Warren has "thanked" God in prayer for what he calls a “stealth movement flying beneath the radar that’s changing literally thousands of churches around the world.” He describes himself saying, "I've been the stealth evangelist." Stealth? Really???? In a world where the heaven's declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the world of his hands, is it likely that God's desire is for Christians ( or pastor's like Rick) to be "stealth? No, it's not very likely. Do you put a lamp under a bushel? (Matthew 5:15) No. YOu pur it where it can be seen. However, Rick calls what he has done, a "stealth operation" and he's on a mission. His intention is that of changing churches all over the world.
Part of the "stealth" behavior on the part of Pastor Rick is to change the very foundation n which the church has been established. " Good-bye" to simple faith in Jesus and "hello" to purpose!
"Healthy churches are built on purpose! "
"Strong churches are built on Purpose!" ~ Rick Warren
(Link above is now obolete, please see, Sermoncentral.com The Purposeful Church by Rick Grimes, who quotes Rick Warren on this..
"Nothing precedes purpose." ~ Rick Warren
(Link above is now obolete, please see, Sermoncentral.com The Purposeful Church by Rick Grimes, who quotes Rick Warren on this..
"Nothing precedes purpose." ~ Rick Warren
(Readers might do well to examine, Matthew 16:18; John 15:5; and John 1:1)
Nothing precedes purpose? ("In the beginning... Purpose"?)
It is part and parcel of the paradigm shift implemented in a "stealth operation" flying under the radar, and thus begins a whole new way of thinking for the "church."
The Purpose Driven Church book cover reads, " Rick Warren believes that in order for a church to be healthy it must become a purpose-driven church, built around the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus." So incredibly popular, how could Rick be wrong when he says that you must do this if you want to be healthy? And did you notice, if you do not then, then you are the opposite of "healthy," which is unhealthy, sick, or diseased.
In case you think Rick's wrong, he has added that these are "the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus." If you are not on board with Rick, you will look to both believers who buy into the principles in his book, and those who have no idea what Jesus actually taught, as if you are not doing what Jesus said to do if you are not enthusiastic about being purpose driven.
It is part and parcel of the paradigm shift implemented in a "stealth operation" flying under the radar, and thus begins a whole new way of thinking for the "church."
"But the word “repentance” is a wonderful word—metanoia—which means in Greek “to change your mind.” Repentance is just changing the way we think about something by accepting the way God thinks about it. That’s all repentance is. The new words for repentance are “paradigm shift.” ~Rick Warren
Nine Preaching Tips That Will Change Lives by Rick Warren, Sermon Centraal, Radicalis Conference, 2011
The Purpose Driven Church book cover reads, " Rick Warren believes that in order for a church to be healthy it must become a purpose-driven church, built around the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus." So incredibly popular, how could Rick be wrong when he says that you must do this if you want to be healthy? And did you notice, if you do not then, then you are the opposite of "healthy," which is unhealthy, sick, or diseased.
In case you think Rick's wrong, he has added that these are "the five New Testament purposes given to the church by Jesus." If you are not on board with Rick, you will look to both believers who buy into the principles in his book, and those who have no idea what Jesus actually taught, as if you are not doing what Jesus said to do if you are not enthusiastic about being purpose driven.
Jesus was not stealth, and Rick's ideas, like his 40 Days "campaign" ideas didn't come from the Bible.
Rick learned how to do "campaigns" he says, from Douglas Hyde.
Rick learned how to do "campaigns" he says, from Douglas Hyde.
"You know, by- by-- by doing these, um, "campaigns.... I-I actually learned the idea of a campaign, from the communists, of all people. 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..." ~ Rick Warren, Interview with George Wood, AGTV, March 2, 2009Ir's also where he obtained his philosophy of "Purpose"
"In the book Dedication and Leadership by Douglas Hyde a former communist who became a
Christian (he was head of the communist party in England), he talks about the communists know
you attract people by requiring a big commitment and by offering a big goal to go for. The best-kept secret, I think, in motivation is that vision is a tremendous motivator. People are looking for something to give their lives to. That is the best-kept secret in the world. People are looking for a goal, for a purpose, for a vision, for a mission in life that makes their life meaningful and worthwhile. Anybody that comes along will attract people like that if they have vision."
~Rick Warren
How to Communicate Your Vision, Lessons for Leaders on Vision, Leadership Lifter PDF
If your're looking for purpose, Rick will be happy to sell you his book to help you find yours.
He learned it, from all people, the communists!
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