The gospel must be hidden, because it isn't there, neither does it lie within the churches mission statement.
They take you as you are, you come in as you are and you leave as your are.
You don't need to change, the church will conform to fit your needs.
That's the way it is, they offer all 31 flavors of worship, pick what you like and what you want.
No, he doesn't wear a suit
No, he doesn't preach from a Bible, nor does he fancy a certain "translation", he generally choses a paraphrase Bible or whatever Bible he decides makes his points the best.
Remember, he doesn't like doctrine (2Tim4:3).
That's what he says.
No, he doesn't pattern his worship services after the 1950s, he doesn't have worship services, unless they are glorifying him.
I am not a fan of Warren's, but I decided to actually go to his web site and take five minuets to check the archive for that issue. Just to keep the discussion honest, those opinions were from James Emery White. They are not the words of Warren himself, even though it was supplied on his letter. This is a copy of the bottom of the letter, you can see the links that were on the bottom of it. If you followed the link to Recommended reading you would have seen the review.
pastors.com / Ministry Toolbox / Issue #316 - Home
Issue #316
6/20/2007
(These are the links)
Pray for your preaching - Joe McKeever
Teaching about sex from the pulpit - Ted Roberts
Teaching on workplace issues - Corey Cleek
How to teach with parables (like Jesus did) - D. Bruce Seymour
Recommended reading - James Emery White
17 ways to find volunteer youth workers - Doug Fields
The inherited church - Randall Adams
Strive for greatness: Take charge of your wants - Mary Southerland
ABOUT ETERNITY
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46
ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven´s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13
ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God´s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin´s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God´s word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
As aforementioned it isn't written by Pastor Warren, but James Emery White and is a FINE article. I recommend it for your reading.
Come on now though, let's stop getting our noses bent out of shape and trying hard to bring down effective ministries and start doing our own ministries effectively.
What are you talking about? Some of us are working very hard to warn folks of the dangers inherent in being amused by witchcraft. The Bible is very clear on such matters and yet we have one of the most well known "pastors" of our day, an SBC Baptist no less, promoting witchcraft on his website.
Correct, the author is White, the website is Warren's. If Rick Warren is in favor of the Bible and opposed to witchcraft he'll edit Emery's recommendation.