If Your Church is Turning Evil … err … Purpose Driven
Todd at MMI posted a list of road signs for the vigilant, just in case your Pastor has bought into the lie that is … The Purpose Driven Church. And since we all know that PDCs are nothing more than thinly veiled tools of Satan himself, I decided to post them for my readers here as well. Is your church going Purpo$e Driven?
1. Change in music to a contemporary rock style.
Because we all know that rock style music is not only intuitively sinful, but there’s probably a verse somewhere that also condemns it. Look it up. YOU do some work for a change. Find a verse that says it’s ok, then we’ll talk.
2. Removal of hymn books; eliminating the choir.
Can you believe it??? These people have no shame! Don’t they know that Paul was a HUGE supporter of hymnals and choirs??? Hello? Does the Jerusalem Tabernacle Choir mean anything to you? Plus, the Bible describes “Choirs of Angels” not “Praise Teams of Angels”. Come on, use a little common sense, you Purpose Driven heretic.
3. Replacement of organ and piano with heavy metal instruments.
Look at the label of those piano’s and organs. You will clearly see “approved by Jesus” on them. Now take a look at those “heavy metal” instruments. Any approval from Jesus on them? Didn’t think so. I rest my case.
4. Repetitive singing of praise lyrics.
Also, you may notice a trend of reading the Psalms in these churches as well. Somehow, they accidentally got approved to be in the Bible. We’re still kicking ourselves for that one.
5. Eliminating of business meetings, church committees, council of elders, board of deacons, etc.
A clear violation of scripture, because church committees and business meetings are very clearly mandated in … I think somewhere in Timothy.
6. The pastor, or a new leader with a few assistants, usually four, takes charge of all church business.
Did they actually think we meant it when we said “we’d like you to lead our congregation”? Bunch of arrogant jerks.
7. A repetitive 40–day Purpose Driven Church study program stressing psychological relationships with each other, the community, or the world, begins.
Because relationships are so unimportant. The Bible never, EVER gives principles of relationships, so neither should you. You should have 40 days of doctrine class instead.
8. Funded budgeted programs are abandoned, or ignored, with ambiguous financial reports made.
Who the heck needs faith? Personally, I can take it or leave it.
9. Sunday morning, evening, and/or Wednesday prayer meetings are changed to other times; some may even be eliminated.
I think the Apostle Peter would be appalled! We all know that Sunday and Wednesday night meetings are not optional in Scripture. Who gave us the right to start messing with The Word?
10. Sunday School teachers are moved to different classes, or replaced by new teachers more sympathetic with the changes being implemented.
Can you believe it? Strategic moves based on the best fit? Now we’re just playing God. I’m so upset, I might just throw up.
11. The name “Sunday school” is dropped and classes are given new names.
OK, now I’m really steamed! God told us over and over that we are to have “Sunday School” on Sunday morning at precisely 10:00 am. He didn’t say “Bible Fellowship” or “Discipleship Class” or any other such nonsense! Who do these people think they are!!! Doesn’t scripture mean anything to them???
12. Crosses and other traditional Christian symbols may be moved from both the inside and outside of the church building. The pulpit may also be removed.
I don’t know about you, but it just doesn’t feel like church unless I’m staring at a gigantic cross, both on the inside and outside of the building. And what covers up the preachers belly if there isn’t a pulpit? This is completely unacceptable.
13. In accordance with Dr. Warren’s instructions, new version Bibles are used; or only verses flashed on a screen are referenced during regular services.
Didn’t they teach you in seminary? New = Bad. It’s as simple as that. And what’s up with putting verses on the screen? Wait, your church has a screen? Oh goodness, you’ve already swallowed the kool-aid.
14. Purpose Driven Church films, purchased from Saddleback, precede or are used during regular services.
Whatever happened to just preaching the Word and letting the Holy Spirit do all the work? Plus, I never read about Paul using a screen or films. Granted, he didn’t have them back then, but if he did, I’m convinced he wouldn’t have used them.
15. The décor, including the carpets, may be changed to eliminate any resemblance to the former church.
Wait, wait, wait … they changed the carpets? Did we vote on that? This Pastor needs a reality check.
16. The word “church” is often taken from the name of the church, and the church may be called a “campus.” Denominational names may also be removed.
James, the pastor of the 1st century Jerusalem Baptist Church, is probably rolling over in his grave right now.
17. An emphasis on more fun and party sessions for the youth.
Fun? Party? Don’t these people know that Christians aren’t allowed either of those things?
18. Elimination of altar calls or salvation invitations at the close of the services.
Because you can’t get saved from you seat. God said so.
19. The elimination of such words as “unsaved,” “lost,” “sin,” “Hell,” “Heaven,” and other gospel verities from the pastor’s messages.
Because the Bible is overwhelmingly negative, we need to be negative too.
20. The reclassification of the saved and lost to the “churched” and “unchurched.”
The word is “lost”, Mr. Pastor. The next time I hear the word “non-believer” or “non-Christian”, I’m seriously taking my tithe and leaving … and starting a blog.
21. The marginalizing, or ostracizing, of all who are not avid promoters of the new Purpose Driven program.
Because the Bible encourages sowing discord. I’m pretty sure I read that verse right.
22. Closed meetings between the pastor or chosen staff members without any reports made to the general membership.
Because church is a Democracy, and I should always have a voice and never have to trust the leadership … EVER!
23. Open hostility to members who do not openly embrace the new program, or who may have left for another church.
Give me a break. Just because I started a blog, make 10 negative phone calls a day trying to convince others to leave, and still show up at church meetings to openly trash the leadership, doesn’t mean your allowed to go around and tell people what I’m doing. You sir, have crossed the line.
Congratulations, Satan caught you and you are now part of the Purpose Driven Cult. But it’s ok, because you’ll have an eternity in hell to think about what you did.
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“Congratulations, Satan caught you and you are now part of the Purpose Driven Cult. But it’s ok, because you’ll have an eternity in hell to think about what you did.”
But before you go, you will have to deal with all kinds of annoying new Christians coming to your church that are so ignorant as to not know that they have taken your seat AND your parking spot. And who told them they could wear jeans to church? Pretty soon these annoying new people will outnumber you. Totally unfair.
Oh, this is one of your best! I’m glad to see that our church is almost batting 1000 on the points on your list. Many of these we started even before I read The Purpose Driven Church. Reading it just helped push me over the edge…and out of the age-old church comfort zone.
Ben,
Yep, there is NOTHING more annoying than a Christian who cares more about soul-winning than they do respect for the seating arrangement. And when these new jean-wearing, hippie Christians outnumber you, and the church starts growing, what then? Each week you’ll just have to outdo yourself. And what about the senior citizens? Do they just get ignored???
Totally unfair! My comfort, and the comfort of the seniors is WAY more important than this stupid “growth” junk.
Rick,
I’m glad you recognized the sarcasm
Obviously, some of these things in the list, if they are actually happening, aren’t good. No one should be publicly ridiculed for choosing to find a church that fits their tastes a little better, but I find it hard to believe that that particular thing happens all that often. More than likely, the found a couple examples of it happening, assumed it was the norm, and blew it out of proportion.
But nearly all of these things are indeed GOOD things, especially in 2007. There’s absolutely no sense in keeping traditions for the sake of keeping them. If they serve no purpose, or are actually counterproductive, they should probably be dropped.
I think your post is dead on – I am grateful to be out of that kind of church. But folks like us are still in the minority and greatly looked down upon by mainstream Christianity. If we want people to respect our point of view, I have to believe sarcasm should be used sparingly. I am definitely not slamming you, and I don’t think you crossed the line or anything. Just something to think about.
This post is confusing to me. I have been gone a few days overhauling the websites, and now I think I have lost the abilitiy to recognize if this is satire, or if you have declared a “Holy War” on the purple Teletubbie?
Ok, *phew* I read the comments and saw it was “sarcasm”! I was just about to activate my “prayer chain” and pray over you… hahaha. Don’t scare me like that anymore please.
I will give you credit though, it did cause me to re-read it 3 times, and think a little harder on the Church itself…
Shelly,
Your point is well taken. I find a bit of innocent sarcasm to be the best way for me to express my disgust with something. It’s lighthearted and funny, but it has a point. But if it came across as mean spirited, I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention at all. Sometimes I just find it best to laugh at some things.
Guy,
Sorry if there was any ambiguity. Believe me, if you ever see me saying something in seriousness that is as ignorant as the stuff above, definitely call me out!
Glad you caught it
Good sarcasm gets a bad rap, in my opinion. Good sarcasm is satirical and makes a clear point while making you laugh at the same time.
Sarcasm isn’t insincere or mean. I think in our off-the-rack culture we tend to be too lazy to use wit in our writing so we aren’t used to hearing it. It’s nice to see someone taking the time to be creative.
You could have just listed your opinions, but that would have been boring and less effective.
I guess it all depends on who you’re trying to reach. Since I agree with your viewpoint, I find your post funny and encouraging. And it also makes me feel like part of the in-crowd because I get the joke. But if I was looking for a reason to discount what you had to say, right or wrong, the sarcasm would give me an easy excuse. I am definitely not saying the use of sarcasm is bad or a mistake – I use it fairly regularly myself. And again, I don’t think you went too far or were mean spirited. I just think sarcasm is a tool that we Christian bloggers need to use carefully and deliberately, and we can all use a reminder now and then. That’s all I meant.
Hey! I was SAVED at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California! That was nearly 9 years ago! I have never been the same since! SARCASM ALERT: (Is that good or bad?)
How sad.
God’s grace is amazing, after people spit in his face, and publicly mock Him and try to turn His Bride into their personal prostitute, even those that put THEIR pleasure and entertainment above His commands, and above His holiness, even those that laugh at His true bride and appoint themselves as His bride it’s quite amazing that
if
they
would
repent,
and admit they are nothing, there is no good in them, He would still love and forgive them….Amazing grace.
Teddy,
I’m not sure I follow…
Nathan,
Do what noone else has ever done to date, read Bob DeWaay’s “Redefining Christianity – Understanding The Purpose Driven Movement” and give a Biblical defense to it. I have spoken to pastors at Saddleback, Willow Creek, and others, some who promised they would read it and then give a defense. Guess what? They read the book but refused to give a defense. Why? Because there is no defense.
Perhaps you can be the very first person to read the book and give a defense. I’ll even send you one free. Just drop me an email.
SOUND THE ALARM…..
Subject: Huckabee Purpose Driven
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_id=658
Don’t know if you all know this yet …but baptist preacher 2008 Rep. Pres. candidate Huckabee is Purpose Driven (PD).
Ref. Link is to Huckabee’s official web page above…his blog…Huckabee uses PD’s founder, Rick Warren’s quote…hoping for an official endorsement from him. Purpose Driven is a cult that has taken over the mainstream church.
SERIOUS PROBLEM: There are 38.8 million baptist in the USA. This is what has spiked Huckabee ahead in the polls suddenly. This could spell disaster for the US if these millions of baptists vote. Approx. 50% of voters vote, then say, the last election went something like 62 million for Bush vs. 59 million for Kerry-Dems. —you see, now in 2008, we have 38 million baptist….then, add on to that, millions of foolish nonbaptist christians who will get on the bandwagon–especially, if Dobson and other ‘leaders’ endorse Hucakbee? Huckabee has the baptist’s vote…then, think if PD Warren does official endorse him. Huckabee is the worst choice on the republican ticket–and the ‘chrisians’ are fixed to give us another Bush. I’ve friends personally who were PD ‘resisters’ and were thrown out of Lamar Baptist Church in TX. Huckabee (and you know the baptist demonination has fully accepted PD false teachings) does not recognize the error of PD—what kind of christian is he–another deluded one, like universalist GW?
In regards to your comments about the music, there are several verses where we are reminded to sing a new song unto the Lord. You asked for Word, and here it is Psalm 33:3, 40:3,96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1, Isaiah 42:10, Revelations 5:9 and 14:3.
I could not find the any reference to the piano or organ. (Organs remind me of funerals, and quite frankly I am ready to rejoice in my resurrected Savior when I go to church.
So if you want Biblical instruments get ready to break out the harp, lyre and tambourine. Burn the piano and the organ!! (They are not mentioned in the Bible.)
I’m sorry, you just sound so stupid. Your responses to those 23 changes are filled with such hate and offense. All the Purpose Driven Movement is doing is paving the way to make it easy for a global religion. You sound like you are to ignorant to see this. I pray you wake up and see the light.
@michele
I’m definitely sorry you feel that way. Unfortunately, if you think that churches that are Purpose driven are working toward a one world religion, I’m afraid I can’t help you.
good luck with the anti-PD crusade.
Everything you wrote are right. But Christian very stupid and stubborn. Let see how stupid and let them continual be stubborn Christian.
I beleive that name calling and backbiting are unchristian. If you have a problem with other churches, whatever they may be, you do not have to go there. and therefore it is none of your buisness. If you have not been to a church, you for sure have no right to say anything about it. Where does it say you have to have a denominational name in the name of a church? Where does it say you have to worship a specific way, It does not say these things are bad anywhere in the bible. Where does it say you have to sing certin hymns, or have a choir? Several of your points are just not backed by scripture anywhere. Before you point fingers, I am not a member of PD but, I beleive that what they are doing is reaching out to a group of people others have not been able to reach. Their numbers are growing, and maybe we should look into some of the ways they are reaching out, and try to reach out ourselves. Afterall, saving souls is what we should be doing, not bitter namecalling. I pray that everyone would strive for the ultimate mark of living christlike, and christ was reaching out, not sitting in a pew at a church.
@Amanda,
Read over the post again. It was entirely satirical. I completely agree with you, and the arguments I put above were from another website and I was responding in my very typical sarcastic tone.
Hopefully you’ll get it after reading through again