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Summary: A Lifechanging Book- For Every Biblical Church Leader
Review: I have over 2,000 books in my personal library on the Bible, theology, and ministry. But if I had to choose just one book that has made the biggest difference in my life it would be The Purpose Driven Church. It has challenged me, convicted me, encouraged me, and inspired me to love Jesus more and rededicate my life to serving his church. Rick Warren's passion for a scriptural basis for everything bleeds through every page. There is so much biblical wisdom in this book I've had to reread it three times.
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Summary: OK - buts lacks Biblical Depth
Review: I give Mr. Warren credit for his apparent zeal to bring the lost into the church and into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, although he often states that his 5 purposes are what the Bible says are to be the central purposes of the church - the book lacks a chapter in which the Bible is used to exegetically prove that this is the case. It's not a book I would reccomend but I wouldn't say "dangerous - stay away" either.
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Summary: NOTHING BETTER NOR MORE BIBLICAL!
Review: I wish I'd had this book when I began my ministry. It is the best biblical tool I've ever read for reaching, growing, training, and sending out people to fulfill God's purpose in the world. I thank God for the truth of His Word that is so clearly communicated here.
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Summary: Good stuff. A must read for every pastor.
Review: Good stuff. A must read for every pastor who desires to see their chruch grow.
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Summary: Good book for discovering where your church is now and then.
Review: Rick Warren is great at sharing what worked for his church and quick to say that it might not be what works for your church. It is a good book for definitions and explainations. I recommend it for any pastor who seeks to understand this subject more. My only concern to anyone who reads this is for them NOT to put this before what the Bible says about church growth. I've seen that happen because of this book, but that was only because the people who read the book mis-read what Rick Warren had to say.
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Summary: The First book on Church Growth.
Review: If I could only have one book on church growth - this would be it. Pastor Warren speaks from experience - no hypotheticals here. The Purpose Driven Church explains practical strategies for church growth that are always connected to the purpose of the church. This book is outstanding and should be read be every church leader regardless of denominational affiliation.
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Summary: A LIFE CHANGING BOOK!
Review: I cannot say enough about this book. If followed, it would revolutionize Christianity and bring thousands to Christ. It changed my life and the life of our congregation. Get it! Read it! Pray over it! Apply it! Then watch God work!
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Summary: and according to basic aerodynamics, humming birds can't fly
Review: While if followed, the principles Rick Warren outlines in this book will cause church growth, it is important to remember that is not really the point. Growth instead seems to be axiomatic to the guiding principle that he sets forth and which seems contrary to most church growth books. He relies on building the church into a healthy church and believes that growth will come from that. Apparently, he's right. By the way, in response to Jason's review, I did check out each and every Scriptural referance and while I would admit there were a few stretches in there, there is nothing I would deem problematical. An excellent resource!
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Summary: The best and most helpful book I've ever read on the church.
Review: This book should be required reading by every pastor, church leader, and member. It is a classic. It is a seminary education in one volume. In fact, it is being used as a textbook at my school.
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Summary: Warren's methods are usable for each Christian denomination
Review: I've been applying Rick Warren's methodology and life-application of leading a "Purpose Driven Church" for 4 years now. His insights are both contemplative for the spiritual shepherding walk of the Pastor as well as practical for the Pastor as administrator.Rick applies principles of Jesus and His character - to the 21st century mind and heart. I highly recommend his book. But even more, to the leader who's seeking to discover authenticity, I recommend you go to one of Rick's Purpose Driven Church conferences - and check him out in real life. I only wish that I had known what Rick is teaching, when I was in my first small rural congregation in North Dakota. Rick's pastoral leadership and congregational paradigms aren't just for larger churches. I'm spreading them to every pastor I meet - and most are stopping to listen because they are eager for practical experiments. I've applied Warren's classes and teachings using some adaptations of my own slants of theology, and when I change, God uses me to change my congregation. We've grown from 95 to 265 in attendance over the past three years, and expect the multiplication process to intensify as we continue to be more and more Purpose Driven - for Jesus sake. For myself as a mainline trained Pastor, I believe that Warren's theology is a challenge to do something with our Pastoral leadership lives, as radical as Jesus did with his - on the foundation of Grace. I believe that Rick Warren, without his even knowing it - is the Martin Luther of the New Millenium. He IS leading the way in encouraging Christians to go with what the Spirit is telling them in their hearts - when they admit that their traditions aren't something they can easily explain to their unchurched neighbors.
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