Gently, not swiftly. Realize this is a general principle for a brother or sister caught in sin. We are supposed to hold those in the pastoral office to a much higher standard. This devotional however is not about Gary Lamb as much as it is about how pastors are being taught these days. These brash young gun Warren disciples all seem to share similar flaws in their theology because they have been raised on the Purpose Driven Church model. Within this model we see some consistencies based upon what they have been taught. For example, there is an over emphasis on being relevant to the community at large. You know, the community that is leading unsaved people to hell. Warren himself is a major proponent of this as he canvassed the neighborhood while he was building Saddleback Church to see what they wanted in the church he was planting. Mark Driscoll has repeatedly compromised to gain what he has admitted to seeking - relevance in the community. And he has it to the tune of 12,000 attenders. The problem of course is the actual salvation of those 12,000 as well as the pile of bodies the Mars Hill Church leaves in its wake - a subject Driscoll gleefully laughs about from the pulpit.
That is the second point of commonality we see. Dissent is not only unwelcome it is rooted out unmercifully. Rick Warren teaches in the Purpose Driven Church how to get rid of people who do not like the fact that their church is being remade in the carnal image of man. In his November 14, 2007 directive to pastors Warren said , " What the Bible says about handling disunity ... You've got to protect the unity of your church. If that means getting rid of troublemakers, do it." Of course this is not what the Bible says about disunity at all.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. - Romans 16: 17-18 (NKJV)
The Bible cannot be clearer. Disagreement is not disunity. The true source of disunity is contrary doctrine. That is because our unity must be grounded in Christ and His Gospel - not the purpose driven church. The third point of commonality is the most disturbing and that is the casual dismissive manner in which the Gospel is viewed and handled. The kingdom mentality recognized the lost as sinners who desperately needed the Gospel in order to be saved. The purposed church mentality is that the lost are potential consumers who the CEO pastors must convince to attend and tithe regularly. Warren theology actually changes the term "unsaved" to "unchurched"; which is a frightening glimpse into the heart of the problems within the purpose driven movement. The shift from viewing people as needing salvation to needing a church should make everyone gasp. Because you can still get into a church if you are saved but you will not get into heaven if you are merely churched.
Again, I understand the desire to want to blow this off as not important but it really has become an infectious notion. This is simply how the new pastors think. You see, I can understand that Gary Lamb thinks everything is about him because that is what he has been taught. I can understand that he thinks he needs to get his creative juices flowing to decide what sermon series to start on Easter because that is what Rick Warren advised him just last year:
" Let them know about your next sermon series. Always either begin a sermon series on Easter or the next week--and make sure it's a series that meets the felt needs of an unchurched person. Yes, they need the gospel and a relationship with Christ. You and I both know that's their foundational need, but most people will come to your church because they have a need for friendship " want a better marriage " want to be a better parent " want to feel they're living a life of significance " or there may be some other need. When you do a series like that, let Easter visitors know in your letter. It'll give them a reason to come back to your church. "
This quote is taken from an article written by Rick Warren to pastors last year; providing five tips to increase the chances that your Easter visitors will come back. Warren correctly surmises that there will be an abundance of people who attend only on this one day yet instead of worrying about their salvation - he is worried about whether they come back to his church or not. THAT is the purpose driven mentality. That is why Gary Lamb doesn't know what to preach on Resurrection Sunday. If you want to know why the church is becoming more and more impotent each day - just re-read that tip from Pastor Warren again.
Make sure the sermon series meets the needs of the unchurched person and then those needs are suggested to be how to improve their marriage or living a life of significance? It doesn't matter why they came to church that day! It doesn't matter if they are looking for friends, spouses, significance or the Easter Bunny - they need only one thing. The Gospel. They need it because they are sinners in the hands of a holy God. The unmitigated arrogance of the purpose driven mindset forgets that God is also sovereign. While the Warren disciples play their games with trying to "church" people they forget that for some of these people - their life will be required of them before they can come back the following Sunday - if they were going to come back at all. They had one last shot to hear the Gospel message and a call to genuine repentance and all they got was a cross between Dr. Phil and Oprah? But that's OK right, because at least they will feel more significant on their way to hell. Give them a reason to come back to your church? Dear Lord is that how far we have lowered the mark? The narcissism is overwhelming. Have we stopped reading the Bible?
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building. - 1Corinthians 3: 6-9 (NIV)
