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June 23, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
I need your immediate help! Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 24), I will be teaching a message on HOW JESUS CHANGES US.
Most people are baffled by habits they can't change and circumstances they can't control. Part of the problem is that we don't understand the process Jesus uses to transform our lives so we find it hard to cooperate.
I will be speaking on HOW JESUS CHANGES US in the Worship Center at 4:00PM, Wednesday, and it will be broadcast live to hundreds of churches nationally. I want to ask you to come hear this message.
If you can get off work and spare 90 minutes, I'd appreciate your support! It is far easier for me to speak to a "live" audience of people I love instead of just a cold video camera. If you can show up, thank you in advance! A million thanks!
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E. Coalition
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Tuesday
June
23
2009
12:00 AM
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June 5, 2009
Could the revival happening at Saddleback spread nationally?
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
Dear Saddleback Family,
In January, during my "Recession or Revival?" weekend series, I pointed out that history often demonstrates the fact that difficult times are fertile ground for spiritual awakenings.
Whether in biblical days or in the past 400 years, when people feel like giving up, some look up to God. I announced that we needed to prepare ourselves for the possibility that God would send revival in our midst during this recession. We now see it happening at Saddleback! In the past 60 days, our church family has experienced the greatest period of revival in our 30 year history.
Revival is an often misused and misunderstood word. Many so-called "revivals" are just emotional spectacles fueled by promotion with little biblical basis or result. So let me explain and illustrate some (not all) of the marks of true revival:
TRUE REVIVAL BRINGS SALVATION & TRANSFORMED LIVES!
In April, we averaged over 40 people EVERY DAYcoming to Christ for salvation! Like the first church in Jerusalem, "the Lord added DAILY those who were being saved." Over 1,200 new adult believers were baptized in April alone! Saddleback members witness to their unsaved friends like no other congregation in America.
Recently I baptized over 800 adults on a single afternoon, spending nearly five hours in our baptism pool! I wish you could have heard the testimony of each transformed life.
TRUE REVIVAL BRINGS REPENTANCE & HOLY LIVING
The stories of confession, reconciliation, and commitment to the biblical disciplines of prayer, daily Bible reading, and humble acts of service have thrilled our hearts. Who will ever forget watching thousands of people nailing their lists of sins to a cross at our weekend service?
TRUE REVIVAL BRINGS SPECTACULAR GROWTH OF THE CHURCH!
Recently, over 2,600 people joined our church on aSINGLE DAY, committing to our membership covenant, and attending our four-hour Membership Class 101. We've offered Class 101 every month for 30 years and usually about 100 to 200 people attend and commit to our membership requirements. Imagine a membership class with 2,600 joining on one day!
50,334 people worshiped at one of our 46 Easter services. 45% of these people (not including the children in AllStars) were under 39 years of age. Pundits erroneously speculated why I cancelled two TV interviews with George Stephanopoulos and Mike Huckabee on Easter weekend, but I was simply overwhelmed with our 46 services and needed to conserve energy!
TRUE REVIVAL LEADS TO MINISTRY IN THE COMMUNITY
During these days of revival, 20,000 grocery bags were given out and you returned over 40 TONS OF GROCERIES to feed the poor, the widows, and orphans around us. During this recession, you've once again been a beacon of hope to our community. I wish you could read the thank-you letters from people who have never previously attended a church.
Over 30,000 of you are now ministering to your neighbors through our 4,000 plus small groups across 146 cities of Southern California. Our weekend series on "The Jesus Model" and our small group curriculum series, Wide Angle: A Christian Worldview, that Chuck Colson and I taped for you are reaping more changed lives in our communities.
TRUE REVIVAL LEADS TO GREATER MISSION AROUND THE GLOBE
No church in history has ever sent more members on mission around the world. On our recent 5th anniversary of the PEACE Plan we celebrated the 8,292 Saddleback members who've served overseas in the past five years. Saddleback mission teams have now served in 134 nations!
Then last weekend, 2,908 more families signed PEACE Commitment cards to GO and GIVE in the next 18 months. This will enable us to complete our 10 by 10 goals, including being the first local church in Christian history to literally obey Christ's command to "go to EVERY NATION" by the end of next year!
Why does God continue to bless Saddleback in unprecedented ways, and what would it take for this local revival to spread nationally?
Many factors contribute to God's continued blessing of Saddleback. Some are unexplainable, like God's sovereign grace, and others are the result of choices God's Spirit has led us to make. Obedience brings blessing. I could list a dozen factors but I'll only mention a couple:
WE REFUSE TO BE DISTRACTED FROM JESUS' PURPOSES FOR HIS CHURCH
For 30 years, we have kept a laser focus on the five biblical purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. We refuse to be distracted by secondary issues, legalistic bickering, misinformed accusations, or envious critics. "Avoid foolish arguments, stupid controversies, spiritual quarreling, quibbles, and conflicts. These are pointless and worthless" (Titus 3:9). "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). While others debate the church, we just DO it!
We have a BIBLICAL plan & PROCESS TO CARE FOR AND DEVELOP DISCIPLES TO full MATURITY, AND TO MOBILIZE THEM FOR MINISTRY & MISSION.
When God wants to bring a bumper crop of new baby believers into the world, he looks for the warmest incubator he can find. Most churches are unprepared to care for large numbers of new believers. Saddleback has a proven discipleship process that has brought tens of thousands to maturity. Most churches believe in discipleship but their only plan is to preach it. Since people forget 90-95% of what they hear within 72 hours, it takes far more than listening to exposition to develop a mature disciple. A national study by Lifeway revealed that churches using the Jesus Model discipleship process we learned from Jesus (from "come and see" to "come and die") are healthier, produce far more mature members, lead in generosity, and send more out on mission than just teaching churches.
WE DEEPLY LOVE LOST PEOPLE THE WAY JESUS DOES.
We are not afraid to associate with unbelievers or people we disagree with. You cannot win your enemies to Christ; you can only win your friends. So we purposefully build bridges of love to people so Jesus can walk across that bridge and save them. We don't view unbelievers as "the enemy" in a "culture war" rather we see them as the mission field and as people Jesus shed his blood for. We do not compromise our biblical convictions, but we do apologize if we act or saying anything in unloving ways.
We also do not expect unbelievers to act like believers until they have the power of Christ inside them. Laws and politics cannot transform hearts, which is why we refuse to be political activists. Jesus said "I did not come to condemn the world, but to save it." We want to have a Christlike ministry, which means we will be called "the friend of sinners" and will be attacked by modern day Pharisees and those who view everything in political terms. But the results are worth it: Over 22,000 new believers have been baptized in the past 10 years and we will spend eternity rejoicing with them!
Today I read again these words from my friend and mentor, John Stott: "The mistake the Pharisees made was worse than being a mistake about the meaning of holiness. It was actually a mistake about the very nature of God. They thought he avoided sinners, whereas God doesn't avoid sinners at all. God loves sinners. He comes after them! He went after them to the desolate agony of the Cross. He has come after them in the Holy Spirit, and he is pursuing them himself today!"
WE TAKE RISKS IN FAITH
While others splash around safely in the shallows of their comfortable church culture, you Saddleback members have always been willing to launch out into the deep where the big fish are. Our 30-year history has been one of attempting in faith what others fear to do. But where God guides, he provides. This year, we launched a risky new distribution channel to provide Bible study curriculum to church small groups nationwide. This "curriculum by subscription" (the 21st century version of the Sunday school quarterly) is The Purpose Driven Connection magazine. In a year when every other magazine is cutting back staff, we launched one - in a never-done-before format. The result? Churches worldwide are receiving solid small group materials and our second issue WON A PULITZER PRIZE for an article!
Friends, genuine revival is our only hope. Nothing else can heal our hearts, our families, our land, our world. That's why we're making an enormous effort to serve other churches this fall through a National Life's Healing Choices Campaign beginning in September. The eight principles of the Beatitudes of Jesus are the true path to recovery - whether personal or national recovery. Pray that other churches will join us in humbly following the path our Master has laid out in the Beatitudes. And pray that our efforts to serve other churches and small groups with this quarterly curriculum will result in transformed lives for the global glory of God!
It is a privilege to be your pastor. I love you with all my heart.
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E. Coalition
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Friday
June
05
2009
12:00 AM
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May 23, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
I am so eager to share this weekend's message with you: HOW JESUS HANDLED STRESS.
During our series on The Jesus Model the past few weeks, we've looked at How to Minister to Others Like Jesus Did (Luke 4) and How to Fulfill Your Mission the Way Jesus Commanded (Luke 10). If you take serious Christ's calling on your life, you will experience stress. Jesus said, "In the world you WILL have tribulation." Count on
it.
So invite a friend you know who is experiencing major stress to come with you to a Saddleback service this weekend - at San Clemente, Irvine, Corona, Laguna Woods, or even Lake Forest! See you this weekend!
Pastor Rick
P.S. THANK YOU for praying for our Pastor's Conference this week. Through all our connections we had thousands of pastors participating from around the world!
Tuesday
May
26
2009
12:00 AM
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
I will soon write you a full account of the amazing, incredible spiritual revival our church has experienced the last two weeks. Right now, I just want to send you this news flash:
Because of overwhelming requests from people wanting to be baptized and join Saddleback membership through Class 101 (“Discovering My Spiritual Family’), I will be co-teaching Class 101 and baptizing after Class 101- this Sunday afternoon!
1. If you missed the new Class 101 I just taught (where 2400 people joined Saddleback and about 700 were baptized in a single day), THIS SUNDAY IS YOUR DAY TO JOIN & BE BAPTIZED!
2. This weekend, I’m speaking on “BETWEEN EDEN & ETERNITY: What on Earth Should I Be Doing?” This message is Part 2 of Making sense of Life’s Mysteries – but it is also the first session of the new version of 101 Membership Class.
So.... if you attend any service this weekend, you will have already completed session 1 of Class 101. That means, today’s Sunday afternoon Class 101 will be one hour shorter than normal.
Then, Pastor Tommy Hilliker and I will baptize those of you who couldn’t wait in the long line for baptism a week ago.
THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON!
Lake Forest Campus in Tent 3
CLASS 101 with Pastor Rick & Pastor Tommy
3 pm to 6:15 pm
BAPTISM with Pastor Rick & Pastor Tommy
6:30 pm
You’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. What are you waiting on?
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
PS: You can sign up for Class 101 or baptism on a Response Card this weekend!
Saturday
April
18
2009
12:00 AM
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Dear Saddleback Family,
We only need about 600 more people to register TODAY for CLASS 101, to put us over the top and make world history with a 3,000 person Class 101.
Click here and sign up NOW to be a part of the greatest day in Saddleback history this Saturday!
PLEASE help us! Don't procrastinate. Sign up right now.
We love you, we are proud of you, and we want YOU in our church family!
Come on! The whole community is excited now! Everybody pray.
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E. Coalition
Saddleback Church calls on believers to make history
Church hopes to bring 3,000 new members into the flock this Saturday.
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
The Orange County Register
Thursday, March 26, 20009
LAKE FOREST - In what Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren calls historical, the church hopes to bring 3,000 new members into its flock this Saturday morning.
"I'm not sleeping much. I'm too excited," the megachurch's pastor wrote in an e-mail to his congregation this week. "THIS SATURDAY, March 28, will be THE GREATEST DAY in Saddleback's history. OVER 2,000 people have already signed up to become members of our church family on a single day."
Citing the Bible, Warren challenges prospective believers to match the 3,000 who were baptized 2,000 years ago on the day of Pentecost. "If you'll join us this weekend, history could be repeated at Saddleback," he said.
"I was asked, 'Rick, if you could wish for anything to celebrate your 30 years of service at Saddleback, what would you dream of?' I said, to experience a repeat of Pentecost - and see 3,000 people affirm their faith and join our church family on a single day.' "
It is also the first time Warren, pastor of the 22,000-member Lake Forest Church, will be teaching the membership class known as Saddleback 101 in 10 years. For the first 20 years of the church history, Warren taught every one of these classes. This Saturday is called "Breakfast, Baptism, and Class 101 with Pastor Rick." "This is the largest class I've ever been a part of!" said Jim Wall, electrical engineer who is the class' volunteer coordinator. One very important expectation is that members serve in ministry. "My life changed when I took Class 101," said Wall. "God used it to help me understand more of what he intended in a relationship. I learned the difference between ritual and a relationship with God."
The class runs for four hours and introduces people to the fundamentals of the Christian faith. It also includes an extensive history of the church. It makes a call to the new members and reminds them that being a church member involves commitment and expectations.
Church leaders believe that the current economy and the stress people feel in their lives because of it may be a reason there seems to be a groundswell of believers joining Saddleback now. "Stress serves the purpose of softening our hearts and humbling us," said Wall. "The greatest victory is when stress opens doors to people's hearts to something better - that being a relationship with god through Christ. God can work a victory out of a financial crisis just as he does out of any crisis."
Dorothy De Mare, 62, from Petaluma flew down just to be baptized again. "I heard Pastor Warren speak, and he invited everyone to be baptized," she said. "I decided to come back down because it was a lovely invitation. My brother reminded me that Christians need to be re-baptized as adults, the way Jesus was baptized."
The class starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and will be held in the church's main worship center, 1 Saddleback Parkway in Lake Forest. More information is available at www.saddleback.com. |
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Friday
March
27
2009
12:00 AM
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Dear Saddleback Family,
I'm not sleeping much. I'm too excited.
THIS SATURDAY, March 28, will be THE GREATEST DAY in Saddleback's history.
OVER 2,000 people have already signed up to become members of our church family on a single day! They're joining me for:
BREAKFAST, BAPTISM & CLASS 101 WITH PASTOR RICK THIS SATURDAY AT 8:30 AM TO NOON IN THE WORSHIP CENTER.
SIGN UP TODAY!
Two thousand years ago - the Day of Pentecost was the first day of the Christian Church. Acts 2:41 tells us, "About 3,000 people were baptized and joined the church that day." If you'll join us this weekend, history could be repeated at Saddleback! Want to make history?
Which of these requirements do you need to complete this Saturday?
1. Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Click here to learn more.
2. Attend Class 101: Discovering Your Church Family. Sign up.
3. Sign our membership covenant (explained in class).
4. Be baptized the way Jesus commanded and modeled for us.
(Many of us were baptized as kids on our parent's faith. Jesus modeled believer's baptism at age 30 when he was baptized in the Jordan River) It would be my privilege to baptize you after Class 101.
YOU CAN FINISH ALL 4 REQUIREMENTS IN ONE DAY - THIS SATURDAY!
EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN THIS SATURDAY & NOT PROCRASTINATE:
1. I'm personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years.
2. I'm personally baptizing after Class and you'll receive a photo & baptism certificate.
3. You'll get a free one year subscription to Purpose Driven Connection magazine. (Never offered before)
4. You'll get free copy of The Purpose Driven Church book.
5. Your name will be included in the historical list of Saddleback Pioneer Members who joined in our first 30 years. (This Easter is our 30th Easter and I want you included in this list.)
6. The class is 1 hour shorter than normal. You can watch session 3 here online now.
7. You'll be a part of making Christian history! The largest membership class ever!
8. We love you & want you in our family. There is no good reason to procrastinate.
I was asked, "Rick, If you could wish for anything to celebrate your 30 years of service at Saddleback, what would you dream of?" I said, "To experience a repeat of Pentecost - and see 3,000 people affirm their faith and join our church family on a single day." Will you be a part of making this a reality?
Just do 2 things:
1. Sign up for this Saturday by clicking here.
2. Watch the session 3 video!
This is going to be fun. You're the greatest. See you Saturday!
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E. Coalition
Wednesday
March
25
2009
12:00 AM
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Thursday
March
19
2009
12:00 AM
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February 13, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
I've got a lot to share with you.
One of my goals for you in 2009 is to strengthen you with the good news to counteract all the bad news we're hearing. During our "Year of Getting Connected" I'll be intentionally building your spiritual foundation systematically, week after week. I want you to be UNSHAKABLE! That's why it is absolutely important for you to hear every message this year, even when you miss a service. You need every brick in this foundation to weather this economic storm.
So if you've missed any of my previous 4 messages, you need to take the time to click on each of the links below and watch these messages. It's for your good and growth.
DON'T MISS ANY OF THESE RECENT MESSAGES. WATCH THESE THEN FORWARD THEM TO YOUR FRIENDS:
What Will Heal America? Explains God's three guaranteed promises to turn your situation around IF you follow his four instructions.
A Prayer For Our Nation: shares the six steps to personal, financial, emotional, and national renewal. It also explains the biblical basis behind every sentence I prayed at the Inauguration.
The Prayer of Connection: (Part 1 of the Lord's Prayer series Connecting with God). Many of your hang-ups with God stem from your problems with your own father. But when you know the answer to, "What Kind of Father is God?" you'll love and trust Him. Transforming!
The Prayer of Surrender: Jesus' four strategies for eliminating the stress of uncontrollable circumstances, uncooperative people, and unexplainable pain. Here's the full Serenity Prayer.
THIS WEEKEND: I'm teaching The Prayer of Dependence. "Give us this day our daily bread" (It's God's antidote to your anxieties.) Last year we lost 3 million jobs in America and we'll lose at least that many more in 2009. In January alone, over 650,000 Americans lost their jobs. We're headed into a depression and the solution for you is neither in Washington, nor Wall Street, but the WORD, and trusting God for your needs.
Feb. 21-22: The Prayer of Cleansing: "Forgive us our trespasses..." (God's grace for your guilt)
Feb. 28- Mar. 1: The Prayer of Release: "As we forgive those who trespass against us" (God's healing for your hurts)
Mar. 7-8: The Prayer of Protection: "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil" (God's protection for your problems)
Mar. 14-15: The Prayer of Blessing: "For thine is the kingdom... power.... glory..." (God's solution to your struggles)
WE HEARD YOU! I'm already making changing based on your feedback last weekend to my "Question of the Week.
Last weekend, we began a new way to hear from you, a new weekly "Question of the Week." Between now and Easter, at the start of each service, we'll ask you one question for feedback. I want to hear from you! I need you to give me your brief suggestion by writing on a response card.
Last week's question was, "What would you like to see in our worship services?" Your suggestions were wonderful and we are going to start a number of new services and times based on your feedback! You'll have over two dozen times and styles to worship at Saddleback.
Of course, with our current 20+ venues and service times, none of our pastors, including me, could possibly speak live at all the services. But your feedback has told us that you learn as much from video teaching as 'live" teaching. Since you enjoy the different times and styles, we now feel confident in adding even more service times and styles of music!
With video teaching we can 1) offer more times to worship, 2) offer more styles of worship music, 3) offer smaller services for those who prefer them, 4) add special features (like in the next paragraph), and 5) save millions of dollars by not having to build a giant building.
Two of the great suggestions you gave last week were 1) serve Communion every week, and 2) have a service where pastors can pray with individuals about personal needs. So, beginning this week, we're adding the Lord's Supper and prayer for any kind of healing to 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm Sunday evening services every week!
OUR SUNDAY 4:30 & 6:30 PM SERVICE BECOME HEALING SERVICES THIS WEEKEND!
With all the pain going on during this recession, you asked for this. So, If you've had a tough week and need encouragement.... if you'd like to take communion every week... if you'd like one of our pastors to pray for your hurts and healing - whether physical, financial, emotional, relational, or spiritual - these two Sunday evening services will now focus on that! You'll still receive my teaching on video, but in addition, I'm commissioning our pastors to pray personally for anyone who wants pray for their hurts. You may bring friends to pray and be prayed for at these two services. Sunday evenings will be high tech (video teaching) and high touch (pastors praying for you & communion.)
NEWS BITS
- One of the best commentaries on the Inaugural prayer was written by actor Chuck Norris! You can download a Commemorative Edition of the Inaugural prayer to save or share.
- The Purpose Driven Connection magazine is receiving great reviews. Wal-Mart sent us an update: 9,000 magazines sold in 3 days. Have you subscribed yet? Remember, through Saddleback you can subscribe for $19.99 instead of $29.99 and our profit as a church will go to the PEACE plan. I receive no income from this.
- This Saturday morning, I speak at the Los Angeles Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. Also the Chick-fil-A owners and managers are meeting in Long Beach, and Chick-fil-A is becoming a corporate partner in the PEACE plan!
- This weekend the National 40 Days of Love campaign launches across America. They will be using the DVD and curriculum from the PDC magazine. (While they are doing 40 Days, Saddleback is doing our "Connecting With God" series. Pray for all these churches as they begin the journey.
- The media is reporting that two things have risen in our down economy: attendance at churches and bars! Alcohol never solves problems; it only masks them and creates more problems. Your neighbors are dying for an invitation to church. The most loving thing you can do this Valentine's weekend is bring a friend or family with you to meet Jesus.
- By the way, can I brag about you? I am so proud of the spiritual maturity you're showing by continuing to faithfully tithe whatever you have in obedience to God in the midst of this economic uncertainty. It proves your maturity and how much you trust God. Online giving is a fantastic tool for building this spiritual habit. It's smart to tithe in a recession. God promises, "Bring your whole tithe to Me. Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and will protect your vines from losing their fruit in the time of drought." Malachi 3:10-11
- Every 2 months Saddleback Church works side-by-side with other churches and businesses in Compton to help restore the city. The next Workday in Compton is February 28th. We'll be painting homes, cleaning up parks, and transforming entire streets, while also restoring people on the inside through the formation of relationships with the wonderful people of Compton. Sign up and be a part of the transformation that's going on in Compton.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! As Paul wrote, "You know from watching me - my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith in Christ, my endurance, and my love for you!" 2 Tim. 3:10
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
Tuesday
February
24
2009
10:30 AM
|
February 13, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
I've got a lot to share with you.
One of my goals for you in 2009 is to strengthen you with the good news to counteract all the bad news we're hearing. During our "Year of Getting Connected" I'll be intentionally building your spiritual foundation systematically, week after week. I want you to be UNSHAKABLE! That's why it is absolutely important for you to hear every message this year, even when you miss a service. You need every brick in this foundation to weather this economic storm.
So if you've missed any of my previous 4 messages, you need to take the time to click on each of the links below and watch these messages. It's for your good and growth.
DON'T MISS ANY OF THESE RECENT MESSAGES. WATCH THESE THEN FORWARD THEM TO YOUR FRIENDS:
What Will Heal America? Explains God's three guaranteed promises to turn your situation around IF you follow his four instructions.
A Prayer For Our Nation: shares the six steps to personal, financial, emotional, and national renewal. It also explains the biblical basis behind every sentence I prayed at the Inauguration.
The Prayer of Connection: (Part 1 of the Lord's Prayer series Connecting with God). Many of your hang-ups with God stem from your problems with your own father. But when you know the answer to, "What Kind of Father is God?" you'll love and trust Him. Transforming!
The Prayer of Surrender: Jesus' four strategies for eliminating the stress of uncontrollable circumstances, uncooperative people, and unexplainable pain. Here's the full Serenity Prayer.
THIS WEEKEND: I'm teaching The Prayer of Dependence. "Give us this day our daily bread" (It's God's antidote to your anxieties.) Last year we lost 3 million jobs in America and we'll lose at least that many more in 2009. In January alone, over 650,000 Americans lost their jobs. We're headed into a depression and the solution for you is neither in Washington, nor Wall Street, but the WORD, and trusting God for your needs.
Feb. 21-22: The Prayer of Cleansing: "Forgive us our trespasses..." (God's grace for your guilt)
Feb. 28- Mar. 1: The Prayer of Release: "As we forgive those who trespass against us" (God's healing for your hurts)
Mar. 7-8: The Prayer of Protection: "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil" (God's protection for your problems)
Mar. 14-15: The Prayer of Blessing: "For thine is the kingdom... power.... glory..." (God's solution to your struggles)
WE HEARD YOU! I'm already making changing based on your feedback last weekend to my "Question of the Week.
Last weekend, we began a new way to hear from you, a new weekly "Question of the Week." Between now and Easter, at the start of each service, we'll ask you one question for feedback. I want to hear from you! I need you to give me your brief suggestion by writing on a response card.
Last week's question was, "What would you like to see in our worship services?" Your suggestions were wonderful and we are going to start a number of new services and times based on your feedback! You'll have over two dozen times and styles to worship at Saddleback.
Of course, with our current 20+ venues and service times, none of our pastors, including me, could possibly speak live at all the services. But your feedback has told us that you learn as much from video teaching as 'live" teaching. Since you enjoy the different times and styles, we now feel confident in adding even more service times and styles of music!
With video teaching we can 1) offer more times to worship, 2) offer more styles of worship music, 3) offer smaller services for those who prefer them, 4) add special features (like in the next paragraph), and 5) save millions of dollars by not having to build a giant building.
Two of the great suggestions you gave last week were 1) serve Communion every week, and 2) have a service where pastors can pray with individuals about personal needs. So, beginning this week, we're adding the Lord's Supper and prayer for any kind of healing to 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm Sunday evening services every week!
OUR SUNDAY 4:30 & 6:30 PM SERVICE BECOME HEALING SERVICES THIS WEEKEND!
With all the pain going on during this recession, you asked for this. So, If you've had a tough week and need encouragement.... if you'd like to take communion every week... if you'd like one of our pastors to pray for your hurts and healing - whether physical, financial, emotional, relational, or spiritual - these two Sunday evening services will now focus on that! You'll still receive my teaching on video, but in addition, I'm commissioning our pastors to pray personally for anyone who wants pray for their hurts. You may bring friends to pray and be prayed for at these two services. Sunday evenings will be high tech (video teaching) and high touch (pastors praying for you & communion.)
NEWS BITS
- One of the best commentaries on the Inaugural prayer was written by actor Chuck Norris! You can download a Commemorative Edition of the Inaugural prayer to save or share.
- The Purpose Driven Connection magazine is receiving great reviews. Wal-Mart sent us an update: 9,000 magazines sold in 3 days. Have you subscribed yet? Remember, through Saddleback you can subscribe for $19.99 instead of $29.99 and our profit as a church will go to the PEACE plan. I receive no income from this.
- This Saturday morning, I speak at the Los Angeles Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. Also the Chick-fil-A owners and managers are meeting in Long Beach, and Chick-fil-A is becoming a corporate partner in the PEACE plan!
- This weekend the National 40 Days of Love campaign launches across America. They will be using the DVD and curriculum from the PDC magazine. (While they are doing 40 Days, Saddleback is doing our "Connecting With God" series. Pray for all these churches as they begin the journey.
- The media is reporting that two things have risen in our down economy: attendance at churches and bars! Alcohol never solves problems; it only masks them and creates more problems. Your neighbors are dying for an invitation to church. The most loving thing you can do this Valentine's weekend is bring a friend or family with you to meet Jesus.
- By the way, can I brag about you? I am so proud of the spiritual maturity you're showing by continuing to faithfully tithe whatever you have in obedience to God in the midst of this economic uncertainty. It proves your maturity and how much you trust God. Online giving is a fantastic tool for building this spiritual habit. It's smart to tithe in a recession. God promises, "Bring your whole tithe to Me. Test me in this, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and will protect your vines from losing their fruit in the time of drought." Malachi 3:10-11
- Every 2 months Saddleback Church works side-by-side with other churches and businesses in Compton to help restore the city. The next Workday in Compton is February 28th. We'll be painting homes, cleaning up parks, and transforming entire streets, while also restoring people on the inside through the formation of relationships with the wonderful people of Compton. Sign up and be a part of the transformation that's going on in Compton.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! As Paul wrote, "You know from watching me - my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith in Christ, my endurance, and my love for you!" 2 Tim. 3:10
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
Friday
February
13
2009
12:00 AM
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February 6, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
With the reality of the recession everywhere, I'm searching for as many ways as possible to help you weather this storm. As your pastor, my goal is not just to help you cope and survive this downturn, but to help you come out of it spiritually stronger, relationally healthier, and financially steadier. Families support each other in times like these.
Sticking together is extremely important in a storm. A blizzard is no time to be a lone ranger. That's why mountain climbers link themselves to each other with connections and fasteners. Then, if the wind blows a member off a cliff, the others can pull him back to safety. We're always stronger together than by ourselves. That's why I've chosen our theme for 2009 to be "The Year of Connecting." All year long, we'll be rolling out nearly a dozen new "connections" - spiritual reinforcements that will connect you to God and others in a stronger way. hEre are the first 2 new connections for you:
 1. PURPOSE DRIVEN CONNECTION MAGAZINE. This is your indispensible index to everything we're preparing to help you with this year. Without a subscription, you'll miss all the helps, all the resources, all the tools, gifts, teaching, and events we've planned to strengthen you.
This week, the premiere issue of PDC magazine hit the newsstands. Wal-Mart was excited to sell over 3,000 issues on the first day! Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times also gave it positive coverage. Here at Saddleback, over 5,000 of our families subscribed the first week. Here are some of the early reactions:
I just got my first issue in the mail and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! As I read each article, HOPE surged within me!
Incredible! Wow! I just got my first issue and instantly decided to get subscriptions for my friends and family. This is an INCREDIBLE tool! I had no idea it would be this first class.
The magazine is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! World class writers, powerful stories, practical teaching, and the graphics are over the top! How can you include the small group DVD studies at such a low cost?
Thank you, thank you! PDC arrived in the mail and I immediately devoured it. It is PACKED with spiritual food! I've never see anything this good. This will be A HIT! I am so proud of our church.
PDC arrived just when I needed it. I pulled it out of my mailbox, read the table of contents, and started weeping.
Tell me how you like it when you get your first issue. rick@purposedriven.com
NOTE: Since we've already done 40 Days of Love (the first DVD), you get a 30% discount in subscribing. Subscribe now For $20! Give your 40 Days of Love DVD and study guide to a friend to watch!
2. MY SEVEN WEEK SERIES: "CONNECTING WITH GOD"
Every single phrase of The Lord's Prayer connects you to one of God's answers to the things that stress you most.
Last weekend: The Prayer of Connection
"Our Father....hallowed be your name"
God's Intervention for your Insecurities
Feb. 7-8 The Prayer of Surrender
"Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth...."
God's Cure for your Confusion
Feb. 14-15 The Prayer of Our Needs
"Give us this day our daily bread"
God's Antidote to your Anxieties
Feb 28 -The Prayer of Cleansing
"Forgive us our trespasses..."
God's Grace for your Guilt.
Mar. 7-8 The Prayer of Release
"As we forgive those who trespass against us"
God's Healing for your Hurts
Mar. 14-15 The Prayer of Safety
"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil"
God's Protection for your Problems
The Prayer of Blessing
For thine is the kingdom... power.... glory...
God's Solution to your Struggles
If you missed last Sunday, you can watch it here now.
Bring a friend with you this weekend.
Register for CLASS 101, 201, 301 or 401 this weekend.
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
Saturday
February
07
2009
12:00 AM
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January 30, 2009
Dear Saddleback Family,
Because of all the Inauguration attention last weekend, over 3,000 more people attended our services than usual. Get this: Your friends are more willing to come with you to Saddleback this weekend than ever before! Who do you care about and who do you intend to invite this weekend? Don’t waste this opportunity to share the name of Jesus.
THIS WEEKEND IS SUPER WEEKEND @ SADDLEBACK:
1. I begin “HOW TO CONNECT WITH GOD.”A series for seekers (& believers) based on the Lord’s Prayer. I had 5 reasons for praying the Lord’s Prayer at the Inauguration. First, I knew the words of Jesus would be far more significant than any I could pray. Second, it is the best known prayer on earth and I knew millions would pray with me. Third, the Lord’s Prayer had never been prayed at an inauguration. Fourth, I wanted the Lord’s Prayer preserved in the history books of the United States. Finally, the Lord’s Prayer contains everything we need to get through this recession! That’s what I’m going to talk with you about this weekend.
2. HAVE A SUPERBOWL PARTY with your small group this weekend and invite unchurched friends! Then bring those friends to a service either before or after your party. I’m expecting a great crowd on Sunday evening at 6:30 pm after the game. We’re inviting you to bring your children with you to the 4:30pm & 6:30pm Sunday service!
3. WOMEN! TONIGHT IS GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT! From 7pm to 9pm, inspiration for all women in our community. Special guest is Holly Wagner!!! Don’t miss this.
4. MEN! MEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE. This Friday evening through Sunday noon at Murrieta Hot Springs. Higher Allegiance 2009 will challenge you to live for a higher purposes, make higher sacrifices, and pursue the highest calling for the cause of Christ in this moment in history. Pray for 600 of our men who will be attending. Transformed man can transform our world. If you miss this, don’t miss our newest course: BEING GOD’S MAN IN TOUGH TIMES. Saturday mornings beginning February 7th at 7:00am in Rooms 401/404.
On my birthday this week, I was asked what I wished for my birthday: I said, “I wish every Saddleback attender will bring a friend on Super Weekend. That would be the best present I could possibly get!
Rick
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E. Coalition
P. S. Most people are unaware that I also prayed the opening prayer for President Bush’s inaugural events in 2005 (not the inaugural invocation). But no one considered that controversial.
Friday
January
30
2009
12:00 AM
|
January 24, 2008
Dear Saddleback Family,
You are the greatest church in the world!
THIS WEEKEND, I have so many thoughts, feelings, and insights to share with you. My heart is overflowing after speaking at Martin Luther King's church in Atlanta on MLK Day and then leading the nation in the Lord's Prayer at the Inauguration the next day.
I'll be speaking on "My Prayer for the Nation" (Part 2 of "Recession or Revival?"). The message is based on the prayer I gave in DC and the biblical basis behind each sentence. The prayer is actually 6 steps to national and personal revival.
I've got some "behind-the-scenes" things to share too.
THIS IS THE PERFECT WEEK TO BRING AN UNCHURCHED FRIEND TO CHURCH! They will be inspired. Don't miss the chance to make a friend for eternity.
After the Inauguration I was asked, "Hey Rick Warren - after leading the nation in prayer, what are you going to do now?" "I'M GOING TO SADDLEBACK!" I shouted.
I'll see you this weekend.
Saturday
January
24
2009
9:29 AM
|
Happy New Year to our Saddleback Family!
I will be teaching this weekend.
IN 2009: WILL YOU BUILD BRIDGES OR WALLS?
Too many immature Christians spend all their time taking pot-shots, belittling, and criticizing other believers who reach out to unbelievers, instead of doing what Jesus commanded us to do. Jesus repeatedly commanded that we love EVERYONE – even those we disagree with. Whenever I’m asked why I accept invitations to speak to non-Christian groups, my answer is, “It’s what Jesus would do!”
Mark 2:16-17 tells us that when the religious teachers saw Jesus associating with and befriending irreligious people – the so-called "sinners and tax collectors”, they asked Jesus’ followers, "Why does Jesus fellowship with unbelievers?" Jesus replied, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." I want to be like Jesus.
To be like Jesus, we MUST build bridges of love to people of no faith, to people of other faiths, and to people we disagree with. In contrast, prideful self-righteousness builds walls of fear, refuses to love, or even get to know those who believe differently, and then hurls accusations against those of us who do what Jesus commanded.
Never allow the fear of criticism to cause you to disobey what Christ tells you to do. Live for an audience of one. Last month, I attended a Jewish Sabbath service, a Catholic mass, spoke to a group of Muslims, and had a private conversation with a gay leader who is a friend – all in the same week. Why? Because God has never created anyone he doesn’t love. And Jesus died for the whole world and he wants everyone to know him. But before your neighbors can trust in Christ they usually have to trust you first. In this new year, I challenge YOU to start building bridges of love, instead of walls of fear. (One warning: bridge builders are always feared and criticized by wall builders.)
JAY LENO’S FUNNY SKIT ON SADDLEBACK’S “PEACE AWARD”
On December 1, World AIDS Day, we hosted a Saddleback Forum on Global Health in Washington DC. Kay and I interviewed President & Mrs. Bush, and I invited several world leaders to share their thoughts, including President-elect Barack Obama, Former President Bill Clinton, President Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, Former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, Bill and Melinda Gates, Bono, and Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, director of the Global Fund for AIDS.
Because over 2,000,000 lives have been saved by President Bush’s PEPFAR program (President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) our P.E.A.C.E. Coalition of churches presented to him the first International Medal of P.E.A.C.E. You can watch Jay Leno’s humor about this by clicking here. He mentions the PEACE Award about 3 minutes and 40 seconds into this clip.
BRINGING GOOD OUT OF BAD
It is always so amazing how God brings good out of bad. As you know, the media and bloggers have been attacking me incessantly and incorrectly for a month. (More on that later.) All of that attention resulted in the good news of salvation being put into the hands (through the Christmas book) into the ears and eyes (through our Christmas TV broadcast) of millions of people who might never step inside a church. “The Purpose of Christmas” book became the #2 New York Times Bestseller in December! Never forget that everything we do is all about connecting people to God and that Jesus loves and died for all those angry people who are attacking me. We will respond with nothing but love for them. We will out-love those who hate us. And if being insulted brings more people to Christ, so be it!
By the way, the phrase “Hate the sin and love the sinner” is NOT in the Bible. Instead, what God tells us to do is “Love EVERYBODY and hate my own sins.” That’s more biblical. Yes, there’s real evil and real good in the world. But the moment you start categorizing people into one of two groups you set yourself up for arrogance, self-righteousness, and harming others. The reality is that we are all a mixture, and we all think and do evil at times. That’s why we ALL need a Savior named Jesus.
THE REFINERY IS SUCCEEDING AS THE PLACE TO BRING YOUR FRIENDS TO MEET CHRIST!
This state-of-the-art building was designed to be a casual drop-in center for our unchurched community. It is working! I’ve got to share just ONE example: On a recent Friday evening, the Refinery was reserved for a women’s event led by Debbie Eaton, our outstanding Women’s Ministry Director. Early in the evening, 4 teenage boys arrived to use our Refinery Skate Park but found it closed due to the women’s event. So they decided to just hang out in our Refinery Food Court, which was also set up for the women’s event. But Debbie said they could hang out and talk there since the boys weren’t bothering anyone. The food court area was filled with tables and trays of tempting deserts, fruit, chips, and cookies.
After about an hour Ben Keenan, our Refinery restaurant manager, walked over to talk with these four teenagers. He thanked them for not touching any of the food prepared for the women and then offered each of them a free desert of their choice. A short time later Ben walked over to chat with them again and discovered that none of these neighborhood boys had ever attended Saddleback or any other church. For that matter they admitted to Ben that they were not Christians, but they did believe in Heaven & Hell. After more discussion, each of them expressed a desire to spend eternity in Heaven. Ben told them he had a map to heaven and a guarantee for their admission. After having them read some Bible verses and answered their questions, Ben asked these guys if they’d like to give their life to Christ? All four said, “Yes.” So Justin (17 yrs), Zack (16), Creek (15), and J. J. (14) prayed to receive Christ. Ben gave each of them a Bible, and some directions on how to read it every day. The following Monday night, all four guys came back and talked with Ben some more. Ben has now recruited them to come to our weekend High School service! Isn’t that cool?
I will see you this weekend! Bring a friend! I love you.
Pastor Rick
Tuesday
January
13
2009
12:46 PM
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Monday
December
22
2008
12:00 AM
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Thursday
October
23
2008
12:00 AM
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Thursday
October
23
2008
12:00 AM
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Thursday
October
23
2008
12:00 AM
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Thursday
October
23
2008
12:00 AM
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Wednesday
October
22
2008
5:34 PM
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Wednesday
October
22
2008
10:43 AM
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Thursday
October
09
2008
1:43 PM
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Wednesday
October
01
2008
12:00 AM
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Tuesday
September
23
2008
3:22 PM
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Friday
September
19
2008
12:00 AM
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Monday
September
15
2008
12:00 AM
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Monday
September
15
2008
12:00 AM
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Wednesday
September
10
2008
12:00 AM
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