WOW. Every pastor should be willing to put up a blog and post to it every day. NewSpring Church is one that I would attend if I were in the area. To see a pastor that transparent, and that willing to be honest with people...

I'm hooked!

Take the analogy a little further. The youth pastor and youth group are given control of the plane for one flight. The youth group wants to barrel roll the plane, even if it is a Boeing 767, and the youth pastor insists on flying the plane near or over the edge of designated "no fly zones." :-)

I am GLAD that I do NOT go to a church like the one described in the analogy. It is made CLEAR to everyone that goes through the membership classes - yes, people must fill out an application and go through a 2 part class before being recognized as a member - that there are NO churchwide business meetings and that the members do not vote on issues. The Pastors do have an internal Board that they consult with and the Pastors also have an external Board that they can and often do touch base with (people who have also been in Ministry for YEARS and who have proven their integrity and staying power). It is odd that a person would claim to trust the Pastor to shepherd their SPIRITUAL life, but would balk about letting the Pastor(s) also shepherd their money.