Comments on: Do You Know Him?

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:42:46 +0000

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.

By: JimmyJoe

JimmyJoe — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:29:26 +0000

“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).

By: dollyd93

dollyd93 — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:30:56 +0000

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.

By: Pete Wilson

Pete Wilson — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:27:19 +0000

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

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:51:40 +0000

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.

By: John & Kim Harrell

John & Kim Harrell — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:11:58 +0000

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.

By: Bill Gallagher

Bill Gallagher — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:57:24 +0000

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.

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:31:26 +0000

“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.