The Hill Newspaper just ran a story on NCC. Not thrilled about the tone or angle. Which is funny because I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with the reporter. Alas. We get so much positive press so we were probably due for a story that didn’t capture who we are.
I knew it wasn’t going to go well when I saw the title and first line 
Mass Appeal: A superstar pastor
Have you ever been sitting in a movie theater, had a jumbo popcorn tub passed to you, and been expected to drop money in it?
For what it’s worth, we give a disclaimer every week: if you’re a guest please don’t feel obligated to give.
Then the article starts contradicting itself.
In his polo-shirt-and-jeans video sermon, Batterson mentioned some things you won’t find in any of the church’s promotional materials: the scripture, the wrath of God, eternal suffering, and Jesus Christ.
The National Community Church enterprise is reminiscent of the non-denominational mega-ministries run by superstar pastors like Joel Osteen or Rick Warren. There is a clear emphasis on positive thinking and self-esteem, and hardly a hint of hellfire. Batterson says he’s not interested in television, but I wouldn’t rule out superstar-pastor status for him yet.
A few thoughts.
You can’t expect a reporter to really capture who you are or what you’re about with one brief visit to one service on one Sunday.
You can’t control people’s perceptions.
Stories like this help you not take yourself so seriously
Don’t get defensive.
Be who you are and let the chips fall where they may
Now here is the funny thing. God will use this article I’ve seen it before and it’ll happen again. It doesn’t seem like positive press, but God has a way of redeeming it.
