In your opinion, what is Christianity?

Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to a restored relationship with God and the source of eternal life.

What does it mean to be a Christian?

To be a Christian means, “I choose to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.” Some churches and individuals teach or act like this means that we can achieve a level of sinlessness that earns us a place in heaven and in my opinion only serves to keep us focused on what we are or are not able to do. I believe that being a Christian means that we do our best at doing what Christ wants us to do and help others seek God as we do.

What has being a pastor taught you?

That people don’t respect Pastors who are not real. Heck, I try to follow Jesus everyday and mess up. Why pretend I don’t? Being a Pastor has taught me that I am not better than you. I just have a different job, which is to help anyone who wants to find God get closer. I don’t mean to make an excuse for my sins, just acknowledge that I still do sin far more than I want and every new day is another opportunity to please my Heavenly Father.

You mentioned the why in your bio. Could you explain that a little?

God is not trying to spoil our fun. With every “thou shalt not,” there is a plan and reason why God does not want us to do it. In fact, I believe that God knows if we do what he tells us not to do, He (God) knows we will enjoy life less, not more. Many churches are good at telling us, “don’t do that.” I want to fill in the why we ourselves don’t really want to do something.

In your opinion, how is Rock Spring different from other churches in the area?

Rock Spring is real. Come as you are because we are as we are. Church should never be about judging each other but supporting each other.

As someone who has been ‘burned’ by other churches, I am a bit nervous about visiting Rock Spring. What information or advice can you give me to ease my fear?

I still sometimes fear what others think about me so all I can suggest is to try what I do… Just don’t care! I don’t care what anyone thinks of me except God and….oh yes, my wife, Kathy.

You seem to be focused on children. What is your vision for the future in terms of activities and programs for children?

Kids are the energy in a church. Jesus said, “don’t stop the kids from coming to me.” I don’t want to grow old with a bunch of other 50-somethings like me. I want to have an active part in preparing the next generation of church leaders who, by the way, are kids. I love being around them. I had some parents ask me, “how are we supposed to keep or kids from running in church when you are chasing them,” to which I answered, “they started it.” Church should be a place kids want to be, how else can you expect them to want to listen to what church leaders say about how they should live?

What is it that makes you qualified to lead your church? Is it your education, calling, passion, experience?

I don’t have a clue! LOL I’ve been to Seminary, I have 20+ years in ministry and I still feel unqualified, but I love my job!

[ Expanded Q & A | Q & A with Pastor Gloria | Back to Meet Our Pastors ]

Christianity is an identity given to those who have accepted God’s free gift of Salvation provided through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross; God manifested in flesh.

A Christian is one who has an interactive, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Being a Pastor has taught me that God loves people and desires the best for them and to be a successful Pastor one has to have that same heart.

Rock Spring’s uniqueness is that it allows people, without prejudice, to be themselves and to develop as God sees fit. Rock Spring does not try to fix anyone; we just walk with them through life.

The only advice that I can and have offered to people who have been burned by the Church is “come and see; I promise you won’t be burned again.”

I look forward to interacting with the people and to sharing in whatever they are going through at this particular time in their lives.

I, like every other preacher, am thinking about how I am communicating God’s message to His people. I want to do my best and to make sure that the heart of what He is saying is getting through in spite of my human inability to do so.

The one thing that I hope to get through each time I preach is that no matter how deep we are in sin, no matter how far away we seem to be away from Him, God loves us and is anxiously waiting for us to give Him any kind of sign that we desire Him in our lives. Simplified, this is that our sin is no problem for Him; He has already dealt with it for us.

I wish to influence people on every level by being transparent and letting them know that perfection is not what God is looking for in us. What He does want, however, is for each of us to be ourselves, enjoy our lives and that in spite of what seems to be wrong with us, He wants to use us to make Him famous.

The thoughts that I have for our online congregation is that Rock Spring is made up of people just like them, who are going through the same things that they are, and that each message is designed to offer hope and, if put into practice, will work.

My passion is to make God famous through the messages that I preach, through my writing, and in and through the real relationships that I have with people who know Jesus and especially those who don’t.

I was an ordained minister when I came to Rock Spring; becoming a Pastor/Elder was a decision that God and Pastor Mike made with very little help from me. All I really had to do was accept and submit to their authority.

I believe that being an authority figure, male or female, must be looked at and handled very carefully. In order to be in authority, we must be able to submit to authority. As far as what the opposition has to say, I really don’t spend much time dealing with their views. The primary thing is to know whether or not God has called you to that position. If you are sure that He has then, the opposition is the one who has the struggle to adjust to where God has put you. The Word of God is very clear on how God views any subject, but quite frequently people misunderstand to whom God is speaking and what is actually occurring culturally when Scripture was and is speaking. God never brings strife and division on the scene, our prejudices and world views do this.

[ Expanded Q & A | Q & A with Pastor Mike | Back to Meet Our Pastors ]

To expand on the previous Q & A with Pastors Mike and Gloria, the following are their responses to a few hypothetical situations.

Pastor Mike: Finding what is missing has and fixing it has two parts, getting the information that you need; that’s the church part and applying it to your life; that’s your part. Our job isn’t to force people to do what they should, just help them understand and support each other as we follow Christ.

Pastor Gloria: I would tell people that there are answers to their questions; however, their expectation of just what and how their needs will be met is what needs to be adjusted. Usually, people want God to answer their questions, or fulfill their needs their way and on a fast food basis. For instance, we pray for God to solve our financial problems by making the Church give us money, when what we really need is discipline where our finances are concerned.

Pastor Mike: We stay away from political issues. We have our hands full with the God issues. If God said something about the issue than we have a position, if our stating God’s position offends people, even “Christians”, oh well.

Pastor Gloria: The only political view that Rock Spring has is; “What does God say about it?” If God says, “Its wrong!” Then, Rock Spring’s stance on that issue is, “Its wrong!” End of story. We are not known for shying away from any subject.

Pastor Mike: We teach on anything that is in the Bible. If there are candidates bringing up a specific topic that is addressed in the Bible then I will speak to the topic, not for or against the candidate. I do vote in every election because it is my civil right and duty. I will not use the stage as a platform for politics, I don’t believe that is the purpose of our church.

Pastor Gloria: Rock Spring does not endorse any particular political candidate; however, if a candidate is blatantly in error, I’m sure we would tackle that issue.

Pastor Mike: I would be glad that they were in a place where they could learn more about their heavenly father. It would only be an issue with me if they acted in a way that hindered others from their own spiritual journey. I don’t believe being intoxicated is wise because when we are, we throw off our own constraints and sometimes do things even we wouldn’t normally do. Jesus said, “don’t be drunk with wine which leads to debauchery, the word debauchery means to take off the guards on our life. We wake up and say, “I wish I hadn’t…” Why do churches sometimes seem so focused on outward actions when everyone who comes to church has things in their lives they shouldn’t be doing. The Bible says “all have sinned, no one is good.” If we could be good or sin free we wouldn’t need Jesus but we do and church is where we learn and support one another.

Pastor Gloria: As quiet as it is kept, the Church is the place where the alcoholic, drug addict, or any one else who in bondage, should show up. Rock Spring would rejoice that they felt comfortable enough to show up. That’s the business we’re in.

Pastor Mike: These are real issues each of us – teen or adult – face and our Heavenly Father has real answers. As a church we want to help others succeed. Sometimes the issue such as sex, drinking, or divorce isn’t a sin but how we choose to use it can be. The best way we can help is to clearly share what the Bible says concerning such issues.

Pastor Gloria: Each one of the issues facing our teens is reality; our responsibility to them is to acknowledge them as such and if they are in need to help, then we should give it to them without judging or condemning them. Educating and encouraging our teens, no matter what they are facing is primary. Walking with them through their problems will bring them victory in overcoming the hard places.

Pastor Mike: All I can say is “come as you are.” I grew up in a church that sang a song almost every Sunday called Just as I am, but what I learned about the church was you can’t come just as you are. I hope Rock Spring is a church where people can come just as they are.

Pastor Gloria: The only requirement for attending Rock Spring is brokenness, having a need for a Savior because you’re screwed up. Tattoos and piercings allowed; look at Pastor Mike; he wears earrings. We ask that men not wear frilly dresses, nor shorts if they have ugly legs (smile).

Pastor Mike: Jesus said follow me and be baptized. I can’t ask any more of people than Jesus did. If someone wants to follow Jesus, that’s good enough for me. I believe baptism is like a wedding ring, I want people to know I’m married to Kathy so I wear a wedding ring, baptism is letting people know you’re in a committed relationship with Jesus.

Pastor Gloria: The requirements for becoming a member of Rock Spring are laid out when a person attends our Inside Rock Spring meeting. It includes, a real life changing encounter with Jesus Christ, usually referred to as being saved. Rock Spring is a part of the Body of Christ, the universal Church, so identifying with Jesus Christ is the primary requirement.

Pastor Mike: The best question a Christian can learn to ask themselves, “is it wise?” Is it wise to smoke, to go to the bar on Saturday night, to listen to secular music…? The only thing that keeps you from a relationship with Christ (being a Christian) is not having one. Allowing or doing unwise (sin) things in your life will severely hinder your relationship with God and you can possibly hinder others their relationship with God as well.

Pastor Gloria: All of the behaviors that you mention are just that, behaviors. We are saved because of what Jesus did, not because of what you and I do. I really believe that as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, He will modify our behavior. The Scripture makes it very clear that “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus,” Philippians 1:6. Only God can fix us. I am not your judge and do not have a heaven or hell to put you in.

Pastor Mike: I teach all the possible theories on the end times so we know what to look for when the end begins to happen or is happening now. I believe in the Pan theory; it will all pan out for us if we do what Jesus wants us to do. Jesus said in Mark 13:5-13 that all the things we’ve heard about the end times will happen but “don’t be alarmed”. He went on to say that the good news about him must be shared to all nations, I believe Jesus wants us to be able to know when we see the end happening but to stay focused on helping others come back to a relationship with their Heavenly Father, which is why Jesus says, “don’t be alarmed when you see these things happening.”

Pastor Gloria: Rock Spring’s position on the Rapture is that it is truth and will surely occur. I am a pre-trib hopeful. (There is a cd available of a team preaching effort that Mike and I did; it will give you our personal beliefs about this subject). What we do teach at Rock Spring is that “rapture” on a personal level will occur. So, whether we go solo, or collectively, we must be in a state of readiness.

Pastor Mike: I’ve been hurt more by church than by any other group but I’ve been helped and accepted more by church as well. It’s worth the risk to try church one more time and I pray that Rock Spring is always at the top of churches to attend.

Feel free to comment.

[ Q & A with Pastor Mike | Q & A with Pastor Gloria ]