Newspring Church Undercover Investigation

Investigating a church is quite an undertaking. The investigative process requires an objective, fair and balanced approach. Here's what we discovered since going undercover for the past year or so:

INITIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

REPORT DATE: 02/02/2010
OBSERVATIONS MADE:

1. The dressed down Senior Pastor (Perry Noble) makes no bones about being a "local redneck". He fashions himself in a two piece outfit; a fashionable shirt and jeans. But after listening to him for several months it's clear he is a brilliant strong leader on a mission. As independent observer it's as though has a "purpose driven life."

2. His pastorial staff, guest speakers and volunteers all take their mission very seriously. They smile often.

3. They focus on a salvation message and don't waver.

4. The Pastor uses humor intertwined throughout his often direct Christian messages. His style is unique seasoned with biblical truths, illustrative examples, video reinforced themes/concepts, and downright "in your face" sermons. "Bold but real" might be a good description of his style - similiar to the approach Jesus used.

5. They employ the latest technology and appear to spare no expense in capturing a theme and the minds of those in attendance. On satellite campus locations;  (Greenville, Florence and Columbia, SC) a large set of screens broadcast the main Anderson, SC campus message after a local band disappears off stage when the worship sets finish.

6. The music is radically different - more youth driven and concert/theater style. More in tune with x-generation style where some seniors dare not tread. For those older attendees, who "cut their teeth on music" it is a welcome segment. Almost like a sense of rebellion from the "red book hymnal" crowd who would make a mad dash for the exits and dial up the gossip line from their rotary phones. The music gets a message across; Jesus died for your sins with selections to take you heaven bound even if you are a spiritually "light Christian".

7. They manage the crowds very well from the traffic, parking, and seating during each well attended event.

8.  One clear message transcends - you are made to feel welcome no matter which entrance or parking lot you choose.

9. The thousands of people who attend NewSpring Church vary in age from teens to mid-lifers. They recently filled to capacity, the Bi-Lo center in downtown Greenville, SC, on a windy, rainy and harsh winter day. The estimates were more than 13,500 flooded this arena to celebrate the first ten anniversary despite the weather. Though numbers do not matter, this event had plenty. (While the focus was on celebrating God's handywork about 350 new believers came to Christ.) Could it be that a move of God is underway?

10. Radically different from traditional style southern churches, the NewSpring crowd appears drawn to being comfortable to shed "Sunday go to meeting garb".  Almost like being liberated to focus on the message not the social norms typically associated with most churches.

11. They are an outreach church inviting international churches and missions to be apart. They make mission trips overseas as well focusing on a Kenya project.

12. In some respects NewSpring is a regular Christian church but focused on breaking down many traditional walls in place for the Americanizing believers.

13. It has been difficult to spot the "haves" and "have nots".

14. Front row seating is not reserved for the "larger givers." (That seemed very odd and unusual.)

15. If you want to take notes (of course I do - that's my job) each message has a four color graphic brochure with several purposes; a place to "tithe", proclaim a salvation and also to take home thoughts of the day. (Another nice touch.) It's almost like they prepare ahead hoping attendees will jot down bullet points and glean from them afterwards.

SPECIAL NOTE: THEY HAVE A COFFEE BAR! (Quite a "no-no" for the starchy Christian churches). As an investigator this is a welcome sight, especially after conducting an "all-nighter" surveillance operation that evening and longing to hear the message in its entirety. No one made any bones about the "AWAKE" sign posted over the cafe'. Was that another subtlety?

Until next time,

Copyright 2010 Bill Mitchell (especially the PI image I created above)
Undercover Agent Bill Mitchell
PI29607@gmail.com
http://www.7daydetective.com/about_us.html

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