The Purpose Driven Church

What's The Purpose Driven Church about?

• Church Health Focus: The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren emphasizes that churches should focus on health rather than growth, suggesting that a healthy church will naturally grow.
• Five Biblical Purposes: It outlines five New Testament purposes for the church: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship, which should be balanced for a healthy church.
• Practical Insights: The book provides practical insights and strategies tested in real church settings, particularly through the experience of Saddleback Church.

Why should I read The Purpose Driven Church?

• Proven Strategies: The book offers a five-part strategy that successfully grew Saddleback Church significantly, making it a valuable resource for church leaders.
• Universal Application: Its principles are applicable to churches of all sizes and denominations, providing guidance for any church leader or pastor.
• Encouragement for Leaders: Warren’s insights encourage pastors, especially those in smaller or struggling congregations, to focus on building people rather than just programs.

What are the key takeaways of The Purpose Driven Church?

• Purpose-Driven Model: The book emphasizes organizing church activities around five biblical purposes to ensure alignment with its mission.
• Community Focus: It stresses understanding the community and targeting specific groups for evangelism, adapting methods to reach them effectively.
• Love and Growth: Warren highlights love as a critical factor in attracting and retaining members, suggesting that genuine love fosters an inviting atmosphere.

What are the best quotes from The Purpose Driven Church and what do they mean?

• Building People: “If you will concentrate on building people, God will build the church.” This quote emphasizes that church growth results from focusing on individuals' spiritual development.
• Church as Organism: “The church is a living organism, not a business.” This highlights prioritizing relationships and spiritual health over organizational efficiency.
• God’s Purpose Prevails: “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” This serves as a reminder that God’s purpose should guide the church’s direction.

What are the five purposes of the church according to The Purpose Driven Church?

• Worship: The church exists to magnify God’s name through worship, celebrating His presence and expressing love for Him.
• Ministry: It is called to demonstrate God’s love through service, meeting the needs of others in the community.
• Evangelism: The church must communicate God’s Word, actively sharing the Gospel and making disciples of all nations.
• Fellowship: It incorporates believers into a loving community, providing support and encouragement as members of God’s family.
• Discipleship: The church educates believers to grow in their faith, helping them mature spiritually and become more like Christ.

How does Rick Warren suggest churches should communicate their purposes?

• Regular Communication: Warren emphasizes the need to communicate the church’s purposes at least monthly to keep them fresh in the congregation's minds.
• Use of Various Media: He suggests using multiple channels such as sermons, newsletters, brochures, and visual symbols to reinforce the church’s mission.
• Personalization: The purposes should be personalized to show how they relate to each member’s life, making it clear that fulfilling these purposes is both a responsibility and a privilege.

What is the Circles of Commitment model in The Purpose Driven Church?

• Five Levels of Commitment: The model consists of five concentric circles representing different levels of commitment: Community, Crowd, Congregation, Committed, and Core.
• Purpose Alignment: Each circle corresponds to a specific purpose of the church, helping to identify where individuals are in their spiritual journey.
• Strategic Assimilation: This model serves as a strategy for assimilating new members, guiding them from being unchurched to becoming active participants in the church’s mission.

How does The Purpose Driven Church define a healthy church?

• Balanced Purposes: A healthy church balances all five purposes—worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship—ensuring no single purpose is neglected.
• Spiritual Growth: It is characterized by the spiritual growth of its members, who are actively engaged in fulfilling their roles within the church and the community.
• Community Impact: A healthy church also significantly impacts its community, effectively reaching out to the unchurched and meeting their needs.

What strategies does Rick Warren recommend for reaching the unchurched?

• Targeted Evangelism: Warren advises churches to define their target audience based on demographic and cultural factors, focusing on those they are most likely to reach.
• Building Relationships: He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with the unchurched, understanding their needs, and addressing their concerns in a relevant way.
• Community Engagement: The church should engage in community events and outreach programs that resonate with the local population, making it easier for unchurched individuals to connect with the church.

How can churches ensure they are purpose-driven?

• Define and Communicate Purposes: Churches must clearly define their purposes and communicate them regularly to the congregation to ensure everyone is aligned with the mission.
• Organize Around Purposes: All church activities, programs, and staff roles should be organized around the defined purposes to maintain focus and effectiveness.
• Evaluate and Adjust: Regular evaluation of how well the church is fulfilling its purposes is essential, allowing for adjustments and improvements to be made as needed.

How does Rick Warren suggest attracting crowds in The Purpose Driven Church?

• Love Unbelievers: Warren emphasizes that loving unbelievers is crucial for attracting crowds, noting that it is often overlooked in church growth.
• Meeting Needs: He suggests that churches should focus on meeting the needs of the community, as Jesus did, to create a welcoming environment.
• Practical Teaching: Warren advocates for teaching in a practical and interesting way, making biblical truths relatable to everyday life.

What role do small groups play in The Purpose Driven Church?

• Building Relationships: Small groups are essential for fostering relationships and community within the church, acting as the glue that holds a church together.
• Support and Accountability: These groups provide support and accountability, helping members grow in their faith and creating a safe space for sharing struggles.
• Assimilation of New Members: Small groups are crucial for assimilating new members into the church community, helping newcomers feel welcomed and connected.