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
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."
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.
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