John, This is very interesting.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Pat Ferguson


At 02:33 PM 11/30/2006, you wrote:
>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]
>>
>>
>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.2/559 - Release Date: 
>>11/30/2006 5:07 AM
>End of forwarded message text:
>
>John
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.2/559 - Release Date: 
>11/30/2006 5:07 AM