I’d love to speak to people from Springs Church

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This article was published 20/11/2021 (1798 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What’s up with Springs Church?

That’s a question I get asked whenever the large non-denominational church here in Winnipeg makes the news — which is often, these days.

It comes from both churchgoing and non-churchgoing people. They want to know why Springs is pushing the edge of pandemic public health orders, such as breaking gathering restrictions for a graduation ceremony and challenging limits on outdoor services.

They also wonder about its decision to offer vaccine exemptions to people who ask for them. What’s up with that?

I would like to know why the church acts that way, too. But each time I call to inquire about it, I get no response. (Nobody at Springs has ever said so, but the church seems to have a firm policy of never talking to the media.)

People who attend Springs are reluctant to talk, too. This includes Audrey Gordon, minister of mental health, wellness and recovery, who either doesn’t reply or deflects questions about her involvement at the church.

Queries to other evangelical leaders in the city produce similar results. Privately, some will express frustrations with decisions made by Springs. But they prefer not to say anything in public in an effort to preserve Christian unity.

Whatever can be found out about the church has to be gleaned from other sources. In that regard, one way Springs is surprisingly forthcoming is its finances. Unlike most other churches, it posts its audited statements on its website.

This means you can find out how much it raised last year ($11.4 million) and how much of that came in from offerings ($9.5 million). Along with that, you can see how much it paid its 58 full-time and 33 part-time staff.

If you want to know how much it pays its senior leaders, you have to check the Canada Revenue Agency website. But on its own website, Springs says it “believes in paying employees fairly,” with salaries “in line with the marketplace.”

Executive salaries, it adds, are determined through independent salary surveys and Leon Fontaine’s salary is “determined solely” by the board of the church.

I did find one person who attends Springs who would speak to me (without using his name).

This person told me he goes to Springs because he likes the preaching, the teaching and the music. He also spoke highly of the Fontaines and other leaders, and praised the church’s youth programs.

“My family has benefited from going there,” he said, adding because of attending Springs “I’m growing in my faith. It’s definitely been a blessing.”

As for criticisms that the church only wants people’s money, he testily replied that is false.

“I give because I’ve been blessed by the church; I’m giving out of my blessings,” he said, adding when the offering is taken it’s made clear it is for regular attenders only.

As for the negative press Springs receives, he was dismissive.

“Jesus was against the religious leaders of his day, too,” he said, equating modern-day critiques of Springs with those who opposed Jesus in the Bible.

Plus, he added, the church isn’t trying to win a popularity contest. “If you stick your head above the crowd, you can expect to be criticized,” he said.

His take on the negative media attention is it only makes people more interested in the church.

“I would rejoice if people came to Springs and came to Christ because of the bad press,” he said.

He’s not alone. Others also feel positively, according to reviews on a website called Hey Church.

“Springs is a place where you can come as you are, be accepted and loved,” said someone named Rodrigo.

“We love this church so much. The messages of pastor Leon are very practical and helpful in our daily spiritual life. This is so far the best church,” said Luella.

“Wonderful services filled with a great atmosphere, learning and getting right with God,” added Jennifer.

“I feel loved, accepted and forgiven at Springs. That’s the way church should make you feel,” said Nelson.

Not everyone feels that way, of course. There are disgruntled former attendees who left feeling used and burned out. But that would be true for many churches.

I’m not trying to gloss over how Springs has acted during the pandemic; its statements and actions have frustrated and angered many and led some to tar all evangelical churches in the city with the same negative brush. That’s unfortunate; the vast majority of those churches in Winnipeg, perhaps all of them, are following public health guidelines on masks and gathering limits.

Maybe Springs has developed its own reasons for acting the way it does. Maybe they’ve spent time studying the Bible and come up with these conclusions. But until someone from that church explains why they are acting this way, the frustration among churchgoers and non-churchgoers will continue.

If someone wants to do that, my email address is below.

faith@freepress.mb.ca

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