Here is an even better quote direct from Rick Warren, where he claims that those who are unwilling to give up their needs in order to minister to more people are ‘childish and immature’.
This excerpt is taken from Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Church” page 248-249. (Pay real close attention to how Warren twists 1 Corinthians 14:19-20 in order to prove his point)
“12. It takes unselfish, mature believers to offer a seeker-sensitive service. In 1 Corinthians 14:19-20, Paul says that when we think only of our own needs in worship we are being childish and immature. Members demonstrate incredible spiritual maturity when they are considerate of the needs, fears, and hang-ups of unbelievers and are willing to place those needs before their own in a service.In every church there is a constant tension between the concepts of “service” and “serve-us”. Most churches end up tipping the scales toward meeting members’ needs because the members pay the bills. Offering a seeker services means intentionally tipping the scales in the opposite direction, toward unbelievers. It requires members who are willing to create a safe environment for unbelievers at the expense of their own preferences, traditions, and comfort. Enormous spiritual maturity is required to voluntarily move out of a comfort zone.”
Notice how he praises those willing to 'give up' their own spiritual needs and his condemnation of those who insist that the church meet their spiritual needs. This is supreme manipulation and it is wrong.
To make matters worse, his supplied Bible verse does not even come close to supporting his point. If you read 1 Corinthians 14:19-20 in context it has nothing to do with believers being willing to accommodate the ‘felt needs’ of unbelievers by crafting a service that they are ‘comfortable’ with. Instead, Paul is talking about those who are abusing the gift of tongues and that it is better to speak intelligible and edifying words in church rather than gibberish.
Warren is 180 degrees out of touch with God’s word on this one! More on this in the posts that follow.
Comments