Rick Warren

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 show more 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 Hannity and Colmes.

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 nonsinful 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.)"

May we avoid both pitfalls.

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In twenty years of local church ministry this has been the most transformative book I have ever read and implemented. What is offered is not so much an off-the-shelf product, but a thinking process. When local churches engage with this process, it transforms every aspect of them. The book is not primarily about church growth, but church effectiveness, which leads to growth. I also write as someone who disagrees with some of Rick Warren's own doctrinal stance - but that is not the point! The show more point is local churches think about serving the present age. Otherwise they have no point. show less

During the year 1980, in the Saddleback Valley of southern California, a legend sprouted. Rick Warren and his brainchild, Saddleback Church, would launch a movement of seeker-driven churches worldwide. This book documents and models Warren’s approach to church planting and pastoring. He lays outs and expounds his design for planting and growing churches. The book has some good principles for church planters, and those should not be overlooked. The principles and purposes set forward by show more Warren certainly have a great deal of value, and the details of his system are structured well. However, as others have pointed out, Warren got his cart before the horse. The use of the Scriptures is secondary to his philosophy throughout, to say nothing of the terrible hermeneutics he employs. The eye-roll moments are at least as plentiful as the light bulb ones. The serious church planter should consider the Saddleback way, but the elements of Warren’s design should not be implemented without serious Bible-based reflection.

Overall, this book is a net add to a gospel minister's reading and thought process, though not without severe and significant flaws. The book contains some sound principles and advice on the practical implementation of those principles. The models and structural elements are worth examining and adapting to whatever the reader’s ministry context is. However, the problems of elevating a philosophical ideal (attracting seekers) over the adherence to and lifting of the Bible should not be overlooked. The reader must be aware not only of Warren’s shifty underlying philosophy at the time of writing but also of what Warren and Saddleback have evolved to in the nearly thirty years since the writing of this book. The Purpose Driven Church is an okay book, though not a great one, and it certainly should not be read without a healthy dose of caution. show less

This last year has easily been the most painful year of my life. I found myself angry at God and angry in general. I was mean, bitter, irritated, heartbroken, and sad all the time. I’d be driving home from work and bawl my eyes out while literally screaming and crying in emotional pain. Then, one day, not long ago, a book was randomly mentioned on TV and the title of the book stuck in my memory for some reason. I decided to look it up on Amazon, it had good reviews and was only a few bucks show more so I bought it. It sat on my desk for about a week but after one particularly rough day I brought the book outside with me, sat in the shade, and began to read. I had no idea what to expect but I felt my heart begin to change with each chapter. After a year full of anger, pain, and suffering this book was deliberately put into my life to point me in the right direction. I still have so much more work to do but this book showed me where to start. If any of this sounds like you maybe it can help you too. show less