Case Study On Newspring

Perry Noble Fired from Newspring Perry Noble started Newspring church in the year 2000, with only a few people in a living room. Now there are over 30,000 members attending at campuses all over the state of South Carolina every week. He built the church on a foundation of finding lost people, but along the way he began to abuse alcohol. In July of 2016, Perry Noble was fired from his position as Senior Pastor at Newspring Church. In the fall out of this recent event the whole church has been affected, staff members are working to refocus on what the mission of the church is, volunteers are working hard to still serve through the difficult change, and attendees are having to regain trust of those who lead them spiritually. Because the senior
pastor was falling into temptation, many attendees lost hope in the church. It is now the staffs job to pick up any pieces. At the moment, there are seventeen Newspring campuses around the state of South Carolina. From myrtle beach to the main campus in Anderson, there is staff put in place to lead each individual campus. When Perry Noble was taken out of leadership and out of his staff position many questions were raised about the vision and mission of Newspring. Staff members are working around the clock to make sure the congregations needs are cared for. Whether that is answering questions from volunteers about what the church is to do or vouching for the new interim pastor, staff members have the knowledge and opportunity to lead through the confusion. The staffs number one priority is to make sure that everyone is cared for and guided spiritually during this next season. Because of a perceived gap in leadership that Newspring church now has, some believe that the church is falling apart.
Throughout the process of finding a new pastor to lead and steward the church, the volunteers are remaining. A volunteer position at Newspring can be anything from a greeter to a community group leader. Every role is equal and important and they treated as such. Some volunteers are still carrying the weight of Perry’s absence, but others are still clinging to hope. Most still hold on to one of the phrases Newspring is known for, “The Best is Yet to Come”. Brandy Singleton a volunteer and an attendee since 2006 told WYFF4 News that “as long as we [volunteers] keep with the positive momentum that the church will be okay". Throughout the struggle of uncertainty, the volunteers of Newspring, across the state of south Carolina are coming together to fight through. Newspring church would not survive without the devoted volunteers, but serving through change is challenging. Volunteers will continue to serve; their positions may change because of the recent events but the purpose behind the roles remains, “To work together to reach our state with the Gospel, remain in community with one another, and continue to make a difference in the lives of people around us”
(Davis). Perry leaving the church isn’t just creating hurdles for staff and volunteers in this season but also for regular attendees.
It is a stressful time for the community at this church, full of uncertainty and confusion. No church family would ever want this to happen but true faith is revealed in these times, and this church is leading by example. More confusion has been brought on with the regular attendees in these past few weeks than ever. Many people have questions about the credibility of the sermons that were shared from the stage when Perry was still in charge. Others have questions about who will be in charge next. The multitude of people just want to know any information they can get their hands on. Perry Noble leaving has shaken the churches people, causing them to question the new leadership put in place. With many people trust was lost within the church, and with the leadership of Perry Noble. Now the congregation is having to form trust with the new team put in place to lead the church, a group of 4 men, to lead them spiritually in the right
direction.
Many things will be changing in the years to come in Newspring Church. Right now the people of Newspring are pulling together to try to figure everything out. After Pastor Perry Noble left the church after 16 years, the church staff is left to shepherd those confused, volunteers are holding on in the promises of what is to come and attendees are reminded to be unified and trust those in charge. The best is yet to come for Newspring church.