Saddleback to Start new “Signature” Ministry for the Persecuted Church
- Posted on November 10, 2009
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This is the first time I've heard the term 'signature' ministry batted around, but Rick Warren announced a new 'signature' ministry this week at Saddleback's latest Civil Forum...
Signature ministries, from what I've been able to find out, include things such as the PEACE Plan, Celebrate Recovery, and last year's announced Orphan Care program. This week, Rick Warren announced that there would be a new signature ministry that would help support the persecuted church.
According to a press release, Warren began the event by telling his audience the shocking truth that tens of thousands of Christians were killed for their faith last year. At the conclusion of the forum, he announced, “Tonight we will begin a new ‘signature’ ministry for the persecuted church, so we can keep this on the front burner.
“We want this to become an ongoing thing here at the church, because the Bible tells us that we should pray for those in chains, we should pray for the persecuted and pray for those in prison,” he said. “We are to remember those who are suffering.
“There are four things you can do,” he told his church members. “You can pray, speak up, give and you can serve.”
Warren asked members of his congregation to commit to pray specifically for a country where the “persecuted church exists.”
I applaud Rick and his heart for the persecuted church. I read many reports of how Christians are still being persecuted around the world. The truth is... we have a really sweet deal here in America. In fact, our deal is so sweet that most of us do nothing that we could probably be persectued for. (But that's a whole other problem).
It will be interesting to see how this ministry forms and takes off.
Todd
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JOB on Tue, November 10, 2009
” The truth is… we have a really sweet deal here in America. In fact, our deal is so sweet that most of us do nothing that we could probably be persectued for. “
Very true.
Brian L. on Tue, November 10, 2009
I was out of town last Sunday (the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church), but I intend to address it on the 22nd. Should make a nice Thanksgiving message, right?
I’ve told my people (and will again) that people in persecuted countries understand that following Jesus is an all-or-nothing deal, because it could very well cost them their lives. And that it’s SUPPOSED to be an all-or-nothing thing for us as well. It may not cost us our lives, but that doesn’t change the call to serious discipleship, which I believe is key to preparing us if persecution should come to us like it does in these other countries.
Brian L. on Tue, November 10, 2009
BTW, I forgot to mention that I think it’s awesome Saddleback is doing this. RW’s worldwide influence will serve the cause well, I believe.
Also, if you want a good story on the realities of the persecuted church, check out “Safely Home,” a novel by Randy Alcorn.
Peter Hamm on Tue, November 10, 2009
Yes, we have it REALLY sweet here…
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