This last week I posted a review of the 40 Days of Purpose course at Educating Christians. My church went through a very low key version of the course in early 2004, on the coat tails of Robina Surfers Paradise Uniting. Saddle Back Community Church in Los Angeles have rolled out a highly supported but controlled environment for the course around the world. Churches have to enroll three to four months ahead and must start at the same time as other churches in the campaign. It’s not to do with publicity as in the national Alpha campaigns. It’s to do with the support mailings and the mass distribution of resources. All the same, it strikes me as another example of hegemony. “Do it this way at this time or not at all”.
Having said all that, I think there’s some helpful material in the Purpose Driven course. I’m up to Day 31 in the Driving With Purpose blog. I’ve actually split Day 31 into three posts as Rick covered abilities, personality and experience (APE of SHAPE) in one day. I thought each was worth a post. One of the fascinating aspects of writing this blog is reading the critiques of Warren’s work from the conservative end. Cessationists who have trouble with his focus on spiritual gifts. Purists who associate Warren with psychoheresy because of his reference to personality typologies such as LaHaye’s temperaments and Myers Brigg’s Personality Type Indicators. For these people anything that has anything to do with Jung’s approach to psychology is suspect.
It will be interesting to see how Rick develops his writing in the future in the light of his recently discovered passion for social justice.
On Wednesday June 2, 2004, I started the Driving With Purpose blog, dedicated to responding to reading of Rick Warren’s book, Purpose Driven Life. Pacific Parks Uniting was going through the book in five weeks in small groups. A few of us found ourselves asking questions and challenging assumptions, especially around Day 2. So we joined up to start expressing our thoughts. Over time I’m the one who’s kept it up. But I’m only up to Day 28! I’m happy to post something every week or so.
Appropriately Day 28 is entitled, “It takes time”. Rick talks about the reality of slow growth toward maturity - a journey with more authenticity than the sprint towards instant holiness.
Occasionally Rick says something that’s obviously coming from a different place to where I’m at. Sometimes I’m irked by the drivenness of the material, and the ‘five easy-to-remember-and-apply’ steps, and the assertion that Rick’s point of view summarises the Biblical way. Despite those misgivings, I’m grateful for the regular back-to-basics reality checks Rick provides me with. And I’m grateful for the opportunity to interweave my own stories and experiences with the inisights of others.
After a few weeks off, I’ve posted a new day at Driving with Purpose. It’s Day 27: Defeating Temptation in Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life. Rick provides a list of what he calls Biblical keys: refocusing attention, developing accountability with others, resisting the Devil through memorizing and reciting scripture, and realizing our vulnerability.
Interesting that Rick continually describes his material as Biblical. I guess some people won’t pay any attention unless they think it comes from the Bible. Only thing is, Rick and all of us are coloured by the environment we live in. Much of his advice is grounded in sound psychological research but he’s not likely to quote any psychologists in the book!
On Wednesday June 2, 2004, I started the 
