Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina - led by Pastor Steven Furtick - has drawn some criticism lately for its unorthodox methods of leading people to be baptized.

The criticism has stemmed around a guide the church has created on how to attract large numbers for baptisms.  The guide in question is titled, Spontaneous Baptisms - A How-To Guide, and is shared freely on the Sun Stand Still website.

Page one of the guide immediately stirs controversy for some, as it describes how the first people instructed to respond to Pastor Furtick's call to baptism are not authentic new converts wanting to make the outward declaration, but are in fact Elevation volunteers carefully planted in the crowd.

The guide instructs, "Fifteen people will sit in the worship experience and be the first ones to move when Pastor gives the call. Move intentionally through the highest visibility areas and the longest walk."

James Duncan, a communications professor at Anderson University, is one of the core critics of this method being used by Furtick. Duncan reported to WCNC: "They had people in the crowd stand up who never intended to be baptized. They were shilling for Steven and the intent was these shills stand up and everybody else follows."

While those supportive of the church's strategy would claim that the method being used is just a way to help people nervous about being the first to get up actually take the leap, Duncan instead believes the method is a form of "emotional manipulation."

"Although Furtick says this is a miracle, it's not a miracle," Duncan added. "It's emotional manipulation."

The guide defines its purpose as to "pull off our part in God's miracle."

Rev. David Key, who teaches Southern Baptist Studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, has also offered his thoughts to the news site, saying: "Most people would not want to be seen as manipulating a group because then you would have questions of authenticity. This church has obviously discovered what we in the industry call the 'Disneyfication' of religious services," he said, comparing the method to Disney movies.

"A church like his does not create any denominational loyalty," Rev. Key says, stating that the church is doing harm to their converts.

He added, "Because every member of Elevation Church will not necessarily look for a Southern Baptist church when they move away."

WCNC has reported that it requested Pastor Steven Furtick consent to an unedited, on-camera interview. However, in response Elevation Chief Financial Officer Chunks Corbett e-mailed a statement, part of which stated:

"We are confident that those who attend Elevation Church know and understand our mission and vision for reaching people for Jesus Christ. As attendees, they are provided, through weekly teachings, biblical context for everything we do and practice, such as baptism, giving, serving and inviting friends to church."

Elevation Church keeps an exact count of its thousands of baptisms, more than 3,000 people were Baptized in the church last year alone.

Read the complete statement from Elevation Church here.