Dearest C.,

Thank you for being patient with me while waiting to receive my reply to your request. I take great pleasure in the duty and responsibility afforded me regarding bearing the true witness and testimony of Christ's commission.

I will endeavor to be as concise and complete as possible in answering your question and as usual, will allow the Word of God to be the judge as it judges all things within and without.

Dr. Rick Warren has influenced thousands of Churches and believers who continue to absorb new and creative ways to utilize witnessing techniques and build church growth. His whole agenda is indeed about building up super churches and as I will point out, rejects the more traditional and fundamental methods employed by the examples of Christ's Apostles and some of today's remnant of traditional value churches. By the methods he employs and trains pastors with, he has and is compromising the most basic and fundamental necessities called for in scripture regarding our "gathering together."

According to his "Saddleback Sam" approach, the newer approach must be aimed at drawing the "unchurched" and the "unsaved" into services so that his "so called" method of gospel teaching can be employed. He does this a number of ways. In his words, "A church service must be non threatening and comfortable to the seeker and un-saved visitor." He declares that the message in Sunday services must only be positive in order to attract the diverse crowds. He also achieves this goal by offering LOUD rock and roll music to appeal to the secular youth and ridiculous skits and stage antics are a common denominator. To watch one of these services in action is disgusting and down right revolting. Dr. Rick Warren is levitating away from the fundamental examples of what a scripturally correct gathering of believers should look like. This smacks against the teachings of much of the New Testament as I will soon point out.

I consider these methods to be heretical because what he is doing in essence is to make those who attend feel better about themselves and equal with one another; both the so-called saved and unsaved. His so-called sermons are mixed with psychology and positive projection techniques. He deals with such topics as guilt, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, mood enhancement and spends a good deal of energy on positive motivation to encourage the worldly without employing the very Word of God to lead his hearers to repentance. I ask you Carolyn, what is our lord's command in regards to shepherding the seekers and believers?

As a whole there is no doctrinal instruction given in the church on Sunday services and it all looks more like a concert fest without the cops to keep the unruly tamed. This is in clear contrast to the very instruction given us and set forth by the early Church according to the apostolic teachings of Christ's disciples (Paul) as described in
Acts 20:20-31 - And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but I have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnessed in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

According to Dr. Rick Warren, The church leaders who are interested in dynamic growth must embrace the attitude that says, "Don't try to tell me that the Bible requires holiness or a style of worship and ministry that is different from the worldly or secular thinking." This clearly denies what Paul exhorts in his letter to Timothy in I Tim 3:15 just before Paul goes into an exhortation of the apostasy being manifested in the churches in latter times according to what the spirit explicitly says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."

I quote from Dr. Rick Warrens "Purpose Driven Church Growth Strategy" Seminar in January 1998. "The unchurched culture determines our style. We're laid back Southern California. We're just a few miles from the beach, so we have a laid back Southern California style…Regardless of the style you choose, you're going to be criticized. Okay? So, the key question is, who are you trying to impress? The unchurched populations determine our goals."

Carolyn my dear, this is blasphemous and nothing short of another type of heresy designed to draw potential souls away from God's calling to holiness. The way he comes across is like so many I have experienced in today's contemporary churches… hence, the reason why my book, Apostasy Revealed had to be published. Which by the way, afforded me the opportunity to take on a new appointment with Cephas Ministry Inc. in Florida. We are a "Discernment Ministry" devoted to preserving the purity of Christ's teachings and application of "true discipleship" over mainstream heretical teachings of which we were forewarned would be increasing in these latter days of accelerated apostasy. I invite you to check out my websites as they are full of qualitative and relevant information and new exhortations to dispel the lies and hidden agenda's of men and their apostate doctrines and precepts. You can use the following links to peruse the abundant library and maybe you will be inspired to write some new books yourself regarding these days we are now living in. In order to get to my exhortations and interactive web site, go to http://nicholasscrolls.cephasministry.com and to surf the main Ministry site, go to; http://cephasministry.com . You will find that we (Rita Williams and myself with the company of our Lord's Spirit) are heavily engaged and fighting the "good fight" for the sake of preservation and hope that soon we shall see the glory of our Lord. There are far too many divided houses and if you'll remember what I reiterated in my book, it was Jesus who said, "Any house that is divided against itself will fall."

To summarize my claim that The "Purpose Driven church" is not of Christ and His Holy Spirit, let me close with a few scriptures which ultimately judge the matter once and for all…
Ephesians 4:11-24 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

1 Timothy 6:11-14 "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."

You see Carolyn, I have no choice but to do this thing that the Lord has me doing because not many others are so doing but there are a few in the field of "discernment" and it is Christ whom has commissioned me. In Christ's love and commission, Nicholas