Ministry Toolbox by Rick Warren....
(
From : Issue #143 2/25/2004 Titled: Four ways to break out of that tiresome rut
(Note HE is addressing pastors...
and people of the church as if they are in a rut.
"Poor church," huh? Well, at least according to Rick...
who thinks they are in a "tiresome rut!")
Rick begins:
" Ruts can plague a person in any area of life. Ministry is no different. I've got great news for you! God doesn't want you in that ministry rut, and He even has a plan to help you escape."Four ways to break out of that tiresome rut by Rick Warren, Ministry Toolbox, Issue #143 2/25/2004
(That is, (interpreted) God will help you
get out of the ministry rut when you listen to Rick's "great"
and "awesome insight".... and agree with him that you
are discontent and find yourself in a (tiresome) ministry rut. ).
"FOUR STEPS FOR GETTING OUT OF THE RUT"
(... the terrible RUT of Christian "ministry")
"1. ASSUME responsibility for your own life. "
Hold on Rick. What about putting God in control of your life.... giving it over to Him... resting in his plan and purpose, and being comforted by His Word? What about learning to be content in every circumstance?
What about prayer? What about counseling with others in fellowship
with you, if you really do feel this way and need help?
What about remembering God is in control,
in every circumstance, and this,
especially in the realm of Christian ministry, a
nd in light of the gospel of Christ?
Whatever happened to being under the headship of Christ?
Is this being in a rut?
If Rick Warren means, take responsibility
for your sin and confess your sin,
that is one thing, but it appears tht hae isn't.
He is talking to Christians about ministry
in their churches, playing off their emotions that might
make them feel like they should be discontent
with soemthing about the work they are in.
He is basically, giving them worldly advice, that of saying,
"HEy Christian, assume some responsibility for your own life"
and realize "you are wasting your potential?" )
"Refuse to be either an excuser (rationalize failure) or an accuser (blame others). Instead, be a chooser, and choose to break out of the rut you're in."
"BE A CHOOSER?"
Yes, like the Little Engine That Could...
be sure , dear Christian,
don't make excuses
and don't blame others...
just be sure to CHOOSE
-assert your will. "
NOTE, dear reader of this blog,: To say, "BE a chooser",
is not the same as saying, "ask God to help you
or ask God to direct you in your situation"
NO. Not the same at all.
Funny thing is, Warren does this so eloquently,
making it sound like he is simply talking about kicking
a cigarette habit or drinking proble.,
He is not.
He is talking about ministry...
and being discontent..
HE is also talking about things like, worship,
and all those other old "ruts" of doing church
any other way but with His "Rick Warren, Prupose Driven"
Trademark-TM)
"healthy" brand of something
he calls "CHURCH.".
"2. BELIEVE you can change! Stop saying "I can't" and start saying "I can."
Wait a minute Rick, are you saying,
I can do all things.. on my own….
if I only believe I can?
How come you are not saying something biblical like,
"I can do all things through Christ" who gives me strength?
Sounds like you are saying, that I can
just name it and claim it for myself.
His train of thought, like the Little Engine,
suggests that we just think something
and it becomes what takes place
simply because we thought it or believed it.
What if what you believe is only temporal or untrue?
"3. CLARIFY what you really want. Write down specifically how you'd like to change."
As if, "you know best what it is that you need? "
(Rick has pointers in his books about changing things
at church to be more relevant... a whole long list.
So, "What would YOU like to change?"
He doesn't talk here to pastors about praying
and asking God to show or lead you, or give you wisdom.
But then, why should he when what he really wants
is people to listen to him
and read his books
and do what he suggests...as "America's pastor"?
Christian reader, do you not think it is remarkable
that such biblical things are never mentioned
in this part of this article, let alone the article at all?
Overall the message being given here by Rick
is quite an opposite message from the Bible.
.
(Rick has pointers in his books about changing things
at church to be more relevant... a whole long list.
So, "What would YOU like to change?"
He doesn't talk here to pastors about praying
and asking God to show or lead you, or give you wisdom.
But then, why should he when what he really wants
is people to listen to him
and read his books
and do what he suggests...as "America's pastor"?
Christian reader, do you not think it is remarkable
that such biblical things are never mentioned
in this part of this article, let alone the article at all?
Overall the message being given here by Rick
is quite an opposite message from the Bible.
.
4. DON'T WAIT for ideal circumstances.
Stop saying "When things settle down ....”
Do it now! One of these days" is really none of these days.
This is more worldly wisdom.
It is void of patience.
(What spirit says, "Hurry up!" and "Just do it."? )
In fact it sounds more like a Nike commercial.
"PRAY THIS: "God help me to do something differently this week and to do it better. Give me your strength to change."
Until next week,
Rick"
Synopsis: Rick tells the discontented Christian person
in ministry, the "great news" that they can escape
the" ministry rut" if they listen to him.
He then advises them to take charge of their own life,
assert their own will, ..and make some rash changes,
which he hopes will amount to the person
who begins to take his advice,
believing everything he says, buying his books,
subscribing to pastors.com
reading all the daily reads
and changing their church
to be "Healthy" as defined by Rick and friends.
It should be obvious that the whole
PURPOSE
is to drive them all
into his purpose driven model concept.
To top it all off he then tells them to pray
and ask
(oops)
tell ,
God what to do....
"Give me your strength to change."
"Change" is a great concept... a popular political campaign too. The funny thing is that change will occur, like it or not, even without trying much.. What people need is to under go a change, but it is to change from being unstable to being focused, steadfast; to change in the right direction if you are wrong... not just change for the sake of changing.
So, if you are in what you might call a "tiresome rut."... another solution might be to seek God.... put your focus on Him. Remember, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Don't think about the things that are wrong.... and most of all Ask God what to do... The book of James informs us that God gives to all who ask, generously.
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