Man the oars! Purpose driven concept splitting Church!

This from the Wall Street Journal, no less.

But the purpose-driven movement is dividing the country's more than 50 million evangelicals. Some evangelicals... say it's inappropriate for churches to use growth tactics akin to modern management tools, including concepts such as researching the church "market" and writing mission statements. Others say it encourages simplistic Bible teaching. Anger over the adoption of Mr. Warren's methods has driven off older Christians from their longtime churches. Congregations nationwide have split or expelled members who fought the changes, roiling working-class Baptist congregations and affluent nondenominational churches.

Let's be reminded of Rick Warren's (actually biblical) purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism. Let's be reminded of Jesus who, by his own admission, "marketed" his gospel to the Jews. Let's be reminded that if simple Bible studies are what some pastors desire today, maybe we should be ready to admit that "simple" - from everything Barna is reminding us about America's scriptural illiteracy - might be what is necessary.

I don't doubt at all that some, few churches are splitting over getting a biblical vision and some purposeful direction. That IS problematic for many of the 85% of churches nationwide that are plateaued and declining.

And, please, I don't know enough of Warren's day-in, day-out activities to defend his every sermon and ministry movement. But if churches are splitting over the purpose-driven book he sells and the excellent information given out at his seminars, then let them split.

I just don't want to be the guy arguing against worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism and mission statements like Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8.

And, by the way, bring on the modern music and preaching in Hawaiian shirts and sandals.

There.

Saddleback Church