Hello! My name is Sam Stevens, and I am currently the pastor of Newkirk Baptist Church, and I would…read morelike to address the previous review of our church. While there are a significant amount of statements the reviewer mentions that I cannot address due to the subjective nature of their comments, such as, "...the regulars...feel like they're trying to put you under their spell," and, "...got a very bad gut feeling of crookedness in my stomach," I can address some of the more objective accusations that were made by the individual.
Let me begin by saying that I was initially hesitant to write a "review" in response, as I realize some will merely interpret this as a "he said, they said" sort of banter, and most would expect that a paid employee of an institution who is also the primary representative of that institution to post only a positive position. However, I felt that so much of the review was "over the top" and disingenuous, that out of a responsibility to defend Christ and His church, I needed to respond.
First, we have never asked anyone in our congregation to give their, quote, "...house, car, and whatever else they have." Like all or certainly most churches, we take up a weekly offering, and our finance team provides regular updates to our congregants on the church's financial health. This provides accountability, motivation, and encouragement to our people. Additionally, the only debt our church currently has is on a family life center that we built just a few years ago. Our property and sanctuary are both paid for, and we have an extremely aggressive mortgage on the family life center that we pay on faithfully and have never been delinquent on. This building is used for many different activities by not only our church, but other groups as well, and it has proven to be a valuable asset to our community.
Second, we did not go three years without a pastor, and we did not have, "...visiting pastors coming and going for three years." Our previous, full-time pastor was there for almost 11 years, a very solid, healthy tenure. He left in January of 2015, and I was installed as the new Lead Pastor in October of that same year, a mere 10 months later. There was one interim pastor of seven month in the middle period between our tenures.
Third, as a church body, we insist that all of our staff personnel treat everyone they encounter with the utmost courtesy and professionalism. The secretary that was mentioned, who should not have been mentioned by name, is not even with the church anymore, having left our church on good terms and of her own volition to pursue other opportunities.
Most of what remained in the review was, again, completely subjective in nature and not rooted in any kind of objective reality. For my part, I have found the people of Newkirk to be among the most loving, caring, and concerned group of Christians I have ever had the privilege to be associated with. I would not have uprooted and relocated my family of six had I felt that I was doing so only to serve among, "...a hypocritical bunch of folks," who give you, "...the feeling of evil." I love my wife and four kids too much to ever subject them to such a fellowship!
The previous reviewer suggested that the York Baptist Association needs to investigate Newkirk Baptist Church. As the pastor, I would like to cordially invite any and all who read this review to do the same! It me sincerest belief that if you do so, you will find them to be as loving, accepting, welcoming, and sincere as my family and I have these past several months. I love serving among these folks, and would sincerely enjoy the opportunity to meet you and assist in introducing you to all that Newkirk has to offer. I believe if you honor us by being our guest, you just might stick around by becoming a member!
Come see us!
-Sam S.
PS...I should mention that the ONLY reason I gave our church four stars instead of five is because I believe we always have room to improve, and by God's leading and help, we will always strive to do just that! Thanks!
