Here is some news and commentary about the Purpose Driven movement.

Text of forwarded message follows:

>
>Purpose-Driven Lay Offs? Is Rick Warren a Victim?
>
>
>
>The Purpose-Driven movement appears to be losing steam and has had 
>to layoff employees and restructure it's workforce. Here's what the 
>Orange County Register's latest article on Rick Warren had to say on 
>the matter.
>Backlash by traditionalists spurred a spate of negative publicity 
>this year. During the same period, the Purpose-Driven program 
>experienced a steep decline in revenue, necessitating the layoff of 
>33 members of its staff. There are currently 130 members on staff. 
>Additionally, Purpose-Driven Ministries relinquished its autonomy 
>and was folded under the wing of Saddleback Church for cost-savings reasons.
>
>Remember the Purpose-Driven mantra, "a church that isn't growing is failing".
>
>Remember that corporate standards of success dictate that a company 
>that isn't growing is failing.
>
>Therefore, The PURPOSE-DRIVEN MOVEMENT is now failing according to 
>the very same standards that they have used to judge others.
>
>But, notice how they are spinning their failure.
>
>They are blaming it on a backlash by traditionalists. Yep, this is a 
>classic case of the "don't blame us, blame them" dodge that immature 
>and childish leaders throughout the centuries have used in order to 
>avoid having to take responsibility for their own shortcomings.
>
>Purpose-Driven executives are painting themselves as victims rather 
>than asking themselves "what have WE done wrong". Instead, of taking 
>responsibility they are blaming those 'evil traditionalists' for 
>their changing fortunes. This sounds like Clintonesque leadership 
>rather than Biblically based servant-leadership. Who could forget 
>Bill Clinton blaming his political woes on a 'vast right-wing 
>conspiracy'? Is Rick Warren a victim, the same way Bill Clinton was 
>a victim? Hardly!
>
>The real reason why the purpose-driven movement is failing is 
>because there is a serious flaw in the product. The whole thing is 
>based upon clever and novel ideas that seek to grow churches based 
>upon man-made methods rather than the clear teaching of scripture. 
>Therefore, like all clever ideas and methods that become popular 
>fads, it is just a matter of time before it ends up in the ash heap 
>and the next fad replaces it.
>
>Lord willing, by this time next-year the Purpose Driven Life will be 
>as popular as the 'Prayer of Jabez' and 'Millie Vanillie'.
>http://www.extremetheology.com/2006/11/purposedriven_l.html
>[Live Link to Orange County Register article at this URL]
>
>
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>11/30/2006 5:07 AM
End of forwarded message text:

John


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