This week you’ve told us what NS christians are like. You outlined some interesting claims: NS-ers and their pastor are simple (uneducated or dumb) and weak. What a compelling argument. What a great bumper sticker.

NS: Let’s be dumb and weak together. Got Milk?

The answer: Yes.

And you are thankful to God yet you critize what they do? I find that kind of a contradiction. Its like I voted for this president but I don’t like the things he is doing. Also, there is no persuading you guys and you know it, if Perry came onto this site and tried to persuade you or defend what he was about, would you really listen to him? Do you think he could persuade you?

If you read the Bible, God doesn’t use people who are strong, he finds the weak and uses them. He makes the strong. He makes them seek him more and need and rely on Him more. God loves doing miracles through the weak.

I do not doubt that NS has some positive features and elements. And I truly am thankful to God when people are saved and God’s word is preached.

But, when a pastor claims reformation and no one (apparently) from the congregation asks: “why?” “Reform what?” then it is not only PP readers/writers that should cast a light on NS, it is the people who love NS. You ought to ask the same questions we are. If you truly love NS, you ought to want it answer its critics and persuade them.

Again, NS wants attention, if it’s good. It wants to generate a buzz, so long as people keep showing up. But I would argue that the same attention-seeking behavior is not off limits simply because “good” things are happening at a “good church.”

Now I can see why you love NS so much. You wrote:
“And to answer your question, I would take the 1,000,000 weak Christians, why you may ask? because God uses the weak and the tired, God loves to work miracles through the weak, Have you not read scripture? He makes the weak strong. He loves weak people, through them, his love and power is shown.”

I’d rather have a strong, lean, healthy church that is fed meat, rather than a weak, big, chubby church that is fed milk.

Have you not read anything I have typed? yes, I consider NS a strong growing church, bu they why seems to continuelly get lost somehwere, yes, I count numbers, but I prefer to use the life changes that have happened, the community impact they have made, the gospel being preached, people getting saved, marriages being restored, and again, all you attack is the numbers because to attack the other things would mean that you were wrong and NS is actually a good church.

Your blindness to everything good NS is doing is really quite sad.

And to answer your question, I would take the 1,000,000 weak Christians, why you may ask? because God uses the weak and the tired, God loves to work miracles through the weak, Have you not read scripture? He makes the weak strong. He loves weak people, through them, his love and power is shown.

Would you rather have 1million weak Christians or 200,000 very strong ones?

maybe the church your at isn’t in decline, but overall, the church is. I have seen multiple reports, from the souothern baptist to the catholics that the overall christian church is in decline. If you would like, i can find the links and provide them.

Tommy F.

Yes, the reformation was a big deal, but I don’t think it was a bigger deal than Jesus and what he said and what he did. that is what Perry is basing his beliefs and statements on. And frankly, i don’t care about Luther, yes, he was an important figure in the history of the church, yes his actions have far reaching consequences, but, I serve Jesus, I am to please and Honor Him, not Luther and his 95 thesis. And honestly, I would rather insult Luther than chance insulting Jesus and my belief of him and what he is.

Sara

You can disagree about that church politics, it is a mixed subject, but the idea is that I have seen churches focus too much on vote for this guy or me need to fix this world problem. The church isn’t called to do that, the church is called to Jesus.

By legalism, i am refering to places where is you don’t fit in, follow the rules, or are different, you get looked down on. I have seen it in churches, I have been apart of it, so I know it is out there. Also, I am glad that you found a traditional church that doesn’t have legalistic people in them, but, I have seen legalism, I have experienced it, so I know it is out there.

To Everyone

I know we will disagree about almost everything it seems, and I understand that, some arguements were productive as to what I will be facing some day and others were just pointless, I would love to sit down with everyone and actually talk to face to face, though I know that won’t happen. I think that typing just doesn’t show the emotion that emphisis that actually talking face to face would. So let me say this in closing, yes, I am now going to be cutting back how much I visit this sight, I have an online Bible Study that I need to focus on and I have spent too much time defending myself, my beliefs, and explaining NS to yall then doing person study time and outreach. But, I love the excitement and thrill of debating issues and such, it really is fun and refreshing and challenging. Also, I know I challenge you to get out of the house, the office, the coffee shop, where ever you may be and actually live the gospel, not sit the the computer all day talking about Perry just because he did’t go to seminary. Like I have said, what NS is doing in the community, and in Kenya, is a movement of God, the loves that have been changed, the people that have been saved, the marriages fixed, the addictions overcome, what NS is doing is a move of God, you can’t deny that. Do they always get it right? nope. Do I agree with everything they do? nope. Do I agree with everything Perry says? nope. That is why I won’t ever work there, but I do understand and appreciate the fact that God is doing a work, that God is using NS to help people far from God come to Him. I have also wanted to tell Perry from time to time to stop attacking other churches, since he stopped doing it via blogs, I guess he upgraded to sermons, i don’t know, but I do know that there are churches out there who need to hear some of those things, I have experienced them, I have been in the traditional church and left. So I understand what he is saying and talking about. I will make a bold suggestion here, maybe if other christians were the bigger person and stopped attacking him, he would feel so encouraged to attack others. Maybe you could be the first step towards unity. And one day, maybe I will draw your critcisms and fire and be the one you are attacking, Actually, based on scripture and what Paul went through for the sake of the gospel, I pray I will come under intense fire, that only means I am preaching what God wants me to preach. So to wrap this all up, I can argue you beliefs and my beliefs but the point is that I am going to fulfill the calling God has on my life. I will still be dropping in from time to time but not to really debate, I will give insider insight to NS’s internal works, of which I know alot about. Good luck with doing what ever it is you are trying to accomplish on thie sight, im not sure what it is, but good luck. I’ll be around.

Also, when you use the term “legalism,” can you explain exactly what you mean for us?

That word is thrown around all the time at Newspring and I would like to know your take on what it means. Being a former member of Newspring, I heard it used over and over to describe people in traditional churches. Now that I am a member of a traditional church, I have realized these “legalistic” people that Noble slams on a regular basis just don’t exist. So, tell me, what does it mean?