'Unqualified' to Lead Church Says Perry Noble

Perry Noble Admits He is 'Unqualified' to Lead Church in Wake of Alcohol Abuse, Divorce

 NewSpring Church

Perry Noble, the former pastor of NewSpring Church, had admitted he's still "unqualified" to begin a new church at least a year after being taken from his position as a result of alcohol addiction and other concerns.

"Back in July, it was announced I have filed the paperwork to one day begin Second Chance Church. Ever since then there have been individuals on the internet who had been quite consistent in conversing to me I am 'unqualified,'" Noble said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

On top of losing his church, Noble revealed in October the "deeply personal and painful" news which he together with his wife of 17-years, Lucretia, are getting a divorce.

"I've deliberately not cleared up that accusation specifically until recently...and also to that accusation I say...Those who are calling me 'unqualified' are absolutely correct," he continued. "Taking a look at this Scripture I will point out why I feel unqualified..."

He first pointed to 1 Timothy 3 which lists the various qualifications for biblical leaders, including "to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money," among others.

Noble highlighted how he has fallen short of each requirement: "Like I said before - I absolutely do not dispute the fact that, according to the letter of the law laid down by Paul in this passage...I am unqualified," he stated.

"AND...I am POSITIVE there are actually those on Facebook who will be more than pleased to fill in the gaps of the things I left out that point even more so to the fact I am unqualified...O God to be an awesome one day as those who attack others on social media!"

However, the former pastor contended he doesn't know anyone "batting 1,000 on all of these qualities" and reiterated that he has never felt qualified in his life.

"I am also UN-wavering in the fact people who slip need a Second Chance, and I'm called to start a church not for perfect people, but for those who want to get back up!"
He added, "I am UN-willing to allow those who don't know my story to try to tell me what my future should look like."

"I am UN-able to give my life to anything apart from the local church. I am UN-phased by those who want me to quit. I am UN-afraid of the future God has for me.
"And I think it is UN-real that God still would like to used a messed up, a busted and unqualified guy like me to take the Gospel to as many people as possible."

Christianity Today notes that a few months ago, leaders at NewSpring-which spans across 15 locations in South Carolina-reiterated that Noble is still unfit to be restored to the pulpit.
"We have been asked why Perry can preach at other churches but not at NewSpring," said teaching pastor Clayton King. "We cannot speak for other churches and how they make decisions. For us, Perry currently does not meet the biblical qualifications of a pastor, teacher, shepherd."

At the time, Noble reacted to the comments in a Facebook live video: "There may be quite a few things I did wrong as senior pastor of NewSpring Church; however, I preached Jesus weekly that I had the opportunity to serve at NewSpring Church," he said. "They can continually talk about my sins. They can talk about how I'm seemingly unrepentant-although I would say in order to determine if someone is repentant, you have to have a relationship with them because it's hard to call out repentance from the cheap seats-but while I will allow those things to go on, I will never allow anyone to talk about my motives for ministry."

As reported by a 2015 survey by Barna Group and Pepperdine University, nearly 1 in 5 pastors have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction. Those pastors were divided on whether or not being open about their own addiction could possibly have an unfavorable (46%) or favorable (41%) impact on their ministry.



SOURCE



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Churches and Christmas Sunday Services

Some Churches to Not Hold Services for Christmas Sunday

Christmas day for this year is going to be celebrated on Sunday. Result in several of the churches wondering should they would hold services for December 25 as most of them will celebrate Christmas along with their families. Many of them, nevertheless, was considering adjusting the services activities in order to make up for the celebration of Christmas.

Megachurches, like North Point and Buckhead Tower Point, are well-known to withhold services on a Sunday usually in the Christmas week to allow time to the volunteers in catching up with the family.

"We're 15 years old and we've always done it," said Bill Willits, Director of Ministry Environments of North Point. "Our volunteers are very, very grateful because it's such a busy season."
Willow Creek Community Church also received fire in 2005 after they made a decision to give out DVDs for anyone to watch on a Sunday for Christmas season.

"I consider this in numerous ways as a capitulation to narcissism, the self-centered, me-first, I'm going to put me and my immediate family first agenda of the larger culture," said Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary, according to New York Times.

"If Christianity is an evangelistic religion, then exactly what message is this sending to the larger culture -- that worship is an optional extra?"

This current year, on the other hand, Willow Creek thought to carry out several Christmas Eve services plus one Christmas Day service. According to Church Executive Pastor Heather Larson, the church will deliver nine services up till Christmas Eve and start the Christmas Day service at 10 a.m.

"This year, on Dec. 25, Teaching Pastor Steve Carter and I will be leading with our families. It will be a great Christmas service for all," he said in an interview with Christian Post. "Our services, dates and times vary as the calendar varies. It's a true celebration of our Lord's birth and that is our focus every year."

However, the Virginia megachurch mentioned that the church is going to be performing a Christmas Sunday service unless weather conditions turn worse.

"We usually have held a service on Christmas Sundays unless we have been completely snowed out. Sometimes we intend to cancel our first two Sunday morning services due to inclement weather and at least try having one service at 11," Pastor Steve Holley said.

Pastor Holley also reiterated the necessity of celebrating the time of worship and it is the church's obligation to encourage the people to observe this holy obligation.

"I also find it hard to help support any claim of inconvenience in worshiping on Christmas Day when there are Christians all over the world suffering persecution would you welcome both the comfort and freedom that churches like ours have in the U.S," he said.

Other Roman Catholic churches in the East that are covered with a committed Catholic population see the attendance of a Mass in Christmas as a no-brainer considering that the whole idea of performing a service of worship is to celebrate the presence of God, particularly in Christmas.




SOURCE

‘Fairly Serious Error’ Reading of Quran in Church Service

Queen’s Chaplain Steps Down, Calls Reading of Quran in Church Service a ‘Fairly Serious Error’

Rev. Gavin Ashenden

One particular chaplain to the queen resigned right after his criticism with the reading of the Quran within the church service held at St Mary's Episcopal in Glasgow recently.

The Rev. Gavin Ashenden, in a blog published on his website, explained he necessary to resign from his post, that he held for nine years, in order to avoid any confusion that his statements against what occurred in the service were released on behalf of the Queen.

As among the 33 chaplains for the Queen, his behavior could possibly be misinterpreted as representing the monarchy. When deciding on to vacate his post, although being able to freely “speak on behalf of the faith,” he said.

“If I did decide to speak out, really should be integrity and responsibility, I should not do it while I was in possession of the office of ‘Chaplain to the Queen,’” Ashenden wrote. “Because I think it a higher and more compelling duty to convey out on behalf of the faith, than to retain an open honor which precludes me performing this at the moment, I resigned my post,” he continued.

Ashenden got involved with a controversy when he openly criticized the reading of the Quran during a church service at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in celebration of the Feast of Epiphany. As reported by the church, Muslim worshipers were invited and permitted to participate in the service as part of the church's efforts to bolster interfaith relationships.

Having said that, while in the service, passages from the Quran saying Jesus was not the Son of God were read in Arabic, causing many Christians to feel offended that this was allowed at a church service, particularly one which was intended to celebrate the wise men’s visit to Jesus when He was a child as an acknowledgment of Him being God in human form.

 Muslims believe Jesus is a prophet but does not believe He is God.
Ashenden felt compelled to share out up against the Quran reading, that he thought to be “a fairly serious error.”
“To have a reading from the Koran at that point was a fairly serious error for the Christian worshipping community, but to decide on the reading they chose doubled the error,” he told BBC Radio 4 in an interview. "Of all passages you could have read likely to cause offense, that was one of the most problematic.”

In a letter he wrote for The Times, he also demanded that the church apologizes to Christians who are enduring intense persecution from Muslims.

"The challenge with what actually happened in Glasgow was that even though it was presented as a way of building bridges and a way of educating people it was done badly in the wrong way in the wrong place in the wrong context.,” he said. “It must not occur in the Holy Eucharist specifically a Eucharist whose principal purpose is to celebrate Christ the word made flesh come into the world.”
Ashenden said he made a decision to resign after meeting with officials from Buckingham Palace.

The Scottish Episcopal Church released an announcement stating that while developing strong interfaith relationships is one of the commitments of the church to cultivate the work of reconciliation, efforts to do so “must be founded on truth.”

“We approach others with open hearts but we stand in the truth of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” the Scottish Episcopal Church said. “Those who are looking for to operate in the area of interfaith relationships must consider thoroughly perhaps the choices which they make are suitable or otherwise.”





SOURCE

Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

Austin A | Brethren please pray for GOD's Grace and Blessings upon my life, I am currently going through a difficult challenging period but trusting GOD that all will work together for my Good in JESUS CHRIST Name AMEN.

VERA BANKSTON-JONES | FATHER GOD, Thank you for blessing me with my little sister and other friends and adopted family! I praise you for You!.......SELAH

Melissa | Please pray for my family. Pray for all the homeless and hungry during the holiday season so that they may have peace, food, health, and happiness. Thank you and God Bless!

vijay aggarwal | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

Angela Clark | Please remember me and my family and friends.  We have a lot of sickness and financial difficulty here

Carrie Keys | My husband and I are homeless we stay at a local hotel which we are very thankful for, we are trying to save enough to get an apartment so we can get our 3 yr old daughter back from my mother

Milagro  Garcia | I need you to pray for my husband who is a pastor he has a court where the beshop of the organization is accusing him falsely and his mother, father, two sisters and brother in law are in agreement to testify against him. Our church is suffering persecution by the founders  of it. I am praying that God reveal his glory before these people who are lying. There was a division in our church led by my husbands family. They want to forced him out but the majority of the congestion wants  him to continue. Please help me pray that God served justice

Jamie | I'm needing prayer to guide me to a more fulfilled life to help me learn to respect and love me and do right by me and by others and to pray my thoughts I have to become better I pray for the courage and strength and motivation to do so

Charles Eastridge | Niece Hailey age 6 might have cancer

Leslie Ann | I ask that my heart be lightened. I am consumed with grief because of the sudden death of my 26 or old son. Please pray for my peace. Amen

Barbara Holmes | I need a place too stay and my health
Christabel Mukosha | Please pray for me as I continue looking a for job. I have been unemployed in the past four years. I would also like to request for wisdom and to have a giving and forgiving heart to others.

Esbeida | You may not know me but God does.I asked for y'all to pray for my family. Me and my boyfriend want to get married soon but it's gett almost impossible for me  to get  my country identification to be able to marry please pray that god opens the doors

RC | Please pray for me beloved brothers and sisters.I have addictions.Love and pray for all of you.

Grace Makombe | Please pray for healing for my mother Ellen.Jonga.Lord please touch my mothers body from head to toe every pain every sickness every disease remove it from her body,Lord please heal my mother,strenghten her body and grant her strenght,Amen

Adrienne Carter | Spiritual and financial breakthrough for my family,complete physical healing of my entire body the physical healing of my Parents body from cancer and diabetes,arthritis

Linda Gomez | Please pray for my family they mean the world to me

Loretta Baty | Please help our family and our relationships, a huge money prolbem came about today, and we have no way to pay the bills now. pray to GOD shows us the way Please!

Sandy | Please pray for my Mother and children in this upcoming chaos. Please keep Jesus is their hearts. In Jesus name.

 Darlene | I am homeless and wish to find a real soon. I do have disability, but they apartments are very expensive. I keep trying but I may need a little help. Also, I pray for those who suffer worse than I ever have. Thank you

christina | please say a prayer for me. I feel like I am losing a grip on life! I need financial help as well as help with my health. Thank you in advance

Liz Schneider |  I have Multiple Sclerosis and need prayers for my strength! Also need prayers for me and my 12 year old son,so we can move out of my state where I'm at, so I can be by my mother (Sheila) who's health isn't that great, who will need prayers also. I need a place that is affordable to rent with my Disability income.Its getting harder to do because if the shortage of rentals available, so prayers would be nice!! Thank You! GOD BLESS!

Mary | Please pray for the safety and well-being of my children and that we are reunited. Please pray for relief from pain and a speedy recovery after surgery for a lady I met today. Please pray for peace for my kids.

Tina Gonzalez | please pray for my son he's going through financial hardship. he has scoliosis pray upon relieving his pain and my sister has dropfoot paralysis in her left leg. give her the strength to get through the everyday pain she endures. pray for my mom to live a longer and healthy life as well as myself. watch over my grandbabys and my whole family keep them safe and in good health as well as yourself and your family. In Jesus name I pray.. AMEN

Vera Bankston Jones | FATHER GOD, The WORLD LOOKS SO BAD TODAY SO IM NOT GOING TO MAKE IT A POINT IN LIFE BUT WILL TRY TO MAKE IT WORK ON A POSITIVE NOTE INSTEAD! ONLY WITH YOU CAN I BE THE POSITIVE FORCE OF LIFE IN AND AROUND ME! STAY WITH ME ALWAYS!.......SELAH

Michael Wilson | Health of my family

Business with Dignity

Running a Business with Dignity!

The Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen.

Dignity- the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.

When you are working to build anything, it is important that God is at the center of what you are doing. When you operate your business with dignity, you receive the blessings of the Lord, the favor of the Lord, and the hand of the Lord on what you are doing. God desires to elevate, bring prosperity, and favor to those who uphold his name, his standards, and his character. When you begin work outside of dignity, there has been a move from depending on God to depending on oneself. However, God is the one who is all powerful. He is the one who can turn circumstances, resources, and individuals in your direction for the success of your business. Run your business with Dignity.

Your Part Cannot Override God’s Part

It is true that there is work that is required on your part, but it is important that you do not become so busy with your part that you forget to include Him. God will not force you to remember to keep Him at the center of what you do. Instead, the Holy Spirit will gently nudge you in the right direction. The Holy Spirit may whisper, “Is this wise? Can God get the glory out of this? Is this decision based on godly integrity?” As you make decisions, connect with individuals, and make other important business decisions, consult with God. Put your ideas to the Word of God to check to see if God is reflected in your work.

Psalms 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.”
There are many components to a business, it must be a priority to ensure that you, as the owner, and those who make up or work within the company, are in position for the Lord to build the house. This scripture reveals that unless God is building your business, everything that you attempt to do will be in vain.

Keep Dignity despite Challenges

There may be challenges that arise as your business is developing, but you can expect the support of God when your business is running with Dignity. God will sustain you and your business during those times. God is not limited in resources, and as believers, we have access to his reserve. There will be temptations to work through other means to make things happen in the way or timing that best suit your plans; however, you have to choose God’s way over your own. Trust God to be faithful, timely, and wise to what is necessary for your business to continue and flourish as it should.

It is important to understand that there are some stages of development that you have to go through to appreciate where God is taking you. Challenges are not meant to break you or your business, but they are meant to help you propel to your next level. However, depending on how you handle the difficult moments, will determine where your heart truly is when it comes to what matters to God.
I Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Trust the timing of God for your life! When you choose to walk with dignity when other options are available for you to do other things, you can interrupt God’s will and plans for your life. What can be a temporary fix outside of dignity can turn into a mountain size problem in the future.

Dignity as an Iceberg

Dignity is like an iceberg. It can seem so small or minuscule on the surface, but underneath there is so much more substance to it. Dignity is one of those virtues that people admire. When you operate in a way that you can be trusted to do what is right despite what is presented in front of you, people will want to be connected with you and what you are doing. In addition, when your dignity is strong, even when the enemy tries to tear down what you have built, it will be destroyed before you are destroyed.

God wants to do something wonderful for His people. He desires to bless the work of the people of God. Are you working indignity? Are you keeping Him at the center of what you are doing? There are ideas, blessings, creative ideas, and so much more that He can reveal and impart into your heart. Will you be in a position to receive? He is seeking a vessel working in Dignity. Run your business with dignity.

Author Bio-

My name is Chavon Thomas. I am a resident of Virginia Beach, VA. God birth something new to me in 2016. It was during some of the most challenging times, that I found God pulling on me to rise about various circumstances and move into destiny. A blog called New Beginnings with Me. It is a blog for women to encouraged, uplifted, and inspired to walk in the purpose that God has called them to be. 

The choices that I make are Spirit-led because my desire is for God to take pleasure in what I am doing. God has given me ideas, abilities (that I did not know I had), and people who support me. I invite you to go visit my blog at www.newbeginningswithme.com. I am available for speaking engagements as well. My desire is to travel the world teaching the gospel.

You can follow me on my social media sites: instagram and facebook