Too "Purpose Driven?!"

I found this article in a thread at www.carm.org.

It's frightening to say the least:

Church Votes to Expel Non-Purpose Driven Members
Rick Warren's Book Becomes More than Recommended Reading for Local
Congregation

Purpose Driven Life

MEMPHIS, TN – (snip intro paragraph)

In a groundbreaking move, the elder board at MCC (Memphis Community Church) – a nondenominational "mega-church" – passed a resolution to revoke the membership of any church member who does not, by the end of 2003, read The Purpose Driven Life, (snip authorship info, we all know who wrote it).

"Upon encountering this life-changing book, we realized that if members of our church aren't leading a purpose driven life, they really don't have much value as believers," said Senior Pastor Charles Moynihan. "After much prayer and consideration, we simply decided that they can take their purposelessness elsewhere."
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My comment: THAT IS SCARY...

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The decision was announced during Sunday morning services on November 9th, and every MCC member will have received a form letter from Moynihan by the end of the month.

Not only do MCC's 2,348 members have to read The Purpose Driven Life by December 31st, 2003, they also have to pass a written test of both multiple choice and essay questions, formulated by the elder board, that demonstrates that they understand the concepts and have undergone the life-changing effects of the book.

Moynihan says that he expects that very few, if any, members will lose their membership, and that many will easily fulfill the requirement during the church's "40 Days of Purpose," a collective reading and study of the book, now in progress at MCC and thousands of other congregations around the world.

"We're not looking to expel anybody here," he said. "We know that our
membership will rise to the challenge and start to actually live lives with a purpose. The reaction to this action by the board has been overwhelmingly positive."

But that doesn't mean the church's revolutionary decision is completely free of detractors.

"I went through nine weeks of mind-numbingly boring membership classes, and now I have to prove my worth as a member by reading about some evangelical fad?!," exclaimed Memphis resident Rick Peterson, who became an MCC member last year.

Despite his objections, Peterson, an avid basketball player, plans to read the book and take the test.

"I'm not ready to give up my free access to the church gym," he said.
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My comment: Did he say what I thought he said?
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For his part, Moynihan is convinced that the required reading will have an effect on the church that will be just as revolutionary as the elder board's ultimatum.

"We're going to have hundreds of Christians finding unique purposes
simultaneously," he said. "I like to think of it as the Purpose Storm."

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As one of the posters at CARM said, "I think they forgot to read The Purpose Driven Church

What have we come to? I am grieved that "Christian pop culture" has idolized this book. Personally, I got more out of Experiencing God and Hearing God Speak by Henry Blackaby than this book.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

Thank You...I will post back there immediatamente.

 

I agree. I think a basic new members class that covers basic Christian discipleship as well as the distinctives of your local church is a wonderful idea.

My own church does this, but right now there are problems with it. The minister of evangelism is supposed to conduct it, but he is also required to be in at least one of the services WHILE THE CLASS IS BEING HELD. (e.g. be in two places at one time). There is a growing feeling that the class, which is intended to introduce people to our church is not doing that very thing. I spoke to a new member this past Sunday who was in the class that day and told me all about how it was conducted. First, the annual fire drill was held. (Of course, you have to have it during both services and both Sunday School times), so that disturbed the class. Nobody was encouraged to at least introduce themselves to the class. Since Phil had to be in the first service, but not the second, they did not get to meet him until the second service (the class is held for two full hours), and, then,he had to leave early in order to be back in second service for the invitation. None of the other ten pastors were there. Instead, they were babysat by a video.

Not good. Oh well, maybe there's a suggestion box.

 

Yes, we realize that. A number of us were duped, even Dr. Griffin. I have since been back to www.carm.org where I found the story and informed them. Thank you, though, for reinterating that fact for those that scroll down and don't see the other posts.

I am pleased,however, at the way this thread has matured into discussion of membership classes. In that, I find the satire has had an unintended positive effect.