Excerpts from

A Regular Purpose-Driven Guy

 

Rick Warren's genius is in helping pastors see the obvious.
by Tim Stafford

Christianity Today   11/08/2002

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/012/1.42.html



"During his last year in seminary, he and Kay drove west to visit Robert Schuller's Institute for Church Growth. 'We had a very stony ride out to the conference,' she says, because such nontraditional ministry scared her to death. Schuller, though, won them over. 'He had a profound influence on Rick,' Kay says. "We were captivated by his positive appeal to nonbelievers. I never looked back.'...

"Imitating Schuller, Warren walked the (then unincorporated but fast-growing) town of Lake Forest, asking what kept people from going to church. He recruited a Bible study group that met at the Warrens' condominium; its members helped stamp and address letters to 15,000 households. 'At last!' the letter began. 'A new church for those who've given up on traditional church services!' More than 200 people showed up for an Easter service at Laguna Hills High School. Watching them stream in, Warren marveled, 'This is really going to work!'

"Saddleback grew partly because Rick Warren is a very attractive and talented leader, and because the area was ripe for a megachurch. But there is more than that. The foundational concept of Saddleback's ministry, its organizational and theological architecture, is Purpose-Driven."


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