New Covenant Fellowship 10.07.07

Pastors Roger and Evelyn Brewer
Worship Service Time 9:45 AM
Rating:
Worship 3/5
Friendliness 4/5
Sermon 1/5
Theological Content 0/5
Evangelistic 3/5
Facility 5/5
"Developing the Champion in You!" That's the subtitle on the bulletin and the website. I can't recall reading in the Bible that there is a champion "in me". NCF is a "Word of Faith" Church. Here is a brief doctrinal statement.
Worship
The worship music was contemporary with a choir loft of backup singers. The musicians were skilled at playing and the lead singers had strong voices especially the worship leader. The only problem that I had with the worship set is that it seemed more like a performance than worship.
When the time of worship was over there was an invitation to come down to the front of the church for a touch from God. The pastor explained that healing and prosperity were guaranteed in the blood of Jesus and it was up to us to come and receive. The people lined up and the pastors began to pray. As the pastors were praying there were "catchers" behind each person. Some fell back and remained laying on the floor as a another woman came by and covered them with a sheet. I felt my spirit grieving for those who were being duped by this un Biblical form of showmanship.
Sermon
The pastor in my humble opinion has no business preaching. His sermon was so riddled with Biblical half truths and errors that at times it seemed as if he had a different Bible. Here are some of the statements that he made during the course of his sermon:
"The Bible says that if we lay hands on the sick they SHALL ALL be healed"
(I was unable to locate this verse)
"It is God's will for every woman to be a woman of substance"
(this was said in the context of the offering time)
"God is not going to save you unless you want to be saved"
(What about Paul?)
"God wants you to feel good"
(just ask Job, the Apostle Paul or the Apostle John)

The pastor proclaimed "I am not a prosperity preacher" and then he said turn in your Bibles to Malachi 3. The pastor's message was very clear, give a tenth of your income and then God will multiply the money that you have left so you can further invest in the Kingdom (i.e. give more) and then pools, cars and houses will be the bi-product of faithful giving.
RUBBISH!
God never, ever, ever promises to make us rich or even bless us financially. He does promise to bless us but he doesn't promise to bless us materially. Even the text in Malachi 3:10 talks about a "blessing that overflows" but is never identified as money. Why are churches like this in existence? Because they identify and thrive off of sinful man's basic desire to be rich. It is the same reason that multi level marketing is still around. I have to agree with this.
Theological Content of the Sermon:
ZERO
Overall this is a church that has a teaching that you want to stay away from. It is un Biblical has has the potential to ruin lives.

Sunridge 09.30.07


Worship Services
Sunday Mornings 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Located at: 42299 Winchester Road
Temecula, CA 92590
Phone: 951.296.1770
website: http://www.sunridgechurch.org

Rating:

Worship 4/5
Friendliness 4/5
Sermon 3/5
Theological Content 3/5
Evangelistic 4/5
Facility 5/5

Pre-Service
I actually drove past the building on the first pass and upon driving back I realized why, the sign on the front of the church was very difficult to read. They had a section of parking spaces directly in front of the entrance that was reserved for visitors so it made it very easy to park and find my way to the sanctuary. Once inside I was greeted by a very sharply dressed Hispanic man that was very friendly that seemed to emanate the joy of Christ.
Worship
The congregation was very large and the worship music was good. I would describe it as "contemporary"worship. The congreagation was engaged in singing and worshiping which is always something that impacts the whole. The bass player was a little more "active" than I would prefer. His rock style movements drew my attention repeatedly and was the only distraction that I remember.
Sermon
I happened to pick a day to visit when the main pastor was out of town. So, although I didn't get to hear the preaching that you might here if you visit, the man that was preaching was Executive Pastor Britt Sipe. I would describe his style more along the lines of "teaching" than I would "preaching". I appreciated the fact that he called the "dysfunctions" that we inherited from Adam "sin". Too often preachers shy away from mentioning sin. His sermon was thorough and understandable. The only negative, or should I say constructive, criticism that I had was his "bit" at the beginning where he compared the Senior Pastor to Chuck Norris. It was "corny". I also felt that at times he was speaking extremely slow but maybe it was just me. It is difficult for men to stand in the pulpit on occasion verses every Sunday so I will give him some grace in that area.
If you are looking for a family church that has a variety of ministries for all ages and a desire to reach the lost then may want to visit Sunridge.