Pastors Raking Pastors Over the Coals...

Okay folks, this is a warning... I am dragging out my soap box and I am climbing on it. I was doing a little blog reading this evening on Tony Morgan's site . He was sharing a YouTube video that he came across. Who doesn't love YouTube.. it is cheap entertainment and a chance for anyone to become an amateur actor, producer, or director.

Well, it is also a place where cheapshots can be taken at the expense of another. In this case, a pastor is knocking another pastor/church.. in his sermon on a Sunday morning. As I listened to this guy, Pastor Steven Anderson go on and on about every detail of NewSpring Church and Pastor Perry Noble I think my jaw dropped open a few times. This guy seemed to know all about many of the "horrible methods" Perry uses in his service, why he even knew the lyrics of Jon Bon Jovi's "Livin' On a Prayer"! He sang a few bars! At one point he even called one of Perry's leaders who opened the service a "pervert" because he had long hair and was holding an electric guitar. Unbelievable! I embedded the video below.. you can watch it for yourself... but if you are not a Pharisaical Christian you will probably get a little ticked... on the other hand if you are a Pharisaical Christian.. to be honest, I'm not sure why you're reading this blog... oops, did I say that out loud? What can I say, at times I get riled in "holy way" (it's possible!) when I encounter a religious spirit!



To give you a little more background on Pastor Anderson, he was turned down by the DMV to have his vehicle license plate display NOFAG. I'm not kidding and I'm not mud slingin'... he posted the letter on his site... One thing I can say is, if you are looking for that "old fashioned" church style... he says they got it.. (Lord have mercy)! Except he also preached a sermon called "Seven Reasons Billy Graham is Going to Hell"- so I don't know... WHO is against Billy Graham?????

I suppose I was most disturbed that he was really tearing Perry up for his methods in soul winning... but I was wondering the whole time how many souls were saved during the message he preached above. He did say that he was going out to preach to the poor that afternoon which is admirable, I suppose. However, I wonder if he knows that NewSprings's vision includes that too.

Why are people bucking relevance? Can I PLEASE quote Mark Batterson once more? "Irrelevance is Irreverence!"

Craig and I have both watched several of Perry's messages. The praise and worship may be rock-y (we don't mind!) but it is all about Jesus! One of my favorite messages is in the "What If" series. I'll sum it up, but go watch it for yourself. The front of the stage was made into white board like walls, about 100 feet wide and four feet high. The message compelled the people to partner with the church to reach people. It is a powerful message. After the message, people were provided with Sharpies to write the names of their lost family, friends and loved ones that they would invite on the platform. During this time, the worship leader plays the piano and sings a worshipful version of "Go Tell It On the Mountain" with some added phrases that will drive you to your knees. Perry closes the service with some additional compelling words but reminds everyone that the following Wednesday they will be coming together for Corporate Prayer to pray for the names written on the wall.

I don't know about you, but I'm looking for fruit and fruit that remains before I even think to "judge" another... and even then, that is a job I do not want. In my eyes, NewSpring is bustin' with fruit...

Love and Blessings,
Tara
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