PURPOSE DRIVEN –SHEPHERD LED
Carolyn Schorle
As I begin this article, I realize that the information
following is critiqued on several discernment websites, and newsletters. However, we want to make it clear where we
at A.B.P. stand on the latest fad to hit what we describe as the modern day
church. It appears from the advertisements planted in church yards around our
area, there are no signs of the “Purpose Driven Life” programs slowing down at
all. As a mater of fact, they are speeding right along.
There are over 5000 churches involved in the “40 Days of
Purpose” programs. Most churches are using the book as a guide not only for
Sunday school classes, but also for their Sunday morning church services
replacing the scriptures with the book.
Also, churches are not the only ones buying into the church growth
programs. Large corporations such as
Coke and Wal-Mart are using the church growth principals laid out in the
book. There are a host of others
participating in the program, however, let us get on with what we see as some
of the serious problems with the “40 Days of Purpose” and other such programs.
When one claims that any book, other than the Bible can
change your life, a red flag should go up at once. This is exactly what Rick
Warren claims his book will do for you.
Also, we have a great concern for the translation he uses, which is the
Message.
Most of Rick Warren’s lessons were learned from Robert
Schuller—the great “possibility thinker”. Most of the people pleasing methods
used at Schuller’s church are used at Saddleback Church.
One of the lessons from the book deals with “the
consequences of not knowing your purpose”. He warns the people that not knowing
your purpose, life will seem tiresome, unfulfilling, and uncontrollable. Warren
promises that knowing the purpose of your life will -
* “SIMPLIFY your life.”
* “increase MOTIVATION in your
life.”
* “PREPARE
YOU FOR ETERNITY.”
* “give your
life FOCUS.”
I have been serving the Lord for over 30 years, and have
never given a thought to what my purpose was or is for that matter. My purpose
is and always has been, as with all Christians, to Love the lord with all my
heart, to love my neighbor as myself, to try and witness to as many people as I
can, and lead them to repentance, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now I ask
you, does that not simplify my life?
Does that not motivate me? Is not my focus where it should be? Have I
not been prepared for eternity? To think I had it all these years, and without
a book to tell me! How much more simple can it get!
ISSUES ON SALVATION:
He invites his readers “to quietly whisper the prayer
that will change where you will spend eternity: ‘Jesus, I believe in you, and I
receive you.
If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations!” he
tells his readers. “Welcome to the family of God! You are now ready to discover
and start living God’s purpose for your life.
As we all know, the devil also believes and trembles. It is not enough
to believe in the Lord. The scripture makes it very clear, that repentance is
the key to salvation. As far as purpose, the scriptures are also plain about
this also. We are to bring glory to God, and live a life of holiness before
God. The modern day church knows nothing of the holiness of God.
ISSUES ON MUSIC:
Warren states, “I believe that one of the major church
issues (of the future) will be how we’re going to reach the next generation
with our music. ‘ he said, admitting, ‘You can make more people mad with music
than any thing else in the church. First, we do not need to believe that music
will be an issue in the future, it is an issue now. The music our young people
want today is not only sensual, but is an offence to a holy God. I had a teen
share with me after attending a praise and worship concert (if that what they
want to call it) that the music was so loud that it vibrated her whole body.
This is typical of a “seeker church” wanting to please all who enter, not
wanting to bore anyone with the old traditions. They tell us that we are “stuck
in the past”.
Their boast is that they are not interested in building a
New Testament church that is based on Biblical principles. They go out into the
community and ask the world of unbelievers to tell them what kind of church to
build that would attract the unbeliever. There is very little mentioned about
“repentance,” “hell,” and the “judgment.” We are living in the days that
Timothy warned us about. For the time will come when they will NOT endue sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears. Timothy 4:3
With the popularity of these programs, one is hard
pressed to try and show any one where it is unscriptural, especially when all
the major evangelical leaders are placing their stamp of approval, and I might
add, seeing the results that it brings. Yes, it will bring in the people,
especially baby boomers, to which it is geared. But I ask you, what kind of growth are they getting? Have they
forgotten the principal of a little leaven leavens the whole lump! 1
Cor.5:6. We must refuse any thing that
has just a hint of leaven in it. It will poison everything it touches, or who
touches it. We must do as we are commanded in scripture: Come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and
I will receive you. 2Cor. 6:17.
This is
just a few of many issues that we see with “The 40 Days of Purpose” church
growth movement. In closing, I repeat what many have said concerning the
purchase of “The Purpose Driven Life” books, tapes, study books, etc. BUYERS
BEWARE!