Question about New Life Church in Cedar Rapids

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[victoriawinnue]

Hello:

I'm new here and just came upon this website. Someone had recommended New Life Church in Cedar Rapids, IA to my husband and I but now I have reservations about it. I also wonder if the email I sent to their pastor and his email response in return should be a warning sign. I don't be judgemental as I'm a pretty understanding woman, however I found it strange that he didn't welcome me to the church, thank me for my interest, share any information and answer one question. I didn't know how to respond.  Below is what I sent as well as what I got back. I'm a relatively new Christian so any guidance would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Vickie

 
Dear Pastor Pete:
 
I had a friend recommend your church. My husband may get a job in Cedar Rapids and we may relocate. Finding a good church is important to us. But I have a few questions for you if you don't mind.
 
1.  What programs would you have for the kids?
2.  Do you have any small groups and if so, what night of the week are they?
3. I am a stay at home mom with kids in school and I will be new to the community. Are there any volunteer opportunities in your church?
 
Thank you for your time.
 
Sincerely,
Vickie


Vickie,
 
Glad to hear about your potential move.  I have a few questions first so that I can better answer yours.
 
Which friend suggested our church to you?  Where are you moving from?  How old are your kids?  What kind of church background are you from?
 
Here is a link to our webpage:
 
www.newlifecr.com
 
Looking forward to talking to you more.
 
Pete

[wastedyearsthere]

I'm from Cedar Rapids.  I would avoid the New Life church.  I have heard nothing but horror stories from there.  I have a friend that went there for over 10 years and the dysfunction is HUGE from the leadership.  When they left - they were told to lie about why they left.  Same old stuff that is told on this site.  Too many stories to tell.   

A good church with plenty of ministries is New Covenant church in Robins (outskirts of CR) which has a beautiful new building and plenty of good ministries. 

We go to a church in Iowa City called Veritas - but it is a new church plant so good messages and contemp music but nothing much for kids.  There is a church in Iowa City (E-Free) Called Parkersburg church that is supposed to be very good.  Being pretty new there myself it is hard to recommend.

Feel free to message me off-line and I will help you if you do move to Cedar Rapids.     

[Janet Easson Martin]

Dear Victoria,

His questions do seem a little strange and possibly suspicious.  Maybe he thinks you'll be spying on them, who knows!  Anyhow, if they are doing the right thing they have nothing to be concerned about.  God defends the righteous.  It does appear from their webpage (cited) they are rather concerned with protecting their positions of authority.  This is a BAD sign.  Paul says 'we are not as those who lord it over you'.  He was concerned for them not to submit to such abusive leadership.  God gives authority to his appointed leaders, he alone raises them up so others trust their leadership.  He says "your fruitfulness comes from me".  Those who are concerned about who calls the shots and who gets the credit are not sent from God, because God is the one calling the shots anyway.  He is the head coach of the church.  

Regardless, you want to go a place that offers refreshment, resting in God, with nourishing green grass from the word, not straw and thistles.  You need a place that offers consolation, peace, freedom, and most of all a place where you can feel at EASE to BE YOURSELF.  A place where we are continually turned back toward the Sheperd (not men or rules) to experience HIS MARVELOUS HELP, leaning on Him, carried on his shoulders or carried in his arms, not where you have to drag your own load.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside quiet (restful) waters.  He restores my soul."

_{Psalm 23}

Not to say there aren't some hard things our flesh doesn't want to hear, but for the most part you should feel built up and not torn down.  Only a wolf wounds and intimidates the sheep to get them to submit.  Jesus leads us meekly, gently and tenderly to DRAW us to trust him and obey the good works He has for us.  There is more than one testimony on this site about the same church (you have inquired about) that has ravaged and scattered God's sheep. Read those and let others testify specifically.  

You are wise to get an abundance of counselors, the Word of God says.  GCx taught me falsely that MANY COUNSELORS meant from ONE SOURCE - THEM & THERE!

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive"

_{Sir Walter Scott    [emphasis mine]}

Learning the Truth to Keep Me Wise to Deception,

Janet

[Linda]

Guides
I believe God has assigned pastors/elders to lead the local church and spiritually shepherd my life (1 Pet 5:1-3; Acts 20:28), and that God will hold me accountable for how I follow my pastors, and will hold them accountable for how they “watch over my soul” (cf. Heb 13:17). Therefore, I commit to the heart, hope, purposes, and strategies that the pastors of New Life have founded on Scripture. I also commit to pray for my pastors regularly (cf. Col 4:1-3), and I refuse to believe “an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses” (1 Tim 5:19), and even then, giving them an opportunity to defend themselves or repent of a wrong if necessary.

Wow. This is quite a commitment!

This is one of the few times I have seen in writing the truth. Great Commission is a shepherding movement. In a way, I am kind of glad they actually state this. At least people know what they are getting in to when they make a commitment to this church.

Several red flags here. First of all, I love how they say "God has assigned pastors/elders to lead the local church and spiritually shepherd my life."

The big question is "How did God actually assign those pastors?" I've got the answer! Back in 1970, a man named Jim McCotter one day realized he was an apostle! Wow, who knew? Then, he began appointing elders. Over the years, those elders appointed more elders. So, the current "elders", as it turns out, were not exactly appointed by God, but buy a guy who proclaimed himself an apostle and claimed to speak for God! Brilliant.

(I've heard talk that McCotter actually appointed 12 "disciples" back in the Maryland days. Anyone care to elaborate on that? I would love to know more.)

Then, suddenly, self-declared apostle guy, leaves the "movement" to pursue business interests. However, even though self-declared apostle guy is out of the picture, anyone who goes to a GC church led by an appointed "elder" (who all have come from the unbroken chain of elders self-proclaimed apostle guy appointed) must allow said "elder" to shepherd his LIFE!!

As they shepherd, they ignore Matthew 23 and the admonition that we are to make no man our master. And, 1 Timothy 2:5 that there is one mediator between God and man. And, 1 Peter 2:9 that we are a royal priesthood.

Furthermore, they demonstrate their ignorance of church history. They say they are protestant, but obviously they are not since sola scriptura is no where in sight.

[calgal]

Linda:

And, 1 Timothy 2:5 that there is one mediator between God and man. And, 1 Peter 2:9 that we are a royal priesthood.

Thank you for sharing these passages in scripture.

To be honest, in my 12 years in Great Commission, in Iowa City, right before the same folks who are now in Cedar Rapids, I can't remember them ever referencing these passages.  I should point out that all we did was talk about the Bible - all for 12 years you would think this would this would have come up.

As a former leader's wife, I needed to hear this, thanks Linda, much Love.

[AgathaL'Orange]

That pledge!  How would that measure up if someone had been hurt or molested by a pastor?  I doubt that there would be multiple witnesses.  If you can't hear a word against a pastor (you know that they shut down dissent immediately, at least that was my experience), then how would you hear several words against a pastor?  Again, the only people privy to "gossip" and "dissent" in the church would be those in the inner circle. 

Where is the pastor's pledge that they won't share stories about the church members amongst themselves.  They have commented numerous numerous times that they share stories about members with each other.  Well, that's gossip too then.  Why aren't they requiring witnesses in order to gossip about members?

The entire thing is wrong.  They treat members like stupid and unruly children, incapable of anything good by themselves. 

The farther away I am from GC, the more I see how it affected me and how free I am in many ways.  I'm not entirely free though, because I still feel an obligation to those still under it's insidious (incompetent?) thumb.

[lone gone]

I agree that their statement and "covenant" to obey,honor leaders is in error, for all the reasons mentioned.

 

[hurtfamily]

I would like to say we went to this church from 1991 -1993 ,in the beginning it was a small church and a great place to grow. But then  the old pastor and others showed their true colors.  First was when people were having babies and my husband and I weren't able to, it was as if some of them were rubbing it in.   Then we had a young family member die suddenly, We went to church the following Sunday and our life group was meeting afterwards for, lunch which the pastor never attended except that Sunday as he did not want me to mention the death of my 16 year old nephew unless he was there to monitor what was said.  Mind you they had all known this child.  But it was made clear they weren't their to hear about or comfort the grieving.  When the church moved from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids only select members were told  as they had the money and influence.  We visited the church once after that in Cedar Rapids, and we felt very unwanted.  Outside of two people in that church, I feel it is fake.  God sees the whole picture and truly knows their heart.  As for Pastor Pete he needs to look at what he did in his first marriage before casting stones.  I would not recommend this church.  Let God guide you where you should go.

[JakeHarris2015]

Hey everybody, I have been doing some research on the New Life Community Church and I am trying to put the pieces together. For me I am a freelance journalist and I need to know this one thing, is the New Life Church a cult or not. It sounds very idiotic but I have some testomonials yet weak evidence supporting my claim. This ranges from the word of mouth to sites on the internet, not only that the school I attend Kirkwood Community College has a religious group called The Core that is funded and is also being ran by the church. But right now I need evidence or testomonials from anybody that knew about the church or was a member for a period of time. If you need to reach me reply or email me at harrisjacob280@gmail.com to tell me your experiences or would like to meet face to face that would be better.

[EverAStudent]

Hi Jake Harris, and welcome to the forum.

If you do not mind some advice that is given with kind intent:  when the folks on this forum use the word "cult" to refer to GC churches they are not using the word in the brain-washed unabomber sense.  It would be unwise (and untrue) to paint GC as a moonie or alQuaida style cult.

GC has tended to be heavy-handed in their demands on the congregation members, even to the point of claiming the congregation had to obey every whim of the leadership because they knew the secret will of God for their lives.  However, these whims did not include unlawful or violent actions.  Most of these whims were rooted in conducting overly zealous evangelism, demanding church members volunteer more hours in the church than was healthy for their family life, and providing more financial pampering of the pastors than was traditionally warranted. 

In a very real sense GC churches are within the boundaries that would mark them as orthodox Protestant Christian churches.  Yet even being inside that boundary GC has often managed to assert overly much (even punishing) control over its members.  But I would caution against using the inflamatory word "cult" in a mainstream media publication where that word generally stirs up images of militia-men in the woods firing AK-47's preparing for the political end of the world--such does not represent the conduct of GC.