establish the groups to convey doctrine.
"They ministered to one another. The Bible says, "They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need" (Acts 2:45). Home groups became an outlet for support--they helped one another in practical ways by meeting needs. They evangelized the lost. Acts 2:47b says, "The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." If people were coming to faith in Christ daily, that means the church saw at least 365 conversions a year! That only happens if these groups are engaging in their God-given mission sharing the Good News. These small groups in Acts were a microcosm of the greater church." -- Rick Warren
Arrgghh". these were not home groups! Stop lying Rick! There is also no indication that the selling of property and possessions was related to the home meetings at all. In the story of Ananias and Sapphira they tried to give the proceeds to the apostles, not their "small group leader"; much to Rick Warren's dismay. As wrong as that analysis was, Warren jumps off the deep end on evangelism. We must understand that faux evangelism is also a cornerstone of Purpose Driven theology. Warren unashamedly directs the focus of the church to attracting goats even at the cost of starving sheep. Nowhere in Acts is evangelism addressed. Yes we have the great commission but that is in taking to Gospel to the corners of the world, not turning our local church over to carnal goats who need to be entertained. Look at the shocking reveal here. Rick Warren believes that it is the responsibility of the untrained and uncalled small group to evangelize the lost! This is the role of the pastor! Yes we all should be able to give reason but the purpose driven paradigm is an unbiblical way of trying to falsely convert people. Small groups are not a microcosm of the larger church, except in the purpose driven dreams of Rick Warren.
"They were fulfilling the five purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism. They were purpose-driven small groups! Typically, small groups today only fulfill one or two of the purposes. If your small groups are going to be healthy, you need to build the DNA of the church--the five biblical purposes--into them. A healthy church has healthy groups!" -- Rick Warren
Of course Rick Warren made up these five purposes. Worship is used as a tool to lure the unsaved in with carnal entertainment. Fellowship is used to relieve the pastor of pastoral responsibilities. Discipleship is used to make sure everyone is purpose driven or blessedly subtracted. Ministry is the code word for free labor, by which you build your church. Evangelism is the tool to replace those you blessedly subtract. The true purpose of the church is to glorify God, edify the saints, and bring the Gospel to the lost. If your church is embodying the five Rick Warren outlined they are desperately sick. If your pastor does not want to shepherd -- get rid of the hireling now. If your church is marketed to goats who think the things of God are foolishness, you need to run as fast as you can. If your church is enamored with small groups led by people who are not qualified or called, again, run. If your church believes the Gospel discourages people from wanting to come back to your church and thus is something to avoid? Well, I hope you know the answer now. No one has done more damage to the cause of Christ in my lifetime than Rick Warren. His vision for small groups is wildly unbiblical and should be considered anathema by any discerning Christian.
Reverend Anthony Wade -- August 16, 2019
