Do notice the familiar faces as these false teachers gather…
From Newspring website…
The NewSpring Leadership Conference is a full day of teaching focused on influence and how it affects our preaching of the Gospel. We’re passionate about the local church, and we believe in the power of the preached Gospel to show how Jesus Christ changes lives. There is no better goal to spend your influence on.
Join us in Anderson, SC on Thursday, September 16th to hear unique perspectives from our 6 speakers on leadership and influence. The event will run from 9:00am until your brain can’t process any more. Your ticket includes admission to the conference, all conference materials, a tasty lunch and plenty of southern hospitality.
‘…unique perspectives…’ ‘…brain can’t process anymore…’?
Are they serious?
Chances are, they actually believe in what they are doing, or else, why do it?
Sad they don’t seem to believe the word of God in the same way.
They do have culturally-relevant hair…
Whatever credibility Francis Chan may have had is lost. I had not heard of him until he announced he was leaving his church. From what I’d read, some folks thought he was mostly solid. But now, he – and the others – have weighed in the balance and found wanting.
What struck me about this was (apart from the familiar face lineup), the continual emergent mindset articulated, particularly the banner:
“A full day of teaching focused on leveraging your influence to preach the Gospel”
Notice it doesn’t say “focused on the Gospel”, but focused on leveraging your influence… Is this not just more business technique? Do not the Scriptures say:
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God…and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1Cor.2:1-5
When we use our influence, indeed “leverage” that influence, to preach the Gospel, are we not depending upon our abilities and our influence? Where then is the power of the Cross? Where then is the power of God?
“…there is no better goal to spend your influence on”. Our “influence” should have zero bearing on preaching the Gospel. What continually comes back to mind is Matt. 7: 22-23:
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
How many times throughout Scripture are we shown the error of attempting to do something FOR God (rather than obedience to His word)?
Doreen: Good points.
Jeff: LOL
Manfred: I agree: association does matter.
Manfred, I agree that Francis Chan has lost all credibility. I have a different reason, though. I read his book “Crazy Love” and while it did have much good in it, he upheld Shane Claiborne as an example of Christ-like living. Claiborne may wear home-made robe-type garments and sandals and live off other people’s generosity, but he most assuredly is not an example of Christ.
Quote not included at that website:
And how do they show just how hip/cool/relevant they can be? They even bring along The Cussing Pastor™.
fourpointer,
May I ask, is that a serious quote? Really?
If it is, it’s almost unbelieveable that anyone that is called a pastor could even think such a thing, let alone say it.
It’s plain godless.
fourpointer:
Here’s the bizarre thing I’ve seen. Pastors who say things like that for a laugh, as satire, as sarcasm, because of the obvious absurdity of the statements. But then, turn right around and display those same behaviors, and people really do think they’re cool. I don’t mean to accuse, but it does seem that some of them know full well that they can pretty much do and say whatever they want, push the envelope to previously unheard of levels, and still hold a huge following.
That was sarcasm. Sorry, forgot to tag it.
Glad it was sarcasm. But it didn’t seem like it.