Membership Covenant, Maturity Covenant, Ministry Covenant, Missions Covenant... They've Got It All!

Read Matthew 23 lately?  The entire chapter?

Jesus made it clear, quite clear actually, that the scribes and Pharisees knew full-well what they were doing and that they were doing it to their own demise.  It would probably be a good idea to make sure one was not following in their footsteps..... for Jesus said not to do what they do.  He said that they "say, and do not." Jesus also noted that:  "they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." 

When it comes to consideration of heavy burdens, laying heavy burdens on people, nothing could be heavier than the Law, reason being that the wages of sin , (breaking of God's Law) is death.  That's a pretty heavy burden..... and it's also the reason one needs Jesus Christ.
But legalistic pastors think nothing of laying the burden of the law on other people, and there are plenty of legalistic people around.... who while rightly insisting upon the importance of God's holy and perfect laws, are happy to invent more laws, rules and commandments even....for others to follow.  These same sometimes evade or neglect God's truth that all have fallen short.... and need the salvation that comes by faith in the one whom God sent... Jesus,   And then there's Rick Warren.

Rick Warren is celebrated as a  "pastor to pastors".  ( That's the greatest title he bears he says, in Religious News June 30, 2016.)  Not only is Rick Warren a voraious reader of all things but he's also a writer, (or are there ghost writers?) of books and materials for churches and Christians to buy.  he is also quite the inventor of "covenant" upon "covenant"  upon "covenant." that he inists you have to make.  Yes, Rick has alll kinds of laws and rules and promises to be kept by you that have been specifically developed by Rick and his ministry.  Perhaps this is because Warren, like many others, maybe even like the Pharisees of yesteryear has discovered and even like the effect that these seemingly binding agreements have upon people....

“People become whatever they’re committed to"..."Covenants are the most important part of 

Saddleback’s CLASSes. They have a 

membership covenant, 

a maturity covenant, 

a ministry covenant, 

and a missions covenant— all of which 

members sign at the end of each CLASS.”  

Create a Purpose Driven Covenant for Your Church  quote of  Rick Warren at PD.Church Website

CLASS is an acroymn for Christian Life and Service Seminars.

He's got it all figured out.  "People become whatever they are committed to."  It could be anything.... just get them to sign on the dotted line... right?  He's got a covenant for each CLASS,

Interesting, isn't it, that this covenant signing is described by Rick as the "most important" part of classes at Saddleback?  It's likely the most important part because it is a binding agreement.  People promise to do everything they are asked to do.  

Classes are a must too.. if you intend too grow in your faith and get a purpose.  No one escapes the process of making a "covenant" with Saddleback church, and learning who and what this church is about.  You will learn about "their" salvation, "their" statements of faith, "their" strategy and "their" structure.  At classes I have taken at my church, I have learned who Jesus is, what he did and the salvation we have by faith in him.  This all seems to only on the fringe with Saddleback. 

.  "Class 101 is a basic introduction to our church family and

 is designed to clearly explain who and what our church is. 

This class covers Our Salvation, Our Statements, 

Our Strategy and Our Structure."

from: https://saddlebackchurch.teachable.com/p/101

Yep.  As you can see, it's all about them.

And Pastor, do you know how awful the members of your church are.... no commitment, no conversion  no giving money, or praying.  Rick is here to tell you, pastor, that he's found the curer.  It is because your are not forcing them, or is it tricking them, to tkae classes and make promises that they will keep   Follow his lead, buy his books, read his articles, do what he does and you'll have it all under control.... just like Rick.

"Why do churches have so many members 

who give little or no evidence of Christian commitment 

or even conversion? Why do many churches find it difficult to motivate members to give, serve, pray, and share their faith?  The answer is simple. 

The members were allowed to join 

with no expectations placed on them. "

One Way to Increase the Commitment Level of Your Members by Rick Warren @pastors.com

"We have four requirements for membership:                         A personal profession of Christ as Lord and Savior,                      baptism by immersion as a public symbol of one’s faith,                   completion of the membership class,                         and a signed commitment to abide by Saddleback’s membership covenant."

 - Rick Warren

"I urge you to prayerfully prepare and adopt a membership covenant in your congregation if you don’t have one. It can revolutionize your church. You may worry, “If we adopt a membership covenant, there will be some who leave our church over it.” You’re right. There will be some. But here is the reality: People are going to leave your church no matter what you do. Don’t be afraid of people leaving. People even walked away from Jesus.  When your congregation adopts a membership covenant, at least you’re choosing the kind of people that stay."   - Rick Warren

. 
Saddleback's Membership Covenant?  More on that: Click Here.

Aren't you glad we are under the New Covenant that Jesus made?  And you, dear recipient were amazingly not even required to read a book, pay a penny or sign a thing.

On "Rick Warren: What I Learned From Billy"

A recent Billy Graham focused Special Edition of Christianity Today offers to readers an article by Rick Warren whereby Rick Warren the opportunity to tell the world what he learned from Billy Graham, a famous U.S. preacher.  Rick Warren, said to be a preacher too, tells how he learned a lot from Mr. Graham and how it as that since he was just a little child, he has learned from Billy Graham and emulated Graham in his own life. Never shy about what he wants readers to think of himself, Warren says in the title that he learned "Focus, Integrity and a God directed Heart."  

Billy Graham was well known for being a preacher in his day..  Nowadays, so is "Pastor Rick."  both men have been, over the years highlighted in the media, held up as examples for Christians to follow and listen to.  With the death of Billy Graham it makes sense to look at the man's life and legacy and so that is what Rick is doing here in the magazine founded by Billy Graham in 1956..  At the end of this article Rick tells you that no one will ever be able to replace Billy Graham, but he's gonna show you that if anyone could, it would be him.  In fact, after reading this article the reader might even be lead to believe that Rick is even greater!

Just like Graham, Rick Warren can draw a crowd and just like Graham he gets lots of media attention.  Graham quoted scripture and Rick quotes scripture too, even though, unlike Graham who only used one Bible, Rick  uses them all. (Note: Rick also quotes paraphrases of the bible instead of actual translations and rarely uses the same book referenced twice.)  In this article we learn that in 1948, Billy Graham and his team formulated what Rick reports to us  is called, the Modesto Manifesto; and.... wouldn't you know,.... just like Billy Graham, Rick has, he tells us,  one of those too! 

 Well, sort of.  

Quora.com says that the Modesto Manifesto was not a real document.  Seems it was really and simply a mutually agreed upon concept that the men in Grahams ministry had with one another in regards to protecting their ministry work from accusations.  Based upon biblical principals that they all knew to be true, it was a verbal agreement...( you might think of it as a "let your yes be yes and no be no,"  Matthew 5:37  kinda thing.)  There were four main topics covered by the "Manifesto" and the issues were money, purity, integrity and humility    
Graham's Modesto Manifesto was apparently a model to Rick at his church. He tells readers that he had Saddleback staff routinely make what he called "similar covenants" and cited the Saddleback Staff Ten Commandments—  as example.  He says this was "based on the same idea."

Same idea?  Hardly.

Graham's Manifesto wasn't written down... just verbally agreed upon, it was a public declaration..  Rick out-did that though and took it to a whole new level.  Thinking ever so highly of himself.,...Rick clesarly outdid " Billy Grahams's Manifesto.  His is in writing and signed.  But i's not just a manifesto.  No, Rick Warren braggingly informs us that he created his own "Ten Commandments" for his staff. 

 Here is the Commandments he was talking about:


 " 1.  Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex. *
   2.  Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the            two of you. *
   3.  Thou shalt not kiss any attendee of the opposite sex or show affection that could be  
          questioned. *
   4.  Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.
   5.  Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, and thou shalt not counsel              the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them.
   6.  Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling.  
            Refer them.
   7.  Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attendee of the opposite sex.
   8.  Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards, or                 letters from the opposite sex. 
    9. Thou shalt make your secretary your protective ally.
  10. Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members.
* The first three do not apply to unmarried staff.

Grahams Manifesto covered four distinct areas of conduct...  1) money, 2) purity, 3) integrity and 4) humility.  Rick's  "commandments" are focused on one thing...sex. 

Having guidelines and expectations of proper conduct is one thing, but having "Commandments" is another.... "Commandments" even to the point of "thou shall" and "thou shall not."   Apparently, unmarried staff is more trustworthy than married, for some of the "commands" do not apply to unmarried people.  Additionally, Rick  Warren, at his 2017 pastors.com article titled 10 Commandments to Help Church Staff Maintain Moral Integrity, jokes:

(Or is he serious?)

"I have told my staff that if any of them even

 flirt with temptation, I will come after them with

 a baseball bat, and I’ve told them

 to do the same with me."

                                                   - Rick Warren

Ten Commandments to Help Church Staff Keep Moral Integrity by Rick Warren, April, 25, 2017

That is a little scary.  What would he do with the bat? 

Is this the way Christian pastors behave with staff?
It is even funny?

Apparently, neither God's original Ten Commandments nor Ephesians 5:3 from the Bible which says, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” is sufficient for Christians.... No. Rick has a better way and a way to make you obey him....and typical of Rick, he would gladly be perceived by Christianity Today readers as one able to outdo everything in his path.  He's not only laid down the law with his own Ten commandments.for his staff.... and the staff of pastors everywhere who follow in Rick's footsteps, but he'll enforce it... with a bat

Rick as he demonstrates here, was destined to be just like Billy Graham right from the "get-go."  And if you are impressionable, you might even percieve this all to be a "God- thing" too, after all, his very religious grandmother prayed for two people every day....little Rick and Billy Graham.  She wanted Rick to be a preacher, just like billy Graham....and God surely must have answered her prayers, because look everyone, Rick grew up to be a pastor....just like Billy Graham, maybe even more impressive.  And not only that, who are we told, by Rick, who mentored Rick?  Billy Graham!

Everything Graham did, Rick aspired to and exceeded.....  

Graham preached to millions and his evangelism was appreciated by both Roman Catholics and Protestants.  Graham, it has been said, "built bridges" between these faiths.   Rick, like graham, claims to cross denominational boundaries and  builds bridges between faiths. 

While the famed Crusades were actual wars  Billy Graham revived the word in regards to evangelism and held "crusades" in 185 counties and levered his religious and political influence in the world, rubbing shoulders with world dignitaries and U.S. presidents. 

Rick has held his own crusades in faraway lands.  Rick has worked to use his influence, all over the world taking opportunities near and far to reach the world with his message via various "campaigns."...(and subsequently sell product.)  Rick even got Grahams approval as he cleverly found "new ways" to share the "gospel."

 "In the early 1980s, Saddleback 

was the first church to use a fax machine 

for evangelism. I came up with a 

thing called "the fax of life." 

I wrote a weekly devotional, 

and we faxed it out to business leaders."-Rick Warren

Bigger, better, first and foremost, is always Rick (and Saddleback church.) 

"Saddleback was the first church on 

the internet. That was in 1992, before 

Internet Explorer, Netscape, 

or Safari. We used Gopher, 

FTP, and Mosaic, and we put up a

 little website." -Rick Warren

"Whenever anybody says, "Who's going to replace Graham?" the answer is that he's irreplaceable. There will never be another Billy Graham." -Rick Warren

 No, there will never be another Billy Graham but you dear reader are supposed to connect the dots left  undone.  Billy, is dead and gone.... or as Rick would say, 

"Acts 13:36, my life verse, is an appropriate passage to describe him. (Billy Graham) It says, "Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep." I can't think of a finer epitaph to have on your tombstone than that you served God's purpose in your generation. That says you did the timeless in a timely way. You contended for that which never changes in a society, in a world, in a culture that's constantly changing. Graham served 

God's purpose in his generation, and now that he has fulfilled that purpose, he is gone."

Yep.  Just "gone."  

In the end, it's quite a miserable existence for us, if we believe only for this life  ( 1 Corinthians 15:19,) don't you think?

Sad to say, but Rick Warren assured his readers that there is no finer epitaph than to say what he has to say about Billy Graham.... That he "served God's purpose" and how like David, Graham served God's purpose too,  Like David, apparently, Graham "fell asleep."  
Rick did not say Graham was "gone to meet his maker" or "gone to heaven." He did not say he's "now in the wonderful presence of Almighty God."  In his own tooting of his own Purpose Driven horn Warren tells us simply, that Graham served his purpose and now, "he is gone." 

A HOPE FOR THE WORLD and a NEW HOPE FOR YOUR CHURCH

Hold on to your hope and your faith in Jesus Christ church.  Rick Warren has a "new hope" to replace it.

Paul, writing to young Timothy, begins his letter in Timothy 1: verse 1 telling him and us who and what our hope is.( It's Jesus.)  In Titus 2:13, we are told about a "Blessed Hope" and who/what THAT HOPE  is. (Again, it's Jesus.)   And In 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, we are told the object of the hope the church (and all who would be the church) has.  (Please note: It is not a hope in the the church, (ourselves) but in Jesus Christ, the hope of the world.)

But Rick, apparently is not convinced by such passages of scripture because he has another agenda.  He is still out promoting "the church" as the "hope "of the world.  

And is he even sure of the gospel, once and for all delivered to the saints?  You have to wonder.  He is willing to bet he might be right on this most important issue of "hope." 


“The world needs hope like never before. Our hope is not in government. It will never come through a politician. Our hope is not in who we put in the White House, but in who we put on the cross,” said Warren. “I’m betting on the church to change the world, and I’m betting on the church to give us all the hope we need.”

-Rick Warren,

ReligiousNews.com article: Rick Warren brings his message back to the American Church.

Neglecting to simply mention the name of Jesus in a public forum; he merely makes reference to "the cross" and implies that  "the church" that will give us (the world)  "all the hope we need."

Our hope is in Jesus and there is something beyond the cross... It's is the cross, yes,  but there is also this little historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus from death to life.  This is the hope of the church and the this is the hope that the church gives to the world..  


PS 
Foshizzle means, according to the urban dictionary, "For sure"

Keeping Your Tank Filled Instead Of Running On Empty by Rick Warren

Rick Warren once again uses scripture to confuse people rather than teach them.   He talks about Christian concepts like change and prayer.... only to have these Christian concepts harbor his own definition of the subject at hand.  Not only that, but as you presume he is talking with reference to God, after all he is a "pastor" of a "church," Rick will purposely leave out the word "God" and the hearer will fill-in that concept for themselves.  So, while Rick is talking about trust, you believe he is talking about trust in God, but it really could be anything, for in his slick Rick sorta way,  way, he isn't talking about trusting specifically "in God."  He is just talking about something anyone can relate to... "trusting."  The object of that trust is chameleon-like.  

Case in  point:  Take a look at this article,
                   Keeping Your Tank Filled Instead Of Running On Empty by Rick Warren 

Cars and refueling them is no doubt "relevant" to most, if not all of his audience, and we all know Rick believes in being relevant, but audience beware.  Using the same analogy, I'll interject here that we must remember that all fuel for your car is not the same.  It might also be relevant to his audience to consider that there's different kinds of gas to fuel your engine, like premium and unleaded, diesel.  You gotta have the right one.  And wouldn't you know, sometimes there is just BAD gas that will ruin your engine too.  Things like strange additives, bad mixes, contaminating sediments and even water condensation all  have the ability to ruin the engine in your car.  Following your vehicle manufacturer's recommendation in the manual is always best. 

After elaborating on the ten reasons "you run out of gas," Rick gives some tips on, "How to keep your tank filled."  Curiously,  Rick then uses a quote from scripture, Jesus speaking, about how taking his yoke upon us gives us rest.... and this to promote his notion that you gotta keep that tank of yours filled.  Funny, how quickly that rest turned into the burdening work of do stuff.... and not just one thing, but several, in order to keep my tank filled.  And in case you are wondering where you can go to learn how to stay filled instead of resting and laying burdens down,Ill give you a clue, I'ts not from Jesus... at least not directly.  The best place to learn how to do that is from Rick.  One must listen to his messages, watch and re-watch his videos, and answer questions in a small group setting from his study guides.  Keeping your tank filled, kinda make sense, don't ya think, if one is going to be purpose "DRIVEN".... but again, being driven is not the same as entering into rest....

Just saying.

In this article, Rick uses a weird mixture of at least four different "bible" references carefully selected, no doubt, just to prove his points.  This practice is called "Proof texting."  He uses the LB, the TEV, the MSG and the CEV.  Do you dear reader know what each abbreviation stands for?  Do you know if the book used for each reference is a true translation of the Holy Bible or simply a personal retelling of the scriptures?

 All of Ricks choices are not equal..... the rendering of scripture by one man paraphrasing a true translation of the Bible, for example, doth not a translation make.  Both the Living Bible and the Message are paraphrases.  Rick is simply passing along some cheap gas that isn't packed with the octane that a true translation has.  Keep in mind, dear reader, a bad mixture of fuel, like cheap low grade gas, is detrimental to a car's engine.

But the real clencher here comes in Rick's article after he highlights Matthew 11:28-30, (where Jesus tells us how he will give us rest from our burdens by us being yoked with him).   How do we yoke with Jesus and find this needed rest?  Rick doesn't say.  Rick is however going to help his audience  learn how keep their proverbial "tanks" filled up.....by doing alll sorts of activities.  He is about to rev them into action with his six-point  "How To,: list complete with plans for "action." 

Point 1:  
"Until you are willing to come to terms that you need to change your life, you won't change your life.  Think through or write down everything you are sick and tired of in your life.  Share your list with someone and ask them to keep you accountable in that area(s)."

No resting for you cause you have to be busy changing your life!

You have to think of everything that YOU need to change and write write write!

Share what you write with someone else too, because they can;t rest eaither.....
 now it's their job to keep you accountable to making these changes in your life..

Funny, Isn't it.... that YOU  have to change yourself.  

(no  God mentioned by Rick  there.) Seems as if God is simply out of the equation,

 God is not mentioned in that paragraph at all.)

Rick tells his audience to think of "EVERYTHING  you are sick and tired of  in your life."

Hmmmmm.  Do people count?  Just wondering.. 

He suggests you write it it all down and shared it all with someone else, 

(Note; someone, besides God;) and ask them to keep you accountable.

No more confessing your sins to God.  Nope, just write down what you need to change and confide in a friend.  He has everyone busy working, meeting with friends, 

you working to change yourself and other people working to manage you.

Work at it, work at it..... work work work,  No rest here, even
 though that the verse he used, sort of, to make his Action Plan point.

                                            

Point  2: 
 "Using the list you made in #1, write down a prayer for each item on your list.  Each day ask Jesus for help for each item. "

More writing.
Writing your prayers is nice and fluffy, but why not just pray? (a.k.a. talk to God.)
It seems more and more, the simple act of talking to God is thought passe'
.

Rick suggests..... "each day," asking Jesus for help for each item.  
Gosh, it seems such a smart way to do things, but if you think about it, 

"each day" can actually be a long time,
 depending on how long you live. It's odd, but it seems as if 
Rick overlooks the possibility that Jesus will hear 
your prayer the first time He hears you pray. 

Nothing wrong with petitioning the Lord...
nothing wrong with repeating prayers and petitions

even after we have already prayed for and about something on our list....... but Rick 

here will have you  so busy managing notes 

you will not have time for much else.

He does not mention God answering your prayers... or even "rest."

Point 3: 
"Give Up Control"

Okay... so, ask yourself,  if you give up control, who do you give control to? 

 (Did Rick suggest you give control to "God "or did you just insert that notion from your own thinking?  Also, who is controlling the 

person who has the "fruit of the spirit" that is mentioned in scripture, called,  "self-control"?

Seems like it would be the person in control of themselves, controlling themselves.
Who, do you think he suggest you give up control to?

Point 4: 
"Learn To Trust"

Notably Rick comments with a verse

  in The Living Bible, a paraphrase,  that would suggest 

that you turn off your thinking

 and reasoning skills altogether.

  "Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way"  Proverbs 20:24 (LB)

Yes, "why try" to understand things?

Point 5:
Rewatch the message "Starting Your Day Right." Use it to help you get started on the habit of a Daily Quiet Time with God.

 Rick's teaching sounds like brainwashing.
Be sure to start your day, every day, "RIGHT."  

You' ll surely have no time for personal study and real bible reading

 because you will be so occupied learning everything from Rick,
 as he proof texts various rendering of the Bible that are sure to prove his points. 

 If you want to start your day RIGHT, you have to devlope a habit... (more work for you)  and not just watch, but rewatch  his teaching sna be sure to do what he says... everyday.

Do what?  

 Something he calls "Quiet time with God.*"
*(This is code for meditaion.)

So,,,," give up control,"

 "stop trying to understand" things" 

and develop the habit of "quiet time " with God.  Rick tells his audience (in brief ) how to do this, but it's Jesus whom Rick lets prooftext this concept for him.  Straight from the bible, presumably, come Matthew 6:6:

"Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace."  Matthew 6:6 (Mes)

But wait, there is a problem.... it's from a version called the Mes.  as mentioned previosly, the message by Eugene Peterson, is not a translation.  It's one guy's brainy rendering of what he wants the scriptures to convey.  Aptly abbreviated here for us by Rick, the Message by Eugene Peterson is a "MES,". and the Message leaves one with questions, like:.

"What exactly does it mean... to "be tempted to role-play before God?"

Is he referring to talking to, you know, "praying" to God using words?   What on earth does role playing in this context even mean?

Finding a quiet... secluded.... simple, honest... all sounds sweet, but is this what Jesus said? The  KJV, NASB, NKJV nor the NIV say anything like this.

And about that "temptation" to "role-play" whatever that is... 

Since you do not want to be tempted to do it....  

Does he mean this "roleplay" could lead us into sin?

It doesn't take a yogi from India to figure out that Rick Warren here, in the steps of Eugene Peterson,  is teaching some sort of meditative technique....something that is intended to give the practitioner a mystical sense of something they both call "grace."  

Point 6: 
Join a Small Group

What will you or I in a small group at Saddle back 
study after this sermon?  See the Small Group Study Guide
 for this sermon Here.

Note whether the quote is given in a translation or a paraphrase of the Holy Bible. 
Note that Jesus is said to be our "partner"... (not our savior) and
 "pace setter." (keeping a pace... mind you, has nothing to to with actual REST.)