Rating: 
Summary: UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Review: The following were quotes from above reviewers:Sin, redemption, repentance are not mentioned. The whole Gospel is not preached. Warren's ideal is a come-casual, dress-down, informal service that's not much different from hanging out at the local mall (no shirt, no shoes, no problem). Warren leaves the impression that Christ is not the all in all from whom we have life, but a sidekick as we execute the plans that He has apparently given us in scripture. Rick Warren has managed to create a craze that is based on man's own desires rather than God's will. He encourages the watering-down of the gospel to appeal to his "Saddleback Sam" model of mankind. He encourages getting rid of church members who get in the way of "progress". Now, my take on the book and a few reviewers. I find it extremely difficult to fathom how God fearing/loving individuals could be so narrow minded towards their approach of worship and the church. Believers in Islam and other various cults are identical in their interpretation and thought processes regarding worship. The idea that God has some how outlined and mandated a form of worship and evangelism based on hairstyles, clothing, and musical instruments is flat out false. Rich Warren's approach in his Church and faith building principles do not violate or contradict the standards laid down by God. Those whom disagree with Rich make verbal attacks and speak negatively (all against God's commandments) utilizing sleek cliches and anecdotes thereby justifying their beliefs. Contrary to the above reviewers the Holy Spirit is alive and well within a "live" church regardless of style provided God and Jesus are the main focus. If God was against a particular style it would be quoted or stated as such, plus the Holy Spirit would NOT be alive and well within these churches. Instead of a fire and brimstone approach to theology (all which drives the nonbelievers and some believers away from God) Rich's approach has foundation in love and acceptance but with sound discipline. It's saddening and disheartening to realize that individuals whom call themselves Christians and followers of Christ and God's word wish to live sheltered.
Rating:
Summary: The Book Lives Up To Its Claims!
Review: One of the first things presented in this book is that the principles that work at the Saddleback Church, may not work everywhere. The name Rick Warren gets tossed around by those who praise him and by those who blame him. But he declares right away that these are not universal principles. That said, this is a well written book that reads smoothly and provides a fresh approach to evangelism. This is a book for church leaders. My fear is that church members will decide their pastor is not doing his job because he doesn't practice the Purpose Driven Church principles. If a person wants their pastor to consider the things presented in this book, buy the book for him, but don't read the book yourself and then try to implement the practices described inside. Church's that begin as Purpose Driven Churches will be much more effective in applying these principles than a church that is already established. Read this book with caution and don't change churches because you think this sounds exciting.
Rating:
Summary: For church builders... in other words YOU not just Pastors
Review: It's sad that a lot of people will read Warren's Purpose-Driven Life book (and they should) and get so much out of it, and then they might even pick this one up but then... they may put it back thinking it's for a Deacon board but not for the average Christian. WRONG! Yes, this entire book is about building a church. yes, a Pastor will richly receive incredibly useful, hands-on advice on the best way to grow a congregation, but what often is overlooked here is that the congregational members should ALSO understand how to grow the church! The church IS the congregation!!! I assure you that if you are a church member and hold no position of authority in that church, and if you are the ONLY one who reads this book, you STILL will be able to grow your church in many ways. Wouldn't it be nice to know that you helped to increase the congregation, NOT to add to numbers but to add to God's Kingdom?
Rating:
Summary: A great book on building healthy churches
Review: This book is about building your church and structuring it around the 5 biblical purposes of the church: worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and evangelism. It is a powerful, biblically centered book, and it will get you excited about the future of the church in America. Yet I want to caution the reader about three things: Number one: The book gives a very detailed and organized plan for growing healthy churches, and if you neglect even one bit of instruction, your plans could go awry. The close attention to detail sometimes made me feel a bit overwhelmed. Number two: This paradigm is most effective for planting new congregations. I have discovered that the book's principles are very difficult to implement in a congregation that is over 100 years old. Not impossible. Just difficult. For those of you who are serving in older congregations with an average attendance of 100 or higher, I would also want to refer you to literature such as Net Results Magazine and to the Biblical Witness Fellowship...which deals with renewing existing churches with an extensive history. And a third thing to keep in mind is that what worked for Rick Warren in the laid back culture of southern California may not necessarily work in the breadbasket of America. My advice would be to read the book once to get a feel for the Purpose Driven Church paradigm. Then read it a second time with your particular church home in mind to draw out some principles and to brainstorm ideas.
Rating: 
Summary: Not very good..
Review: I could only read an hour of this. I really liked, 'Purpose Driven Life' but this is hardly as good.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful, Practical, but Weak in Biblical Foundations
Review: I find it hard to rate this book accurately. I have read few books that have been more helpful in the realm of practical church life. Warren skillfully presents a blue-print on how to grow a healthy in church in which the five purposes (which are presented Biblically) of worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and evangelism are held in balance. The steps to take are practical and clear. Add to that a plethora of helpful common-sense tips to improving logistics in working with both the visitors and members of your church. This book is full of helpful ideas. HOWEVER, the demerit of the book is its rather shallow Biblical basis. I believe that the five purposes Warren presents are biblical. I believe that the concept of moving people from membership to maturity to ministry to missions is biblical and very, very well developed. And I was impressed to see that Warren's church uses a church covenant and practices church discipline. I simply wish he had given a better biblical defense for these things. There are points where it seems like the author is taking Scripture out of context to defend a point - evidenced by his excessive use of paraphrases of Scripture. He should have used a literal translation and stuck to what the text actually says. I also highly disagree with Warren's approach to music. He probably goes a bit overboard on the seeker-sensitive side of things, although I admit many of the things he says are non-moral, non-biblical, common-sense issues. I was helped by reading this book. I have the sense to know that I can't apply everything Warren says in my own church culture and tradition, but there are some things any one can apply. I say, buy this book and read with discernment. As long as you don't make a Bible out of it, you will probably benefit greatly.
Rating: 
Summary: A Church Growth Strategem
Review: Based upon the theory that you are interested in the individual growth of each Christian within the church, I can recommend this book. If you are attempting to just follow a formula and see more people show up - then skip it. The basis of Rev. Warren's book is about growth within the church in the following 5 biblical purposes: worship,discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and evangelism. The attention to detail contained within this book can seem frightful but it shows the depth that Rev. Warren went to in planning and planting Saddleback Church. Rather than being haphazard and letting anything happen that may - this model allows us alos to address areas of concern that we may tend to overlook. But remember that this is not a "cookie cutter" model for growing a church that will work exactly the same way in every situation and circumstance! Read this book with an open mind and then allow God to speak to you and make the changes necessary to promote growth in your specific instance. Most importantly, put the Word of God into people's lives!
Rating:
Summary: I'm Sure It's Meant To Help, But
Review: I see alot of churches popping up based off this book and I have even attended. But I've noticed that many are trying to be "pop" churches, some to the effect of making the church seem cheap. And they are all looking more to this book than the actual Bible, which should be the real insperation for church building.
Rating:
Summary: Adopting North American Culture Both Good and Bad
Review: There has been a movement among missionaries and mission boards to encourage indigenous churches rather than merely exporting our culture to the rest of the world. The argument runs that the Gospel must always be enfleshed or embodied in a people and its culture. We cannot deny that the Good News of Jesus Christ must be spoken in particular human languages. Forcing Africans to worship like Scotsmen, does a disservice to African culture and the Gospel. As I read Rick Warren's book, the Purpose Driven Church, I thought about this current trend in mission. Whether we like it or not, Rick Warren's Saddleback Church is a church indigenous to Southern California at the end of the twentieth century. Warren has attempted to translate the Gospel into the language of young, suburban professionals. As Paul quoted Stoic poets on Mars Hill, Rick Warren can comfortably quote Peter Drucker and utilize the marketing techniques of Starbucks. Anyone interested doing ministry in this culture can learn something from this book, especially if we take Rick Warren at his word--"Read this book like you'd eat fish: Pick out the meat and throw away the bones" (pg 71). That being said, there is a danger. As the Gospel is expressed in culture, it must also critique the culture. Our sinfulness is pervasive, and the Gospel should expose the evils of our culture for what they are. Rick Warren subtitles his book, "Growth Without Compromising Your Message and Mission," but on several instances he compromises the Good News to the culture. For example, we live in a self-segregated society. We routinely segregate white from black, rich from poor, and young from old. The Purpose Drive Church perpetuates these separation by slavishly focusing on target audiences. A church filled with only Saddleback Sams and Samanthas are a betrayal to Pentecost where "your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" (Acts 1:17-21). Rick Warren may suggest that Saddleback is only part of the greater Church. Others may be called to evangelize other target audiences. He states, "I feel right at home with entrepreneurial businessmen, managers, and professions. In fact, I've noticed that they are attracted to my ministry. It's nothing I planned, it's just the way God wired me" (pg 176). Perhaps that is true, but it reminds me of an observation that a friend made in seminary, "Isn't amazing that God calls so many people to pastor affluent, white suburban churches?" We also live in a competitive culture which is inherently results-oriented. On occasion Rick Warren seems to replace the grace of God with a works-righteousness preached by the culture. In the beginning of the book, the author writes, "Only God makes the church grow" (pg 14). Later however, he uses the Bible's teaching on fruitfulness as a guilt trip. He states, "God expects both faithfulness and fruitfulness" (pg 62). Although he quotes from John 15, nothing is made of Jesus' admonition: "He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing." Fruitfulness grows out of faithfulness. Moreover, Rick Warren exclusively defines fruitfulness as conversions: "The fruit of a believer is another believer" (pg 63). There is no mention of the fruit of the Spirit. Rick Warren seems to imply that churches which are not growing, must not be bearing any fruit. Rick Warren does have some important things to say. I appreciate his desire to move Christians beyond membership and into ministry and mission. Three cheers for his statement: "I believe that you measure the health or strength of a church by its sending capacity rather than its seating capacity" (pg 32). Nonetheless, while reaching out to the culture, the Purpose Driven Church should beware becoming too much like the culture.
Rating:
Summary: PRACTICAL
Review: I've been in the ministry for 12 years and most of that time felt lost in terms of allowing God to grow His church. I would pray and seek His face, but it just seemed that when things would happen, it would kinda happen haphazardly. Purpose Driven church gave me the tools to think through and be intentional about the purposes of the church. It provided an important model for me to be proactive in helping the church do what it is called to do. Thanks Rick! P.S. (...)
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