Saddleback Takes Over Purpose-Driven Amid Huge Cutbacks
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, November 22, 2006
- Viewed 106
- (65) comments so far
A few years ago, during the height of the Purpose Driven national campaigns, I had the opportunity for an appointment at the PD offices (which were on the third floor (I think) of the Saddleback office building. I was amazed by how huge the organization and overhead was. There were about 160 employees on that floor… cubicle upon cubicle (I think there were cubicles in some of the cubicles). They were hiring 30 more people the month I was there. It was a madhouse… so much so that I got the feel that internally it was just growing too fast; without anyone really knowing who was doing what.
Anyway, I left that day thinking one thought: How in the world is this type of thing sustainable? When the Purpose Driven Life program subsided (as everyone knew it one day would) what would be the next thing that would keep all these people employed? 40 Days of Community didn’t seem to have the punch that 40 days of purpose did.
A little more from the CTI article:
“Purpose Driven as an organization, in a sense, really doesn’t exist anymore,” Jon Walker, Saddleback’s pastor of strategic communications, told CT.The most notable change will be to Purpose Driven Church conferences, which have trained more than 300,000 pastors in church growth. Saddleback will still host the annual conference at the Lake Forest, California, megachurch in May. But smaller conferences will be held less frequently. In addition, there will be no more nationwide 40 Days of Purpose campaigns, Walker said, though the program will be offered to churches individually.
“The success of The Purpose Driven Life and 40 Days of Purpose was a God-sent wave for which we are grateful, and we tried to be good stewards of the blessing,” Walker said. “However, it was inevitable that their popularity would crest and then settle into a long-term ministry of support.”
Layoffs began in July. 30 staff were let go; another 24 left through attrition. Rick and Kay even gave an extra $2 million to help with the short fall. It wasn’t enough.
In the mean time, Saddleback is planning on putting more emphasis on Warren’s Peace Plan: “It’s two very different things,” Walker said. “Purpose Driven was training for church growth. … P.E.A.C.E is more of a long-term missions thrust. There is not a product or a trend or anything that is associated with it. It is a long-term thing.”
SOURCE: CTI - Read the whole article here
FOR DISCUSSION: Does this surprise you? What is your first reaction to the news?
Christianity Today is reporting: The Purpose Driven Life remains number two on the cba hardcover bestseller list. But Purpose Driven the organization is over. Created amid the unprecedented popularity of Rick Warren's book, Purpose Driven ministries has lost its CEO, seen its staff reduced by a third, and significantly drawn back its services. No longer a separate entity, it is being overseen by the staff of Saddleback Church, where Warren is senior pastor. This really doesn't surprise me... Here's why:
Comments
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Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com on Wed, November 22, 2006
Todd said:
“Purpose Driven is mainly a money machine—
Yeah… thus all the cutbacks, layoffs, and 2 million out of Rick’s pocket. “
Cutbacks and layoff’s are because there is no longer any vision to grow this empire, from the leadership (RW). It doesn’t represent any financial loss, necessarily.
Two million from Rick’s pocket doesn’t mean anything. It’s just an investment. He may get it back, or it may be a small donation from his wealth. Likely, an investment and not donation, as Purpose Driven was just as much business than ministry I think.
Remember:
From:
http://www.mcom.biola.edu/bmc/speakers.htm
Bucky’s expertise helped to propel The Purpose Driven Life to more than 28 million copies in print with 154 weeks on the New York Times best seller list. As Warren’s agent, Rosenbaum worked with 35 publishers to license 67 other unique Purpose Driven Life products in 57 languages. Rosenbaum first worked as chief executive officer for Pastors.com, taking the organization from $1.8 million to $23.8 million in annual sales in just three years.
Todd- I think you are way off-base in thinking this was a management error (hiring too much too soon). I think it is simply a managment decision. RW was into a major empire-building mode—evident by looking at the products and services he was doing for the “Christian marketplace.”
Todd Rhoades on Wed, November 22, 2006
As usual, Bernie… totally unfair; and factually incorrect. on numerous counts…
“Cutbacks and layoff’s are because there is no longer any vision to grow this empire”
No… cuts and layoffs are because it’s hard to sustain the kind of success and sales PDL necessitated.
“Likely, an investment and not donation, as Purpose Driven was just as much business than ministry I think. “
Cynical, as always. If you read the article, you’ll see that it was made to help make up the shortfall. Why always be so cynical? Give Rick the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he gave willingly, not expecting anything in return other than to save 50 jobs or so. Just maybe.
“I think you are way off-base in thinking this was a management error (hiring too much too soon).”
That would’ve been way off base… if I’d actually said it. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif I didn’t say anything of the kind. The employees there were all needed at the time to meet demand. My concern was that that demand wouldn’t be that great for a long period of time. As usual, I was right. (I’m smiling here; taking on a bit of the Bernie smugness).
“RW was into a major empire-building mode—evident by looking at the products and services he was doing for the “Christian marketplace.”
You gotta get over it Bernie! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Wendi on Wed, November 22, 2006
In response to [“It is hard to make that work twice.”] Ricky said:
[Aw, c’mon. How can you say that if what Warren was doing was “from God?”
Well let’s see . . .
• Moses preformed each of the plagues for Pharaoh once
• He parted the Red Sea once
• Daniel say the hand of God writing on Belshazzer’s wall once
• Elizabeth (Mary’s cousin) got pregnant once
• Jesus made water into wine once
Is your only evidence Ricky, that something is “from God” that it be repeatable, ongoing and sustainable? Odd criteria I don’t think I’ve read in the bible.
And in response to Todd’s comment: [“There’s no way you could keep that kind of momentum and CUSTOMER service support going long term.” (Emphasis Ricky’s)]
You replied: [Consumeristic Christianity at its finest.]
Just wondering Ricky, did you buy your bible? Have you ever purchased study materials? Read a book written by a Christian author (other than RW) about issues of living out your faith? Purchased a CD from a Christian artist? Paid to attend a workshop, seminar or class taught by a Christian teacher or speaker?
Millions of Christians who lived before the reformation and Guttenburg’s little invention would call us blessed. Thousands of Christ followers live even today in places with no access to bibles or materials that we American Christian “consumers” take for granted. I am the Christian I am today because God in His grace planted me in a time and place where I can own as many bibles as I can afford and can learn from people I will never meet. We should stop blasting those (like RW) who make resources so readily available and thank God for them.
Wendi
Todd Rhoades on Wed, November 22, 2006
Wendi (and others),
You caught Ricky’s comments before I deleted them. Ricky is like Bernie on steriods.
My call.
Todd
Wendi on Wed, November 22, 2006
It’s okay Todd . . . Ricky and Bernie’s tireless and ridiculous comments about consumerism remind me that I’m not grateful enough for the wealth of “consumer” resources the Lord has made available to me through the gifts of others. Top on my list is you and MMI for the work you do continuously searching for things that will help us grow and minister and gathering them into one place here. I know you pay the bills through MMI in different ways (you evil empire builder you), but I’m so very grateful that you make SOOOO much available to us free of charge.
Thanksgiving is a good time to remember to be thankful for people impact our lives in any variety of ways . . . so thanks Todd (and Rick Warren) for impacting and resourcing my ministry. The Lord is indeed using you and anointing your work!!
Wendi
Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com on Wed, November 22, 2006
Todd said:
“No… cuts and layoffs are because it’s hard to sustain the kind of success and sales PDL necessitated. “
Funny how I have more faith and respect in RW’s management skill than you, Todd.
RW can’t manage a money-empire like Purpose Driven and also make a major work in the PEACE plan. He’s choosing priorities, and I’m happy to see him choosing the right path. His press release is trying to give a different spin—that it is simply a supply and demand issue. It’s not.
How would you like to work for PD and be told the truth: “Sorry, RW has changed his mind and would like to de-emphasize this ministry in order to maximize the PEACE plan.” The PEACE plan will continue to grow and take all his resources until he again changes his mind for a new ministry or gives up on it… I hope he makes a success of it. ***Link Deleted***
Leonard on Wed, November 22, 2006
Oh by the way it is wilkinson not wilkerson, differnet preachers
Todd Rhoades on Wed, November 22, 2006
I love it… attack my lack of faith.
To use market terms, it IS supply and demand. When you have a book selling millions of copies and 1000s of churches simultaneously doing a 40 days program, it takes a lot of infastructure to pull this off. And when the book sales fall off; and most churches who are going to do 40 days have already done it (ok… we’ll call it market saturation), then the infastructure to take care of decreased demand for goods and services (books, programs, and customer service) goes down dramatically as well.
This isn’t the case of someone taking their eyes off the ball; changing their mind midstream (which is perfectly ok as well); or any such thing.
Sometimes I think you argue with me just to argue with me Bernie; and it’s like you get an extra jewel in your crown if you attack my faith at the same time. It gets old. And everyone just bows out and watches us go at it. Just like an accident.
Like Leonard said, he (and I) could see this coming; yet I went down that road. Why? Because it’s newsworthy; and it effects thousands of churches. So, yes… it’s worth the post.
BTW, I’ve deleted your link to SOL… off-topic. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Todd Rhoades on Wed, November 22, 2006
Just read (and deleted) some of your other comments, Bernie. You need to take a break… for one thing, it’s old. You’re a broken record. For another, it’s old. You’re a broken record.
So, I’m asking nicely here… knock it off. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Todd
Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com on Wed, November 22, 2006
Todd said:
“Just read (and deleted) some of your other comments, Bernie. You need to take a break… for one thing, it’s old. You’re a broken record. For another, it’s old. You’re a broken record. “
I was explaining my experience to Leonard and others who thought I had no basis for my opinion. I guess they will never know why I believe the things I do since you delete the data I’m supplying in which I base my opinion.
Wendi on Wed, November 22, 2006
I’m just wondering about something Bernie. You say that you welcome feedback and want accountability. But based on the way you ignore our feedback about the graceless tone, the inaccuracy, the unfounded accusations, the inappropriate questioning of people’s motives and the self-aggrandizing of your posts . . . I think you just like to hear yourself talk and will only welcome feedback if it affirms you.
So I have an idea. I may be all wrong about what you write and the way you write (if I am I’m in extensive company). Since you seem to feel no sense of responsibility to our feedback, would you be willing to have someone from your seminary check you? Would you ask one of your professors who has pastoral experience too to log in here and read through the entire dialogue, then jump in, identify him(or her)self, and offer feedback to you and us? I’m not thinking about feedback about the merits (or lack thereof) of RW or PDL. I’m thinking about feedback related to the discussion, the things you say and the things we say in response (Todd excluded of course, he has a pass to say anything he wants, he owns the joint).
If you respond (as usual) with silence, I’ll read that as “no, I’m not willing to do that.” I don’t think that would be an inappropriate way to read your silence.
Wendi
Leonard on Wed, November 22, 2006
“I was explaining my experience to Leonard and others who thought I had no basis for my opinion. I guess they will never know why I believe the things I do since you delete the data I’m supplying in which I base my opinion.”
First off, no you weren’t, you were trying to bash warren again for your opinion of his taxes. Then you let Ann feed your sense of justice and them you accused RW of using the church as a cover. Bernie, I do not need your experience. You have proven time and time again to have an agenda, to be un-teachable and to be factually unreliable and that you lack discernment. You treat your opinions as truth; you even stated they were earlier in this thread. Your posts make me sad.
Wendi on Wed, November 22, 2006
Bernie,
I completely agree with Leonard’s assessment of your posts, and like him I am very saddened by them.
One of the required elements of my seminary program was to assemble a group of accountability people who would meet regularly with me (throughout my seminary years) and would also report to my seminary advisors about me. Although these folks were hand picked by me, they had to attest that they knew me and my ministry enough to assess my skills and abilities, including my relational and communication skills and my weaknesses. They all had to sign a covenant that was copied to the seminary that they would be honest and as objective as possible in their feedback. Then, before I could graduate they were required to meet together (without me), discuss my greatest potential for kingdom success and how I should maximize that. They were also required to discuss the areas in which I need to grow, my greatest potential liabilities and what things I need to do to remain protected from myself. From this meeting they were required to turn in a confidential report to the seminary. I would not have been allowed to graduate if this were not completed.
This process has grown out of years of watching promising young graduates crash and burn, usually not from the kind of blatant sin that we’ve recently lived through with Ted Haggard, but from an arrogant unwillingness of young pastors to receive feedback about the way they communicate with and relate to the people serve with and shepherd. Your posts sadden me because I know you feel a call to ministry and are spending considerable time, money and energy to prepare yourself. I fear that if your interactions with us is reflective of your interactions with real people, your ministry will stall before it ever gets started, and you may leave carnage along the way.
I hope you’ll take me up on my suggestion.
Wendi
Bernie of FreeGoodNews.com on Wed, November 22, 2006
Wendi said:
“I fear that if your interactions with us is
reflective of your interactions with real people, your ministry will stall
before it ever gets started, and you may leave carnage along the way. “
Wendi-
I think you’d say the same thing to Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and John the Baptist. The Apostle Paul, for example, had both the religious elite and pagan’s try to kill him for what he said.
If you want to get through to me, you’ll have to use scripture and logic.
...Bernie
Leonard on Wed, November 22, 2006
Bernie, I am sure that Wendi will defend herself but that is exactly the arrogance we speak of. Your words drip with judgment a pride brother. When someone disagrees with you, points out an error in what you say, challenges you to become accountable to your words, you pull the Jesus, Paul and John the Baptist card. This is the second time you have pulled that card and at the expense of another’s character. You do not know if Wendi would say that to them nor is there any call for that kind of posturing. You are none of these people nor does your ministry present the credentials they did. You come across more like the Pharisees who could not see their own flaws than Jesus, Paul or John the Baptist.
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