"Will sucess spoil Rick Warren?"

The question should not be if "success" spoils him or not. He is certainly not successful in God's eyes according the fundamental principles of scripture. Just because he has written a best selling book, makes truck loads of money, and has captured the secular world's interest, does not make him successful. Those of us who labor in the vineyard with the few are successful in God's eyes if we are faithful to the Word of God (all of it). That is the true criteria for success.

 

Several years ago--I was at a SB convention---its been so long ago I don't remember where---I think--Dallas/Ft Worth but I'm not sure

I was in LifeWay's check out line in back of this big dude----Hawaiin shirt on---I could have used it for a parachute---some kakai shorts(balooned)---and some "Mocassin" lookin' shoes on with no socks---it didn't "dawn" upon me who he was until he was about 100 yards away and gone!!

You read all the time in the classified section of any newspaper--something like

"Secretary wanted---must know Microsoft Word and be able to type 100 wpm----etc"

Nowadays---many churches looking for a pastor plaster this on their classifieds in online agencies

"We are a purpose driven church and are looking for multi-talented pastor---must know PDL and PDC"

It took me a while to catch on to what they were looking for

Makes me wonder---what in "Tarnation" did churches do---before PDL????? And makes me extra cautious as to what churches will "fall for" when the PDL "fad" passes away into never, never land

 

Most congregations are disobedient. Most do not make disciples and the average Christian never leads one person to Christ in an entire lifetime. That is the majority of Baptist churches in America. Anything different than the status quo looks wrong?

 

I agree with the sentiment of Bro Blackbirds post. Books have their place, but I guarantee that many churches/pastors are waiting for the next "big" thing to come out of the Christian Book Stores and follow it. I believe God has already given us the Book to use and we have no business using another as a guide. Again, books have their place but should not be the prominent source of guidance within the NT church.

And I agree with Bro GB---if we would do what the Bible says there will be people in the church leading others to Christ and discipling them in the faith.

Bro Tony

 

No one is. He does, however, qualify as faithful according to those same principles of scripture.

 

No one is. He does, however, qualify as faithful according to those same principles of scripture. </font>[/QUOTE]What you say is so true, Johnv----I and you both qualify as faithful---but which one of us will sit on the right and which one on the left in the coming Kingdom??! I'm "jesting" here, folks---Johnv knows that it most likely won't be Blackbird on either side.

I don't have no "quarrel" about Bro. Warren---he knows its for the Kingdom---my quarrel is with the churches that "ga-ga, goo-goo" over any book that comes along----I just wish churches would "throw caution to the wind"---use spiritual decernment!!!

 

I thought there were real theological problems with Rick Warren's book. It is something I remember hearing talked about, and it is only residing somewhere around the edges of my memory.

Is this not right?

 

Depends

... depends upon your theology

... depends upon how you define theology

... it depends upon whether you are taking him in or out of context ...

 

ok El Guero,

but Ive not read his book. Is there a short version of an answer for me? or is this too long of a subject for in here?

 

I concur with you there. Heck, there is still an abundance of folks who think Left Behind is a documentary.

 

Spiritual discernment? What the heck is that?

Next, ya'll are gonna want people to read the Bible or something like it ...

... Heck ya' might want me to actually believe it ...

[With just a little bit of sarcasm ... ]

 

I concur with you there. Heck, there is still an abundance of folks who think Left Behind is a documentary. </font>[/QUOTE]Wait one minute there Mr. Southern California Dude, are you saying it's not a documentary? Next your going to be telling be the Left Behind books are fiction!

 

Shhhh!!! Don't tell anyone!!! Riot will ensue

 

You guys are part of the Illuminate and NWO, right?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Good for him. The man's entitled to his opinion. But that's all it is. Opinion.

 

I don't accept the premis of the question. To me it assumes that RW is an overnight phenom who just popped up. Fact is it's been 25 years since he planted Saddleback, and over 10 years since he wrote The Purpose Driven Church. He's been extremely succesful for a while now, so I'd say he's quite comfortable with the role God has given him.

 

GP, you make an excellent point. He's been a faithful preacher and pastor for more than a quarter of a century. Just because the world may only have heard of him recently doesn't mean he's a "newbie".

 

Methinks also that there sometimes seems to be a bit of, how to tactfully put it, er of displeasure that one of God's children is getting a vast field of ministry, while others are more limited in scope!

Is it possible that there is a little coveteousness surfaceing?

Just a thought, since to some popularity automatically = worldliness!!