to be good at fishing,
you’ve got to learn
to think like a fish"
-Rick Warren
To Catch Fish, Learn To think Like Them
by Rick Warren,
11/16/12
Christian Post,
christianpost.com
Rick wrote an article for the Christian Post recently whereby he instructed his readership, "If you’re going to be good at fishing, you’ve got to learn to think like a fish. If you’re going to be an effective fisher of men, you’ve got to think like a lost person."- Rick Warren
Really? Did he, as pastor, just say that to be an effective "fisher of men," (as Jesus told his disciples they would be when they followed him,) you've got to (learn to) think like a "lost person.' Such a comment kinda makes a person wonder..... did he just make that up?
Did Rick Warren get this concept from the Bible? If so, where does the bible teach this? He didn't mention anything about that. Do you wonder why? Also, is it true that learning to think like a "lost person" will make you a better "fisher of men?"
True or not, Rick expects you and every other reader of the Christian Post, to believe what he says, but do not let the proverbial "wool" be easily pulled over your eyes! This is hardly biblical advice. The way to be better fishers of men, in to know the word, and preach it, in season or out...
If you remember your scripture, you might recall that young Timothy was encouraged to "preach the word," in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:2) This would infer that any lost person was as fair game as anyone, fair game, anywhere, anytime. God's Word preached to them, would be the hook, they would perhaps believe, and subsequently be saved from the depths of their sin and ultimate condemnation for sin. Besides, it's not really that difficult to walk in the flesh, hate God and think there is some righteousness in yourself as many a lost persons tend to do. Rick suggests, that you, Christian, learn how to think like a lost person, that is, if you want to be a really good "fisher of men."
But bad enough as it is, (according to Pastor Rick,) to be a "Christian" who has no concept of what it is like to be a "lost person," look out! Pastors are (apparently,) even worse.... And wouldn;t you know, Rick makes himself out to be even worse... he's a "son-of-a-pastor! and you know how BAD they are! If you do not know, Rick here, (in this same article) will tell you... there is a big problem:
"Here’s the problem. Unfortunately, the longer you are a Christian, the less you think like an unbeliever. I don’t think like a non-Christian; I think like a Christian. In fact, I think like a pastor. That’s even worse! It’s two generations removed from the people I want to reach." - Rick Warren
To Catch Fish, Learn To think Like Them by Rick Warren, 11/16/12 Christian Post, christianpost.com
"If you’re going to understand and reach non-Christians, you’ve got to begin with their mindset. The Bible says in Luke 6, “Jesus knew what they were thinking” (GW). In fact, multiple times in Scripture we read that Jesus knew what the people whom he was ministering to were thinking. Jesus gives us a great example of someone thinking like a fish."-Rick Warren
To Catch Fish, Learn To think Like Them by Rick Warren, 11/16/12 Christian Post, christianpost.com
No. Jesus was not thinking like those fish. You see, Jesus knew their thoughts because he is omniscient... He's God. God knows all things. This was not some Rick Warren Fish Think technique that Jesus happened to have employ.
Rick will continue the deception and enlighten you once more with his wisdom about how wrong the church is.... (well, all those "many churches,") you can bet that he does not refer here to his preferred brand of church when he says,
"Unfortunately, many churches don't take the time to understand the people they want to reach and they don't have a strategy. They want to win people to Christ as long as it can be done in a comfortable way."-Rick Warren
Rick Warren: Jesus gave five fishing guidelines for evangelism By Jon Walker,
But Rick has a strategy.... one that you can purchase from Saddleback.com. In fact he has quite a few products for sale that you can implement, for a fee.
You might even say that his entire "fishing for men," concept has more to do with economics than the kingdom of God, for Rick suggests you invest a lot of money in fishing, so that you get a big return. He says that the financial return is proportional to your investment. The reason that you need to fish and fish well, is because money just pours out from all thoses fishes mouth! (Just like Matthew 17:27!)
So church, remember....you need to change. Start thinking like unbelievers.... and stop writing things that won't appeal to unbelievers too.
Question:
Using the advertising example of a church advertising not being appealing to unbelievers, how might the church retain those same unbelievers who have now been lured into the church pews with Warren's idea of appropriate bait....since they are those who oppose the notion of the Word of God being preached at a church?
Third, when you spend nickels and dimes on evangelism, you get nickel and dime results. Do you remember the story about the time Jesus told Peter to go find money in a fish’s mouth in order to pay the Roman taxes? In Matthew 17:27 (NIV) Jesus told Peter, "... go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.” I believe there is an important lesson in that story: The coin was in the mouth of the fish! If you’ll focus on fishing (evangelism), God will pay your bills!" -Rick Warren
How Much Does Evangelism Cost? By Rick Warren Pastors.com
So church, remember....you need to change. Start thinking like unbelievers.... and stop writing things that won't appeal to unbelievers too.
"We must learn to think like unbelievers in order to win them," appealed Warren. "The problem is the longer you are a believer, the less you think like an unbeliever. Your interests and values change. You must intentionally change mental gears when seeking to relate to non-Christians." Using church advertising as an example, Warren said most of it is written from a believer's viewpoint, not from the mind-set of the unchurched. He asked, "When you see a church ad that announces 'Preaching the inerrant Word of God,' who do you think that ad appeals to?"
Question:
Using the advertising example of a church advertising not being appealing to unbelievers, how might the church retain those same unbelievers who have now been lured into the church pews with Warren's idea of appropriate bait....since they are those who oppose the notion of the Word of God being preached at a church?
2 Corinthians 6 14-18
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them,
and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
