All In A Days Work

I was re-reading some quotes I posted by Rick as he gave his talk on the "Myths of the American Megachurch" with PEW Forum in 2005.  Struck by the realization I did not even comment on them, I have decided to re-post the quotes, with commentary.

QUOTES OF RICK WARREN:
"There is a verse in the Bible that says the intelligent man is always open to new ideas; in fact, he looks for them. And so when Mike invited me to come to this and I saw your names, I really jumped at the chance. I enjoy these smaller, intimate meetings. You know, when you speak to 23,000, 24,000 people every weekend, crowds don't impress you anymore." 

                     ~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ABOUT THIS:

What verse says the intelligent man is always open to new ideas? 

Rick doesn't mention the verse, but the verse or the wisdom is not the point.  

He does this only to infer his own intelligence.

He also should know better than to think that he would 

only be talking to intimate group of "names" he,

being the intelligent man that he thinks he is 

(and wants you to think he is,)

"jumped" at the chance to meet with.

Note also, how he brags about the numbers of people he talks to "usually."

"Last night, I was in Miami speaking to this huge international convention of all of the Spanish-language publishers and they gave me the city key to Miami, but really I would have more fun with you here today."

~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ABOUT THIS:

Isn't this bragging, and flattery....

Rick says that this meeting was  "more fun" than being honored 

with the keys to the city of Miami 

and speaking to a "HUGE," (and note,) "international...." 

(Question:  Does size get bigger or more important than"international?")

...convention of ALL of the Spanish -language publishers.

His hosts should REALLY be honored that Rick thinks

it is more fun to be here with them today 

than what he did the day before, 

and that he took this opportunity....

(and flattered that their names impressed 

such an "intelligent" man as Rick.)

"As you can imagine, I get a lot of invitations to speak - I get about four or five a day - and so I have been choosing pretty carefully which ones to accept. And I came here because I only speak to influencers, and God has given you a degree of influence. "

~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ABOUT THIS:

Again, his hosts should be impressed that Rick chose to be with them, as opposed to all the other offers he gets daily.... 4 or 5 you know.

He only speaks to "influencers"  

(Those others are probably not important enough 

to have audience with.) Then comes spiritual flattery:

"God has given you a degree of influence. "

(But probably not as much as Rick thinks 

that he has at this point of the conversation.) 

 "The Purpose Driven life is not just the best-selling book in American history; it's the best-selling book in about a dozen languages."~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Rick thinks his book outsells the Bible.

(He thinks it is that GREAT.)

Perhaps he would like it to replace the Bible too?

 "Saddleback is the largest church in America. We had our 25th anniversary on Easter this year. I did 12 services. We had 45,000 in attendance and I preached 12 services in a row. Two weeks later, we celebrated our anniversary and we had never had the church in one location, so we rented Angel Stadium and had 30,000 at Angel Stadium. I have 82,000 names on the church roll."~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ABOUT THIS:
Humility.
What is it, really?
Is Rick Warren a man that displays humility?

" When I wrote "The Purpose Driven Life," I took off seven months and I did not preach, and I did not teach, and I did not lead my staff of 300, but I just wrote the book. And while I was gone, the church grew by 800 people because it's not built on me, it's built on the 9,200 lay ministers in the church." ~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ABOUT THIS:

What did Rick say the "Purpose Driven" church is built on?

What does the Bible say that the Church is built on?

" I know about volunteers. We have 9,200 lay ministers who lead 200-plus different ministries all over southern California. I know these numbers are a little overwhelming, but just to give you an idea, we have 2,600 small groups that meet from Santa Monica to Escondido in 83 cities. And so the church gathers on Sunday for a big service and then meets during the week in homes. That allows us to do all kinds of enormous things. For instance, in November, during our 40 Days of Community, we decided to feed every homeless person in Orange County three meals a day for 40 days. We went out and we found out that was 42,000 people. How do you feed 42,000 people three meals a day for 40 days? Well, it takes a lot of volunteers. And we did - we collected over 2 million pounds of food and those 9,200 lay ministers pulled it off and we fed 40,000 people three meals a day." 
                                                                                                                             ~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ABOUT THIS:

IS there anything that Rick Warren does not claim to know?

He knows all about volunteers... and whoa... 

look at those impressive NUMBERS

that he has so well memorized and gloats over...

continually..

 "While I wasn't known like a Jerry Falwell or a Robert Schuller or some of these media personalities, every pastor in America knew who I was because I put all of my sermons on an Internet site and it gets 400,000 hits a day from pastors. And so, instead of me teaching it on the radio or TV, we put it on the Internet and we allow other pastors to take this material and use it."

~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

Impressive huh?

"Every pastor in America"

listens to Rick and his sermons

even preaches what Rick preaches to their congregations,

according to Rick.

They do not even need their Bible anymore;

they can just download Rick.

"And I would just say to that - the reality is that most members of typical churches could not join Saddleback because they would not be willing to meet the requirements. We have very strong standards for requirements. They're pretty tough, and we're not interested in the big membership; we're interested in turning an audience into an army and mobilizing it for good."~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ABOUT THIS:

Here he sets himself up as being somehow 

"better" than every other church... or rather...

"most "typical " Christians and 

their "typical churches.... as opposed to the 

special ones, like Saddleback.

You can see too that he is not interested in ministerial "numbers,"

though that is all he ever talks about is numbers.

"Well, I'm actually speaking at the University of Judaism this next month, where I've been asked to come in and teach the rabbis my preaching seminar. "~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

THINK ON THIS:
Rick is demonstrating his own greatness once again,
telling us he is "actually" so much in demand that he is
even being asked to teach Rabbis...
and bragging about it.
Do you suppose he will preach the gospel
of Jesus Christ to them
there at the University of Judaism?
Paul preached in the synagogues you know.
He was thrown out.

" All my life I planned to simply pastor this church for life and train pastors. That's all I wanted to do. And so I've spent the last 20 years training about 400,000 pastors in 162 countries. I didn't want to do anything else. And all of a sudden after the book came out, two things happened. First, it brought in a ton of money. I mean, a ton of money. Second, it brought in a lot of notoriety, which I didn't really want. And I began to say, what am I supposed to do with this affluence and what am I supposed to do with this influence? And I call it the stewardship of affluence and the stewardship of influence."~Rick Warren 

Pew Forum, Myths of the Modern Mega Church, 2005, Transcript

You get the idea that he is quite boastful.

And as for all that "affluence," where did (does) it go?

It apparently goes "broke."

In 2009 the word was, Saddleback Church was broke!

Rick Warren in a desparate plea, begged his church for money.

Then the  miracle of people's "radical generosity" took place..

But then, who knows, maybe this urgent plea

was just a gimmick? Perhaps it was planned as a public display

of Rick's "influence." over his congregation, for the media and the watching world?

As it turned out, Saddleback didn't have to close it's doors 

and Rick drummed up more money than he asked 

his congregation for.

You can read my other noted quotes of Rick from this Forum talk
  HERE.


Or better yet, read Pew Forum's Interview
with Rick Warren yourself, Click HERE.

Dedication, Leadership and Rick Warren

It's quite amazing, really, that while Jesus said, "Follow me," voices in the church are trying to make men leaders instead of followers.  They want to bring out the "leader" in you.

You have heard the voices.  You have seen the ads, listened to the sermons, and seen or even read the books by such great leaders and experts on leadership as John Maxwell,  Ken Blanchard, and Rick Warren, just to name a few.  If you listen to these guys, they will have you enthusiastic about your leadership opportunities, attending leadership training seminars, earning your "Masters" ( in Leadership,)  degree, attending a leadership university, in no time..... because see, they are all about this thing called "leadership," and through their fine sounding communication, they want to bring out the "leader",( not the "follower,") in you.

So the question of the day is:  Where does Rick Warren get his big, great, ideas about leadership?

After being informed by media hubs like US News and TIME magazines, even Christianity Today,   about how great a "leader" Rick Warren is, and how he is a man of BIG Ideas.... we should wonder about his inspiration.  Where did he learn what he knows about "leadership?"  How did he learn about building a "mega church?"  Where did he learn what he knows and puts into practice in his life? You might be surprised to know that it's not REALLY the Bible.

Don't misunderstand, Rick Warren mentions the Bible, he went to Bible college, two seminaries, and he hold a doctorate. He reads it, quotes it, and knows a lot about what it says, (except for those "2,000 verses" about God's compassion on the poor that he finally discov3red back in 2002, verses he missed in his studies about helping the poor.)No, he knows a lot about the Bible, but his sources of wisdom and inspiration, his recommendations to other people, are quite interesting.  In fact, in a 2009 interview with the Superintendent for the Assemblies of God churches, George Wood, Rick told the listening audience where he got the inspiring idea for his many "40 Days" campaigns.

It wasn't Noah on the ark for Forty Days and Forty nights....  no, he has mentioned that before, but it's not that,  not really.  It wasn't the number of days that Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness either.  No.  Warren, told his audience exactly where he got the idea for his campaigns from, and, sadly, it really was not the Bible.

He was talking about how he uses what he called "multiple reinforcements," (the idea of being repetitive with an idea, repeating the teaching he gives over a period of time in various aspects during a week, so as to help people better understand what is being communicated and "mature in their faith,) and he then related this to his 40 Day "campaigns." (In a campaign, he basically is given a teaching role in and over a church and all it's parishioners, programs and ministries for a six week period of time and his sermons and lessons and Bible studies are undertaken by the congregation while nothing else is taught in any aspect of the ministry.) Everyone is anticipated to participate and earn the new thing being taught by the "leader," with pastoral permission and consent, no less.  This is then replicated all over the country in churches and homes near and far.

Mr. Warren told Mr. Wood, and subsequently all of us,

"...a number of years ago, we've came out with what we call our "campaigns."  There's-- some people have heard of the "Forty Days of Purpose" campaign, but we've done a lot of them over the years at Saddleback.  One was called, 50 Days of Faith.  One was called, "Millennial Members."  One was called, "I Want to Grow."  One was called, "40 Days of Peace," and practically every year, we'll do this spiritual emphasis, where we pick a subject and we'll focus on it for an intense period of time and we will hear it on Sunday and we will read about it during the week, and we'll discuss it in a small group and we'll do projects and we'll memorize it, and somehow, by doing all these reinforcements, I have found, the spiritual growth just soars!  More than just hearing the sermons, but doing it, in multiple ways."

Interpreted, this means that just "hearing" it 

preached in a sermon is 

not as good as how Rick does it
-with his multiple "reinforcement" plans.

He says that it is this extra "reinforcement" that 

causes "spiritual growth" to "soar."

On the other hand God's word tells us

that faith comes by hearing, and that it is God 

who not only causes things to  grow, 

but God who gives the increase.  

(1 Corinthians 3:7)

After being praised by Mr. Wood for his great leadership abilities and his influence on all the churches in America, Rick loosened up a bit more and went on to explain where, exactly, his idea for the 40 Day, and other notorious campaigns came from.  Rick said, 

"You know, (he stuttered a little bit here,)" by- by-- by doing these, um, "campaigns...." (His tone changed a little bit, ) "I-I actually learned the idea of a campaign, from the communists, (Rick laughs a little... probably nervous laughter,)  "of all people."  (Still almost chuckling, he continued explaining, )"Years ago, there was a book written, called, Dedication and Leadership.  It was written in the fifties, by the head of the Communist Party of England, who converted to Christ.  He actually became a Catholic.  And he wrote this book on what the Church could learn from the Communists... not about "doctrine"...but you know, we know our doctrine, but "what were some of the tools that they used to help win converts to Communism," and he wrote this book called Dedication and Leadership.  It is still in print, by, a Notre Dame Press.  It's not a very well-known book.... but it's Douglas Hyde--if you are a pastor and you want to pick it up..." 

This, in case you missed it, is a sales-pitch for the book.  Rick is simply suggesting that if you are a pastor and want to emulate him, learn as he has, then you should read it too.  Then you will know how to recruit members and build them into leaders

Isn't it interesting that Rick encourages people in leadership position to read this book by Douglas Hyde?  He even went on to mention a particular chapter too, obviously implying that it was something valuable, something of worth to take the time to purchase from Notre Dame Press, and read.  Obviously, he thinks it will help you in your dedication and leadership abilities.  Have you ever even heard of Douglass Hyde?  

You might want to research a little and see 

who this man is before you buy his book simply

on a Rick Warren namedropping-whim.  

Rick fails to mention it, but Douglas Arnold  Hyde

didn't believe in Jesus Christ;

he did however believe in the power of the Vatican, 

but he left that scene too when he felt it 

had failed him and his aspirations 

to change the world.

One can certainly hope he believed in Jesus and that 

someone told him the good news of how

Jesus Christ died for sin,

but it is hard to know 

for sure because Douglas Hyde, 

according to sources like Kevin Morgan,  died having 

returned to the Communist/Socialist Party, 

describing himself as an 

"Agnostic Christian."

Essentially, Rick is instructing American pastors of Christian Churches, to use Communist tools, methods and Communist thinking and strategy.  Why?  And if you're a youngun' then you might want to ask, "Who, or what, are Communists anyway?"

There is a disconnect somewhere.  Have we forgotten human history?  Have we not heard or do we simply ignore what we have heard about the perils of Communist regimes? Do "pastors" not know or do they simply not believe that God gave a method, a specific, sure, guaranteed method for "winning converts" and bringing people into the church?

"Preach the Word!"

(In season and out of season... Preach Christ)

That is God's method, simple and true.

But Rick Warren, apparently, has a better methodology. He learned it from those who knew it well, from people like, Douglas Hyde.

                                                                                              (He learned it from the Communists, and you can learn it too.  

Just never mind that it is

based upon human tradition

and the rudiments of the world

and not on Jesus Christ..)

And, is Rick Warren serious?  He seems to be, as he recommends this reading material to the people of God's church. 

HE must believe it, for he used Stalin, Lenin and Mao as examples of great leadership when he spoke to the crowd at his 25th Anniversary gather at Anaheim Stadium in 2005.  Only then, he asked what would happen if people (American Christians) were "radical", as committed to Jesus Christ as people had been to those "fanatical " leaders of communism, Lenin, Stalin, and Mau se Tong.

Photo from Orange Country Register

The crowd holds up signs in front of Rick Warren, 

signs that say "Whatever it takes"

Yes, Pastor Rick.  "Whatever it takes."  

(They will do "whatever" it takes... only who is going to tell them what to do?  And, isn't that what the Hitler Youth told Hitler?)

Is Rick serious?  Does he really believe that the Communists with their Communistic methodologies should be employed or be an example to the church?  Do people in the church just simply believe him?

He must.  They hold up signs and read his books. And now, he wants you, pastor, to go get and read Douglas Hyde's "little known" until "now announced" by Rick, book.

It's weird.

Think of Paul of Tarsus.  Paul said, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (NIV)

Paul was always pointing to the savior, to the author and finisher of our faith...Jesus Christ.  He knew that it was his job to do so.  He knew that men needed to believe on the one who could save them from their sin, and he preach Christ relentlessly, pointing people to the scriptures so they could believe.  On the subject of what makes a good leader or how to be a leader, Paul would have probably replied, "I determined to known nothing among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

Who did Paul follow, who was he partnered with and from whom did he learn?

Who should we learn from?..... Douglas Hyde?

Who does Rick Warren partner, or "yoke" with?  From whom does he learn and take his cues?  (Hyde?)  What names and associations does he have a high regard for?  Who does he emulate or use as an example of leadership?  In case you have not noticed, Rick likes to drop a lot of names and ideas upon his "purpose driven" listeners and it is not so impressive that he chooses to use things like the "Communist Party" and "Douglas Hyde" and to present them in some strangely positive "light." 

But wait, there's more....

Rick, still being interviewed by Mr. Wood, (Minute 21: 17 if you care to view it yourself.) said quite proudly, as he chuckled once again,

"We actually started small groups with unbelievers as the leader."

Really Rick? (This too is supposed to be seen as a positive thing.) 

It makes sense, for if he had actual believers leading these small groups, they might be more like those "nobler " Bereans who checked the scriptures to see if what Paul (the Apostle) taught them was even remotely true.  (Note: They found that what Paul preached lined up with the Old Testament truths of God!)

Without believers as "leaders", no one will really need to question what they are being taught.  They will only get answers being taught by Rick  at the convenience of a DVD player.  You cannot ask a DVD questions.  You cannot ask a group leader who only has the answers Rick gives either.  Conveniently,living room and church audiences who do not know any better, will just believe Rick and whatever he says, cause he is the "pastor," and many naive people may even be willing to do  "whatever it takes" to get the results the leader desires.

"Whatever," is a pretty-big word.  It can entail a lot of things.

Jesus, perhaps, said it best, when he said,

"If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."

Matthew 15:14


But this same Jesus, heals the blind, redeems the lost and He sets the captive free!



Watch the Assemblies of God, Rick Warren Interview, here.

Colossians 2:8
"See to it that no one takes you captive though philosophy and empty deception, according to the principals of the world, rather than on Christ."
(NASB)

*****************************
        RICK WARREN POEM  Click Here

"Pastor"," President" or Possibly, "Pope?"

Rick Warren answers, "How do you organize a mega-church?"

"One of my mentors was Peter Drucker. And he mentored me in principles of leadership for about 20 years."  Rick Warren

 

"I mean I could be a mayor. Just call me "Mayor Rick" instead of "Pastor Rick." The church I pastor is like 1,000 times as big as the town I grew up in. It’s 100,000 names." Rick Warren


" And so, I actually pastor about 14 other pastors. And these 14 pastors take care of about 450 full-time staff. And those 450 full-time staff take care of over 10,000 lay leaders in different small groups. And those 10,000 lay leaders in different groups and ministries take care of 100,000 people."
Rick Warren

About that Brighter Future

How to have a brighter future:

 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him  
from the dead, 
thou shalt be saved."   Romans 10:9

****************************

Once again, it is interesting how Rick Warren offers his hearers a completely different kind of future, one he says is" brighter" and he fails to offer people the forgiveness for their sin through Jesus too.  Hos idea of a brighter future has nothing to do with the gospel and is based upon the rudiments of this world. 

Rick Warren concluded his recent, Belief Blog editorial for CNN, (July 3, 2011, ) a piece he titled, "Church is world's most powerful weapon against AIDS,"  by saying, "But if the church and other faith communities will step up to the table, and as governments and other health organizations welcome their assistance, the future can be brighter."  With no mention of the gospel in the article, one has to assume that a brighter future will be had "IF" the people of earth (the church and other faith communities,) would just "step up to the table."  What table he is talking about is anybody;s guess, but He presumes they don't and he wants to lead the church in an effort to help people with AIDS. 


AIDS is a terrible disease and as a disease, it is now become one of Warren's pet projects,. Taking on the issue of AIDS is not only politically correct in certain circles of influence, but is also demonstrates his concern for the welfare of humanity.  Not only that, fighting the terrible "giant" of disease is part of his "P.E.A.C.E. Plan," his plan for saving the world.  But what is AIDS?  What hope is there currently for people who are infected with AIDS?  Is a "brighter" future- the kind of future where the church and other faith communities come together to cure diseases like AIDS, all they really need?

AIDS, the acronym given to a disease known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  As the name suggests is not a disease you are born with, but it's a slow attacking virus called HIV that is acquired, transmitted from person to person, through the exchange of bodily fluids, like blood.  The infected person who is infected with the virus, develops AIDS and then suffers the progressive failure of the body's immune system making them susceptible to all kinds of disease, including cancers, for which they have no defense.

If you remember the early 1980's, you might remember that AIDS, appeared on the health scene as a very serious health matter.  At first it seemed to be affecting homosexual males only, and as more and more people were dying, the concern about public health grew, especially when the disease appeared to transfer not only in sexual contact, but in the blood supply as several hemophiliacs were diagnosed. 

The now rapidly spreading disease rightly had the attention of the Center for Disease Control who began talking about how everyone, not just homosexuals, was at risk.  Our national supply of blood used in hospitals to aid in emergency situations and surgical procedures was being tainted with the HIV virus that caused AIDS.  It was not just the homosexual, the sexually promiscuous or needle drug users who were in danger, it was everyone and anyone who came into direct contact with bodily fluids, especially blood.  Scientists were working hard to find the disease's specific mechanism of spreading, hoping for a cure.  

Needless to say, fear spread far and wide about the possibilities for contracting the disease and people became vocal... and as such, you can guess that a lot of things were said, (as rick Points out in this article,) but with research, screenings to identify infected individuals and the ability to specifically identify tainted blood, as well as a better understanding of the progression of the disease a lot of  unrealistic fears have been quelled, but contrary to what some people think, AIDS remains a killer disease.  There is no cure.  AIDS leaves in it's wake sick people, broken lives, death, torn apart families and the real fear of contracting such a terrible, deadly disease unsuspectingly.

Click here to read a History of AIDS

Click here to read 30 years of AIDS moments 

 (Something recommended by Rick in this CNN article.)

As AIDS reaps it's devastation, it is kind of Rick to encourage people of all faith communities to lend those who are suffering, a compassionate, helping hand.  It's the right thing to do.  However, those who are dying, those who are facing death, who hunger and thirst for life need more than a helpful human hand that calls them to remind them to take their needed meds, as Rick, in the CNN article suggested as a practical way for the church to help the AIDS epidemic.  No, what they need is to  know God and the love of God in Jesus Christ.  They need to warned of where they are headed, told about Jesus, and be saved from the peril of death and doom, that awaits every sinner that is on their way through death's open door.

Unfortunately, right here, on CNN, writing to the world and the church, (Pastor) Rick fails once again to mention the gospel that leads to eternal life and a hope beyond the grave.   Instead he has apparently written to enlist the Christian church, (which he even called the world's most powerful weapon)  in helping governments and health organization, build for the world a brighter future.  But he wants to give hope to AIDS patients and the people he inisters to, so he titles the article, Church is world's most powerful weapon against AIDS." 

It should be noted that the church is powerful but the church is not the world's weapon.  There is power behind the church, making it powerful, but that power is not the church itself.  It is not in the numbers of Christians that there currently are in the world or in the large and measurable size of a churches congregation or building either, (contrary to what this man, (Rick,) so interested in numbers, might say or think.   The powerfulness of church is actually the power and glory of God, the Holy Spirit,  working in his people, doing and leading others into the will and work of God, which is believing on the one whom he sent.   In fact, the church, while is is not a "weapon," has it's own weapons that are nothing like the weapons of the world.  The church is God's and it originated with God; it was his idea from the beginning.  Since the "church" does not originate with man, but God; God is the owner of it and it is not the world's greatest weapon. 

Now some people, like Rick, might believe that if only the people of earth would all collaborate and work together there will be a brighter future for humanity, but this kind of salvation is only for this life.  It is not the same as the salvation we have in Jesus Christ which lasts forever, and ever.  It's the kind of salvation that is only helpful to you as long as you are alive and well on planet earth, but sooner, or later, one will  come to realize that this immortality is only for a limited time, for like everything else that experiences life on this planet, you...(yes you) ... die. Life underground with a body that is deceased and decayed, is not such a pretty picture and certainly not a "bright" future.

What happens to your being after you die?  Well, that is where faith comes in.  A person can believe many things.  Christians believe that life is sacred and special and meaningful.  They believe in a creator God and in his love for all of creation.  They also believe in God's love and forgiveness displayed in Jesus Christ, and they believe Him for the promise of Eternal life. They believe that because God is God and because God sent Jesus and because Jesus rose from death to life, and they believe upon him, they, like Jesus will live again
.  

It can be quite perplexing when Rick, professing to be a Christian, neglects to tell the watching world what this Gospel is. Right here on CNN, again and in this article, Rick Warren skipped the gospel.
Yet in this article, he also finds fault with the church and complains they just do not do enough.  He then uses the guilt (or self-righteous thoughts people have in response to his accusations against THE CHURCH,) to get people moved into action, wanting to fight his cause. But slick Rick goes even a step further, than adding guilt to insult.  His special finishing touch, the thing wrapping his lack of the gospel up in a bow is flattery to those who would do as he bids.... those who want to be great and do great things like Rick.  He flatters people saying,  "Church" (this means YOU  church,) is the greatest weapon of the world.

But Pastor Rick should know the church is not "of the world,"  (John 18:36) and he should also know that we who are the church are not to be conformed to the pattern of the world,  (Romans 12:12)and yet, we see he thinks the Christian communities are just like all the other faith communities around. 
But let's talk about the "brighter" future that Rick does offer.... that future that "will be brighter. "if the church and other faith faith communities will step up to the table, and as governments and other health organizations welcome their assistance"  

You cannot have a  brighter future without light.  

Jesus said, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23) NIV He also said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(John 8:12) ESV  It's a bit ironic, maybe even a bit "protest-y," that Rick demands pastors and churches be "healthy," like him, and subsequently make use of being able to buy his books and programs by the score. 

So the question is, "How can Rick offer people a true brighter future, without JEsus, the light that comes from God?" The answer:  He can't.  Instead he offers them world government organizations (and Purpose Driven Lives.)

Rick's ideal future is  (see his P.E.A.C.E. Plan) is really no "hope" for anything other than a good life while you are alive and well, here on planet earth. 

"But if the church and other faith communities will step up to the table, and as governments and other health organizations welcome their assistance, the future can be brighter."
Rick Warren CNN Belief Blog editorial, July 3,2011

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, 

we are of all men most miserable.

1 Corinthians 15:19

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2:8

God Laughs Out Loud?

Rick has taken to tweeting things for people to read and believe.  He says, 

"When we try to plan out every detail of our lives, God laughs out loud."
 Rick Warren Tweet,  June 10, 2011

So, what picture of God do you get here?

Does God really laugh at you because you have a plan,

because you "try to plan out every detail" of your life 

and he knows so much better than you do?

And, is God really laughing at you, "laughing out loud" or does he luagh simply 

because he is thinking you are "cute" as you attempt something too big for you to do?

What picture of God does Rick Warren here offer you?

Whatever picture you get, the ironic thing about this message he tweeted recently is that 

 Rick, himself, is always telling people that they "need a plan."

He is hoping you will want one he offers....

the PEACE PLAN...

The DANIEL PLAN.

You see, Rick thinks you need a PLAN.. one of his.

He says:

"Although faith and prayer are important ingredients to bringing others to Jesus, you need to do something too! You need a plan."

Seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus

By Rick Warren, 8/04/2004, Minstry Toolbox

 

Does the reader realize Rick just told them that simple faith was NOT enough?

"Your small group needs a plan to bring people to Jesus. Without it, you’ll never bring anyone to the Savior.

Seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus

By Rick Warren, 8/04/2004, Minstry Toolbox

 

(You not only need a plan, but you need to purchase

a book or a program from Rick to help you plan, too.)

 

Do you, who know wht the Bible says about how people come to know JEsus

actually agree with Rick when he says, 

that without having a plan, 

you will NEVER 

bring anyone to the Savior? 

 

"Never"? 

 

Do you realize that Rick is peddling something 

and it's not the Word of God?

 

"Goal setting is the next step in planning.  You have to have a target.  If you aim at nothing you are going to hit it.  Ask yourself three questions:  What do I want to be?  What do I want to do?  What do I want to have?   Those are the questions you ask in establishing a goal."

Rick Warren, How Leaders Plan, Nehemiah: Lessons in Leadership, Part 3 of 11,

Does the average Christian reader of this 

"Bible Study" on Nehemiah by Rick Warren even realize 

that Rick just dismissed the whole Lord's Prayer concept

of a Christian praying, "Thy will be done," 

with this lesson on 

 leadership and his ideas 

of planning out your life 

and creating your own goals for what YOU WANT and 

what YOU WANT to achieve?

 

"A leader must think further in advance than everyone else to figure out what the problems are so that when you get there, you already know how you are going to deal with them."

Rick Warren, How Leaders Plan, Nehemiah: Lessons in Leadership, Part 3 of 11,

Yes, you too must anticipate and plan ahead for every detail..

.know exactly what you will eat and waer and do and what to say....

how you will deal with every problem that can arise.

(Just never mind Matthew 6: 30-34 and Matthew 10:19)

for according to Rick, you should already have this all planned out....

if you are a good" leader" anyway, at least according to Rick.

and Rick, is a man with a plan.

In fact Rick will teach "leaders" to plan...
everything in advance.  He even has a few plans of his own...

The  "P.E.A.C.E. Plan,"
The Daniel Plan.

So, are you now believing Rick when he says in his tweet, that "God laughs out loud" when people try to plan out ever detail of their lives?  Are you believing Rick when he tells you that you need to be that person planning out every detail of your life in advance, particularly if you are a leader... and this, under the tutelage of Rick?  Which is it, and what is the nature of the God that is supposed to be so happily amused?

Are you confused?

Rick says:


"Although faith and prayer are important ingredients to bringing others to Jesus, you need to do something too! You need a plan. When the four friends saw the way to Jesus was blocked, they came up with a plan to get the paraplegic to Jesus. Your small group needs a plan to bring people to Jesus. Without it, you’ll never bring anyone to the Savior."
Rick Warren, Minstry Toolbox  #166, 2004
Seven ways a small group can reach people for Jesus

So... is God laughing?  Is he laughing "out loud" as you, (and your congregations,) under the tutelage of Rick Warren's many "Purpose Driven" books and materials, make YOUR plans and decide what YOU want to do and be and purpose.. for yourself, and make BIG plans and BIG dreams for what YOU want to see happen in your life and in your ministry?  

"When we try to plan out every detail of our lives, God laughs out loud."
 Rick Warren Tweet,  June 10, 2011

Rick says, God is laughing... as if God either thinks it's cute of us humans to see ourselves in the role of trying to be God.... or that he is somehow amused to see us fail. in our attempts to do the impossible, the things that only He, as God, can actually do.

God is not amused when we put ourselves in the role of trying to be God, ,nor does he find our willfulness to be funny or amusing.  This, from what the scriptures tell us about God, is not the character of our Almighty, loving and Holy God.

Judge for yourself.... 

Is God laughing at or about such such things as us planning out every detail of our lives?  Wy would God laugh at such a thing as this?
 
Is God laughing with us...or laughing at us?  Is he laughing about this matter at all? 

What do you think? 
Is God laughing.... "out loud?"

Psalm 33 (NASB) verses 10-22

The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations;

He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, 

The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. 

The LORD looks from heaven; 

He sees all the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,

He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.

The king is not saved by a mighty army;

A warrior is not delivered by great strength.  

A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.

Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.