January 19, 2009
Book Review: The Purpose Driven Church
I approached Purpose Driven Church with a certain built-in antipathy. The theological circles in which I travel harbor an abhorrence of all things Purpose Driven. Because of this, my initial reaction to the book was somewhat tainted.
The further I got in the book, however, the more I found myself thinking "I am going to have to remember this when I start a church". Soon I was re-formulating some of my church-planting plans based on what I was reading.
At this point I think I need to make it clear: I in no way approve of some of Warren's more recent escapades--particularly where he has apologized for earlier statements regarding the sin of homosexual behavior, or his "accept Christ on a sixty-day trial basis" statement on the Hannity and Colmes TV show.
That being said, as a book of church-planting ideas from someone who actually was successful in planting a church, this book is indispensable. Here are some quotes which may challenge some of your pre-conceived notions:
On church buildings
I feel most churches build too soon and too small. The shoe must never tell the foot how big it can grow. I'm often asked 'How big can a church grow without a building?' The answer is 'I don't know!' Saddleback met for fifteen years and grew to 10,000 members without our own building, so I know it is possible to grow to at least 10,000. A building or lack of a building should never be allowed to become a barrier to a wave of growth. People are far more important than property.
On welcoming visitors
In America, the most common fear people have is going to a party where they will be surrounded by strangers. The second most common fear is having to speak before a crowd, and the third most common fear is being asked a personal question in public. The way many churches welcome visitors causes them to experience their three greatest fears all at once!
There are many more quotes which could be mentioned here. Instead, I will let you read the book. I will, however, close with two paragraphs. The first one is one that Warren has apparently forgotten:
There are two extreme positions: imitation and isolation. Those in the 'imitation' camp argue that the church must become just like our culture in order to minister to it. churches in this group sacrifice the biblical message and mission of the church in order to blend in with the culture. They are likely to endorse current cultural values such as the worship of success and walth, radical individualism, radical feminism, liberal sexual standards, and even homosexuality. In their attempt to be relevant, these churches sacrifice biblical theology, doctrinal distinctives, and the Gospel of Christ. The call for repentance and commitment is compromised in order to attract a crowd. Syncretism destroys this kind of church.
The following paragraph is one that we as biblical fundamentalists need to read with attention:
At the other extreme is the 'isolation' camp. This group insists we must avoid any adaptation to culture in order to preserve the purity of the church. They fail to see the distinction between the sinful values of our culture and the non-sinful customs, styles, and preferences that each generation develops. They reject new translations of Scripture, current musical styles, and any attempt to modify man-made traditions, such as the time and order of the worship service that they are accustomed to. Isolationsists sometimes have a dress code, and a list of what is permissible and what isn't regarding issues that the Bible is silent on. (It is human nature to erect theological walls to defend personal preferences.)As we see to plant churches that honor Christ, edify believers, and reach the lost, may we avoid both of the aforementioned pitfalls.
Posted by Andrew on January 19, 2009 5:30 PM.
Comments
Posted by: Pregador27 at January 19, 2009 7:58 PM
Yeah, that pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter. He plays in the shallow end of the theological pool sometimes, but as far as practical church-planting advice he has a lot to contribute.
Posted by: Andrew 
at January 19, 2009 8:13 PM
The last bit in ( ) is so true. To be a member you have to agree to abide bysome of these personal perferences along with the Truths of the BIBLE and then you find that many do not live them because they are not really biblical. I think we lose young people and others because we say we should not do _______. Then many when they grew up or in the study of the WORD found out it wasn't Biblical,and they lose respect for those who taught them and desided they would rather go somewhere else than say one thing at church and live another way at home.
Posted by: Gloria at January 23, 2009 10:00 PM
Gloria,
I think you are exactly right!
Posted by: Andrew at January 23, 2009 11:08 PM
I've read the book and liked some of the methods he shared.
I think that a lot of the ways he does things can be used with effectiveness.
However, I am fed up with churches that mimic his methods rather than glean from them.
I've seen too many churches that have created their own five point purpose statement only because Rick Warren did it in his church.
I'm pretty sure he even says in his book not to do everything he did, but to take what would work in your church and do that.
Posted by: Jason at February 3, 2009 6:20 PM
Subscribe via
Hey Andrew- good points. I am not a fan of Mr. Warren or his PDL book. The PDC book is a lot better- though I remember having some issues with the contents, but minor.