READER RESPONSE: 7 Reasons Why New Birth & Bishop Long Should Keep Moving
June 13, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Church, Leaders, Ministry Today
by Alexander Haynes
AHaynes@urbannewsroom.com
This is the age-old battle of the church versus the world. Regardless of who you are and what you think – God’s people simply aren’t governed by the same ethical standards of the world. Am I making light of any situation? No. Am I making light of accusation? No. Do I think that it’s perfectly natural for one to have an opinion? Yes. Do I think that God’s opinion is the only one that counts? I do.
This is a message for the church. I’m not excluding the world, people with public opinions, naysayers or ex-church members… but I am saying publicly, that your thoughts and opinions are not from a Biblical world view. God’s people should really only be considering His viewpoint. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, our responsibility is not to share opinions. Our responsibility is to share Jesus. Live Jesus. Breathe Jesus. That’s it.
Whether you’re mad, appalled or frustrated with the recent settlement outcome of Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church – it’s imperative that you put your emotions aside – and consider God and God alone during this season. Christianity, fortunately, is not about feelings and emotions. We are to walk like Christ. Could you imagine Jesus tapping into His feelings? Imagine Him — getting off of the cross, and saying ‘naw, I don’t like how this is making me feel. Pay for your sins? I think not.’
The people of the world base their thoughts, opinions and daily living off of what they feel. The people of God are called to walk higher. We should be in communion with God, day in and day out. Our prayer life should be regular conversation with the Lord. When we talk to God, He should talk back. He should constantly direct our paths… right? I asked you the question… but the answer is yes.
There are many issues in the church today that need to be addressed. Church leaders, pastors and bishops alike need to begin addressing the church with a very clear message – Church! Stop looking like the world!
7 Reasons New Birth Should Keep Moving…
7. God Didn’t Leave
God’s anointed do not lose the anointing because of naysayers or public opinion. John 8:29 says “..and He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him…†The redemptive power of God, is just that… redemptive. The blessing of the Lord on your life isn’t dictated by public opinion – not now, or ever. New Birth is still praying. New Birth is still a house of worship. New Birth is still impacting the community. New Birth is doing all of these things, in Jesus’ name, not the name of Bishop Long. God will be with them. (John 14:12-14)
6. God Grants Assignments… Not People
This is yet another difficult concept for the world to grasp. To the believer, it’s pretty simple. When you’re connected to God, you understand that He’s not up there shouting orders at you. He’s not throwing down lightning rods when you disobey, and He’s LIVING – not dead. He knew you before you were formed, and He set you apart (Jeremiah 1:5). God puts us on assignment and it’s important to stay in line with the direction He’s set for your life. Circumstantial situations or sudden life changes shouldn’t throw us off course from completing the assignment God has for us. Instead of consulting the world on the assignment that God’s given us, we should consult Him. God and God only.
New Birth has an assignment. The mission is to love, live and lead like Christ. This can be obtained, if members stay committed. Let the media spin it. Even in opposition, the message of Jesus transpires.
5. God is a God of Order… This will never change.
1 Corinthians 14 tells us to do ALL things decently and in order. The Bible gives us a blueprint for orderly living. We could accuse each other of trying to super-spiritualize things – but I believe that in all things, we should consult the Lord. I think an incorrect assumption, that is constantly conveyed by the media is that God doesn’t take our feelings into consideration. He does. You must continue to trust that His plan is the best one. If He’s assigned you to a place – don’t readjust His plans, in lieu of circumstances or what everyone else says. If God releases you, He’ll do it orderly. If He has a new direction for you, He’ll communicate it to you in an orderly fashion.
His order is not our natural instinct. How do I know?
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful, above all thingsâ€
The Bible urges us NOT to lean on our own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight…â€
To operate in God’s divine order, you have to first know what that order is. Once you discover it – get in line with it. This is a message for church hoppers in general. Get planted. When you run, in the midst of calamity – you’re putting your lack of trust on display. Get it together.
4. Everybody is watching – God will Perform
God is not mocked. People will talk, the media will report, and opinions will circulate. I don’t think that God really cares about your opinion or mine. He isn’t concerned with Roland Martin’s opinion articles or Sherri’s rants on The View. God is concerned with His people. His people must be concerned about those that don’t know Him. We’ve been commissioned – to bring the message of Jesus to the world. We’re commissioned to bring a message of love and acceptance. This is our greatest charge. Philippians 1:6 declares that the God, who began good work in us, will complete it!
God will always get the glory. He can change any situation, for His gain. Let Him connect the dots.
3. The Message of Jesus Hasn’t Changed
It is the same. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father (God) but by Him. (John 14:6) New Birth is still preaching this message. Bishop Long is still declaring this through His sermons. Despite media reports, members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church weren’t saved by Bishop Eddie Long. Bishop Eddie Long wasn’t saved because He is a “bishop.†Bishop, the church members and YOU are only saved when you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. Once you make this confession and commit to living for Him and not yourself, everything changes. This isn’t a very popular message, but it is consistent. It has not changed. At all.
2. The world (media & news) has always criticized God’s work
They hated Jesus, until they killed Him. Whether they smile in your face or not, the same people that have your back when all is well, will kick you when you’re down. Nothing about the world pointing fingers is new. In fact, nothing about the church pointing fingers is new either. It’s evident that we as a people enjoy others telling us what we should think, how we should think it and where we should go. The church needs to get a grip. Our actions shouldn’t be parallel to the worlds. Our thoughts and opinions shouldn’t be the same. New Birth members aren’t naïve. The media headlines will continue to look crazy. “Long’s Mega church…†blah blah blah. Get serious. How does a small church become a mega church? At a certain point, should the church decide that it is now too big and making too much of an impact? Should it close its doors to the newbies? The majority of people with circulating opinions about churches today are people that have never been in them or others that don’t live the ‘word’ as the Bible commands. Keep moving. Keep trucking.
Genesis 50:20 [The Message] You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
1. You Don’t Have a Heaven or Hell to Put Bishop Long in. Get over yourself.
God is a Restorer. God is a Provider. God is a healer. God Provides the Increase. God is the keyword here. These things are true for both Bishop Long and his accusers. The church needs to read James 3 and then examine itself. Everything that you think – should not come out of your mouth. Get control of your tongue, so that you can cause a real impact for the Kingdom of God. The things that Christians are speaking against each other are preposterous. This is a call to order!
James 4:11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
All in all – I think this church should keep going. I stand with New Birth and Bishop Long – and I say keep preaching, teaching, and eating Jesus! Do not let onlookers and the media destroy the work that God has begun. Your vision is still relevant. Your purpose is still big. Your anointing hasn’t left you. This season should cause an awakening in the body. The church needs to stop taking sides, and learn to take authority.
What do you think? BLOG ABOUT IT HERE!
The scriptures you offer are the written Word of God as are the following.
(Matthew 7:21-23) “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.
(1 Corinthians 4:5) Hence do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring the secret things of darkness to light and make the counsels of the hearts manifest, and then each one will have his praise come to him from God.
(Joshua 24:15) Now if it is bad in YOUR eyes to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom YOU will serve, whether the gods (Bishops) that YOUR forefathers who were on the other side of the River served or the gods (Bishops) of the Am′or‧ites in whose land YOU are dwelling. But as for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord.â€
The problem in most of these mega churches is the members who follow MAN and not GOD! The most cunning trick of the enemy is convincing folks he does not exist. There is something extremely out of order and wrong here. And please understand that the Voice of the Holy Spirit speaks clearly to those who are listening and provided guidance, direct and WARNINGS! When you seek wisdom and truth HE shall provide.
I appreciate you support as such that it is, and sincerly hope that you realize that there are other factors at work here that are totally against the grain of the church and Holy ordinance of the Lord. In your approach to this defense of yours, I wish I had read… Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…
Your article was full of truth and I was convicted by my response to Bishop Long’s allegations. But God has set me straight. He who is without sin cast the first stone.
I pray in agreement with the body of Christ for restoration and that the will of God will be fulfilled.
Very well written and insightful. God is a redeemer and Bishop Long is just as entitled to be redeemed as any other man or woman. There is a Pastor in the Atlanta area (Dennis Meredith) who is promoting homosexual lifestyles under the banner of God’s love. I don’t condemn him, I pray that God will forgive, redeem and restore him. I believe that God’s word is clear and all saints must work together in prayer and faith to not allow the world to dictate how we should act for we are in the world not of the world.
The question is not whether the New Birth should keep going. No one has suggested that New Birth cease to exist. The question is whether Bishop Long should continue at the helm of New Birth.
You are correct in your assertion that the ethical standards for the world and the church are not the same. The ethical standard for the church should be HIGHER than those of the world.
The church (New Birth and the church institutional) cannot maintain its moral authority by pretending that nothing happened. Bishop Long and New Birth are acting as if nothing happened. As if there is no truth to any of the allegations. Common sense says that something did happen. If Bishop Long has the assets and insurance to pay upward of $25,000,000 for settlement, he could afford to defend a lawsuit that would clear his name. (If more money was needed, Pastor Dollar and other supporters should have been willing to put their money where they’ve put their mouth and contribute to his legal fund.)
And, please stop trying to excuse malfeasance by declaring “your anointing hasn’t left you.” First, there is no such thing as “your anointing.” Anointing belong to God, alone. Second, the fact that Bishop long is “anointed” has NOTHING to do with whether or not he made a poor choice. David didn’t become “un-anointed” when he slept with Bathsheba and murdered Urriah. But David had the decency to admit that he was wrong.
Bishop Long is anointed. Bishop Long is NOT infallible.
And the Church shouldn’t be so gullible. It’s pitiful! Four young men with similar stories and we’re claiming “Anointed” as defense?! Too much smoke for there not to be a fire somewhere. You don’t have to fast and seek the face of the Lord to figure that out. There are some things that flesh and blood can reveal to thee (to wax King James-y).
God’s anointed do not lose the anointing because of naysayers or public opinion.O be real you have to have it in order to loose it.
Why didnt the anointing tell him to get his face out of the boys But??????????????????????????????????????????
You sound like a fool . Send your childern to be with Eddie Long………….
Are we taking sides when we say wrong is wrong according to the Bible? We cannot put on a clergy robe, use our authority, say we coming and speaking in the Name of Jesus and take advantage of God’s people. No we do not judge but we need to know what is done in the dark will come to the light God is a God of love but He is also a God of wrath!!!!! And if we in the pulpit can do whatever then why even live saved..
I agree that the CHURCH should continue God’s vision but I would never allow my son, nephews, god-sons, etc… around Eddie Long! He has not admitted fault, repented, or anything close to admitting the truth for the people he is leading which means he is likely to fall again. God delivers those who seek to be deliver! Arrogance and Pride over the Truth is a pathway to hell!
No one is judging Bishop Long but right is right and wrong is wrong. Yes let God be the judge but if this man is molesting boys bishop or no bishop he should serve his time is jail and register as a sex offender just like the rest of the child molestors out there. What, just because he’s a bishop he shouldn’t have to serve time no matter what he does even if he’s taking advantage of boys in a sexual way????? that makess no sense at all!!!That could have been your son, cousin or nephew that was sexually molested by him. I never understood it when the man or woman of god does something wrong they shouldn’t be “judged”, but when the average person does the same thing who are also children of god they have to pay the price. The men and women of the cloth are no different than any other human being out there. So my belief is that the child molesting bishop should be behind bars.
Thank you. Well said. Most of us are so focused on “punishing” according to how we view the sin. a sin is a sin. This sin in this accusation is of equal value in the sight of God as those little “white lies” most people tell. I am Not excusing anybody for their behavior or not, but may God have mercy on us all.
There was a violation committed against four boys. There’s damages done to these four boys, regardless, if the Bishop admits it publicly or behind close doors, he did agreed to a settlement. A settlement is basically an agreement that damages have been commited, and in this case, to the four boys. If the Bishop want to do the right thing, step down and get counselling and start fasting, praying and take yourshelf out of the evironment for awhile. I don’t think according to the outcome of this situation, Bishop Long is fit to lead as a shepard over his flock. Just like previous pastors, Bishops, Preachers in the same situation, every last one of them have stepped down or was asked to step down. Why shouldn’t Bishop Long? When you are apart of a situation as such, you have to question the mentality of “said” indidvuals.. to not question.. would be dangerous.
Well you know i was just reading everybody say so, so let me say something, you know i know that if you are speaking the words to me each sunday, and you go about and do the opposite i know that is something wrong? and now you want me to forgive him for messing with the boys, he knew better before it started, and some pastor use that for excuse, because they think they have authority over people mind by telling them its ok to do what they do and if you don’t know no better you will fall for the mess. he knew better
This is a very sensitive subject & should be dealt with wholeheartedly by God. What you are doing here in this article is just as wrong as those who are on the opposite side. I believe God has already begun this work & that is why it has been exposed.
If these accusations are true, & apparently there is some truth to them or there would be no need to settle, then Eddie Long needs to sit down & spend a season with God in repentance for his actions. This is a tragedy and nobody wins here. Eddie Long, the accusers, New Birth & the body of believers around the globe all are impacted by this. We should be praying for a speedy resolution by God & restoration & healing to the body.
This is not about a personality and should NOT be supported in that vain at all. If God has chosen to allow the exposure of this abomination then we are to stand back & see the salvation of the Lord. He will implement justice & we are to accept it and move on.
1 Corinthians 5 tells us that we are to judge Christians by their fruit so we are admonished to judge. People need to STOP saying that we are not called to judge when that is NOT true! The problem becomes evident when we judge others by one standard and we judge our on actions by a lesser standard. That is hypocrisy!
If Eddie Long is innocent of these accusations the worst thing he could do is agree to a settlement. We are supposed to be UNDAUNTING in our righteousness. Therefore, if Eddie Long is erroneously charged he is required to STAND & see God work on his behalf.
Thank you for this article. You have put in writing the very words I’d like to say when people ask me why I’m still at Newbirth.