40 days of purpose campaign

"Christianity Explored" is also a very sound and biblical tool for evangelism. Its firmly rooted in scripture with an indepth study on Marks gospel. The format is the same as Alpha except that it was written and compiled by a REFORMED christian.Yes a REFORMED Christian who is part of the minstry team at All souls Langham place (formerly the pastorate of John Stott )http://www.allsouls.org/ascm/allsouls/static/index.html;jsessionid=ECCB3AE7636B33140599518BB9406C0A

the material was written by Rev Rico Tice.

Born in Chile in 1966, the son of a business man and a nurse, Rico grew up in Uganda and Zaire. He was educated at Sherborne School, Dorset and spent a gap year working as a youth worker in inner-city Liverpool. He then studied history at Bristol University, where he captained the rugby side.

His progress towards full time Christian ministry began with a period as a Lay Assistant at Christ Church Clifton in Bristol. He found it thrilling to teach the Bible and so after working briefly for Hewlett Packard, he moved on to train for ordination at Wycliffe College, Oxford. Again, he was a regular member of the university rugby team.

He was ordained in 1994 and soon after joined the staff at All Souls as Associate Minister (Evangelism). His main role is to help the hundreds of enquirers about the Christian faith who come through the doors of the church each year.

He has spent the last few years developing 'Christianity Explored' which he co-wrote with Barry Cooper, Christianity Explored product developer. Further information about the course and the full range of resources available can be found on the Christianity Explored website.

In 2003 Rico led the Oxford University 'OICCU' Mission, and he is a National Director of Christians in Sport.

Rico's hobbies are rugby, golf (he has a handicap of 9.6) and films.


I have recently attended one of the conferences of CE and i must say i was very impressed by the emphasis on the importance of sticking to scripture. No stone is left unturned. the word sin and hell are not fudged and enquirers are left in no doupt as to their eternal destiny outside of Christ.

What is Christianity Explored?

Developed over a period of 10 years, Christianity Explored is a course for people who'd like to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him. More information about Christianity Explored as a resource can be found on the Christianity Explored website.

Who is Christianity Explored for?

Christianity Explored is for anyone who would like to investigate Christianity informally with others.

What goes on?

Supper is available from 7pm for a small charge. This is then followed by a talk and discussion time from 7.30pm until 9pm. You are not asked to pray, sing or read aloud, and you can ask any question you like. Or, if you prefer, you can come along and simply listen.

How long does the course last?

The course runs for 10 weeks.

Can I pull out if I want to?

Yes - We'd just love you to come for one evening and see how you get on.

How much does the course cost?

Nothing - but we do ask for a small contribution towards food provided.

Do I have to bring anything?

No, all course materials are provided.

Am I going to get preached at?

Not at all. Each evening includes a talk designed to explain an aspect of Christian belief and to stimulate discussion. Hopefully you'll find it challenging and amusing. The group leaders will facilitate discussion and try to answer questions. Each evening includes a talk (or video) designed to explain an aspect of Christian belief and to stimulate discussion.

How is Christianity Explored different from other courses?

The course is based on Mark's Gospel, with its emphasis on who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him.
http://www.allsouls.org/ascm/allsouls/static/ministries/outreach/ce/home.html

http://www.christianityexplored.com/

erin74 said:

Our church starts this early next year too. We take the stance of it's better to be involved than not. We are more discerning than some others in our parish. So by being involved we can point out the bad stuff and the good stuff. Better than sitting on the sidelines where you can have no impact in the play of the game hey!

Take what's good - point out what's bad. There is some good stuff in there from what I understand. Be careful to make sure that in your desire to critique you also remain open to learn and grow. But be discerning all the same and look after those that may not have the christian maturity to see what's good and what's not.

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Visitor here! Raised in a Presbyterian church and now a pentacostal Calvinist!

Our pentacostal church did PDL last year and it has torn our church apart. It was entered into whole heartedly and the small group format is encouraging the church to drop some services so as to go with small groups. We're only 100-200. How much smaller can it get? I, too, was going to host a group. Thank God no one signed up for my home (I was new to the church). Instead I did not participate and can see a huge difference in my church body. They have been split into factions and the harm is continuing to this day.

Please be careful!

newlamb said:

Visitor here! Raised in a Presbyterian church and now a pentacostal Calvinist!

Our pentacostal church did PDL last year and it has torn our church apart. It was entered into whole heartedly and the small group format is encouraging the church to drop some services so as to go with small groups. We're only 100-200. How much smaller can it get? I, too, was going to host a group. Thank God no one signed up for my home (I was new to the church). Instead I did not participate and can see a huge difference in my church body. They have been split into factions and the harm is continuing to this day.

Please be careful!

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Greetings,

As one who went the other way, from Charismatic to Reformed (well, always was a Calvinist!), i can identify with what you're saying.

The method employed by Warren (and others, it didn't originate with Rick Warren!) is itself fraught with error for the unsuspecting Christian.

Small groups per se are benign. They have their advantages, they have their disadvantages. There are some good, practical reasons as to why one should have small groups.

A majour disadvantage is that if one has an agenda, it is far easier to propogate that agenda by use of small groups. There IS an agenda that is going on.

You might want to read the below link by Paul Proctor, and then read Dean Gotcher's work (mentioned in the first link).
http://www.americanreformation.org/apostasy/Proctor/Diaprax.htm

i found it to be very shocking. It is the preferred method of Warren type groups.

Imblessed said:

Thanks for the link CDL--fortunately, that doensn't really sound like our church. I'm not going to sit here and lie and say our church isn't "purpose Driven", because it's right there on our website, etc etc. What I can say in all truthfullness, is that our pastor has, in the last year taught our congregation about grace(the real meaning), the differences between the protestants and Catholics(let's just say he never called them our brothers...), taught on Sola Fide, Sola Christis, Sola scriptura, Sola Deo Gloria,(and that other sola that's excaping my mind right now! )---he's also taught on Justification and Sanctification. Let's just say I've never been in a church that actually used these words and phrases before. He reminds the congregation that our faith is a gift of God---last week he did a talk on our attitude toward work and reminded us that our work, (whatever job we have) is a blessing from God and reminded us that we don't work for man, we work for God, we work for Jesus, and no matter if we dont' like our job or we do like it, we must do it to the Glory of God. Period. That we were ordained to be exactly where we are right now, even if it's a job we don't like......

I've noticed that our pastor brings alot of things back to God that "could" have been left alone, if you know what I mean.

I just want to stress here, that although I have misgivings aobut the 40 days of purpose campaign, I have high hopes that it can be used properly in our church, due to the points I've made above. I just don't see our pastor compromising the truth for numbers. Yes, we have the numbers, but he went into the Grace series knowing full well it could have had disastrous results. Same with the series on Catholicsm....he didn't apologize for what he said, he didn't hide--he just presented the truth....

I'd like to think, because of the sermons I've heard, that the belief in the inner circle of our church is that numbers are good, but truth is more important.


I hope I don't' come across as someone desperately trying to defend a lost cause.....

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Good Morning (?),

i was remiss in not putting the proper fences around my statements. There are (judging from this thread) many approaches to take toward Warren's (and other similar) materials. Not all of those approaches have resulted in horror stories. Many of those approches are "PDC/PDL-IN-NAME-ONLY". That is to say, that there have been discerning ministers of the gospel who have seen the flaws in Warren's materials and approach (i do hate to single out Rick Warren here, he's certainly not alone, and was not the source of many of these ideas, however, the OP does speak of his work), and have incorporated proper instruction, and proper scriptural exegesis (a distinct weakness of Warren materials) into the course. Such ministers are to be credited with properly "shepherding the flock".

My attitude is that when one sees or hears the terms "40 Days of Purpose", "PDC/PDL", etc, a Red warning light should go off. It is something that merits further investigation. The real indicator of trouble is how that particular programme is applied. The programme is only as good as the amount of truth that it contains. Error always begats error. If corrections of error are made, one must do a fresh evaluation of the particular programme.

My real concern is the pervasiveness of the Diaprax/Delphi Technique in our churches. While these things (Delphi was developed by the Rand Corporation in the 50's) when used in the factual domain are effective tools. However, when used in the affective domain, they are dangerous tools of manipulation. Much small group theory is utilising these tools. Many go as far as to call group leaders "Facillitators". One must question whose agenda is being "facilitated".

Imblessed said:

Tell me what you think? Am I making a big mistake?

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Warren does have some good things to say, (I read his book) but much of his theology is, at best, somewhat shallow, and some of it directly contradicts the scriptures. It strongly reminds me of TBN thology. Personally, I reccommend having nothing to do with using it as a study basis unless the errors are pointed out and explained.

Whenever I teach a Sunday School class with mandatory materials I do not hesitate to throw overboard anything that is at odds with the clear teaching of Scripture. But when I do that I am careful to examine the questionable material in class and explain why it doesn't cut the mustard.

I was talking with someone today about PDL and they said John Piper's _Don't Waste Your Life_ has the same basic message without the twisted Scripture.

Off to Piper's website, CC&E

That's a great book - I had been reading it, although need to remember to pick it up again and finish it.

Rick Warren takes scripture out of context a lot... before going any further, I just strongly exhort you to not go through with this... and also consider reading Fool's Gold by MacArthur. Its a good chapter on the pros and cons of Warrens book.

Acts 17:11

GO RICK WARREN!!!! Thankful for all that he's done and blessed by him.

vangelicmonk said:

GO RICK WARREN!!!! Thankful for all that he's done and blessed by him.

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This is not exactly a complementary thread toward Rick Warren. Most people here would just as soon use his books as kindling.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

Jon_ said:

This is not exactly a complementary thread toward Rick Warren. Most people here would just as soon use his books as kindling.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

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umm, yeah. I kinda figured that out. I may not like Calvin's writings like the "Institutes" but I'm not the kinda Christian to wipe my **** with them or even suggest the idea. Thats the problem with many Calvinists.

vangelicmonk said:

umm, yeah. I kinda figured that out. I may not like Calvin's writings like the "Institutes" but I'm not the kinda Christian to wipe my **** with them or even suggest the idea. Thats the problem with many Calvinists.

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This is me rolling my eyes at you.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

Jon_ said:

This is me rolling my eyes at you.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

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This is me not surprised at your response.

Han Soli and Chew Baca.

vangelicmonk said:

umm, yeah. I kinda figured that out. I may not like Calvin's writings like the "Institutes" but I'm not the kinda Christian to wipe my **** with them or even suggest the idea. Thats the problem with many Calvinists.

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That's a bit of a non issue. Much of the opposition to the purpose drivel nonsense doesn't come from Calvinists. A cursury examination of the web articles posted indicates this to be so. This opposition comes from such people as Paul Proctor, Berit Kjos, Dean Gotcher, John Loeffler, and others. To the best of my knowledge, none of these people are Calvinists. Many strongly oppose Calvinism as well as the PDC/PDL.

From what i have seen of your posting on this board, your REAL issue appears to be differences of opinion with Calvinists. There are forums on this site to discuss those differences. It is really not appropriate to attempt to turn the subject of this particular thread away from the issues raised in the OP.

We can have those disccusions about Calvinism, but we should have them elsewhere. In the interim, the issues raised here concerning Rick Warren, the PDC/PDL, and the methods used are legitimate concerns, and have little to do with Calvinism, so perhaps you should take what issues you have with Calvinism elsewhere.

If you wish to make a defense of Rick Warren's theology, books, and works, this is the place to do it, and i'd be very interested in what you have to say..."iron sharpeneth iron" and all that. So by all means, present your arguments.