Casts of thousands are joining Saddleback Church, and Rick Warren wants you to be among those signing on for membership. Here are eight reasons he lists that you should join now and not procrastinate. Rick writes:
1. I’m personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years.
2. I’m personally baptizing after Class and you’ll receive a photo & baptism certificate.
3. You’ll get a free one year subscription to Purpose Driven Connection magazine. (Never offered before)
4. You’ll get free copy of The Purpose Driven Church book.
5. Your name will be included in the historical list of Saddleback Pioneer Members who joined in our first 30 years. (This Easter is our 30th Easter and I want you included in this list.)
6. The class is 1 hour shorter than normal. You can watch session 3 here online now.
7. You’ll be a part of making Christian history! The largest membership class ever!
8. We love you & want you in our family. There is no good reason to procrastinate.
I was asked, “Rick, If you could wish for anything to celebrate your 30 years of service at Saddleback, what would you dream of?” I said, “To experience a repeat of Pentecost - and see 3,000 people affirm their faith and join our church family on a single day.” Will you be a part of making this a reality?
Does “Rick” have any idea how arrogant it sounds to tell people to join because HE will be personally teaching the class? Where is Jesus Christ in all this? Where’s the Gospel? “Rick” dreams of seeing a Second Pentecost. But wait! The individuals at Pentescost were being converted to Christ, not joining an institutional church. Pentecost was about the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven with fire, turning hearts to believe the Gospel that was preached with power and authority. It wasn’t about gimmicks, making “Christian history”, getting magazine subscriptions and baptismal photos with big name apostles! Nobody was being bribed with goodies to sign on to somebody’s megachurch. The 3,000 heard the story of Redemption, their hearts were converted by the power of the Holy Ghost, and the world of that day was turned upside down.
Read the rest at Slice of Laodicea.
The Laodicean church is alive and well...
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see he is baptizing people, but is it upon a confession that they completed a class or that they believe in the Lord Jesus?
ReplyDeleteIf it's not truly the latter, then he is giving many the false impression that they are saved because they took his class and were baptized by him. May God have mercy on people in spite of Rick Warren and open their hearts, not just their minds!