Purpose Driven Church

Purpose Driven Church by: Rick Warren

Chapter 5~ Defining your purpose

Is your church “sound” or “Sound asleep”? 

This was a great chapter to get you excited whether you are thinking about your church body as the book is centered on or you as an individual operating in a body of Christ.

            Rediscovering your purpose! Warren points out that, “What we hold with conviction is that what we discover ourselves.”  People in leadership in the church can tell you “what to do” but until you believe it for yourself, you won’t be convicted of it. What we do must be carried out because we believe it is the right way or correct thing in Gods eyes. Studying the word of God is the only way to truly find your way in this lost world.

            Warren suggests four questions we must ask ourselves as part of the church:

1.     Why does the church exist?

2.     What and who are we to be as a church?

3.     What are we to do as a church

4.     How are we to do it?

Taking the time to write out your answers then rereading them, streamline your thoughts will help you to make an effective “purpose” statement. Warren warns to aim your statement to make the most difference for Jesus sake. I found that to be very powerful, when I really ask what is that I need to do and what does that look like daily.

Warren presents five purposes of the Church as he notes all five have been intended for the church to bring about. They include: Love the Lord with all your Heart, Love your neighbor as yourself, go and make disciples, baptizing them, and teach them to obey God.

It was another great chapter that I will spend some time working on the suggestions. How about you?

Chapter 6~ Communicating your Purposes

Note the plural on the word purposes. We could be in trouble if we were hoping for God to reveal the one purpose for us to communicate in the church.

Warren believes the church’s purpose bears reminding at least once a month in order to not lose their sense of purpose. The book points out ways to communicate the vision and purpose of the church thru use of:

1.     scripture (choosing Bible scripture)

2.     symbols (the five concentric circles, the cross, etc.)

3.      slogans, (pitchy phrases)

4.     stories (using illustration)

5.     specifics (action steps to take).

We need to personalize our purpose by connecting it to the responsibilities and privileges we have as a believer. Repetitiveness in repeating your church purpose in sermons, bulletins, and monthly newsletters are all good ways for the church to become familiar with your purpose statement. On page 125 of the book you will see an example of a chart to use for explaining your church’s purposes.  Keeping a balance in the church through the people will keep it healthy. Meeting people where they are at and helping to move them to the next level through discipling so they too can grab onto the purpose of the church and feel part of it is essential for growth.