The Leadership Blog Interview: Perry Noble

Perry Noble

Bio: Perry is Senior Pastor of New Spring Community Church with over 4000 in attendance each week. New Spring is one of the 100 Fastest Growing Churches in the U.S.

Church: New Spring Community Church
Blog: Perrynoble.com


The Leadership Blog Interview Questions
1. Perry, What gives you the greatest joy in being a leader?
Perry: "Seeing people “get it!” Leading is awesome—but when people see that they need a relationship with Jesus Christ then that pumps me up. There is no greater joy than seeing people come into the kingdom!"

2. What is your biggest pet peeve as a leader?
Perry: "Narrow minded people who are unwilling to accept the fact that though the Gospel never changes…that the methods do!"

3. Who made the biggest influence in your life as a leader?
Perry: "John Maxwell…I didn’t even know anyone even taught on the subject of leadership until I had the privilege of hearing him in 1995…I have read nearly everything the dude has in print. Also Ed Young…being able to meet and network with him has been one of the greatest privileges of my life."

4. What books have changed your life?
Perry: "Not trying to sound super spiritual—but the Bible! One that rocked my world about the way unchurched people think though was, “Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry & Mary!” Wow—totally blew my mind…and God used that to ignite the fire that was already burning inside of me to start a church."

5. What's your biggest challenge as a leader?
Perry: "Maxwell says that if you stay one step ahead of people you are a leader…and if you are 10 steps ahead then you are a martyr…so I guess the challenge is LEADING and not just taking off like a bat out of…well…you know where! People need to be led, not pushed or pulled, and that is a challenge."

6. What goals do you have as a leader?
Perry: "I really want to HEAR from God, His plans, His agenda…and then go for it with all my heart. I have been reading the OT lately & I love the response of the prophets—they would hear from God and then go and do what He told them—they didn’t care who they offended or even if they had to put their life on the line. I want to follow His leadership with that passion—that ambition—to have His goals in mind—and not mine!"

7. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Perry: "Good one—I would have answered that differently about a month and a half ago, but with my recent near death experience I am not taking life for granted. I hope I am the senior pastor of Newspring, that is my current passion and I seriously don’t want to do anything else. However, whatever God wants & whenever He wants it is what I will do! (But once again I REALLY hope it is at Newspring!!!)"

Perry thanks for the great interview. Your passion for God and people have influenced me through your sermon mp3s and your blog. Keep it up!