Perry Noble admits he is 'unqualified to launch new church'

Former NewSpring pastor Perry Noble has said he agrees with his critics when they say he is "unqualified" to start a new church, but he believes that God still wants him to preach the Gospel.

Noble, who was fired from NewSpring last year due to his alcohol addiction, shared a lengthy Facebook post on Tuesday revealing how his critics responded to his efforts to launch a new church.

"Back in July it was announced I have filed the paperwork to one day begin Second Chance Church. Since that time there have been those in the online world who have been quite consistent in communicating to me I am 'unqualified,'" the former pastor said.

"I've intentionally not responded to that accusation in particular until now...and to that accusation I say...Those who are calling me 'unqualified' are absolutely correct," he continued.

After completing treatment at a rehabilitation facility earlier this year, Noble preached his comeback message at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The former pastor has also done some preaching engagements in other churches, prompting members of NewSpring to question why he was not being invited to speak at his former church as well.

In July, NewSpring leaders released a statement telling the congregants that church officials did not think that Noble was qualified to preach, according to biblical standards.

Noble responded by acknowledging that he never met all those qualifications for leadership while he was a pastor at NewSpring, but added that he saw the statement as an attack on the churches that allowed him to preach.

He noted in his latest post that he went over the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3, and acknowledged that he has "dropped the ball" on a number of them.

The Newspring founder contended that he does not know anyone "batting 1,000" on all the qualities needed to be a good Christian leader, and stressed that he has never felt qualified in his life.

"I may be unqualified...But I am also UN-wavering in the fact people who fall down need a Second Chance, and I'm called to start a church not for perfect people, but for those who want to get back up!" Noble wrote.

The former pastor has been sharing some of his personal struggles on social media since he emerged from rehab. He revealed in a Facebook post in July that he once thought about taking his own life, but God's voice saved him just before he was about to carry out his plan.

Earlier this month, Noble announced that he and his wife Lucretia are getting a divorce after 17 years of marriage.