Amazon.com Review The thesis of The Purpose Driven Church is that when churches think first about their health, growth is sure to follow. "If your church is healthy," writes Rick Warren, "growth will occur naturally. Healthy, consistent growth is the result of balancing the five biblical purposes of the church." These five purposes are to "Love the Lord with all your heart," "Love your neighbor as yourself," "Go and make disciples," "[Baptize] them," and "[Teach] them to obey." And those purposes can only be accomplished, argues Warren, when church leaders stop thinking about church-building programs and shift their focus to a "people-building process" involving fellowship, discipleship, worship, and evangelism. Warren, the founder of the fastest-growing Baptist church in American history, has taught seminars to thousands of pastors from all over the world, many of whom have successfully implemented his techniques.
Product Description "Every church is driven by something. Tradition, finances, programs, personalities, events, seekers, and even buildings can each be the controlling force in a church. But Rick Warren believers that in order for a church to be healthy it must become a purpose-driven church by Jesus. Now the founding pastor of Saddleback Church shares a proven five-part strategy that will enable your church to grow. . .- Warmer through fellowship - Deeper through discipleship - Stronger through worship - Broader through ministry - Larger through evangelism. Discover the same practical insights and principles for growing a healthy church that Rick has taught in seminars to over 22,000 pastors and church leaders from sixty denominations and forty-two countries. The Purpose-Driven Church- shifts the focus away from church building programs to emphasizing a people-building process. Warren says, "If you will concentrate on building people, God will build the church."
The Purpose Driven ChurchJanuary 6, 2009 In The Purpose Driven Church, Rick Warren gives church pastors and leaders suggestions for making their church the church God intends it to be. Unfortunately, his suggestions require effort by those church leaders which they may not be willing to give. Instead of endless brainstorming to involve those in the church who never do more than attend worship services, Warren suggests going out into the community to find the unchurched and invite them to the church. He suggests being open to new ideas and having vision. The book is easy to read, well-organized and provides many other suggestions and examples for making churches more dynamic, inviting, mission-oriented, and more aligned with God's purposes for it. If you feel that your church could be more than it is, you might want to read this book.
completely satisfiedOctober 12, 2008 This was my first experiance with Amazon and I was completely satisfied .The book was just like new ,I don't think it had ever been read .It was sent fast and packaged good .I would buy again . Thanks for a good first time experiance .
What can you sayJuly 29, 2008 I have read this book many, many times. The only things about it that I don't like are all the references to growth it contains. The dustcover has so many references to growth it sickens me, but Warren probably didn't write that and the publishers know who will be reading.
The book is great at helping a church ask questions that need to be asked and helping a church to find a paradigm that would be pleasing to God. Regardless of what type of church you are in this book will be of some benefit to you. If you've got a problem with the paradigm of being purpose driven then you've got a problem with scripture.
Sudy BookMay 26, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I purchased these for my Graceful Ladies Bible Study group, at their request. We haven't begun, yet, but we are anxious to get started.
Good bookJanuary 30, 2008 I enjoyed this book better than the Purpose Driven Life. Good sound strategies or a seeker service style program.
