Face it, no one loves you as much as you do. I think another piece of this is removing the chasm between those who are called to ministry and those who are laypeople. So, when a Christian recovery program misuses and abuses Scripture, I see a secular program with a veneer of Christianity. We all have a calling. The Southern Baptist Convention on Tuesday ousted its second-largest congregation Saddleback Church, the renowned California megachurch founded by pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren for having a woman pastor. Pastors have to look people in the eye and challenge them to step up and serve. I do think in many cases, and this is just my opinion, that God is working in spite of the megachurch to accomplish His will. Most Christians couldnt even accept that fact because their church isnt talking about Revelation nor are they looking at the world with a Biblical world view. Im not sure if you understand what straining gnats and swallowing camels means. This, obviously, makes it secular for all intents and purposes. Of course your theology probably believes that battle is futile because your sovereign uncaring god had already condemned all but those who believe as you to hell anyway. Everyone has rights to opinions but its not necessary to have to post them. Your opinion can influence someone who possibly is thinking about attending church to the first time, and discouraging them. However, I will say that my husband is the pastor of a small, rural Baptist church in Wisconsin. https://thesetapartwalk.com/why-i-wont-apologize-for-calling-out-false-teachers/. Paul celebrated that even those that preached out of selfishness didnt matter; the gospel was moving forward! Holy Communion!!!! But I find it likely that Rick Warrens retirement makes it easier for people who have long wanted Saddleback out to pursue it. Well, Southern Baptists dont approve of female pastors becausethe Bible. Before launching Replenish, Lance served twenty years as a senior pastor and six years as an executive/teaching pastor at Saddleback Church. So what about Methodist Church, Gay woman Pastors? I sincerely hope you see this as a fair question. We can always cloak it in God talk so that it sounds spiritual, but the truth is that personal ambition or an unhealthy need for significance is what really drives us. Now let me add one caveat. God bless you. I could go on. This is why Warren's church would have fallen apart; because the church is devoid of Christ. Stay strong and keep the faith in Jesus. My job as the pastor of discipleship was to lead the campaign for Saddleback. How does a person get saved? Simply put, Im a Bible-believing Christian woman. (Though, I admit to using sarcasm. Did you read the post or just the title? All that means is Rick Warren does a poor job of interpreting the Word. All that said, women can teach anyone in many circumstances, and I agree the Bible gives multiple examples of God using women for great things. A grieving teen. And a pastors calling is no better because he stands up front on the platform. I think its part of acknowledging our limits; God gives us permission to stop, even though theres still more that could be done. CR has twelve steps like AA, but now each step has a tacked-on Bible verse. On the other hand, you cant skip fundamentals like the seriousness of sin, Hell, and repentance and still be sharing the whole gospel. So, once again, we see a poorly given gospel message with more focus on Saddlebacks product than anything else. If you believe that women can and/or should be pastors, I ask you to flip your method of interpreting the Word. Also, congratulations on your sobriety. Go back to your white washed sepulcher where you and your associates are most comfortable. As I said, earlier, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has given this church carte blanche to do whatever suits Warren. Rick changed the culture of the community where he lives, and theres nothing that makes a backward Baptist angrier than the church growth success of someone like Rick Warren. Im not sure people even know them when they see them. God bless! Have you run across that? Judging a minister who has sacrificed so much to enrich peoples lives with the gospel of Christ is disturbing to me. 15 reviews of Saddleback Church "Such a great campus and wonderful community to build relationships with one another. Weve thought, Im supposed to be available 24/7. What church do you attend? Hey Charles. Each person is different and comes at the teaching from their own history, personality, etc. I was on a fast track to a similar fate, but salvation through Jesus led to my sobriety. But that doesnt give the ministry a free pass on its areas of weakness or disobedience to the Word (e.g., ordaining women). I will do everything I can to help that appeal process. Can you imagine a minister who refused to benefit financially from the sales of his Purpose Driven Life book, a minister who does reverse tithing, giving 90% of his income and keeping 10%? In addition to the excellent help that Lance shared in his interview, you might be interested in reading the following CareLeader.org articles: That may sound cynical. Pastor Rick Warren, who founded . You sound more like a Rick Warren super fan than a Christian concerned about sound biblical teaching. Hi, Im Julie. Its right there. Its not minor to openly and unrepentantly disobey Gods Word by ordaining female pastors. (https://thesetapartwalk.com/why-i-wont-apologize-for-calling-out-false-teachers/) If you dont want to read my take on it because Im obviously not your cup of tea, then Google it. Challies gives an example of Warren using Job 22:21, Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Warren uses this verse in a positive way in his book. I have read this post over and over again because I want to take any critical comments I receive seriously and to check my tone. A Southern Baptist pastor on thinking, talking and praying about the recent sex abuse scandal. If anything, you didnt go far enough, but you were 100% correct. Im not hammering anyone. I understand.) You then went on to tell me what kind of posts I should be posting instead and how to correct my post to make it more palpable to you. That is sin. But by the end of the 2030s, the controversy will melt into consensus. Its an addictions ministry Julie, do you want people to overcome addiction or not? I pray for him and other pastors often. Regardless, most addicts in recovery realize they need god to stay in recovery and a new journey with the lord begins. The accusation there is that I take great pains to avoid minor infractions/offenses, but I accept big sins. I agree with you Pepper. 3. Tim Challies, however, was not impressed with The Purpose Driven Life, and he wrote a thoughtful review on it. If you, however, find theres a lack of content you want to read, then I suggest you start a blog and share what you want to see on the internet. Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, shared his displeasure on Twitter, writing that the decision to "disfellowship" Saddleback was not about. There is so many different Churches(Buildings ,with preaching going on).What about Catholic Nuns? I would appreciate any input. Give people a simple step. You are 100% correct! How did you learn that you would be appointed one of the first female pastors for Saddleback Church? I always used the excuse that this was just for a season. Sabbath to me is different than a day off. I mention this because its a bit inconsistent to tell me I can have my opinion, but in the next breath, tell me if and how I should share it Here is the Associated Press:. Im Julie. Never mind He died on a cross because of our terrible, damning sin and He created the world out of nothing. False conversions are real, and the risk only gets more significant when the church is loose on exegetical teaching or waters down the gospel. After leaving Saddleback, Lance started a ministry called Replenish to help pastors care for themselves as they do the work of ministry. In Romans 16:1, Paul mentions Phoebe, a female deacon or servant in the church. Lance Witt, who served twenty years as a senior pastor and six years as an executive/teaching pastor at Saddleback Church, shares insights on how pastors can prevent burnout and not make some of the same mistakes he feels he made. God created Adam first and then Eve. The New York Times Bestseller, The Purpose Driven Life, is beloved. I understand how overwhelming addiction is and how impossible it can feel to overcome. Im actually a little excited about Saddleback ordaining women because this gives the SBC no choice but to address female preaching. Your opinion couldve prevented someone from finding God. We fail, and the gospel is the good news that Jesus has offered us as the way to be reconciled to God. Its quite instructive. I assume you see me, and others like me, as judgmental and mean. Also, I recommend that we be careful about accepting any ministrys recorded decisions for Christ. I left the website knowing that I have a place to have purpose, and Rick Warren is peachy keen. He was buried and resurrected 3 days later, defeating death and offering us the free gift of salvation. I find myself regularly reminding pastors that before God made them pastors, He made them people. Its actually a really good question. Saddleback Church says Andy Wood cleared by preliminary investigation. Would a couple of paragraphs have been fair? Although Paul discouraged women having overt, authoritative involvement in the church, he acknowledges the female workers in the church and their efforts to further the message of Christ. Unlike all other gods, though, Jesus is real and rose from the grave 3 days later. If not, why not? Because like a lot of pastors, I grew up with an always be available mentality, without many boundaries or limits. You can find detailed answers to those questions on the My Testimony and What Is The Set-Apart Walk pages. He is not the cause of your problems and poor choices. I wonder how many poor souls were freed from addiction by their ministry? Not everyone likes that form of humor. One of the biggest problems in the Church today is tolerance of false teachers. People are not perfect nor are churches. Saddleback Church, founded by Pastor Rick Warren and his wife, Kay, in 1980, announced on Facebook that on May 6 it had ordained three women as ministers in a "historic night." On Mother's Day, which fell three days after Saddleback's ordination, the Sunday morning online message was given by Kay Warren. Warren uses a lot of Bible verses in The Purpose Driven Life, but he consistently engages in eisegesis. I attended Saddleback for many years but so happy to now be in a church that teaches the Bible in depth, verse by verse. Also, although you might feel like Im being judgmental, its necessary. If there are 47,000 Southern Baptist churches and 20 years from now you only have 20,0000 men who want to be pastors, there are going to be some tough decisions to be made. Thanks for having an open mind and not assuming I am coming at things with bad intentions. You can read my post on this if youre curious. You made a good point. Thank you. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. A generation ago, a pastor was the only voice in his community. We should all avoid proof texting. The Southern Baptist Church Executive Committee announced it will oust five churches for having female pastors, including one of the largest churches in the convention, California's Saddleback . Filed Under: All Posts, Work/life balance Tagged With: effective care ministry, Lance Witt, self care, work life balance, GriefShare equips lay people to care for grieving people. On June 2, Saddleback announced Wood as Warren's successor after Warren's more than four decades of service as the church's lead pastor. Paul was crucified for sticking to the Faith. You say that you were saved in CR, but youre not demonstrating a very Christlike attitude towards me. You are full of ugliness and pride. My issue with Saddleback Church has nothing to do with nonessential issues. CareLeader.org helps you provide biblical and compassionate pastoral care. Instead you should feel bad for Warren. A true Church of the living God with Christ as the head will thrive in any situation. How can you get involved? Deborah Netburn covers faith, spirituality and joy for the Los Angeles Times. Have people been saved at Saddleback? No content on this site may be reused in any fashion without written permission. Thanks for leaving a comment. Difficult is to recognize your own mistakes.