Radical Mud

At Radicalis 2011, covering yourself with mud was a supposedly a symbolic expression of accepting and embracing the life of faith.


Radicalis Ends, But It's Also Just Begun

Sunday August 14 , 2011 Sarah J. Cruz

Reporting at Saddleback.com on Rick Warren's Radicalis
More info:http://www.radicalis.com/about/

http://www.radicalis.com/media/

https://www.facebook.com/radicalsonly


"To illustrate his message of diving in to the reality of living out God’s calling in our life despite the fact that life gets messy and difficult; he dipped his hands in to a bucket of mud. He spread it over his arms as he challenged the students to trust God, look to God, and fully live in his calling no matter the cost.

Buckets of mud were stationed in front of the stage, and Brad invited the students to come up and cover themselves in mud as a symbolic way of accepting and embracing the life of faith."
See these photos:

Photo Number One 

Photo Number Two

Interesting, provocative concept.... but it is quite odd, really, to put mud on yourself in light of the Christian teaching on baptism and commitment to Christ where water is used.  Many Christians who embraced a life of faith have ended up shedding their blood, (not mud) and this because they followed Jesus, no matter the cost.  Mud might be more "symbolic" of the sin that the waters of baptism washes away than living in God's calling.

Radical Talk About Radicalis Part 1

“There are two reasons that nonbelievers 

don’t know Jesus Christ.

One is, they’ve never met a Christian. 

The other is, they have.” ~Rick Warren

Spoken at the Radicalis Conference, Saddleback Church, CA

Source: Rick Warren Urges Pastors to Say Radical 'Yes' to God  
By Eryn Sun, Christian Post, Feb 21, 2011

This is some "radical" talk at the Radicalis Conference by Radical Rick Warren.  After all, this is "America's Pastor" speaking to Christians, these are the words of the same fact and figures man who reported enthusiastically,   

"Did you know that every day 60,000 new people 

come to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? 

By the end of today, thousands of new churches

will be started throughout the world, and that will 

happen tomorrow and the next day and the next." ~Rick Warren

The Church – the greatest force on Earth  By Rick Warren  Ministry Toolbox #237, 12-14-2006

 

After reading about (or hearing) these words spoken by Pastor Rick at Radicalis, you might ask yourself.... if Rick is just trying to be funny for his audience by saying such a thing.  You might ask yourself.... if he just trying to get a laugh, or maybe make a point.  After thinking about it, you might come to the conclusion that such a comment as this is not very funny, nor is it true, (to say the least.) It does tend to make a point though, and a rude one at that.  Such words are incomprehensible coming from a Christian pastor, speaking in regards to the church, the bride of Christ.

So, why is media-approved, Purpose Driven, man of the hour, Rick Warren, talking about "Christians" as if they are the worse kind of people you would ever meet?
  
 Surely, if you  are influenced by the words of Rick, he could have you thinking just like him in no time at all.... believing that "Christianity" is a major failure... dying, going nowhere, FAST! --needing to be changed by you and little ol' "Radical for Jesus," "change agent," "pastor" Rick.  Infected by his comments, ready to be a "radical" leader just like Rick (and Jesus,) in no time at all, you will be thinking "healthy" thoughts.  Then you will be climbing aboard his Saddleback PEACE train, helping him rid the world of the evil scourge of the impoverished of society and those "unhealthy pastors..."  (you know, " who have never been to seminary? ".... which he claims is... like disease, ) one of the five "largest problems" (evil giants) in the world!

Quaint... isn't it?  The man is a genius with his words.  He is quite certain, and will work real heard to convince anyone, that they would rather be a "healthy" Christian, than one of THOSE. 

The most amazing thing is to see how both fresh water and salt water pour forth in his words; his talk, as you can judge for yourself,  is quite incongruous.   Quite frankly, his Christian directed, hateful comments about Christians and Christianity, simply should not be coming from the mouth of someone who is supposed to be a shepherd of the flock of God.  His actions leave one to ascertain that there is something strangely brackish, going on.  So, according to Rick, are new people coming to faith in Jesus Christ everyday or is the church inept and totally defunct?  

Rick Warren cannot seem to make up his mind. Either that, or he says what he say, "on purpose;" after all he is a man of "intention" to the utmost degree.  He is,  you know, "Purpose Driven."  It is possible he is simply double minded... or maybe he has no idea what it is he is saying, when he makes statements like these... but it could also be that he selects his words carefully, craftily, on purpose,simply in order to manipulate a crowd, sway them to his own way of thinking.

According to the Orange County Register, (OCR0,  reporting on the Radicalis Conference,

Rick also told his audience, he wants to "draw out those who want to say ‘yes’ to God in a "radical" way.” (Apparently, making people feel special, better, more radical than most, "draws them out.") The OCR also reported Rick as saying, “We decided we want to be distinctly different. We want to be radical. We want to go back to the roots."   

What roots? Is Rick interested in being "fundamental?"  (To investigate further, read this.
Myth of the Mega Church, A transcript of the Faith Angle Conference, article on file at Pew Forum. )

Here is the Radicalis (a... back to the roots"" conference...) advertisement:

And here is the Radical Declaration:(<----read it in it's entirety here)
 
Parts of it say,

" I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back. I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes, with God’s people, on God’s planet, for God’s glory...."






"...I am a radical in the original sense of the word: rooted in Christ, rooted in love, and rooted in his Word."

If you believe everything Rick says, you might believe that being "rooted in Christ " "rooted in his (God's) Word" has something to do with the radicalis roots, but if this is the case. why do we read in his bestselling book, The Purpose Driven Life, on page 231:

“The last thing many believers need today 

is to go to another Bible study. They already know far more

than they are putting into practice.”?

And, why does he tell people at his Radicalis conference, 

 "There are two reasons that nonbelievers

don’t know Jesus Christ. one is,

they’ve never met a Christian...   

The other is, they have.”?

 And what does he mean by being rooted in the "original sense of the word"..."RADICAL?"

Perhaps you's think that he meant he was getting back to the fundamentals of the faitn, except that Rick, despite his "declarations" and member covenants" is really not into creeds.  Besides, in an article by USA Today writer, Cathy Lynn Grossman titled, Saddleback founder Warren driven to expand his reach, Rick Warren himself denied he was a fundamentalist, saying, "What I am not is a fundamentalist. You become a fundamentalist when you stop listening. There are all kinds of fundamentalists," (he said this, listing Christian, Muslim, Jewish, atheist, even secular forms of "fundamentalism")  then said, "I don't happen to agree with any of them."

None of them?  Really Rick?  

Such comments leaves some people in your audience to wonder what fundamental root it is that you are talking about when you tell us that you want to go back to the roots as you promote "Radicalis."

"

What "roots" would this be?

R

A

D

I

C

A

L

ROOTS?  How RADICAL?

RADICAL    RADICAL   RADICAL  RADICAL   

The words...  
the colors, the font....   
are strangely reminiscent of other well-known radicals.... but perhaps it is just a coincidence?

 Perhaps it is nothing but a fluke?

But if it is just a fluke, then why did Warren choose Lenin, Stalin and Mao as examples of great leadership on that Easter Sunday at Angels Stadium on April 17, 2005...asking his congregation for their radical commitment to his own leadesrhip in the global spiritual revolution he was spearheading. 


He even mentioned Hitler.

"If positive Christianity means love of one's neighbour, i.e. the tending of the sick, 
the clothing of the poor, the feeding of the hungry, 
the giving of drink to those who are thirsty,
then it is we who are the more positive Christians. 
For in these spheres the community of the people of
National Socialist Germany has accomplished a prodigious work. " 

~Adolf Hitler, speech to the "Old Guard" at Munich, 24 February 1939

He then had people in the audience hold up pre-made signs with letters against a red background, that read, "Whatever it takes."

 

Radical Talk About Radicalis Part 2

Whatever it takes?

"Come ready to join the Radicalis 

generation that will change the world!"  

statement from http://www.pastors.com/blogs/radicalis/default.aspx

"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.”

Pastors, we are in the paradigm-shifting business. 

We are in the repentance business. 

We are about changing peoples’ minds 

at the deepest level—the level of belief and values." 

9 Preaching Tips That Will Change Lives  by Rick Warren, Radicalis Conference Feb. 2011

RADICALS    RADICALS    RADICALS

Radicals?   

 

Like Rick Warren Saul Alinsky was interested in changing the world.  He created a book called Rules for RAdicals."  In the prologue to his books Alinsky writes,

"What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be."

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRikPUZ3Ayr4e8_j6pLSHGF5TkmWpJTHIHBlolifdi4qIb-cS0MRw

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rules-for-Radicals/108130412549348

Wikipedia gives us a synopsis of Alinsky's book and the root of his ideas.  Alinsky's book opens like this:

"Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history... the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer." ~Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals 

Outlining the "strategy" for a "Radical's" action, Alinsky advises his avid readers to "work inside the system." Curiously, Rick works inside the system of the church.   A self-proclaimed "change agent" he is busy, making "radical changes in the church", changes to worship songs.... membership requirements,.... books Christians study..... definitions of commonly understood words.... even beliefs,  all while working the system from within.

Alinsky is quoted, 

"Another reason for working inside the system" is that "revolutionary change must be preceded by a passive, affirmative, non-challenging attitude toward change among the mass of our people. They must feel so frustrated, so defeated, so lost, so futureless in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go of the past and change the future."

 "Small churches tend to base their identity on the past. 
They’re not necessarily thinking about the future.  Many of them
tend to be late adapters, maintaining the status quo.  
Often they’re the very last to accept change in a community."

~Rick Warren

Breaking Through the Attendance Barrier, Issue #109, 7-2- 2003


"The time of status quo is over. We need radical Christians. 

We need one more for Jesus. It's time to come out of the closet for Jesus."

~Rick Warren

Saddleback's Rick Warren:""We Need Radical Christians By Erika Ritchie Orange County REgister 2009

“There are two reasons that nonbelievers don’t know Jesus Christ.

One is, they’ve never met a Christian. The other is, they have.” ~Rick Warren

Radicalis Conference 2011


Do you believe the church is a failure?
Are you ready to help it change?

If so, Rick Warren  would have you listen 

to him so he can help you CHANGE...from the root!

(what a radical idea!)

Elaborating more on Alinky's ideology, Wikipedia reads further, 

"This acceptance is the reformation essential to any revolution. To bring on this reformation requires that the organizer work inside the system, among not only the middle class but the 40 per cent of American families..... "

(Now, where else 

would you find 

at least 40 perccent 

of America Families, 

but in the church?

"The first Reformation was about belief; this one's going to be about behavior," said Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of the best-selling The Purpose-Driven Life. "The first one was about creeds; this one's going to be about our deeds. The first one divided the church; this time it will unify the church.""

"Second Reformation' Will Unify Church"Warren tTlls Dallas GDOP  By Ken Camp Toolbox  Issue #207 5-18-2005

“This weekend, I will begin teaching the most important 

series of messages we've ever taught in 23 years…

We believe it is part of the beginning of a Spiritual Awakening,

a Global Movement, a New Reformation.”

Rick Warren, Nov. 2003  Peace Plan Letter to Saddleback Church

 Wikipedia says, 

"For Alinsky, organizing is the process of highlighting whatever he believed to be wrong and convincing people they can actually do something about it."

Rick says:

It's your choice. You can believe what others say about you, 

or you can believe in yourself as does God, who says

you are truly acceptable, lovable, valuable and capable.”

Learn To Love Yourself! By Rick Warren, Ladies Home Journal, March 2005

" 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 

The plan of God, of course, (if you listen to Rick,) is being given to you from Rick .  He implements programs so easy to use, anyone could do it,  In fact, Saddleback Church, our fine example,  will provide everything you need to make it easy for you to do.

"We’ve found that equipping group hosts 
with video teaching sessions overcomes hesitation 
and will raise up new leaders you didn’t even know you had! 
Led by Rick Warren, each video lesson also includes
weekly preparation suggestions and encouragement 
called, “Helps for Hosts.”
40 Days of Purpose Campaign Group Study guide.

 Wikipedia tells the reader:, 

"According to Alinsky, the organizer ..... must first overcome suspicion and establish credibility. Next the organizer must begin the task of agitating: rubbing resentments, fanning hostilities, and searching out controversy. "

Name Dropping for credibility?--;"My friend Gary Thomas noticed 

that many Christians seem 

Agitation, things that are "wrong"---  stuck in a worship rut, an unsatisfying routine,

instead of having a vibrant friendship with God."

The Purpose Driven Life: Worship that Pleases God, by Rick Warren 2002

Name Dropping for credibility?--"Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manger) and 

Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren 

Name Dropping and credibility?---appeared on Larry King Live last night 

to talk about the Southern California fires. 

Blanchard will be speaking at Saddleback tonight."

Rick Warren and Ken Blanchard on the CA. Fires,  

by Ted Olsen, Christianity Today Magazine, Oct 2007

According to Alinsky,

".... An organizer has to attack apathy and disturb the prevailing patterns of complacent community life where people have simply come to accept a situation."

Attack on contentment---"fear-driven people 
often miss great opportunities because 
percieved "apathy--they're afraid to venture out. 
percieved "apathy---;Instead they play it safe, avoiding risks 
Attack on contentment---;and trying to maintain the status quo.

What Drives Your People by Rick Warren
 Ministry Toolbox Issue # 155, 5-19-2004

Attack on old ways of doing thingst---"Whenever you find yourself resisting
a new way of doing something,
defending the status quo, or opposing a change
that God has told you to make, watch out – 
Agitation, --you’re about to lose your place of leadership. "

Seven Errors to Avoid if you Want Your Ministry to Last by Rick Warren 

Ministry Toolbox, Issue# 344 1-23-20082008

 Wikipedia says that, "Alinsky would say,  

"The first step in community organization

is community disorganization"

"If you're a regular ToolBox reader, 

then you've probably read about 

the elements of 40 Days of Purpose, 

but I want to take time on the eve of 2004 

Disrupt normal church activity--to encourage you to take your congregation 

through 40 Days, if you haven't already.

Can God Really Change You Church in 40 Days? by Rick Warren
Ministry Toolbox Issue #135 12-31-2003

Agitation, -"This is what happens in literally thousands 

and thousands of churches.  

Disrupt normal church activity--You must have this structural renewal 

Agitation, -because there is no lasting change 

without changing the organization. 
Does Your Church Need to CHange It's Organizational Structure? by Rick Warren
Ministry Toolbox, Issue # 112 7-23-2003

"I have talked with literally thousands 

and thousands of pastors and church leaders, 

Agitation, -and without a doubt, the number one heartache

pastors have is fighting

Agitation, -a structure that won't let them do 

what they know God has called them to do."

Does Your Church Need to Change It's Organizational Structure? by Rick Warren
Ministry Toolbox, Issue # 112 7-23-2003

 CHANGE     

"I believe that one of the greatest weaknesses of preaching today

is that there are a lot of folks who are afraid to stand on the word of God 

and humbly, but forcefully challenge

the will of the people." ~Rick Warren,

Preaching tips that will change lives by Rick Warren, Ministry Toolbox #246, 2-15-2006


 CHANGE    

"For example: Your belief patterns are in your mind." 

Every time you think about a belief, it creates an electrical impulse across your brain. 

 Every time you have that thoght again, it creates a deeper rut.

If you want to see change in your church, you must help people get out of their ruts and change their autopilot."~Rick Warren, 

Preaching tips that will change lives by Rick Warren, Ministry Toolbox #246, 2-15-2006

 CHANGE

 "So now, I have a personal challenge for you – life application. Are you going to use the Bible the way it was intended or not? Will you repent of preaching in ways 

that were not focused on application

that could change people’s character and conduct?~Rick Warren,
Preaching tips that will change lives by Rick Warren, Ministry Toolbox #246, 2-15-2006

  CHANGE 

".....repent is the Greek word, metanoia (ph), which means literally 

"to change your mind." And it means that when I repent, I change my mind. 

First, I change my mind about God, 

I change my mind about myself, 

I change my mind about others, 

I change my mind about life.

And a lot of people look at repentance as a negative thing, 

like I'm going to have to give up this, this, and this, and this, 

and like it's something terrible. 

You know, when I repented, Larry, years ago, 

I basically turned from hopelessness to hope,

from darkness to light,

from guilt to forgiveness, 

from loneliness to a family of God,

from purposelessness to purpose, 

from having no meaning in my life to having meaning.

It was the most positive change in my life. "

(Rick Warren, "Larry King Live," CNN, March 22, 2005)

Radicalis Promotional Video Link: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6y6Z9X1Qs4

(or check with the Saddleback Church, they have a lot of information on the Radicalis Conference) 

Additional articles to follow up your personal reading on this very important topic might include:
Rules for Radicals; A Blurred Vision by Joe O'Neil, Canada Free Press, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/120391 April 17, 20005 Video here
http://www.stirringtroubleinternationally.com/2011/01/12/lenin-and-stalin/

Radicalis (PART 2,-Seventeen Tips for Conference Goers)

Read Radicalis, Part One, here.

Planning on attending Radicalis?  Well, Rick has some advice for people who attend his upcoming conference.  He gives Some radical tips at his radical website (for pastors) called,  pastors.com:

 See: http://www.pastors.com/blogs/radicalis/archive/2010/01/22/tips-for-attending-radicalis-or-any-conference.aspx

Rick says, ...

1)      Pray and ask God to prepare your heart to listen to what He has to say to you.


2)      Pray for the speakers and individual learning experience leaders that God would give them the messages and the ability to effectively communicate the principles He wants in the lives of everyone at Radicalis.


3)      Be ready and open to God enacting Radical change in your life.


4)      Read the Radicalis schedule thoroughly, and have your team select the sessions that will be most likely to improve your ministry.  If you brought multiple members of your team, make sure you’re maximizing your team’s exposure to a variety of learning opportunities.


5)      Ask a colleague to become your Radicalis buddy, so you can share what you learn. This collaboration will bring special benefits when you talk about individual learning experiences that only one of you attended.


6)      Stay for all of Radicalis. You never know what good information, blessing or message from God you might miss by arriving late or leaving early.


7)      Take plenty of business cards, to help new acquaintances remember you.  Leave time for networking and visiting the exhibit tent.  You’ll not only find great information there, but it’s a great place to meet people.


8)      Tactfully collect as many business cards as you can, so you can follow up with post cards, E-mails, phone calls and appointments.


9)      Don’t Cling to the Familiar.  Hanging around with someone you already know can be fun and more comfortable, but it can limit your ability to meet new people. Strike out on your own and meet new people, or split up, and each bring back someone new to the conversation.


10)  Buy the tapes and audio CDs recorded during the sessions. Do this even for the sessions you attend, to reinforce your learning.


11)  Become an active participant, asking questions and making comments. The topics will take on new life for you.


12)  Take good notes!  We remember less and less of what we hear the older we get.  Taking notes actually helps you remember what you hear.


13)  Take some time to enjoy yourself and grow together as a team.  Do 1$ Taco night at the refinery together.  Explore the area together. 


14)  Have fun and enjoy the times of worship.  Remember this isn’t just about filling up with information, but being filled up in His presence and inspired to go back and reach your community for Christ.


15)  Stay for the weekend.  Enjoy the great worship and weather in Southern California by staying through the weekend.


16)  Radicalis is just the beginning.  Become involved in our network of pastors through Pastors.com and keep sharing and learning with other pastors across the world.


17)  Come back next year and tell others about the great experience you had at Radicalis. "




 Could we look at that again?  This time, let's think about what is being said.



___________________________

1)      Pray and ask God to prepare your heart to listen to what He has to say to you.
The idea is being communicated that God is speaking here....even though on the surface it will be Rick and friends....


2)      Pray for the speakers and individual learning experience leaders that God would give them the messages and the ability to effectively communicate the principles He wants in the lives of everyone at Radicalis.
    ... through the speakers.... and the "individual learning experience leaders." 

3)      Be ready and open to God enacting Radical change in your life.
... ready for RADICAL CHANGE... probably hearing things new to you , that you never heard before.  After all, Radicalis is very RADICAL.



4)      Read the Radicalis schedule thoroughly, and have your team select the sessions that will be most likely to improve your ministry.  If you brought multiple members of your team, make sure you’re maximizing your team’s exposure to a variety of learning opportunities.

"Improve your ministry" is code....  It refers to "CHANGE"  or to make "healthy".  
Also, after reading this, you may want to refer to item number 3... which tell you to "Be ready and open to God enacting Radical change in your life." a.k.a.... "improve."

The idea presented here is that you and people from your church should spread out, so that members of your group will not all hear the same thing and discuss that.  Instead they recommend that you discuss different things from your differing points of view.  

5)      Ask a colleague to become your Radicalis buddy, so you can share what you learn. This collaboration will bring special benefits when you talk about individual learning experiences that only one of you attended.  
This is suggested as opposed to the idea of getting the set of recorded sessions that will be sold after the conference so you can listen to the sessions you missed and would have liked to attend.  Strange.  Are there any other reasons that they might suggest people in ministry split up and "collaborate" on two different individual learning experiences together, later, rather than attend a topic together?


6)      Stay for all of Radicalis. You never know what good information, blessing or message from God you might miss by arriving late or leaving early.

Yes, you do not wan to miss that message or blessing from God... even though it might be God;s will that you leave a little early or through unforeseen circumstances, (or airline schedules) you might arrive late.  Here again the idea is presented that God is directly involved in what is taking place at this conference, moreover, you might miss out on His blessing if you are not completely devoted to this event and the people  involved in the process taking place.  It's obvious, if you are really radical, you will not want to miss out on one moment of this event, one word of any of the plenary speakers... Rick Warren, Matt Carter, Steven Furtick, David Gibbons, Shawn Lovejoy, and Pete Wilson.  You can learn more about them by licking on their names.

7)      Take plenty of business cards, to help new acquaintances remember you.  Leave time for networking and visiting the exhibit tent.  You’ll not only find great information there, but it’s a great place to meet people.

If you are into networking, then don't miss this opportunity... Network, network, network.

8)      Tactfully collect as many business cards as you can, so you can follow up with post cards, E-mails, phone calls and appointments.

Network, network, and more network... In the end, you want to be sure you can follow up and make sure everyone knows your name.  Conferences like this are all about networking.

9)      Don’t Cling to the Familiar.  Hanging around with someone you already know can be fun and more comfortable, but it can limit your ability to meet new people. Strike out on your own and meet new people, or split up, and each bring back someone new to the conversation.

Key messages here are: "Don't cling to the familiar,"  "strike out on your own," and "conversation."

10)  Buy the tapes and audio CDs recorded during the sessions. Do this even for the sessions you attend, to reinforce your learning.

This is about getting those Purpose Driven products into the hands of those consumers! But then, you do remember how important they told you it was for you to go to separate lectures than your buddies or co-workers, a suggestion made in point number 5. 

11)  Become an active participant, asking questions and making comments. The topics will take on new life for you.


12)  Take good notes!  We remember less and less of what we hear the older we get.  Taking notes actually helps you remember what you hear.

This means, be sure to fill in the blanks with the appropriate words you hear....something practiced al the time at purpose driven churches.  Providing these make note taking simple and it helps ensure you are learning what is said.

13)  Take some time to enjoy yourself and grow together as a team.  Do 1$ Taco night at the refinery together.  Explore the area together. 
 The Refinery.... (capitalized here because it is a proper noun, ) is the name of a multipupose restaurant area located on the Saddleback Campus.  The history of it can be checked out here.



14)  Have fun and enjoy the times of worship.  Remember this isn’t just about filling up with information, but being filled up in His presence and inspired to go back and reach your community for Christ.



15)  Stay for the weekend.  Enjoy the great worship and weather in Southern California by staying through the weekend.


16)  Radicalis is just the beginning.  Become involved in our network of pastors through Pastors.com and keep sharing and learning with other pastors across the world.

It is vitally important to us that you get connected to  and begin reading daily messages from Rick either sent to your personal mailbox or posted at pastors.com, ("a free newsletter to help ministry leaders grow "healthy" churches." )  It is vitally important to you and your perceived peers; after all, how else is Rick Warren going to be able to talk to you every day and tell you what book or passage of scripture to read and what to think?  How else will you, dear pastor, know what new product he has released, to buy?

17)  Come back next year and tell others about the great experience you had at Radicalis. "

 Preach the word...("Radicalis"). in season and out,.  Make sure everyone knows how great Radicalis is.

Radicalis (Part 1)

After observing a bit of Awakening 21, and especially after listening to Rick Warren talk, hearing him announce that his now annual conference at Saddleback, called "Radicalis," was in the air again, it was time to take a look at the Radicalis web site to what was being offered this year.  The remarkable discovery in this is that this conference is not for everyone.  That's right.  It is only for "radicals."  

Are you radical?

The radicalis.com page asks,  "Are you radical for God?" 

Additionally, the webpage invites those who would consider themselves to be "radical" to sign the same Rick Warren "Declaration"that was also made popular at Awakening 21. (To read the declaration, as posted by /Rick, see: http://radicalis.com/declaration/)   Even the Radicalis Facebook page, (www.facebook.com/radicalisonly) advertises that the conference is, "for Radicals Only." 

Are you radical? 

IF you are wondering what it takes to be a radical, according to Warren's webpage, the main criteria, is being willing to say "YES" to God.

The event is billed with the slogan, 

"FOUR DAYS, 

ONE GOAL, 

SAY YES TO GOD." 

Funny, Christians are not the ones who tell God, "No."  

In fact, Christians are those in agreement with God.... the ones who believe what he said... and who have responded to his love. They have already said YES to God, agreed with him and his word.

However, when things are worded by Rick,  like this, it tends to look like the Christians who jump on Rick Warren's program are the ones who "say yes" to God and that those who do not are saying "No."  

 Tricky... Isn't it?   

Further on, we read in the billing,, 

"Say yes to absolute surrender, 

sacrificial lifestyle, authentic Christianity."

Apparently, if you are not listening to Rick, you are not saying YES to God; but more than that, you are not saying yes to being "authentic."  But on the other hand, Radacalis Rick and his friends, (at least by Rick's own definitions).... are.  

You see, according to Rick, if you are listening to Rick, you prove that you are one of those who want to say "yes" to God, and in doing so, you are also proving that you are "radical."  You will likely give heed to the real drive of this Radicalis conference, and that is,  "Say yes to becoming all that God created you to be, and say yes to building a healthy church."

Rick Warren unashamedly sells his "healthy church" concept, and he does it ad-nausea.  He operates in such a way that if someone did not want to conform to his Purpose Driven methods or opposed Rick Warren's ideas, that person could pretty much rest assured that they will be deemed by the Ourpose Driven world that they were somehow in opposition to "health."  (And you have to wonder, who can be against such a good thing as "health?")  Then of course, if one is not on the health wagon, they will easily be labeled as the opposite of healthy...which would likely be, "unhealthy."  

(This is quite tricky, is it not?  

Which would you rather be, "healthy," or not healthy?.  Which are you? 

An even bigger trick in all of this, is that as a pastor, Rick Warren does not put his emphasis on preaching to the unsaved world.... that's right, he is a "preacher,"a "pastor"  but his focus is on speaking to pastors and their congregations or really on making them his own.  They are the focus of his webpages, his conferences, his messages, products and methods, and it is these people who fall prey to his bold assertions about church health, human potential and his steady stream of and promotion of church growth ideas.  It is all quite intentional.  

Now, if one is radical enough, if they are ready to say yes to God, the next step is solidifying that commitment to health and purpose.  In Rick's dichotomy, this is done through formal church membership, which to Rick is like a "marriage."  (He uses the term "spiritual adultery" when someone does not hold formal (radical) membership in their church.

Ris is regularly insisting that church "membership" means, “being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ, however, scriptures say things quite differently than this.  Besides teaching us to love God above all else, and to do this with all our heart mind and soul,  (Luke 14:26,) scripture teaches that there are things that will divide people...even close familial relationships, and that thing is often faith in Jesus Christ, (not faith in the church.)  (See: Matthew 10:22 ) There is a big difference between loving God above all else... and what Rick says about being as committed to each other as we are to JEsus Christ.  

At some point, one who loves God must be more committed to him than to their friends and family and more committed to Christ that a pastor who claims anything otherwise.. The Beatles sang, "I get by with a little help from my friends." but the Bible teaches something quite different, and that is that God is our very present help in time of need.  (Psalm 46:1)  

It is God who is our comfort in all our trials and tribulations.  Friends, if they are anything like Job's friends who gave him unwise counsel, or like Peter, who denied Christ, just might let you down.

Last year, at the first Radicalis, in 2010, Rick Warren make it a point to teach his gathered crowd that "most Christians" were mindlessly going through the motions of church without even thinking about it. To remedy this, he taught about radical membership in your church. 

(See  session three .) 

He also taught the rules for such radicals... or rather, the membership "requirements."   His long list for this includes: salvation, baptism, signing a church membership covenant, (one that you obviously not dare not break, since it is a solemn vow, like a marriage,) and going through a membership class. 

Rick Warren, of course, gladly provides a church with all the materials they need for a class of this nature, for a fee... It is purchasable at Saddleback Resources for about $100.00.)  Of course, this will be one of the big things that will ensure that your church will be "healthy." 

Radicalis.... It's "radical" alright, and it is self-described as a radical departure from the norm.... 

It is.  It radically departs from normal Christianity.

It departs from a "normal "Christianity that preaches Christ and him crucified for sin; and preaches that God loves you and he made you for a purpose.  It departs from a normal Christianity that lays no additional burdens on one who comes to Christ in sincere faith, in order to be saved, and it gives them all kinds of rule to follow.  It departs from a normal Christianity that seeks to know and love the Lord and bring the unsaved to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and replaces this with seeking to enlarge one's influence over others and drive the "saved" to  programs and products to enlarge one's own wallet and bank account.... or prestige.

Yes, Rick's ideas are radical indeed, filled with  radically smooth talk, radical flattery... and surprisingly enough, some radical plans to make "healthy" churches that "think like unbelievers again." 

If this sounds too weird to believe read the CBN Interview article, Becoming a Purpose Driven Church, Part One By Rick Warren Pastors.com here.  Rick says, "The secret of reaching unbelievers is learning to think like an unbeliever. But the problem is the longer you're a Christian, the less you think like an unbeliever. And if you're a seminary-trained pastor, you're even more removed from unbelievers. You think like a pastor, not a pagan. So you have to intentionally learn to think like an unbeliever again."

Awakening 21

Ahhh... Awakening 21 is upon the world, and it is another video seminar engagement for Rick Warren,  an opportunity to encourage the church to get a "fresh" awakening (apparently their simple faith in Jesus Christ, is not enough.) HE is ready to encourage them to "fall in love with Jesus again."

Accepting this invitation, however, might simply a way to introduce those who trust Rick to his "good friend's" new book, titled, 21 Days to Revolutionize Your Relationship with God: A New Approach to Faith Fasting and Spiritual Freedom.  His good friend is the author of that, Stovall Weens... But then again it could also be a plug for Rick's own upcoming Radicalis Conference; he did mention that at least once.  Whatever the reason, this claim of Awakening 21, to being a "new approach to faith, fasting and spiritual freedom" is  quite a claim. The question is: "What NEW approach to faith" are we talking here?  Is there anything NEW under the sun?  IS the Christian faith that we see expressed in the words preserved for us in scripture, obsolete?

As for those who believe the scriptures to be true, who contend for the faith.. once delivered to the saints.... what new approach to faith and "spiritual freedom" could there be?  After all, the scriptures speak of one very excellent way... the only way to be set free... Jesus.  Apparently however, there is a new way underfoot.  It's a way akin to being perfect... and of naming it and claiming it via your own personal declaration.

During Rick Warren's talk time in video at the conference, Rick reiterated for everyone his declaration.  That's right, his declaration of what he is and is not willing to and going to do.  It is, sort of, a way to put all his "I am's" and I am-not's and "I will's " into being... like a creed. 

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN DECLARATION by Rick Warren
"Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.
 
Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven,  I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me,”  character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most, and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out, or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose driven, and mission-focused, so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace, so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say, "However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes!  Wherever you lead and whatever the cost I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway.  Whatever it takes, Lord; whatever it takes!  I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!'" 

 Let's look at that again...

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN DECLARATION by Rick Warren

"Today I am stepping across the line.
 

( What is this invisible line that he speaks of? 

Who made it?  Rick Warren? or was it God?  

And, if it is God, then why is there no

mention of faith in Jesus Christ?

 Could it be that he is having Christians

take a particular stance on what they 

will... or will-not BELIEVE, 

what they will "do" for "God."? 

 I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, 

(Imagine a person saying this.. really saying,

"I am tired of wavering.".

YOu might think that such a person is about to finally 

BELIEVE, and commit his life to Christ.. 

or maybe do it again since he didn't get it right the first time,

but no, this imaginary person is not asking 

God to help him in his time of need. 

No, 

he is just going to do these things

that he sets out now to do, out of his own will.  

He is making a choice and because he is so determined. 

Apparently, nothing can stop him now!

I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way.  

It's odd, Rick Warren suggests the person say,  "God's way"...

this while never describing "God" or His "way" to us....   

 The scripture, however, teaches

that Jesus , 

is the way the truth 

and the life.

John 14:6)

There’s no turning back now! I will 

(NOTE: HE does not say, "Lord willing.".. 

) live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes 

 (probably the" five purposes "as defined by Rick's books.

A question here:  Are God's "purposes" the same as Rick denotes in his books?

Where in the Bible does it tell a pastor to balance 

those five "purposes of God"  to have a healthy church! 

with God’s people 

(meaning... who? who are God's people??)  

on God’s planet 

 

for God’s glory. 

 I will use my life to celebrate his presence, 

 (excuse me, what, exactly does "celebrate his presence," mean?  

Perhaps we are just supposed to know, or just interpret this the way we want to. 

Maybe it refers to his "Celebrate" series... 

(Remember, Celebrate Divorce, or Celebrate Recovery, etc.?)

Maybe this idea of "celebrate" his presence  

refers to friend of his, Richard Foster 

 who's books Rick  also promotes, 

called "Celebrate Discipline, 

"(a book about something 

he calls Spiritual Formation.) 

But it could also refer to "celebrate" 

as in the celebration of the passover, 

or perhaps even the celebration 

of the Roman Catholic mass? 

Rick is not specific. 

Perhaps as he talks about 

celebrating the presence of God,

he is referring to the same concept he recommends 

in his Purpose Driven Life book 

where he gives readers the example of a spiritual mystic,

Brother Lawrence, 

"practicing the presence of God " 

One can only guess.what it means to celebrate his presence,

but the Bible never talks 

about "celebrating the presence of God."

 ..cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his Word.

 

Since my past has been forgiven 

                                                 (no mention of how... it is just supposed tp be "a given")  

and I have a purpose for living,

                             (and this is probably a reference to the person realizing that "life has purpose," thanks to Rick and his New York times best selling Purpose Driven books)  

and a home awaiting in heaven,
I refuse
to waste any more time
or energy on shallow living,
petty thinking, trivial talking,
thoughtless doing, useless regretting,
hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying.
Instead I will magnify God, 
grow to maturity,

(however, we do not cause ourselves to grow

just as we do not cause ourselves to exist) 

serve in ministry,  
and fulfill my mission 
in the membership of his family.

This makes it clear that the person is following Rick... 
and the Purpose Driven  Paradigm
.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth,

(Note that the things must both start with the letter "W."

Note also that one could feasibly "worship" money, 

“we” over “me,”  

Regarding “we over “me,” 

Jesus said, "love others as you love yourself."

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".. 

So then...since when did  "we"

become more important  or valuable, than "me."

character over comfort,
service over status,
and people over possessions, position, and pleasures.

(This all certainly sounds like it could be self-denial.... but is it? 

Is it done for that sake of love, or just to exalt one's own ability, 

or maybe to support some political cause?) 

I know what matters most,

and I’ll give it all I’ve got. 

I’ll do the best I can with what I have 

for Jesus Christ today. 

(Obviously Rick does not know, he does not preach, 

the verse that says, "all my righteousness is as filthy rags." 

Instead the words are 

"do the best with what I have for Jesus Christ today."

If he did, then he would realize that we bring nothing to the table, 

that it is God's workmanship in Christ that we as Christians do.

  IF you read the Bible, you learn that Jesus came to heal the sick,

make them whole again, not just partly well.  Meanwhile Rick 

uses the expression that  he knows what "matters the most," 

which is not humble at all 

and he expresses too that he intends to simply do the best 

he can with what he has...for Jesus Christ....(aka God.)

But Christian, think again...

Isn't this what Cain thought,when he brought God the best

of his offering unto God?  If this is so, it is quite a declaration!

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics,
motivated by praise, frustrated by problems,
debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil.
I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal,
not the sidelines or those running by me.
When times get tough, and I get tired, 
I won’t back up, back off, back down,
back out, or backslide.
I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. 
 I’m Spirit-led, purpose driven, and mission-focused,
so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised,
and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

(This is all nice sounding, but it rings a little bit like

this is all more an act of the human, fleshly will, than 

a submission to God's will.  

And while he does mention God's grace..

He neglects to mention relying on the finished work of Christ

or the strength of Christ in us, God's help, to see us through 

what difficulty we may encounter on the way.  

It is a proud heart that says, 

"I will" do this or that, or, 

"I can do it on my own strength, " 

instead of "I can do all things through 

Christ who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:13) )

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace,  

(A trophy? 

Whatever happened to humility... 

 

so I will be gracious to everyone,
grateful for every day, and generous with everything God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say, "However, whenever, wherever, and whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes!  Wherever you lead and whatever the cost I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway.  Whatever it takes, Lord; whatever it takes!  I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!'" 

(Eternal Party?  Is this is scripture? 
This may sound like a scripture verse,
but what scripture actually says... is: 
‘Well done, good and faithful servant! 
You have been faithful with a few things..." 
(Note, it does not say, you have done
everything to the ultimate,
been totally perfect and without flaw.) 

 "I will put you in charge of many things. 

Come and share 

your master’s happiness!’ 
Matt 25:23)