Here is the story in a nutshell: David Cox was pushing the Purpose Driven Church (Warrenism) on the congregation at First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla.
When a document (below) was passed out around the church, Cox went into full attack mode (al la Warrenism) and claimed that the congregation was being duped. (or worse, read his attack on the facts at this link )
"But perhaps you have been duped by such a piece of
propaganda. I believe when most people consider this document for what it really
says, they will re-think being associated with it because of its lack of theological,
historical, and practical foundation. It simply has no doctrinal basis." (Cox)
Here is the document in question.
In the past ten(10) years a lot of churches in America and in other countries have
changed from a traditional New Testament church model to a contemporary
Purpose Driven model...most with sorrowful pitiful results.
Contrary to Purpose Driven Church propaganda millions have been leaving their
churches after the change occurred. Thousands of churches have split, closed, or
had significant reductions in attendance. Hundreds of pastors have been fired after
insisting on the change to a PDC model.
Most churches, after having a brief upsurge in growth, either reverted back to
their original size or suffered church trauma by introducing the PDC model in
their congregation.
It is important that EVERY church member know if their church is targeted for a
PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH takeover. Initially a small clique of church staff
including the pastor plans the change without telling the rest of the church
membership.
Church transitions(a PDC training arm) trains the clique initiating the change in
eight (8 steps. The church is not to be informed of the transitions until the fourth
(4) step. After the sixth (6) step in the process of change if there are some
members in the church who voice concerns the following is suggested:
#1- Identify those who are resisting the changes
#2- Assess the effectiveness of their opposition
#3- Befriend those who are undecided about changes
#4- Marginalize more persistent resisters or questioners
#5- Vilify those who stay and fight
#6- Establish new rules that will silence all resistance
This usually means that the church membership is not told until it is too late to
make a difference. In other words, the church is stolen.
Then the members either accept the changes or leave the church.
Rick Warren author and director of the PDC movement says, "When you reveal
the vision to the church the old pillars are going to leave. But let them leave...they
only hold things up."
So what are the signs that your church is targeted for a PDC change?
#1- Change in music to a contemporary rock style.
#2- Removal of hymn books...often words on a screen.
#3- Eliminating the choir or introducing a choral "entertainment type" singing
group. Repetitive praise lyrics
are used.
#4- Replacing the organ/piano with heavy metal type instruments.
#5- Dressing down to casual informal attire.
#6- Eliminating business meetings, church committees, council of elders, board
of deacons or other
traditional leadership groups.
#7- The pastor with a few assistants (usually four) take charge of all church
business.
#8- A repetitive 40 day PDC study program stressing psychological relationships
with each other, the
community and the world.
#9- Funded budgeted programs are abandoned or ignored with 'hidden' line items
in financial reports.
#10-Sunday morning, evening, and/or Wednesday prayer meetings are changed
to other times, named
differently or eliminated.
#11-Sunday School teachers are moved to different classes or replaced by new
teachers more sympathetic
with the changes being implemented.
#12-The name "Sunday School" is usually dropped and classes are given new
names.
#13-Crosses and other traditional Christian symbols may be moved, removed, or
put in obscure places.
#14-New versions of the Bible are used. Verses are flashed on the screen.
#15-PDC videos are shown prior to, during or after a service.
#16-The decor may be changed to eliminate any resemblance to the 'former
church'.
#17-The name "church" is often removed and may be called a "campus".
Denominational names are often
removed.
#18-An emphasis on more fun and party times for the youth.
#19-Elimination of altar calls or salvation invitations.
#20-The elimination of such words as "unsaved" "lost" "hell" "heaven"
"abortion" "sodomy".
#21-Reclassification of the saved and lost to the "churched" and "unchurched"
#22-The marginalizing or ostracrizing of all who are not avid promoters of the
new PDC program.
#23-Closed meetings between pastor, certain staff, and selected leaders without
any accountability to the
general membership.
#24-Open hostility to members who do not openly embrace the new program or
who may have left for
another church.
Recognize any of this? Many say it's too late when you get to step #4 in the first
section. May be. But don't forget;
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind." II Tim. 1:7
[portions of the above were provided by the research dept. of the Southwest Radio
Ministries, Bethany, Okl.]
PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH takeover. Initially a small clique of church staff
including the pastor plans the change without telling the rest of the church
membership.
Church transitions(a PDC training arm) trains the clique initiating the change in
eight (8 steps. The church is not to be informed of the transitions until the fourth
(4) step. After the sixth (6) step in the process of change if there are some
members in the church who voice concerns the following is suggested:
#1- Identify those who are resisting the changes
#2- Assess the effectiveness of their opposition
#3- Befriend those who are undecided about changes
#4- Marginalize more persistent resisters or questioners
#5- Vilify those who stay and fight
#6- Establish new rules that will silence all resistance
This usually means that the church membership is not told until it is too late to
make a difference. In other words, the church is stolen.
Then the members either accept the changes or leave the church.
Rick Warren author and director of the PDC movement says, "When you reveal
the vision to the church the old pillars are going to leave. But let them leave...they
only hold things up."
So what are the signs that your church is targeted for a PDC change?
#1- Change in music to a contemporary rock style.
#2- Removal of hymn books...often words on a screen.
#3- Eliminating the choir or introducing a choral "entertainment type" singing
group. Repetitive praise lyrics
are used.
#4- Replacing the organ/piano with heavy metal type instruments.
#5- Dressing down to casual informal attire.
#6- Eliminating business meetings, church committees, council of elders, board
of deacons or other
traditional leadership groups.
#7- The pastor with a few assistants (usually four) take charge of all church
business.
#8- A repetitive 40 day PDC study program stressing psychological relationships
with each other, the
community and the world.
#9- Funded budgeted programs are abandoned or ignored with 'hidden' line items
in financial reports.
#10-Sunday morning, evening, and/or Wednesday prayer meetings are changed
to other times, named
differently or eliminated.
#11-Sunday School teachers are moved to different classes or replaced by new
teachers more sympathetic
with the changes being implemented.
#12-The name "Sunday School" is usually dropped and classes are given new
names.
#13-Crosses and other traditional Christian symbols may be moved, removed, or
put in obscure places.
#14-New versions of the Bible are used. Verses are flashed on the screen.
#15-PDC videos are shown prior to, during or after a service.
#16-The decor may be changed to eliminate any resemblance to the 'former
church'.
#17-The name "church" is often removed and may be called a "campus".
Denominational names are often
removed.
#18-An emphasis on more fun and party times for the youth.
#19-Elimination of altar calls or salvation invitations.
#20-The elimination of such words as "unsaved" "lost" "hell" "heaven"
"abortion" "sodomy".
#21-Reclassification of the saved and lost to the "churched" and "unchurched"
#22-The marginalizing or ostracrizing of all who are not avid promoters of the
new PDC program.
#23-Closed meetings between pastor, certain staff, and selected leaders without
any accountability to the
general membership.
#24-Open hostility to members who do not openly embrace the new program or
who may have left for
another church.
Recognize any of this? Many say it's too late when you get to step #4 in the first
section. May be. But don't forget;
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind." II Tim. 1:7
[portions of the above were provided by the research dept. of the Southwest Radio
Ministries, Bethany, Okl.]
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