Rick Warren 'Works With' and 'Strengthens' Mormon Churches and Other Non-Christian Sects

Did you know that Rick Warren and Saddleback church will work with and help ANY church become "Purpose-Driven" regardless of its 'doctrinal convictions'?

Here is what Saddleback Church said last week:

"There are Purpose Driven congregations in more than 200 different denominations and associations. Our desire is to work with denominations to strengthen their churches. Each church can maintain its own heritage and doctrinal convictions while cooperating with others on accomplishing the five purposes" (Online Source)

By their own admission Rick Warren and his Purpose-Driven ministries will 'work with' and 'strengthen' ANY church.

Where does this 'strengthening' and 'working with' take place?

Answer: At a Purpose-Driven Church Pastor Training Conference

What happens at these Pastor Training Conferences? Here is what the Purpose-Driven website says:

The Purpose Driven model offers leaders in your church a unique, biblically-based approach to help them establish, transform, or maintain a balanced, growing congregation. What is a balanced, growing congregation? It’s one that is growing larger in numbers as it grows deeper in carrying out the God-given purposes for churches... (Online Source)

Conference Sessions include workshops on:

• Targeting Your Community for Evangelism - Understanding Who You are Trying to Reach

• Attracting a Crowd - How to Design Seeker-Sensitive Services

• Building Your Congregation - Turning Attenders into Members

• Structuring Your Church on Purpose - How to Organize Your Church for Growth

Did you know that these training sessions are attended by Mormons, Catholics and Jews?

Here is what Rick Warren told USAToday about his "Purpose Driven" training programs:

"Warren's pastor-training programs welcome Catholics, Methodists, Mormons, Jews and ordained women." (Online Source)

Wait a minute! Mormons and Jews are NOT Christians. How on Earth can a "Christian Pastor" 'work with' them and help them 'strengthen' and grow their congregations?

Here is Rick Warren's explanation for training Mormons and Jews. Said Warren:

"I'm not going to get into a debate over the non-essentials. I won't try to change other denominations. Why be divisive?"

Since when is helping to strengthen and grow a non-Christian church a "non-essential"?

Christians are not called upon to help train non-Christian churches on how to strengthen and grow their congregations! Those congregations are sending people to hell? We don't want them to be healthy, strong and growing. We want those non-Christian churches to shrink and die by having their members repent and believe in the true gospel.

Plus, God forbids Christians to do this! Here is what the Bible says on this matter:

2 Corinthians 6:14   Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.

Sorry, Warren's explanation demonstrates a complete disregard for clear Biblical teaching! Warren said that he didn't want to be 'divisive' but in reality Warren IS being divisive by flatout disobeying God and helping to strengthen and grow these non-Christian sects.

Sadly, Rick Warren is trying to portray himself as being 'magnanimous' by working with leaders from all faiths and "building bridges" with them. But, when you compare what he is doing to what God’s Word tells us to do you'll discover that the correct word to describe Warren's behavior IS "divisive". The reason for this is because he is being openly rebellious to God's clear commands which forbid Christians to be in partnership with false churches and unbelievers.

For those of you tempted to think that USAToday got their facts wrong, please consider this: The week that the USAToday story broke, Rick Warren's Pastors.com website said this about the article:

Click Here to Visit the Pastors.com website

Rather than repudiate the article's claims regarding Warren's training of Mormons and Jews, Rick Warren instead asked for people to pray that the article would be successful in introducing the "The Purpose-Driven Life to a whole new secular audience."

Rick Warren obviously approved of this article and its contents.

Comments

[Rich Koster]

In my opinion Warren has it all backwards. The Church is supposed to take the gospel INTO the world.....we are not called to con the world INTO coming to church.

[ElderRich]

Rick Warren has it all backwards. Once we realize that the TRUE CHURCH is to take the gospel into the world, not con the world to "come to church", we will understand why his methods work. He's not building the Church, he's building a country club, or even worse.

[Lionel Woods]

This is unbelievable. I guess it will get worse before it gets better. I am sorry to hear this. I am actually deeply saddened.

[nancy]

It's treason against the Lord Jesus in my view.

[Mike Baker]

This program is helping the Devil secure more souls in hell. It is equipping false teachers and enabling them to attract and keep more people in doomed religions that offer no hope of eternal salvation. This is service to spirits of antichrist. It is teaching the wolves how to hunt sheep.

This is apostasy and soul murder. Since it is being done in the name of Jesus Christ, it is also blasphemy. Those involved must come to repentance!

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
-1 John 4:1-6

"Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
-The Gospel of St. Matthew 7:6

And [Christ] called a child to Himself and set him before them,and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell."
-The Gospel of St Matthew 18:2-9

Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the LORD,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
-Isaiah 55:6-8

[Richard Abanes]

I wish so very much that fellow believers in Christ would be more careful about spreading false rumors - especially when they involve pastors/teachers and other leaders of the faith. It seems easier these days to just attack people. I'm not sure why, but the realm of apologetics and "defending the faith" has fallen into a darkened state of attack, attack, attack -- without care or concern for truth and careful discernment. The facts behind this long-abused quote against are as follows (I dealt with it and many other rumors in my book "Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Home"):

___BEGIN
According to Brian Davis, Manager of Customer Care, Purpose Driven, no Mormons have ever been through any purpose driven pastor training or conferences or classes-according to all records. More importantly, Warren has never said that his programs “welcome” Mormons. His comments relate only to “denominations”. The reference to “Mormons” (and “Jews”) was actually the interpretation made by the USA Today of what Warren meant by “denominations”. (And the was not in quotations as from a direct quote).

I learned this through several emails exchanged with Cathy Lynn Grossman on April 8, 2005 and a telephone conversation with her on April 27, 2005. The USA Today writer told me that she, quite innocently, penned her story for a secular media outlet using Webster’s definitions of “denomination”-that is to say, a “religious group”. It was she who who chose the denominations (or “religious groups”) to list, believing they sounded best in the article. Warren himself did not say, and indeed, he is not quoted as saying, that he views Mormons, Jews, or both as simply other “denominations”.
(Rick Warren and The Purpose That Drives Him, p 90)

Rick Warren’s direct quote about Mormonism and other cults:

“[The Apostle]Paul says that they were zealous but “their zeal is not based on knowledge.” That describes a lot of cults and religions today. A lot of Jehovah’s Witness are zealous without knowledge, and Mormons, [and] Moonies. Paul says they are zealous but they don’t really know the truth”.
- Rick Warren “The Truth Is For Everybody”
part 26, n.d.; Rick Warren, “Discovering Life Mission”, CLASS 401

Furthermore, I have actually taught classes at Saddleback on cults and, specifically Mormonism, showing the differences between the LDS chruch and true Christianity.
____END

Please, fellow believers, BE CAREFUL and not so quick to jump on the attack bandwagon. All kinds of bizarre hate-inspired rumors, misquotes, and outright lies continu eto circulate about Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, and the members of Saddleback.

In Christ,

Richard Abanes

[David Multhaup]

It is easy to see where Rick Warren stands, because you can compare what he says to the Word of God. If it doesn't measure up, he is proclaiming something that stands in opposition to the Word. It is our job as Christians to beware of wolves in sheeps clothing. Also, we are to test the spirits to see if they are from God. No matter who they are, compare what they say to what is written in the infalable Word of God. If it doesn't measure up, DO NOT FOLLOW THEM! This is one of the many reasons that we need to stay in the Word. Those that aren't in the Word daily, run the chance of being led astray. Sure, studying the Bible takes some time and effort. When your eternal soul depends on it, it is a great investment. Seek the Lord while He may be found!

[Kevin]

I am a "Mormon"... a member of the The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. Please stop accusing me of not believing in my Savior. I am a Christian because Christ is the center of my and my Church's beliefs on life. Thank you.

[Chris Rosebrough]

Kevin,

I don't mean you any disrespect but you are not a true Christian. You believe in a false Jesus and a false gospel. Joseph Smith was a false prophet and those how believe his perverted doctrines are still in their sins and not true Christians.

[chadm]

Kevin- Sorry for the harsh statement by Chris. Hopefully you have stayed long enough here to hear me out. Our belief system is different than yours and I would like to share with you my beliefs. Will you go to heaven when you die? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said,"Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you looked with lust? Will you be guilty on judgement day? If you have done those things, God sees you as a lying,thieving,blasphemous, adulterer-at-heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in hell. Thats not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defeated death. Please Kevin, repent(turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it. Kevin, I hope these words from my heart have found a place deep in yours. I'm praying for you. Thanks for listening....<'}}}><

[Backtalk]

chadm,
I am a Mormon and appreciate your comments. I am, however, amazed by the lack of knowledge that others have of what Mormons believe. I took your quick test and guess what, I totally believe the same. Here are some of our basic beliefs: We believe that Jesus in the Son of God, and that it is only through him and by him that we can return to our Heavenly Father in heaven. We believe that no matter how good our works are that it is not enough, that it is only through the grace of Christ that we can be saved. We believe that through the atonement, that Christ took upon himself the sins of the world, that if we put our faith in Him, repent of our sins, be baptized and walk in his light, that we will be saved. These are our beliefs, they have always been our beliefs. Is there a difference between Mormons and other so- called mainstream Christian churches?...You bet, but dont ever tell me that I am not a Christian. I have devoted my life in trying to live a Christ like life. It is in the name of Christ that I pray to God. When I take the holy sacrament every week in church, it is in remembrance of the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ which was shed for me. Why do people devote so much of their time badmouthing Mormons instead of just sharing their testimonies of what they believe and making themselves better?

[Michael]

The assumption here is that all people (including Mormons, even though they believe that Christ is their Savior and live exemplary "Christian" lives) who do not subscribe to a man-made agreement made by a few priests a thousand and some odd years ago (the Nicean Creed and other "Creeds") are going to hell.

Truly, there are many preachers but few Fathers. The Father of us all looks upon us all with a patient, paternal love. He does not condemn to hell nearly as quickly as we love to do.

We need more Fathers and fewer self-righteous preachers or preachers who preach for money!

[Kurt]

I too am a Mormon and nothing looks more like a cult to me than these types of fundamentalist so-called 'Christian' opinions of my church. The fundies actually believe that they are called to oppose and battle for Christ, but only their narrow interpretation of the Bible is valid, so in reality they are proselitizing by tearing down others. Reminds me of another world religion, Islaam....

Do you really believe that God will send every non-fundie to Hell? Get a grip, Rick Warren is a good person trying to reach people who are understandably put off by extreme Christian rhetoric.

I realize that different types of people exist, with different personalities and viewpoints. The many religions reflect this, and everyone has the God-given right to seek their own salvation in the way that they can understand. But there is NOTHING in the Bible that supports the mean-spirited 'anti-' approach the fundies take, particularly against the JW, LDS, Catholic, and other non-evangelical Christian groups. When Jesus's disciples brought to his attention that another person was using His name to perform miracles, Jesus said to let that person alone. That's in the Bible too...

[Eileen]

Hi everyone. It makes me sad to think that some folks do not consider Mormons...or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...as Christians. I am a member of this church and I have a strong testimony that Jesus is the Christ, my Redeemer and my Savior. I read my scriptures and pray each day and try to live my life according to His teachings, with love for all, and try to serve as He served. I heard Rick Warren's speech to the Muslin community and like the fact that he says he loves all people and wants to work with all to solve problems. How can anyone criticize that? Isn't that what the Savior taught...love for our neighbors? As he said, all of us do not agree on everything, but we can work together for the good of all.