October 27, 2006

  • The Evolution of Rick Warren

    About 5 years ago I remember going to a
    discipleship class     at my church. The focus was on leadership.  It was
    basically a one year mentoring class between the current leadership and the
    future leaders of the church. We read a book a month and then discussed it. 
    One of the books was Rick Warren's
    Purpose Driven Church    . This was my 1st exposure to Rick's work.  I liked
    it because it was fresh to me at the time, having grown up in a small town.  A couple years later

    Purpose Driven Life     came out and everyone went out and     bought the book.  And they still are for that matter.  I started to resent the Purpose Driven stuff because
    everyone was doing it.  Not that it wasn't good or biblical, just I get a
    little worried when Christianity becomes the cultural thing to do and when I start hearing stuff like "purpose driven life with change your life".  When it starts to surpass the bible for the go to book, I get a little leery.  So I
    was never a big fan of Rick Warren... until recently when I listened to a podcast interview by Catalyst in which he talked about how the success of Purpose Driven Life
    changed his life.  For the better if you ask me.
     

    <<press
    play to listen to the interview>>

    Rick talked about that his influence and
    affluence should be to help the poor and marginalized.  He spoke of a
    second reformation.  Where the 1st was about doctrine/theology, he prays
    that the second would be about living out those doctrines and theology.  Action instead of words.  He also spoke of his wife, marriage and family.  I highly respected his thoughts.

    A while back He came out with the
    P.E.A.C.E. plan and I'm
    proud to see him backing up his vision.  He also has an AIDS conference
    coming up in Nov.  On hiis website,
    www.rickwarren.com    , he speaks of the 5 global giants facing the world.

    1. Spiritual Darkness
    2. Lack of servant leaders around the world
    3. Poverty
    4. Disease
    5. Ignorance

    All five are issues to address.  I'm
    excited to see Rick's influence and affluence in action.  That G-d is using
    him to do big things in the world and that Rick is humble enough to gives G-d the praise for it.  
    I continue to learn to quiet my cynical thoughts about people/leaders and trust
    that G-d is using them to move people towards the kingdom, even if it isn't the
    way I would do it.  I'm interested in reading his book,
    Bible
    Study Methods    .  Has anyone read it, if so what did you think?

    After thought - Pastors out there...
    please don't mimic Rick style just because he's successful.  It's getting
    annoying.  Just because it worked for him doesn't mean it will work for
    you.  Follow Jesus and I'm sure your theology will start to align with
    Rick's!  Then you will have something in common, the love of Christ.  Love G-d, impact the
    world!