The purpose driven church

[tsth]

I have read and re-read both books. But I also read C. Peter Wagners "Churchquake" years ago and it is all about seeker-sensitive, mega-marketing, mega-churches.

The pentegon has just ordered 26,000 copies of Purpose Driven Life. Rick Warren has said his last mission here on earth is to bring about "Globel Peace". Am I missing something here? Yeshua is the prince of Peace and is the only One who will bring this about.

I think we are in the days of people running to and fro to different pastors and leaders who will tickle their ears. Yeshua is sensitive to those seeking Him, but we should not compromise our walk to water down the word for those who might be offended by the gospel.

I too have seen in my own assembly the compromise of the word, eveything preached from pulpit is mixed with the new reality shows, the football games, verses taken out of context and the things of the world added with it the word of God. A half truth is still a lie. Does anyone preach repentance anymore?

I believe in a Holy Spirit driven life. His purpose for my life, not my own purpose. I too found good things in these books but i found them lacking as they mixed Gods word with mans philosophy. I believe these books are on the leading edge of New age philosophy.

If any of you get a chance to read "churchquake" then please do for I believe it was this book and thinking that has started us all down the slippery sloap that we are in.

I believe the preaching of another Jesus has begun.

Think about this in regard to this day's church:

Click Below:

Whose Sanctuary?

Have eyes to see!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest shadow2b]

-P.S. I'm on my third read through Purpose Driven Life, and am currently leading a small group through 40 days of purpose.

-"THE "PURPOSE" FOR THE SAINTS OF GOD ARE DEFINITIVELY LAID OUT IN THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES WHICH ARE"THE"ONLY REQUIRED READING FOR GOD'S SAINTS....AFTER STUDY IS COMPLETED-"START-OVER-DAILY"-THEN------

--PUT IT INTO ACTION----

-EPH.4.vss.11-12-13--

-And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and -

-some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the

-saints, for the work of the-ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:-Till we all come in the unity of the -faith, and of the knowledge

-of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the-measure of the stature of the

-fulness of Christ:

-1st.COR.12-vss.1.Thru-31-------

-Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 

-And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. -And if they were all one member, where  were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  Are -all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? -But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 

[Spiritual Warrior]

I appreciate Mr. Warren's eagerness to share with others what worked for him and his ministry.  And I agree with him when He states that "Churches offer a message that emphasizes the benefits of the gospel while ignoring the responsibility and cost of following Christ" (p.56). and "Church is not a business".

have you ever seen the mega-plex at Saddleback, with the children's amazing 'parting sea' and the multi-multi million dollar facilities...to say it is not a business I think contradicts it's very nature...it's an incredible place, on acres and acres of land.

Serving him,

gulp..... you got me there. If that is true then you are definitely right!

[ServingHim]

I appreciate Mr. Warren's eagerness to share with others what worked for him and his ministry.

[Marilyn777]

On re-reading this thread some of you are almost putting Saddleback in the same category as the Mormon or JW cults. That is a huge dis-service to this church. Saddleback does not pretend to be anything more or less then a seeker church. Seeker churches are vital to our society today.

The bottom line is people are coming to know Christ as their personal Saviour, and to say that as soon as they become Christians they just leave them on their own with no further teaching is just wrong. This church has all kinds of teaching to further their walk with God all you have to do is look their newsletter to their is something for everyone.

Being a Christian is not just the responsibility of the church its also up to the Christian to seek out the teaching, ask for it, demand it! Growing in the Lord is up to you the individual if you say ok I'm a Christian now, I can just sit back and let the world go by then you will forever be a baby Christian. That is not the fault of the church its your fault. The teaching is there, as a Christian you need to seek it out, and as a Christian you will want to know more about Jesus, you will want to grow in your faith.

Seeker churches are needed and have their place and should not be discounted as meaningless. That is totally unfair. They have so many programs because thats what keeps people coming, it gets you involved in the Christian community you need to be with the body of Christ, worship with the body of Christ.

If I lived in California I can assure you I would be very involved in this church I think it is serving its purpose and I wish my church would have more of their enthusiasm and get up and go. I think God rejoices in the praises coming out of this church just as much as He values the prayers and traditions in your church. I think it is unfair to knock a church just because they have an updated approach to worship. No one will convince me that this church is not valid, I think it has its place, just like any other Christ-filled church. Just my opinion!

In His Love

Marilyn

[ServingHim]

marilyn, no one stated that it wasn't 'valid'...or that it was likened to the mormon or any other 'cult' church that you said. Personally, I just have never heard of a 'seekers church' until the late 20th century....gotta wonder?! But you're right in that it is up to the 'seeker' to seek Truth, and if they start there, then that's awesome...but it cannot possibly END there? For this kind of church seems to me to be a far cry from the church of the early days, IMHO...

[ServingHim]

I think God rejoices in the praises coming out of this church just as much as He values the prayers and traditions in your church.

I agree!

I think it is unfair to knock a church just because they have an updated approach to worship.

so is this 'updated version of worship' for God, or for man?

[ServingHim]

The bottom line is people are coming to know Christ as their personal Saviour

this is very true~~! Have you read the statement of beliefs, though. They preach a very 'feel good' Jesus...in fact, they preach OSAS...do you also believe this? IS this what the Apostles and Christ Himself taught?

[Spiritual Warrior]

Read my post on "why do we go to church"? in the general forum.

[ServingHim]

from their website on their 'beliefs'...

If I Accept Jesus Christ Is My Salvation Forever?

Definitely! Your salvation is through the most trustworthy being in the universe