Comments on: Love Us or Hate Us http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/ Trying to be strategic. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:07:27 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Heath http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3597 Heath Sat, 08 Sep 2007 11:03:17 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3597 As a native of Pendleton, SC now serving in a church in Pennsylvania, I read your(Tony) and Perry's blog for encouragement, accountability, renewal, and to keep up with Newspring, the church that could never happen in a place like Anderson(wink wink). At first, I was a Newspring sceptic, but now I think it was because of my unbelief and envy. Can God really do something so amazing in our community and why isn't he doing it at our church? Now, I recognize God's spirit at work at Newspring and pray daily for Him to move and work in the hearts and lives of my new church and community. For those who say church(Sunday worship) isn't evangelistic, then why have an altar call every Sunday and give the people the opportunity to accept Christ if they're not really supposed to be there anyway? For me, Newspring has been a catalyst in my life and ministry. They have made me want to be a better and more creative minister of the Gospel. At the end of the day, we're all trying to win people to the same King and Kingdom. Right now, some are just doing a better job than others and they should be commended and thanked, not torn down and ridiculed. As a native of Pendleton, SC now serving in a church in Pennsylvania, I read your(Tony) and Perry’s blog for encouragement, accountability, renewal, and to keep up with Newspring, the church that could never happen in a place like Anderson(wink wink). At first, I was a Newspring sceptic, but now I think it was because of my unbelief and envy. Can God really do something so amazing in our community and why isn’t he doing it at our church? Now, I recognize God’s spirit at work at Newspring and pray daily for Him to move and work in the hearts and lives of my new church and community. For those who say church(Sunday worship) isn’t evangelistic, then why have an altar call every Sunday and give the people the opportunity to accept Christ if they’re not really supposed to be there anyway? For me, Newspring has been a catalyst in my life and ministry. They have made me want to be a better and more creative minister of the Gospel. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to win people to the same King and Kingdom. Right now, some are just doing a better job than others and they should be commended and thanked, not torn down and ridiculed.

]]> By: George http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3596 George Sat, 08 Sep 2007 07:04:20 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3596 Tony, Thanks for showing your patience and heart through this discussion. I've been following you guys for a while and can say without a doubt you are doing a great work. Take encouragement from Nehemiah when he said, "I am doing a great work and can't come down." (Neh. 6:3) Don't let people who hide behind fake names try to stop your work. Go Newspring Go! Reach souls for Christ! ~George Tony,

Thanks for showing your patience and heart through this discussion. I’ve been following you guys for a while and can say without a doubt you are doing a great work. Take encouragement from Nehemiah when he said, “I am doing a great work and can’t come down.” (Neh. 6:3) Don’t let people who hide behind fake names try to stop your work.

Go Newspring Go! Reach souls for Christ!

~George

]]> By: Chris http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3595 Chris Sat, 08 Sep 2007 00:09:09 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3595 My question is why can't the church be the agent of change within the culture? We used to be. The message was so much more radical than the culture. Times have changed and the gospel has NOT and should NOT. however our methodology has to. We have to be willing to do things differently. Think of advertisers and marketers. Why do the change the packaging on their product every so often? Because people get bored with the old packaging. Why can't we take that principle and apply it to the church? Don't change the product, the Gospel, just change the packaging. Tony I know this is what you guys are doing and it's amazing. Lives are being changed. I commend you on the work you are doing and how you are following through to where God is leading New Spring. It's such an awesome thing. My biggest question is this. how come when the church isn't reaching people we complain and gripe about it? Saying things like, "They're church just can't do evangelism>" BUT when it comes to churches reaching the lost we often say, "Man...those are a bunch of heathens down there. They are twisting the gospel." I don't really get it. We are always the first group of people to shoot the wounded and those we don't like first. Sad thing is we take out a chunk of the family everytime. My question is why can’t the church be the agent of change within the culture? We used to be. The message was so much more radical than the culture. Times have changed and the gospel has NOT and should NOT. however our methodology has to. We have to be willing to do things differently. Think of advertisers and marketers. Why do the change the packaging on their product every so often? Because people get bored with the old packaging. Why can’t we take that principle and apply it to the church? Don’t change the product, the Gospel, just change the packaging.

Tony I know this is what you guys are doing and it’s amazing. Lives are being changed. I commend you on the work you are doing and how you are following through to where God is leading New Spring. It’s such an awesome thing.

My biggest question is this. how come when the church isn’t reaching people we complain and gripe about it? Saying things like, “They’re church just can’t do evangelism>” BUT when it comes to churches reaching the lost we often say, “Man…those are a bunch of heathens down there. They are twisting the gospel.” I don’t really get it.

We are always the first group of people to shoot the wounded and those we don’t like first. Sad thing is we take out a chunk of the family everytime.

]]> By: missionalgirl http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3594 missionalgirl Fri, 07 Sep 2007 21:31:12 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3594 Tony, rumor had it that Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, was an alcoholic who rolled a tad too deep with hookers, pimps, and crooks. My source? Overly religious folks with a critical spirit. You're in good company. Stay strong in His might. Tony, rumor had it that Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, was an alcoholic who rolled a tad too deep with hookers, pimps, and crooks. My source? Overly religious folks with a critical spirit.

You’re in good company. Stay strong in His might.

]]> By: tiffany http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3593 tiffany Fri, 07 Sep 2007 21:29:37 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3593 My intention was (and still is) never to intentionally insult anyone through this dialogue. However, I strongly disagree with the "us vs. them" mentality that I see so often through many Christian blogs and websites. Some people have become so focused on methodology and the right vs. wrong way to present the gospel that I fear the point to sharing the gospel has been lost to some. To keep things simple, I wholeheartedly agree with Randy's post. Well said, man! My intention was (and still is) never to intentionally insult anyone through this dialogue. However, I strongly disagree with the “us vs. them” mentality that I see so often through many Christian blogs and websites. Some people have become so focused on methodology and the right vs. wrong way to present the gospel that I fear the point to sharing the gospel has been lost to some. To keep things simple, I wholeheartedly agree with Randy’s post. Well said, man!

]]> By: Shane http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3592 Shane Fri, 07 Sep 2007 20:52:31 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3592 I think the Christmas story has a lot to say about cultural relevancy. Remember what God used to tell the wise men (from a a different culture) about the birth of Jesus? A star, as in ASTROLOGY. He didn't send them a copy of scripture. God used something from their culture, something they could related to, to lead them to Jesus. Of course I'm not advocating astrology. I'm advocating cultural relavence without the the compromising the gospel. I believe culture is like a cup and the gospel is acid. It will take the shape of the cup, it will even burn the cup but it will find fit the cup without changing it's essence. I think the Christmas story has a lot to say about cultural relevancy. Remember what God used to tell the wise men (from a a different culture) about the birth of Jesus?

A star, as in ASTROLOGY. He didn’t send them a copy of scripture. God used something from their culture, something they could related to, to lead them to Jesus.

Of course I’m not advocating astrology. I’m advocating cultural relavence without the the compromising the gospel.

I believe culture is like a cup and the gospel is acid. It will take the shape of the cup, it will even burn the cup but it will find fit the cup without changing it’s essence.

]]> By: farah http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3591 farah Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:54:45 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3591 "If we're creating barriers for people to receive Christ, will you pray that God will help us remove those? And, if, by some miracle of God, we happen to be doing something that helps people hear and respond to the Gospel message, will you pray that God blesses that?" You're really good at this ;) “If we’re creating barriers for people to receive Christ, will you pray that God will help us remove those? And, if, by some miracle of God, we happen to be doing something that helps people hear and respond to the Gospel message, will you pray that God blesses that?”

You’re really good at this ;)

]]> By: Trey Kelly http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3590 Trey Kelly Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:44:33 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3590 Tony, I have been reading your blog for a while now and have learned a great deal from it, but I think I have learned the most from you during this discussion. Your patience and compassion for those that disagree (and even attack) the ministry of NewSpring is amazing. Thanks for being an example. Those of us that are running with you, stretching the envelope to reach more and more people for Christ, can learn a lesson from your grace, patience, compassion and love for those here that disagree with our methods. I just wanted to say thanks. Tony, I have been reading your blog for a while now and have learned a great deal from it, but I think I have learned the most from you during this discussion. Your patience and compassion for those that disagree (and even attack) the ministry of NewSpring is amazing. Thanks for being an example.

Those of us that are running with you, stretching the envelope to reach more and more people for Christ, can learn a lesson from your grace, patience, compassion and love for those here that disagree with our methods.

I just wanted to say thanks.

]]> By: Randy Bryan http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3589 Randy Bryan Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:19:02 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3589 I can't stand not saying anything anymore! Tony, you and your church are involved in an amazing work of God! It kills me hearing all of these people talk about how it is wrong to use culture (words, dress, etc) to communicate the Gospel! Let me ask you, if you were to go to China to evangelize would you learn Chinese? Would you dress like the Chinese? Would you learn their music and literature? Well, if you wanted people to be saved you would! Nobody would stand on a street corner in China and preach the Gospel in a language no one understood! You would learn their lingo and their ways. Only then could you CLEARLY communicate the most important message of all... the GOSPEL. Newspring church is a missionary. A missionary to a world that speaks in two main languages "music" and "technology." The AC/DC version of Hells Bells was one of the most awesome things I have ever heard. When I heard it I thought of a lost young man sitting in the service, singing the song to himself and finally realizing the hopelessness of the song and turning his life to Christ. Over 800 people did that very thing. 800 people who wouldn't be caught dead in a lot of churches. Sure, some of the salvations weren't real... Some will not follow through. But that even happened to Paul in his ministry. Way to go guys! Way to take a dark portion of our culture and conquer it for Christ! Way to give one of the clearest most concise presentations of the Gospel I have ever seen. You guys are such an encouragement to me and hundreds of other church planters out there, hungry for a fresh move of God over our land... Hungry to see the church quit shunning the people Jesus died for... Hungry to see the church become like Jesus... A FRIEND OF SINNERS!!!! I can’t stand not saying anything anymore! Tony, you and your church are involved in an amazing work of God! It kills me hearing all of these people talk about how it is wrong to use culture (words, dress, etc) to communicate the Gospel! Let me ask you, if you were to go to China to evangelize would you learn Chinese? Would you dress like the Chinese? Would you learn their music and literature? Well, if you wanted people to be saved you would! Nobody would stand on a street corner in China and preach the Gospel in a language no one understood! You would learn their lingo and their ways. Only then could you CLEARLY communicate the most important message of all… the GOSPEL.

Newspring church is a missionary. A missionary to a world that speaks in two main languages “music” and “technology.” The AC/DC version of Hells Bells was one of the most awesome things I have ever heard. When I heard it I thought of a lost young man sitting in the service, singing the song to himself and finally realizing the hopelessness of the song and turning his life to Christ. Over 800 people did that very thing. 800 people who wouldn’t be caught dead in a lot of churches. Sure, some of the salvations weren’t real… Some will not follow through. But that even happened to Paul in his ministry.

Way to go guys! Way to take a dark portion of our culture and conquer it for Christ! Way to give one of the clearest most concise presentations of the Gospel I have ever seen. You guys are such an encouragement to me and hundreds of other church planters out there, hungry for a fresh move of God over our land… Hungry to see the church quit shunning the people Jesus died for… Hungry to see the church become like Jesus… A FRIEND OF SINNERS!!!!

]]> By: Leonard http://tonymorganlive.com/2007/08/30/love-us-or-hate-us/#comment-3588 Leonard Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:05:40 +0000 http://tonymorgan.updatable.cc/?p=1148#comment-3588 Paul instructed us that one of the great roles the church should play is to reveal the manifold wisdom of God. We do this primarily through the gospel. There is no better tool for the Gospel than the church. I say AMEN to you guys out there. Keep up the good work. Paul instructed us that one of the great roles the church should play is to reveal the manifold wisdom of God. We do this primarily through the gospel. There is no better tool for the Gospel than the church. I say AMEN to you guys out there. Keep up the good work.

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