I just had a conversation with Jenn, the lady who gets all of our e-mail here at NewSpring…and after meeting with her I feel I need to clear the air about something…
We have received quite a few comments in regards to my posts entitled “Stop Hitting The People On Your Team.” As I look back on that post I think I could have done a much better job explaining something…
I DID say on this blog several weeks ago that I was done using this site to respond to critics and skeptics. I repented and said that I was moving on. Some of you have e-mailed in with some concerns that I am heading back in that direction because of the post I mentioned in the paragraph above…and I can totally understand why you might think that.
BUT…please understand that I did not write that post in response to anything that anyone has said about our church—I promise. I have systems in place here at NewSpring that do not allow for that junk to make it to me. I literally get some sort of hate mail every single day—and if I took the time to read and sort through it then I would be the most depressed man on the planet.
SO…let me re-emphasize that I am not looking at “verbal porn” (negative e-mails and blog sites) because I am focused with laser like intensity on getting ready to be a dad and the future of NewSpring Church.
So why the post? Great question! The post was brought on because of some recent criticism towards Chuck Swindoll (yes, you read that right) and also a discovery of a website dedicated to specifically tearing down another church. (I do not know the senior pastor of that church; in fact, I had never heard of that church until this website was discovered.)
Please understand that my heart was completely broken…and as I read the attacks on Chuck Swindoll and this other church I literally felt like someone had thrown up all over me. I also became very angry because I just do not see the love of Christ portrayed in that type of behavior. SO…after thinking about those things I posted what I posted.
FOLKS…I promise I am NOT going to react to critics here; however, I will use this site as a teaching tool and to answer legitimate questions. SO…once again, we DO have critics e-mail in every single day…and I don’t see any of it because my focus needs to be on Christ and this church—not on naysayers.
ONE MORE THING!!! I honestly believe that while I am highly criticized that I am also probably the most ENCOURAGED pastor on the planet. I cannot thank all of you enough for the e-mails you send in telling me about changed lives…and also the personal notes that encourage me. THANK YOU!!! It means more than you know.
My passion is to see God’s Kingdom expand…and I think that would happen so much more effectively if we would all simply work together.