LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

BOOK REVIEW: THE PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO: DR. DANIEL MOOSBRUGGER IN PARTIAL FUFULLMENT OF THE CLASS CLED 620: VISION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING

BY: JIM TUNNELL

MAX MEADOWS, VA JULY 23, 2011

INTRODUCTION Jesus delivered the Great Commission to the Disciples by stating, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nationsteaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.1 In his book The Purpose Driven Church, Warren presents a five-part overview of how the church can carry out the Great Commission and how it can grow by developing new disciples. Beginning with a personal testimony of church growth and ending with training new disciples, Warren makes it clear that his book is intended to expound on what God is doing in his world.2 Warrens personal testimony of his pastorate of Saddleback Church is an example of how God can grow a church. The history of Saddleback Church is described in the first section of the bookits humble beginnings and its concentration on the unbelievers of southern California. Moreover, the vision shared by Warren to the core group is described as a revelation from God for the advancement of the church. AUTHORS PURPOSE IN WRITING The real intension of the book is exclaimed in the second part of the first section. The five dimensions of church growthfellowship, discipleship, worship, ministry and evangelism explain the strategy in which the church should focus its attention. Warren describes eight myths about large, growing churches that seem to pass among church leadership. One of those myths describes the issue of developing a church with a quality congregation versus a quantity one.

Matthew 28:19-20, New King James Version (NKJV).

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1995), 22. 1

Warren states, Quality refers to the kind of disciples a church produces. Quantity refers to the number of disciples a church produces.3 He insists that both are needed for church growth. Part two of the book emphasis the persistence of the church group in church growth. Beginning with the elements that drive a church, Warren pinpoints the importance of seeking a biblical model. According to Warren, this model is a Purpose-Driven church. This section points out that Gods purposes are the lasting ones. These purposes are described as clear purposes that guide the church into growth. Warren suggests that a purpose-driven church must lead in four critical phasesby defining its purpose, by communicating that purpose to everyone in the church, by organizing the church around that purpose and by applying that purpose to every part of the church. In defining the purpose (mission) of the church, Warren suggests a biblical approach. Leading your congregation through a discovery of the New Testament purposes for the church is an exciting adventure.4 When the mission is defined, the church is made aware. Communicating the purpose requires preaching, teaching, advertising, and songs. By continually fanning the fire of your purposes you can overcome the tendency of your church to become complacent or discouraged.5 According to Warren, organizing the church around the purposes is a matter of great concern. Describing the different kinds of churches today, he emphasis the need to have a

Ibid, 51. Ibid, 96. Ibid, 118. 2

balance in purpose. Emphasizing the description of five major parachurch movements, he states, A balanced church will be a healthy church.6 Warren describes the most difficult task of becoming a purpose-driven churchapplying the purposes. He describes this task as challenging because this is the place where the real work of the church takes place. The purpose is applied to all areas of the churchprogramming, scheduling, budgeting, staffing, preaching, and so forth.7 The church will grow stronger when the purpose of the church is assimilated into every part of the church. Part three of the book emphasis the ministry of the purpose-driven churchreaching out to the community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The process involves identifying a target (geographically, demographically, culturally, and spiritually) audience and then developing a strategy to reach them. The strategy must be relational. Warren uses the analogy of a fisherman to get his point across. He quotes Hudson Taylor with the words, Gods work done Gods way will not lack Gods support.8 Part four of the book emphasis the goal of the purpose-driven churchbringing in the people. Describing the method Jesus used to catch the attention of crowds, Warren suggests using the attributes of Jesus to attract people. In fact, he suggests that the worship service and how it is conducted can be a magnet or a deterrent. Being sensitive to the peoples needs as they enter the church is considered an important asset. The selection of music is considered a critical element that cannot be ignored. We need to understand the incredible power of music and harness that power by being willing to set aside our own personal preferences and us the music

6 7

Ibid, 128. Ibid, 137. Ibid, 202. 3

that will best reach the unchurched for Christ. Preaching the Word of God to the unchurched is considered a high priority in the worship service. The last part of the book focuses on church attenders becoming committed to the mission of the church and becoming members. Warren describes this transition for the attender as becoming mature members. Again, distinguishing the truth from myth, he focuses on the misconceptions concerning spiritual growth. Taking the reader through a series of character traits a mature member should possess, he concludes, Our vision for spiritual maturity is to bring glory to God by presenting Jesus Christ with as many Christlike disciples as we possibly can before he returns.9The mature member reaches a stage that he too can minister to the unsaved. Warren remarks, The greatest need in evangelical churches is the release of members for ministry.10 This need is viewed as the core component of the church today. The concluding remarks of the book focus on the reader realizing the purpose for his/her church. In more ways than one, Warren describes the vitality that derives out of a purpose-driven person. His advice is not to focus just on the growth factors of a particular church; one should look to the purpose of the church. If it is accomplishing its purpose, the mission is carried out. WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Warren makes a compelling and captivating argument for church growth. Each chapter of his book includes valid points for church leaders to consider. Using his experience as a pastor in a continually growing church, he presents the factors that thrived under his leadership. While not deeply rooted in theological exegesis, Warren focuses on a simplistic approach to spreading the

Ibid, 362. Ibid, 4

10

good news of the gospel. The pattern he follows is mirrored after the greatest teacher/preacher of all timeJesus Christ. While there is great strength in this simplistic approach, there are some weaknesses. These weaknesses are not breakers; they are caution signs to warn the believer. First, in his seeker-sensitive approach, one could easily assume that believing on Christ has no valuable process. In fact, Warren states, It is my deep conviction that anybody can be won to Christ if you discover the key to his or her heartthe most likely place to start is with the persons felt needs.11 While a persons needs are important, one could easily misinterpret this approach as contradictory to the power of conviction. The Holy Spirit is able to penetrate the most callous sinner. Also, in contrast to felt needs, the Holy Spirit isnt a needs caterer; he is a soul liberator. Second, Warren expressed, To the unchurched, dull preaching is unforgivable.12 If one were to take this approach seriously, then all homiletics would be judged on this basis. Jesus warned the Pharisees of their speech that was used to entice and likened them to actors on a stage to perform. When the Word of God is expounded (theatrical or not), it is never boring to those who have saturated themselves in the life giving flow of the Holy Spirit. Flamboyant speech will not satisfy the soul without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Finally, the whole section on Jesus bringing in crowds should be viewed as a positive reinforcement for the church; however, it could easily be misconstrued. Warren states, If you are serious about ministering to people the way Jesus did, dont be surprised if some of todays religious establishment accuse of you selling out to culture and breaking traditions.13

11

Ibid, 219. Ibid, 231. Ibid, 238. 5

12

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Unfortunately, attacking other religious beliefs is not exactly a great way to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ either. Although Warren makes some valuable points, his ideology should be found in what really mattersThe Great Commission. AUDIENCE THAT WOULD PROFIT FROM READING Overall, anyone with an interest to see the church grow and anyone with a desire to help make it happen, Warrens book will benefit them greatly. Whether you are a pastor or layman of the church, if your desire is to see the lost saved and the kingdom advanced, this book is a great field guide. CONCLUSION I was personally interested in the book prior to this class. I gained insight in areas of evangelism and church leadership. Warren serves as an example of a person with determination to win the lost to Jesus Christ. He stated, My hope is that this book has strengthened your faith, stretched your vision, and deepened you love for Christ and his church.14 If this statement was in question format and addressed to me, I would answer yes!

14

Ibid, 398. 6