The Ted Haggard story has ROCKED the Christian community…and some have used this mans fall to speak against the evils of the mega church…they say that if one mega church pastor is doing it then we all must be doing it; therefore, the mega church should be shut down, dissolved…broken into hundreds of smaller churches—that way IF something like this should ever happen again it would not govern that much attention.
There is a Greek word that describes this ideology: STUPID!
Let me break it down the way I see it…which may not be the way you see it…and that is fine—that is why I have my blog and you have yours. (The difference is that…if you hate me…I don’t read your blog—but you read mine everyday! If you would show as much passion for the lost as you do arguing with me…it’s possible you could make a difference in the world!) :-)
The problem that Haggard faced had nothing to do with the fact that he was a mega church pastor…his problem was a problem that ALL of us deal with—it’s called sin…and from what I have seen in the 16 years I have been involved in ministry—SIN DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE! It hits all types of people—AND pastors!
To be honest…I have seen WAY more “small church” pastors fall…EVERY pastor faces temptation…EVERY one of us…and it has nothing to do with the size of our church—it has to do with the fact that the devil and his demons (yes, I believe in those) are at work, trying their best to destroy the kingdom of God…and pastors and church leaders have always been a primary target. (I can’t wait to see Jesus kick his butt and throw him into hell!!!)
So…a pastor fell…guess what—they fall every single day!!! Should that cause us to run and hide? Seriously, where in the world did we ever develop this idea that, because one mega church pastor falls, that we should shut the whole thing down and run like a bunch of cowards? People—the mega church is not evil—satan is evil…it’s not the church that brings about sin…it’s the evil one…and we can RUN from him…that’s exactly what he wants!!!! We must FIGHT…be strong…be alert…and, when he tempts us, tell him to go to hell!!! (Yes, I tell satan to go to hell…get over it!)
I saw an article on the net the other night that actually had the nerve to accuse all mega church pastors of what Haggard had done. The writer made the claim that, “they all are up to something…I just know it!”
STUPID!!! STUPID!!!! STUPID!!!
Yes, I said STUPID…and here is why…I know a lot of these “mega church pastors”, they are REAL men, who have REAL families, they REALLY do LOVE JESUS, they REALLY HATE SIN, they REALLY want to see more and more people COME TO CHRIST…AND they are SERIOUS about their commitment to HIM!!! YES…all of us will be tempted…and any of us could fall…but that does not mean that we flippin’ run!!!
What if our military operated by that philosophy? They would land on the beach—storm the city…love the thrill of accomplishment…UNTIL one man was shot…and then as soon as that happened all soldiers were told, “It’s over—get back on the boat—we are going home.” Uh…yeah…that would not work…and it DOES not work for the church either.
The idea of breaking the “mega church” into smaller churches…once again, stupid. Let me ask this question—who do you think came up with the idea to keep God’s work small, quiet, and out of the way…was it God…or satan? It had to be one of them…come on now…everyone…think really hard!!!
A simple student of Scripture can discover that God desires for things to be fruitful and multiply…the church in the book of Acts was a MEGA CHURCH!!! (From 120 to 3,000 in one day IS growth…and if you will look in Acts 2…they GREW daily…and no one got mad about it!!!)
Here is the deal here at NewSpring Church. My name is Perry Noble…I am the pastor. I am not perfect; in fact, I get things wrong WAY more than I get things right. BUT…I have no secret section of my life that “no one knows about.” I am not bragging about this…I am saying that I have taken certain steps to make sure this does not happen…such as…
- I do not travel alone
- I am never alone with a female
- I do not sign checks…nor do I have access to our bank accounts
- I have people in my life that can ask me anything about any area of my life
- I have an accountability partner that I openly discuss ANY and ALL problems, temptations, and victories with.
- I have developed a fear of God that is growing daily.
Does this mean I will never fall? Probably not—but it does mean I am less likely to make a mistake than those who have no safeguards in their life.
NewSpring church is a mega church…not because of what we have done…but because of what God has done. AND…we are not shutting down because of a causality in the Christian community…in fact, we haven’t even started yet. There are more lost people that need to get found…and more found people that need to get grown up…and we won’t let up or shut up until Jesus calls us up. (I have no idea when that is going to take place…and honestly…I don’t care!!! STOP being consumed with being “Left Behind!”)
To all pastors out there—STAY THE COURSE!!! DON’T LET stupid people with small minds convince you that it’s over—what we do is WORTH IT…JESUS IS WORTH IT…HIS CHURCH IS WORTH IT! Guard yourself and GET ON with WHO God has called you to be and WHAT God has called you to do…and let’s kick the crap out of satan and see God’s Kingdom FORCEFULLY advanced!!! YEAH!!!!
Got to go charge hell with a water pistol now… :-)