Rick Warren on “Trends in the Church” (Part 2)
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, July 11, 2005
- Viewed 210
- (7) comments so far
TREND #2: 40 Days of Purpose
Another trend that I see is this 40 days phenomenon ? this 40 Days of Purpose, which of course I'm right in the middle of. Ten percent of the churches in America have now done 40 Days of Purpose and that's just now. We will take another 10 to 15 thousand through it this year, and on and on and on. And there's a little story of how that got started in churches and then it spread to corporations like Coca-Cola and Ford and Wal-Mart, and they started doing 40 Days of Purpose. And then it spread to all the sports teams. I spoke at the NBA All-Stars this year because all of the teams were doing 40 Days of Purpose. LPGA, NASCAR, most of the baseball teams ? when the Red Sox were winning the World Series, they were going through 40 Days of Purpose during the Series. So the story of the 40 Days of Purpose is more than the story of the book. And maybe we can get back to why that touched such a nerve around the world, because The Purpose Driven Life is not just the best-selling book in American history; it's the best-selling book in about a dozen languages. It's in about 30 languages right now and that's why I was at this meeting last night with the Spanish.
OK... we'll allow Rick the opportunity to share the "40 Days" story and promotion here, since he sees this as a trend. But I have to agree on one point... a very large number of churches have been through the forty days program; and (whether you like the program or not) it has made an impact in Evangelical churches in the past years. How much impact and how much momentum it will continue to have, I think though, is questionable. I think everything eventually runs it's cycle; and I think "40 Days" may be at the nearing the end of it's natural life cycle.
You can read the whole transcript here.
FOR DISCUSSION: Has the 40 Days campaign impacted you and/or your church? How?
This is Part 2 of a series taken from a transcript of Rick Warren talking to a small group of journalists recently at the Pew Forum’s "Faith Angle" conference on religion, politics, and public life. Rick mentions a few of the trends he sees in the church. In part one, we looked at the Evangelical Church and it’s return to it’s 19th century roots. Today… 40 Days of Purpose. Rick Warren says…
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Gerry on Mon, July 11, 2005
I have nothing against Rick Warren. When I read both of his books, my basic reaction was “Well, duh. What’s revolutionary about that?” But I have two reactions to what he says here:
1. What’s the difference between a ‘trend’ and a ‘fad.’?
2. The jury is still out on the long-term effects of the ‘Purpose-Driven Life Phenomenon.’
Kirk on Mon, July 11, 2005
Is Rick about to repeat the mistakes of the Beatles? Is he beginning to think 40 Days is bigger than Jesus? Lately, it just seems creepy whenever I see him being interviewed. I hope I’m wrong.
Ricky on Mon, July 11, 2005
Warren:
“Another trend that I see is this 40 days phenomenon – this 40 Days of Purpose, which of course I’m right in the middle of.”
Of course.
Wayne Cook on Tue, July 12, 2005
I just wrote this brilliant piece about advantages and dangers of such “phenonemon” then I hit the wrong key and it disappeared. So maybe I can just make this observation instead:
The church and her leaders should be guided by God’s Word and Holy Spirit instead of being manipulated by marketing and public agendas.
Why does it take a book, program or trend(fad) to motivate us to obey God’s Word?
No intention here of criticism of any particular writer, but it is strange to me that think the way we do.
Franklin Reeves on Tue, July 12, 2005
I enjoyes the Book.
I did have problems with the preface, sounding a little to haughty, arrogant proud.
It did have an impact on my life. I am not sure if people are offended by the book because of doctrinal errors, or because it is an ehortation to get of our rears and serve God.
Is it becasue he suggested that maybe some Bible doing ought to happen along with the amount of Bible studying.
Of course not taling about specific ways he has implemented policy in his church, I was looking only at serving God piece.
Glen Warren on Tue, July 12, 2005
Todd,
I’m disappointed in how you misrepresented Rick Warren in your article!!! I went to the link and you pulled this out and made it look like such a key part of what he wrote. But that’s not how it comes across reading the WHOLE article.
I encourage everyone to follow the link to the WHOLE article before they throw stones!
Todd Rhoades on Tue, July 12, 2005
Hey Glen,
Sorry if you think I misinterpreted. I’m a Rick Warren supporter and have the scars to prove it (if you’ve read much at this blog). http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
I tried to make clear that these are 5 trends that Rick pointed out. This was number 2 of five (and I printed all he said about it). I don’t think it came across as negative. Also, I did give the link to the whole interview; which I would recommend to everyone to read in its completeness.
Todd
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