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    what purpose driven is NOT
doug fields
The “purpose driven movement” has exploded way beyond everyone’s wildest expectations. I respect the faith of Rick Warren more than anyone I know…but, I don’t believe that even he thought this would happen and the PD movement would become what it is today. But, the popularity of “purpose driven” has led to a lot of confusion and animosity. Interesting! Why?
The words “Purpose driven” have come to mean so many different things to different people. Words are crazy because their meanings shift with the ebb and flow of culture. Google “purpose driven” and you’ll find several different opinions—some pro purpose driven and some believing purpose driven is nothing more than marketing hype. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misunderstanding… that’s okay. To me, it only becomes discouraging when the critics are misinformed (they’ve never read anything and just decided to be against it because it’s popular). I don’t mind criticism…as a leader, I’ve lived with it for years.
Because we’re focusing on purpose driven this month, let me try to help you see what purpose driven means by listing what it’s not.
Purpose driven is NOT
…about havening a purpose behind what you do
…about doing things like Saddleback Church
…about being “seeker sensitive”
…about a personality like Rick Warren, Doug Fields, or anyone else
…the only way to do ministry
…about programs
…about big-church or a denomination
…about having a cute purpose statement
…a formula that guarantees results
…about church growth
Purpose driven is about pursuing God’s biblical purposes—not your own. Biblical purposes of Evangelism, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Worship are God’s design, plan and agenda for His Church.
The most important thing about being purpose driven is that we are motivated by our faith (in Christ) to fulfill God’s Word for His church. The five words we use (evangelism, worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry) aren’t magical or sacred or inspired by humans—they are merely words we use to help people see God’s design for the corporate church and the individual believer.
Every time you put God’s purposes first, good things will happen. Psalm 1 makes a bold claim: everything the blessed does will prosper because he loves God’s Word. Notice it doesn’t say ‘some things’ or ‘most things’…but “everything he does will prosper.” This is mind-blowing to me. I want to be part of lifting up God’s purposes! I bet you do too…no matter what it’s called.
Being purpose driven is about health, being spiritually healthy because God’s will for our ministry becomes the agenda.
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http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/community-articles-doug-s-thoughts.html
doug fields
The “purpose driven movement” has exploded way beyond everyone’s wildest expectations. I respect the faith of Rick Warren more than anyone I know…but, I don’t believe that even he thought this would happen and the PD movement would become what it is today. But, the popularity of “purpose driven” has led to a lot of confusion and animosity. Interesting! Why?
The words “Purpose driven” have come to mean so many different things to different people. Words are crazy because their meanings shift with the ebb and flow of culture. Google “purpose driven” and you’ll find several different opinions—some pro purpose driven and some believing purpose driven is nothing more than marketing hype. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misunderstanding… that’s okay. To me, it only becomes discouraging when the critics are misinformed (they’ve never read anything and just decided to be against it because it’s popular). I don’t mind criticism…as a leader, I’ve lived with it for years.
Because we’re focusing on purpose driven this month, let me try to help you see what purpose driven means by listing what it’s not.
Purpose driven is NOT
…about havening a purpose behind what you do
…about doing things like Saddleback Church
…about being “seeker sensitive”
…about a personality like Rick Warren, Doug Fields, or anyone else
…the only way to do ministry
…about programs
…about big-church or a denomination
…about having a cute purpose statement
…a formula that guarantees results
…about church growth
Purpose driven is about pursuing God’s biblical purposes—not your own. Biblical purposes of Evangelism, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Worship are God’s design, plan and agenda for His Church.
The most important thing about being purpose driven is that we are motivated by our faith (in Christ) to fulfill God’s Word for His church. The five words we use (evangelism, worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry) aren’t magical or sacred or inspired by humans—they are merely words we use to help people see God’s design for the corporate church and the individual believer.
Every time you put God’s purposes first, good things will happen. Psalm 1 makes a bold claim: everything the blessed does will prosper because he loves God’s Word. Notice it doesn’t say ‘some things’ or ‘most things’…but “everything he does will prosper.” This is mind-blowing to me. I want to be part of lifting up God’s purposes! I bet you do too…no matter what it’s called.
Being purpose driven is about health, being spiritually healthy because God’s will for our ministry becomes the agenda.
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