The Perry Noble NewSpring Church Special

August 3rd, 2009

• Interview with Ron Click, Former Member of Perry Noble's NewSpring Church on "The Seeker Sensitive Wilderness"
• Perry Noble Sermon Review, "Why Some People Get Mad at Church"

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Comments

[Barbara]

Um. As regards the description of Newspring -

*Very friendly, accommodating to newcomers
*Increasing discouragement of digging deeper into the Scripture using guilt, berating the people for expecting it to be a New Testament Church, etc.
*Strong emphasis on spreading their message, which by most accounts falls short of the actual Biblical Gospel that saves particularly in that the sermons are more focused on man and practical application than on Christ.

Is it just me, or does that sound a little bit pre-cultish?

[Paul Golder]

I'm pretty sure that going to a special building is not necessary to enter into the presence of God (1:38:55)

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:22

[Chris Rosebrough]

Paul,

You completely missed the point.

The point is that the reason WHY people dress up for church is because they are recognizing that they are in the VERY presence of Christ. AND Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Matt 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

That does NOT take away the fact that Christ is omnipresent.

Rather than entering the church where two and/or more are gathered together in the name of Christ wearing flip flops, ripped blue jeans and a ratty old t-shirt. The folks who are dressing up for church are show Christ respect through their wardrobe.

Again I ask, if you were invited to meet the President of the United States face to face or invited to meet the Queen of England would you show up in flip flops, ripped jeans and a ratty t-shirt?

Of course not!! Then why would any Christian who understands that they are entering the presence of the King of Kings do so wearing clothes that they'd never be caught dead wearing in front of the U.S. President or Queen of England.

Who is more important the King of Kings or the President of the United States.

[Suzanne Melton]

I am in no way supporting or defending NewSpring Church, their beliefs or any other seeker-sensitive church, but would like to respond to the comment on dressing up for the Lord. The reason we would dress up for the President of the United States or any important person is, I believe, because it is the nature of MAN to look upon the outward appearance, but not so with God...He looks upon and is honored by the HEART of a man that fears/reverences/honors Him, not what the man is wearing. Placing importance upon what we wear to church sends the wrong message about what is truly of value to the Lord. This belief doesn't seem to have solid scriptural backing, but more of a man made origin and thereby promoting man, not God. There are many men of God in the Bible that would have insulted the Lord based upon the belief that our clothes show that we honor/reverence Him....John the Baptist for starters. And lets not forget that David danced naked before the Lord...no CLOTHING, and the Lord was honored in it. Why...because his HEART was rejoicing in and honoring the Lord. Jesus took issue with the religious leaders over outward shows of "righteousness" in place of true righteousness.

[Bryan]

Chris,

I have to admit that any argument for "proper church attire" seems to me to be biblically full of holes...unless what you are wearing is clearly inappropriate (revealing, attempting to bring attention to yourself, etc.) I think it all has a lot to do with motivation.

I understand your point about church being a meeting place for believers where they are entering into the presence of God and dressing up being a sign of respect. But playing the devil's advocate here: Is there a clear biblical teaching about this? Is wearing jeans or shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops while praising God with other believers any more or less respectful scripturally than wearing dress slacks and a button up? Why would this not apply to when believers are meeting to pray or at a house bible study?

Now, I personally like to dress up for church (jeans and a polo or more). I wouldn't see a problem with someone deciding not to dress up for church, however.

[Michael Ritzman]

I believe Chris's point in bringing up Church Attire was brought on by Perry Noble's comment that people 'dressing up' were doing it merely for show. Perry was accusing some of being hypocrites who were trying to hide a life of sin under the guise of outward Christian appearance.

While there may be some who do that, Chris made the point that you can do it just as well in jeans and flip-flops. "Look at me...I'm not like that hypocrite over there in the suit and tie. My torn jeans PROVE I'm a Christian, because I'm not pretending to be something I'm not."

The point is there is no scriptural mandate for or against wearing nice clothes, just as there there is no mandate for or against tattered clothes. Why then does Perry single out the well-dressed Christians, practically accusing them of the sin of Fashion Sense?

The hypocrite is the one who says, "I can be saved by keeping the law and doing good deeds. And I am doing it, too." Christ, in Matthew 23, is revealing the sin inside the Pharisees WHO WERE CONVINCED THAT THEY WERE KEEPING GOD'S LAW!!! Christ loved them and didn't want them to go to Hell on the path of their own self-righteous good deeds. Rather, He was exposing their sin so they would recognize their need for a Savior.