Saddleback Takes Over Purpose-Driven Amid Huge Cutbacks
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, November 22, 2006
- Viewed 104
- (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:
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nora on Tue, November 28, 2006
Can we not engage in dialogue with those who do not agree on every single topic with us? Is there nothing for us to learn from those who hold opposing views? It sounds like Warren is asking Obama to speak about AIDS, not abortion. I applaud him for his efforts at joining a conversation that the church has too long been silent about.
Wendi on Tue, November 28, 2006
Just to clarify, Obama is one of nearly 100 speakers at the 2006 Global Summit on Aids and the Church. There are several political speakers, along with international healthcare leaders and leaders from both faith based and secular relief and health organizations. One can be quite sure that these are folks from every political and religious persuasion. There could well be some Muslims, Mormons, agnostics and atheists . . . certainly democrats as well as republicans. What links them all together is a deep sense of passion and pain about the horrible tragedy facing the world in our generation. The purpose of the summit, as I understand it from reading the website, is to provide information that can inform our discussion and motivate “the church” in America to engage in practical and effective ways. To help church leaders know what they should do, based on their own sensitivities and their church’s DNA, RW has also gathered numerous ministry leaders whose work is dedicated to this and related issues (like ministering to the gay/lesbian community).
Warren’s position on this and his commitment to using his influence to mobilize the western church has made me respect him even more. And IMO, those in the Christian community (like Dr. Willy Drake) who are campaigning against RW for inviting Obama in particular (given the fact that so many other “non-Christian” speakers will be present and he happens to be a democratic possibility for the 2008 presidential ticket), are hijacking this Summit to make political gains. It is they, and not RW, who are shameful in my book.
Similarly, I’m not party to hijacking this thread, which was about PD ministry cutbacks, by joining the off-topic discussion about RW and Barak Obama.
Wendi
Aaron on Tue, November 28, 2006
Thank you Wendi for setting the record straight. It is interesting how a discussion morphs and gains a life all of its own.
Phil DiLernia on Tue, November 28, 2006
While the original post was about cutbacks at PD I believe some people here are claiming that those cutbacks are the result of RW’s new focus on Aids and his reduced passion/focus for PD. Therefore once that claim has been made then the discussion on Aids and all things related becomes fair game.
This is a blog and quite frankly - whether we agree or disagree with those typing - is the very nature of what blogs are. BTW, this is the same as how human face-to-face disucssions morph as well.
I think it was Jesus who began speaking with a lady about some “water” that He had which would bring life and once she actually asks Him for some of that special water I believe it was Jesus who went “off topic” and brought up the subject of her promiscuity!
In other words Jesus would cut through the surface of a conversation and then get down to what was going on beneath the exterior.
Now I am not saying I know RW motivation for cutting back staff at PD - although from a cursory glance it would certainly seem that reduced demand would necessitate a reduced staff - but others here have, in their minds, cut through the exterior and gotten beneath the surface - whether they are correct or not.
This is the pain about blogs ... we want to stay “on point” when we want and we’re willing to go “off point” when we want. I say don’t discourage others from going to what you believe is “off point” but just choose not to respond if you feel that way. This way you won’t encourage more of the “off point” conversation. I hope that makes sense.
Dennis on Mon, December 04, 2006
Good job Todd! You did the best thing. Not because they disagreed, but their inability to preserve unity. They were more concerned about being “right” (which is ludicrous, after careful examination of what they said), then doing right. Keep up the good work, I read your stuff almost every day!
As for Rick W. You will not meet a finer guy around. Most of the crap he takes is from jealous grumblers and fault finders; small-minded people who wish they had the courage and vision RW displays daily!
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