don’t know you, you don’t know me. Fact is, I’ve never been to NewSpring. However, God has truly worked in my life through Pastor Perry’s preaching. If I were 100% honest, I would say that there have been times when I didn’t agree with some of the things you guys were doing up there. But every time, God had to remind me that you were being true to the vision God gave YOU and not me. As long as you’re doing what He wants you to do (and when I say you, I mean the Pastor and the leadership), you’re all good. The vision God gave NewSpring is different than what He gives others. Nobody has the right to criticize you guys being faitful to what God wants you to do. Do I always agree with what’s being done there? No. Does it matter? No. But, I still pray for Pastor Perry on a regular basis. I hope he knows he’s being lifted up. Keep up the good work!

December 18th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Cindy Leigh Wilson
 8 

Shane…I started my quiet time with your blog after Sandra Counts suggested it to our small group. I was so glad to hear the encouragement about Perry. It meant the world to me and I’m sure God blessed Perry through your truthful and uplifting words…..but what meant the most to me was the way you applied knowing Perry versus knowing Jesus and the scripture you included. I am battling the forces of darkness in the arena of drug and alcohol addictions. I am a Detox nurse working in Greenville. Yesterday was one of the hardest days I’ve had at work and I started thinking about finding another job (not the first time I’ve had that thought). I only slept about 2 hours last night because of it. During the night I kept going to Jesus and telling Him I could not make it through the next day without His supernatural power. Without sharing the details of what I am facing, I can tell you the scripture you shared felt like a personal note from Christ just for me. The way God works through us to encourage each other, sometimes without our even being aware, is just so incredibly awesome! Thanks for the blog and for being a vessel of encouragement for Perry, Newspring and this tired old nurse. :- )

December 18th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Samuel
 9 

Perry is Awesome! and I love NewSpring :)

December 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Paul
 10 

I live in California, but found NewSpring online. I think Perry Noble is one of the most annointed teachers I have ever heard. If NewSpring is a cult, well then PASS THE KOOLAID!!

I’m holding onto my fork, Perry. The best is yet to come!

December 18th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Jonathan
 11 

What do I think about Perry and NewSpring? I secretly wish that I lived in Anderson, SC.

Good post. Love you guys.

December 18th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
margie
 12 

BAM! Well said, Shane. I’m so thankful that Perry has friends like you and that NewSpring has leadership like Perry, you, and others that I know love Jesus and have a burning passion to see people love and serve HIM!

December 18th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Nathan S.
 13 

Even if you are praising Perry and Newspring, I’m not sure that light-heartedly comparing them to Jim Jones’ People’s Temple and the worst mass suicide in modern history is wise, or appropriate.

December 18th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Shane
 14 

Nathan S. - did you actually read this post? I have no reference at all to Jim Jones or his people. If you are referring to Paul’s “comment” then I think you have issued a charge or comparison that he did not intend.

December 18th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
RUSSELL
 15 

I ATTEND THE ANDERSON CAMPUS. I’VE NEVER SPOKEN WITH PERRY AND HE WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH (THROUGH HIM) I’VE GROWN CLOSER TO JESUS CHRIST. I’M NOT A MAN WHO EXPRESSES HIMSELF WELL, BUT, I WISH I COULD SPEND A FEW MINUTES WITH PERRY AND THANK HIM. I HAD MORE THAN ONCE THOUGHT THAT I WAS WORTHLESS AND THAT GOD COULD NEVER LOVE ME. OH HOW I LONGED FOR HIS LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE. SOMETHING KEPT ME COMING BACK TO NEWSPRING EACH WEEK. I (EVEN THOUGH I’VE NEVER SPOKEN WITH ANYONE) FELT SUCH LOVE…I WANTED TO SIT THROUGH ALL OF THE SERVICES. THANK YOU PERRY AND NEWSPRING FOR OPENING MY EYES TO A LOVING GOD. THANK YOU PERRY FOR ALLOWING GOD TO USE YOU IN SUCH A MIGHTY WAY.

December 18th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Nathan S.
 16 

I did indeed read the post, and I was referring to Paul’s comment, a fact which I should have made clearer. That said, if one mentions “cult” and “Kool-Aid” then the comparison is not in doubt. I recognize that Paul meant the comment to be positive. However, the perception is out there among some (not many, but some) that those at Newspring blindly follow their leader(s). I personally do not believe this to be the case, and I correct others when they voice this misconception. Comments that indicate that Newspringers are willing to “drink the Kool-Aid” do not help matters, though.

December 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Shane
 17 

Mario & Emanuel - thanks for sharing what you did… I appreciate your transparency and encouragement!

December 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Ron
 18 

“My fear is that their hate toward a man they don’t know is just evidence that they don’t know a Man they can know.” I hope your are not saying that to critique NewSpring’s and Perry’s methodology is to have ones faith questioned. Having attended NS for three or four years, I left (a bit over a year ago), honestly, with great hesitation after being deeply immersed in the NS culture. I left because it seemed that NS, without intention, was making NS and Perry famous. I find ironic evidence of such in some of the comments to this post. The parting comment by the pastor I spoke to at NS, after voicing my concerns, was that if I left NS, I was turning my back on a move of God (the one true church?!?!?). Perhaps you should consider that some critics may have graceful words of correction not born of hate. I’m not Paul and you’re not Peter, but these two apostles had disagreements and Paul voiced them in a letter, for all the world to read today, to the church at Galatians. They remained brothers in Christ. Much good has come from NS, but it must be on guard against arrogance born from rapid numerical growth. Not hating……I believe I will spend eternity worshiping the Triune God with you and Perry….but be open to voices of concern.

December 18th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Bill Gallagher
 19 

I have to agree with Jonathan. I think you guys rock and wish I lived in Anderson so that I could be part of what God is doing through y’all.

December 18th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
John & Kim Harrell
 20 

Perry rocks along with NS. He is a man of steel that other men should sharpen themselves on. A gift of teaching and leading and great vision.

December 18th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Shane
 21 

Ron - I hear you and I’m am not taking anyone to task that offers critiques or grace filled suggestions. My concerns are with those that simply cast hate at a man they don’t know and at a church they have never attended.

NewSpring Church is not for everyone and we would never and have never said that our way of doing church is the only way to do it. This post is a response to those who do take that position with us.

Unfortunately, we rarely get Paul and Peter types offering their love & grace filled words of correction. Most critics of Perry simply hate the man that preaches the message or the methods our church uses to reach the lost. Our church exists simply to make the name of Jesus famous… no one else.

Thank you for adding your thoughts.

December 18th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Pete Wilson
 22 

I don’t think I can add anything to this post. Wow! Amen!

December 19th, 2008 at 12:27 am
dollyd93
 23 

I will be honest and say that I know very little about Newspring, and Perry Noble, but I can relate to what you are saying about hating folks you don’t know for their faith and convictions. Sadly, my husband and I have been on the receiving end of such perceptions and ironically, that is how I came to find your website.

I found your website through the website of the man who betrayed us. He calls himself a Christian leader and so does his company. He sites your words and Perry Noble’s to rationalize his actions. He lists your site as one he follows along with Perry Noble’s. Ironically, I find value and meaning in both of your blogs-a mysterious gift from God. I don’t necessarily agree with everything, but clearly you and Perry Noble are men of God and trying to spread the message of Jesus Christ.

Having said this, I remain baffled by so-called “believers” and folks like the man above who feel justified in punishing others for believing differently or not “praying” hard enough. Apparently, my husband was targeted for being an Episcopal and not praying hard enough. Last time, I checked Episcopal’s are Christians. Do we not pray to the same God?

Anyway, the scripture from the book of John helps me, as this is how I understand the teachings of Christ. But alas, I remain at a loss as to how to deal with all the feelings of confusion, anger, and sadness that a so-called Christian brought into my life. Perhaps, it is the Christians that “prey” on others, not pray for them, that cause the distrust and hatred you speak of, but I was able to find some good things out of our ordeal. Despite being preyed upon, I have found many folks that bring me closer to God.

January 15th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
JimmyJoe
 24 

“My concerns are with those that simply cast hate at a man they don’t know and at a church they have never attended.”

Just read the post and have a question. On the flip side, how can you accept praise from people who don’t know the man and who have never attended the church? Doesn’t it work both ways? And don’t say that you know the praise is worthy because of your relationship of the tow. You have to throw out your own opinion, because that would show bias. Same difference as if you were a VP of a major company, you have some sort of stock in the “product” that you are promoting (Perry and NS).

January 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Shane
 25 

Jimmy Joe, in what way does this post give you the impression that we are in the business of accepting praise in a manner that is sinful? Any “praise” that might come Perry’s way or NewSpring’s way we are quick to deflect and point it to Jesus. Perry Noble and NewSpring church are in the business of making the name of Jesus famous… one life at a time. Yes, there are times where the Lord is gracious and allows some encouragement to come our way and we praise God for it. The difference between hate from one who doesn’t know and praise from one who doesn’t know is that the first is meant to tear down a man and build up self and the other is meant to encourage without regard to self. I ask you, which is more consistent with scripture?

I appreciate your thoughts, but am afraid that in your effort to cast doubt on my motives you have exposed your own.

January 22nd, 2009 at 7:42 am

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