PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH
A book entitled, “The Purpose Driven Church” by Rick Warren is a blueprint for all of the current liberal ideas plaguing the church of our Lord. The church that Mr. Warren started out in California began by taking surveys of the community to find out what they wanted in a church. If the people being surveyed already went to church somewhere, then they were not included. His attempts were to reach those who were the “unchurched”, individuals who did not attend church anywhere regularly.
Such reasoning places all churches on equal footing. As long as you go to church somewhere then you are not considered the “unchurched”. All such individuals then,because they are connected to a church somewhere, are in a saved relationship. His book is an effort to reach all those who are “unsaved”. As long then as you go to church somewhere, God is pleased. I wonder how Peter would survive under such “powerful reasoning”? He goes into the house of a Gentile, different in culture and race and tells him who it is that God will accept. No survey here. Peter said that in every nation (regardless of culture), the individual who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by God (Acts 10:34,35).
Paul tells the brethren in Corinth that some of them were guilty of certain sins (I Corinthians 6:9,10). How was such a message received among a culture given to idolatry and sexual sins of various kinds? Why not listen to God instead of men? Many of the Corinthians heard the word and were baptized (Acts 18:8). Can one truly imagine Paul coming into such a city and conducting a survey? I mean, after all, when Paul first arrived there was no church there so everyone was the “unchurched”. Paul explains about the transition in their lives. He says, and such were some of you, but no longer. Now you have been washed, justified and sanctified (I Corinthians 6:11).
Paul goes into Athens, a city wholly given to idolatry (Acts 17:16). Talk about fertile ground for a survey, wow! However, Paul conducted no such survey. He told those individuals who were, for the most part, Gentiles, they were worshipping in ignorance. What “unchurched” person would dare put up with such language today? If I take a survey to find out what you want, then it would follow my preaching must appeal to your wants, otherwise I would lose you. The truth was that those in Athens had unacceptable worship to God. They would not have known that unless Paul had told them the truth. Surveys taken among “unchurched” people would surely produce wisdom that is not from above.
In his book, Mr. Warren offers some suggestions about things you can do. One of which was to “reinvent your congregation”. He writes, “ you completely replace all the old programs, structures, and worship with new ones”. I wonder why some congregations in this town are now trying to use “traditional worship” and “contemporary worship”? The contemporary style appeals to those who are younger and easier led. The contemporary worship will always lead to “praise teams” where women as well as men help direct the singing. What follows among those who have been churches of Christ, will be the bringing in of the instrument for public worship.
Mr. Warren warns his readers to not try this unless “…God tells you to”. Herein lies the struggles we are having today as more churches leave the way of God. The belief is that God must speak to you. The question may be rephrased somewhat, but it is still the same question. How does the Holy Spirit work today? If you are trying something that does not have Bible authority, then you must wait and listen for God to tell you whether or not to go ahead. How does a congregation in this town have an aerobics class instead of Bible study? Could it be that the Holy Spirit spoke to the leadership and told them they need to create classes that appeal to the needs of the community instead of the needs of their heart?
Brethren who wish to change the songs we sing; change the direction of worship and offer to the community a Christ not found in the Scriptures may draw large crowds. Hence, the name which designates what it is all about. They are called “community churches”. How sad some of our brethren cann't get there quick enough.