Anyone in Alpharetta GA want to organize a protest

Hard to leave the discussion when you both make such great points! Sesamesticks, thanks for the references about sexual immorality; 80sReaganite- you are right about Laura Bush, but I don’t think she would have been invited, that is the point. Leave all controversy, don’t lend the pulpit to politics. The discussion thread has been great, and I don’t mean to retread it but all your points are good, especially about the work of NPCC, which is why I affirmed my belief in the church, even while I disagree with this particular decision. One correction, since you know the church well, NPCC members were in the overflow auditorium and Ray of Hope and non-members were in the live side, but I wouldn’t say a large part of the audience were non-church goers. That is how the host described it in recounting it Sunday morning, but there were over 2000 from Ray of Hope, all sitting on the live side which normally seats 3000 or so, but capacity was about 200-300 less because of all the additional cameras set up, so figure maybe 500-800 non-church members, including politicians and those interested in the movement (some of whom, surely attend elsewhere). Large in number, yes, but most of the audience was from one of the two host churches. Any way, enough. Thanks all for your thoughtful discussion.

Welcome to the conversation, 80sReaganite. I’d be glad to catch you up, at least from my perspective. You said, “I trust whatever God had in mind by bringing the FLOTUS to NPCC, He got it right.” — The Obama administration, Andy and the elders brought her to us. Not sure they are God. But I digress.

My first take on the Feb. 6 sermon (the one prior to the Obama event) was that it proved our reason for promoting Obama’s obesity campaign was outreach and a tremendous anguish for the unchurched. Then I was “blinded by the light,” “fell off my donkey,” and “all of a sudden went from one direction to another.” And all I could think is that it’s a good thing “NONE OF US HAS TIME THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.”

If we did, we might want to ask the following question: If Joe the Plumber was attacked for just asking a question, can it be said NPCCers WERE INDIRECTLY DRESSED DOWN IN “THE DRIFT” SERMON BEFORE WE EVEN HAD THE CHANCE TO DIGEST THE NEWS OF THE EVENT?”

If we disagree with Andy/elders on this decision, can it be said, based on this sermon, we are… pharisaical, complainers, likely the old guard (mentioned unflatteringly four times), interested only in preserving church as we like it, not interested in advancing the kingdom, in the Moses club instead of the Jesus club, testing God by putting the yoke of the law on others when we can’t bear it ourselves (you know who we’re talking about, Bob), insidious, in need of stoning ourselves, not willing to deal with the messiness that comes with not being a church of categories, not bold, not on the side of grace, not welcoming, not willing to take risks, weird, building walls, erecting barriers, not open-minded, insiders, not interested in dodging the split-church bullet, hung up on the law, not remembering the day we were saved, making it difficult for others to come to church, hypocrites, not getting it right, and last, but certainly not least, resisting the will of God???

If you decide to listen to the sermon (for the first time or again) by going online, take note of the part that follows “controversy brewing.” Don’t miss: “relevant for where we are today;” “huge takeaways for leaders of modern church;” “it is my judgment…we are bringing this conversation to a conclusion…here’s what I have decided;” “this is so subtle;” and “no policies” only “conversations” at NPCC. (And, as far as I’ve been able to tell, this conversation is closed.) I especially thought the “no policies” statement strange considering some decent Guardrails* about not mixing politics and religion would have protected this church from appearing to have political prejudice. But then I suppose IT IS OK FOR A MARRIED MAN TO HAVE A SLEEPOVER WITH AN UNCHURCHED WOMAN WHO IS NOT HIS WIFE IF HE PLANS TO INVADE HER WITH THE GOSPEL. Those silly guardrails—sometimes you just have to be bold and bend them if you want to reach the lost.

When I listened to the Feb. 6 sermon for the second time, I honestly felt like I was watching Veggie Tales or Sesame Street, complete with double meanings for the more mature audience (those pesky complaining members/Christians of “10+ years”). Youth likely did not get the perceived innuendos, but have very likely been influenced against any of us who oppose the DIVISIVE decision. They will, in all probability, still wear the effects of this event’s influence into the voting booths in the 2012 election. I hate, by being part of the “20,000” repeatedy advertised by the Obama administration that I am party to a government program being promoted in my church and on its website. I don’t care how it gets dressed up.

*For nonNPCCers, Guardrails was the name of a sermon series.

Thank you so much for you thorough response. Our 12 year old got sick Sunday morning so we left church early. Because of that I was able to listen/watch a good portion of the service at NPCC online. I didn't see the start of the service so missed the announcements (if they even show those on the online channel--don't know).

I, like you, have found very little (if anything) that I have not agreed with Andy about regarding his messages (actually and other decisions he has made--I really appreciate his wisdom).

I really do not get the decision to have FLOTUS there--but I am not sure I am smart enough to wrap my mind around it. Andy's and NPCC's track record is stellar. I will continue to carefully listen to Andy's messages "searching the Scriptures" along side him to make sure his teaching aligns with my understanding of the teaching of Scripture.

I, too, love “The Star, the Cross and the Crescent.” I have recommended that series to a number of people in order to gain a clearer understanding of history and of God's provision for us. I probably need to listen to it again.

Here are other favorite series:
God and Your Bod
Character Under Construction
Defining Moments
Breaking with Tradition
Taking Responsibility for Your Life

I am going to go back and listen to the Feb 6 sermon. I don't recall being alarmed about what I heard at the time, but it will be interesting to listen knowing what took place in the days after.

Thank you all for the interesting discussion.

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