Oh, dear. I am in complete agreement with you on all fronts. The selection of Andy Wood and his wife, Stacie, to succeed Rick and Kay Warren as leaders of the California-based Saddleback Church has triggered "shock" and "fear" in some who have worked with Wood over concerns over what they characterize as leadership abuse. It was a very exciting time and an insanely crazy time. Follow any of the links below to read biblical responses to you queries. If you, however, find theres a lack of content you want to read, then I suggest you start a blog and share what you want to see on the internet. Before launching Replenish, Lance served twenty years as a senior pastor and six years as an executive/teaching pastor at Saddleback Church. I am happy to hear you believe your life has been positively changed through Warrens ministry, and I wish you all the best in the future. There used to be moderate Baptists, conservative Baptists, fundamental Baptists and even liberal Baptists, but everyone allowed each other to worship how they wanted and still cooperated for missions, ministry, evangelism and theological education. This article demonizes Rick in a sarcastic and disturbing manner, I mean using words such as bad, bad hermeneutics. We really need to be careful in this area. Never mind He died on a cross because of our terrible, damning sin and He created the world out of nothing. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? And Im glad to see that you understand the importance of salvation. You dont agree and you think Im a terrible person, but that doesnt refute my points. God bless you! Not everyone likes that form of humor. (Though, I admit to using sarcasm. A few years ago it was Calvinism. Im going to skip over forgiving ourselves and look right to forgiving God. I agree that God can do anything through anything. At the same time, the addiction is the secondary issue. Op-Ed: Memo to Saddleback Church: Replacing Pastor Rick Warren is a This is why your churches are dying a slow death and churches like Saddleback are thriving. Lance Witt is the founder of Replenish ministries and is often referred to as a pastors pastor. Thank you. Thank you! Im a homemaker, mother of five, and pastors wife. Good hard is, Ministry is messy, but Im there and I want to be available as a pastor.. The amount of things that put pressure on pastors and drain them is greater than ever before. Thanks for leaving your thoughts. Ordaining female pastors contradicts biblical teachings. Saddleback Church lead pastor Rick Warren and his congregation said goodbye to their worship music leader for the last 24 years during church services this past weekend at the megachurch's main campus in Lake Forest, Calif. And we need to test everything: hold fast what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). My wife and kids felt the impact of my out-of-control pace. An example of this eisegesis can be seen with the following verse: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.. June 8, 2021 5 AM PT Rick Warren, the founder of a sprawling megachurch, a bestselling author and one of the most influential figures in American evangelicalism, is retiring as lead pastor of. So, if someone in my church sinned against me, then Id follow those steps rather than publicly rebuke her. Destructive hard does lead to burnout. If you want to investigate this issue, Id start HERE. CR also encourages participants to improve their self-esteem and self-image. I suppose I stepped on some toes here, but sometimes we need our toes stepped on, right? Im actually a little excited about Saddleback ordaining women because this gives the SBC no choice but to address female preaching. This demonstrates a complete ignorance of who God is. Otherwise, what is it that we believe? Very insightful thank you for your faithful service. Its quite instructive. Im going to share some of his points here. Thank you so much for commenting! Then why does Warren tell his readers to accept Jesus? The American Church is an embarrassment as it strays away from the Lord. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Titus 1:9 says, He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Similarly, Titus 2:1 says, But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Lets pretend you read this watered down gospel, and you want to be saved. Tibayan. I think you are utterly and completely wrong about both Rick Warren and Saddleback Church. That doesnt mean I cant draw attention to dangerous or lukewarm teachers and churches. No one can live up to the gospel. Many churches across the U.S. are scrambling in the wake of COVID-19 because they've focused solely on worship instead of other aspects of ministry, Pastor Rick Warren of the California-based Saddleback Church has said. COVID had its impact on our Saddleback staff because we were not able to all be together in the offices. Pastors need to ask themselves, What are the barriers that keep people from jumping in to serve? At Saddleback we discovered the word leader itself was a barrier to some people who didnt consider themselves leaders. Leave the lost wicked dying and addicted to those who give a damn. Romans 14 is about not having disunity over disputable matters. The work in the nursery, on the missions committee, etc., is just as important as a pastors calling. Obviously there have been generations where persecution has been hotter and more intense, but there are more complexities for a pastor today. Saddleback Church in Southern California has cleared Rick Warren successor Andy Wood following an investigation into allegations of an abusive leadership style. And discover how GriefShare can equip your church to launch and sustain a proven care and outreach ministry. Give people a simple step. (Frankly, the more chances I give Rick Warren, the more negative things I find about him as a pastor.) I find it incredibly sad when Christians seek to tear each other down. (https://thesetapartwalk.com/why-i-wont-apologize-for-calling-out-false-teachers/) If you dont want to read my take on it because Im obviously not your cup of tea, then Google it. I have spent some time looking up CR, meditation, and even that quote specifically since I read your question. Then I have them circle the one thats absolutely the most important for keeping their tank filled. For Rick to do what he did in Southern California required some different strategies and different ways of communicating, and that was unsettling to traditional hard-line Southern Baptists. Meanwhile, I suggest watching the series on women that Mike Winger is doing on YouTube. Judging a minister who has sacrificed so much to enrich peoples lives with the gospel of Christ is disturbing to me. Im not going to do a whole post about why female pastors are not biblical. I have read all of his devotionals (365 of them as I translated them into another language) and they were sincere and enriching for me personally. They are to be held accountable, and Jesus example was public admonishment. God bless! Paul celebrated that even those that preached out of selfishness didnt matter; the gospel was moving forward! I pray for him and other pastors often. Go back to your white washed sepulcher where you and your associates are most comfortable. And praise the Lord! So, once again, we see a poorly given gospel message with more focus on Saddlebacks product than anything else. Im not hammering anyone. Are we going to start kicking out churches who have pastors that are unfaithful to their wives? Rick changed the culture of the community where he lives, and theres nothing that makes a backward Baptist angrier than the church growth success of someone like Rick Warren. what about Jews for Jesus pastors .Unitarian Transgender Churches. Id have just as much opportunity getting in contact with Sandra Bullock as I would with him. I really appreciate your thought on this issue. Megachurch Pastor Rick Warren Resigns From Position At Saddleback Church The Resolution on Ordination and the Role of Women in Ministry, passed by the SBC, draws on Paul's conduct in the ancient Roman church in its disapproval of women holding in pastoral positions.. Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren searching for his successor | Church He is telling them it is the cleanliness of the inner man that matters. But we seem to only be interested in that its men. 2. So it was a huge growth for us. I dont prop up a gospel no one can live up to. I know countless people whose lives have literally been saved through their involvement with CR. She started at The Times in 2006 and has worked across a wide range of sections including entertainment, home and garden, national news, technology and science. With that in mind, Im fine with making the story easy to understand. Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, shared his displeasure on Twitter, writing that the decision to "disfellowship" Saddleback was not about. Saddleback ordains 3 women, leading to another Mother's Day dust-up Saddleback changes the SBC. That is how our polity is intended to work. He had a created order for men and women from the beginning. Self-promotion and pastor dont seem to jive. Make it simple for them. But I learned that as insidious as the external things are, the internal things are more insidious. (Dont count on the SBC to do anything, though, theyve silently been allowing female preaching for years.). Interview With Pastor Cynthia Petty - Live Good - Organic, Sustainable Im not. I pray for him, and others in a similarly unique position of influence regularly, but I believe it is cowardly and unloving to not warn others of bad Bible teaching. You are welcome to disagree and hold to whatever beliefs you hold on the subject, and I respect your opinion. Celebrate Recovery advises people to forgive themselves and forgive God. Among those who worry about an increasingly authoritarian stance by the SBC is Benjamin Cole, 46, a former Southern Baptist pastor in Texas who has been attending Southern Baptist conventions for nearly 30 years. What drives you to write and answer those above? Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Saddleback Church ousted from Southern Baptist Convention over female The Bible encourages all Christians both male and female to follow the commands of God in telling others about Him. On the other hand, continued CR attendance is imperative. You write well, and you are obviously passionate about your faith.) Until then, keep quiet. There is a difference between appropriate healthy sacrifice and an unhealthy approach to ministry that is often driven out of people pleasing or need for approval. Its about a slower time of worship and being with God. Pastor Andy Wood and his wife, Stacie, outside Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. An anxious wife. Its an addictions ministry Julie, do you want people to overcome addiction or not? Thanks for your concern about my ability to read the Bible and view it in context. A lot of questionable churches can stay because they give money to the SBC and/or they are so popular that standing against them is political suicide. CR has twelve steps like AA, but now each step has a tacked-on Bible verse. And when a person knows doctrine, then that person can identify when someone is teaching something inconsistent with Gods Word. Is it because people struggle with loving themselves enough? Julie Or you can do this, and then your church will explode in size because your pastor is a self-help guru, not a faithful preacher of the Word of God. God created Adam first and then Eve. The only area you are completely off the mark (and quite innocently) is in the recovery program. If youre not convinced of the importance of marking and avoiding false teachers, then I suggest you read my post on why we should call them out. No one is perfect. I left the website knowing that I have a place to have purpose, and Rick Warren is peachy keen. Simply put, Im a Bible-believing Christian woman. We need to change how we see God, not ourselves. A church can be large, successful, and led by a world famous pastor and not be the ideal. Third, experiences dont trump the Bible. I believe that without the salvation he granted me at 26 years old, Id be a another victim of alcoholism. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. But I love the Church, and I am grieved by the dangerous and lukewarm teachings of men and women like Rick Warren. The crowd and energy of an event can feed all kinds of off the cuff comments that dont work out well. And for some, like my mother, it proves to be stronger than they are. I have great news for you! Rather, filter your worldview and beliefs through the truth of His Word. Kay Warren, Rick Warrens wife, added insult to injury on Mothers Day and gave the Sunday message. "COVID revealed a fundamental weakness in the Church," the pastor recently told Relevant magazine in an interview. Nobody else was responsible. You are allowed your opinion, as am I. I am not seeking to tear down another Christian. After leaving Saddleback, Lance started a ministry called Replenish to help pastors care for themselves as they do the work of ministry. You say that you were saved in CR, but youre not demonstrating a very Christlike attitude towards me. The standards given in the book are based on Warrens experience. I thought I would be all alone in my opinion of Warrens book, and I was partially correct. Julie, LGBTQ Ally Churches: https://thesetapartwalk.com/why-churches-are-becoming-lgbtq-allies/ Im supposed to be the one who doesnt have any needs myself. I dont think weve done a great job of understanding our own needs, our own humanity, so weve often tried to live beyond our limits. God bless. What Christ is Warren suggesting people accept? Saddleback, like many mega-churches, uses its online platform (the website) as a marketing strategy with testimonials, self-help sayings ("You weren't just meant to believe; You were made to belong."), and an almost idolatrous love of the pastor/founder. They dont need to know about hell; they live there and in addiction they are prevented from thinking of anything but them selves that is what addiction is. God bless! 1 John 4:1 teaches that we are to be diligent in determining if the teaching is from God or not. I wouldnt expect everyone to like it, of course, but why should I accommodate my writing for your sensibilities? You then went on to tell me what kind of posts I should be posting instead and how to correct my post to make it more palpable to you. PS.. Ignorant comments are nothing compared to that. https://thesetapartwalk.com/why-i-wont-apologize-for-calling-out-false-teachers/. Ive seen people completely renewed after salvation. You are full of ugliness and pride. LOL. Third, youve accused me of being prideful, self-righteous, and claim I think I am the only one who knows the Truth. No gospel to be found, but he does invite the reader to accept Christ. What church do you attend? Also, although you might feel like Im being judgmental, its necessary. Every time someone, hits you with a negative or personal attack, you come right back because youre argument is based purely on scripture and I am blown away and in some cases admittedly Im a bit amused at how professionally and to the point you handle everything. Instead of focusing on a church and its leader and criticizing why you think it is bad bible teaching, why not change the focus and write a post about the church you attend to attract people? Church membership is suggested but not insisted upon. We should not be tossed to and fro by any old doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). If not, why not? So does verse 13 that gives the reason. How does a person get saved? The Blowback to Saddleback - Word&Way Ministry is the box, the delivery system, but Jesus is the gift. Outside of church, God has used many women to spread the Word and lead others biblically. INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR CYNTHIA PETTY. We can always cloak it in God talk so that it sounds spiritual, but the truth is that personal ambition or an unhealthy need for significance is what really drives us. We equip and inspire pastors and senior church leaders to provide strategic, real-world pastoral care, by delivering practical, biblically based encouragement and insights that have application for preaching, counseling, visitation, lay leader training, and outreach planning. And as a side note: A large audience (which is what Saddleback has) is not necessarily indicative of a successful church. Stop sieving the Bible through your worldview and presuppositions. Southern Baptists have always been more concerned about distributing life jackets to people who are drowning than straitjackets, he said. At the time, we had five or six hundred small groups. However, I will say that my husband is the pastor of a small, rural Baptist church in Wisconsin. So, I can only conclude that the real reason you want me to keep quiet is because you dont like my opinion. Even megachurches. When your ministry and church have led over 50000 people to Christ, you may have more right to sit in judgement. The Southern Baptist Convention on Tuesday ousted its second-largest congregation Saddleback Church, the renowned California megachurch founded by pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren for having a woman pastor. Pastors also have not always been good about leading themselves.
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