I do want to make a correction from my last post. In the interest of clarity, there should be no quotation marks around this excerpt-

“the gathering of believers for worship” to “a performance-based spiritual entertainment complex”

That was my assessment, not a direct quote from the book. The phrase “leaders from hell”, however is a direct quotation (comparing “resisters” to Sanballat in his take on the book of Nehemiah.

Just wanted to be clear on that, and not attribute anything to the author that is unwarranted.

Toddo

While at ease with PDC,the remarks you credit to Warren,endorsing Southerland’s work are quite disturbing,as well as the content of the book.I am trying to lay my hands on the book in Lagos.

The Church of Jesus Christ is not and must not be turned into a corporatist,fee-good,profit making enterprise.

The implementation of the PDC model is not spelled out in detail in the PDC book. One of the books that has become the “gold-standard”, if you will, of the methodology is Transitioning- by Dan Southerland. It is a very enlightening volume that Rick Warren wrote the forward to and said “this manual will help you implement the principles of being purpose driven”. He recommends that a copy of this book be given to every staff member and that they follow the steps therein.

Below are a few examples of the items in my first post that are concerning…

On page 68 the plan is laid out to secure the support of the “power brokers” (those with influence over others) in the church for PD without the knowledge of the congregation. The intention to become purpose drive is not revealed to the congregation until it’s virtually too late to voice any concerns.

Those who are concerned about the change from “the gathering of believers for worship” to “a performance-based spiritual entertainment complex” are labled as “leaders from hell”- pg 115. Their concerns go unheeded and many times are asked to leave the church.

In the book, Mr. Southerland advocates the change to “extremely contemporary” music. The vast majority of churches trying to implement the PDC model reach out primarily to the younger people- to the exclusion of the older folks. That is why you will read MANY testimonies of older saints being forced out of the churches they supported for decades. It is such a shame- God is not the God of the young, only.

Make no mistake, this book is the blueprint that MANY churches are implementing.

I hope you are right- that my experiences are an aberration. From the large amount of reading I’ve done on the subject however, it appears that I am far from alone in dealing with this.

I am encouraged, though, that the Church is finally awakening to the weakness of this model, and are beginning to turn to more simple, relational gatherings. When the day is done, it all boils down to relationships.

Blessings.
Todd

I indeed have read PDC by Warren.I cant quite see there how what he advocates will lead to neglect of the poor and widows,an over-emphasis on tithing,secrecy of church administration,performance as opposed to ministry etc.

In all probability these arose from personal,character,or structural flaws,unrelated to the PDC model.If I may use one example,the Anglican Church has over its existence had particular parishes and indeed Provinces that have exhibited traits deviant from the model set.But does this invalidate the overall model?