Affirming that Baptists from around the world can “have unity without uniformity,” Rick Warren told reporters at the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Congress that the withdrawal of Southern Baptists from BWA was a “silly” mistake.
“God has called us to enjoy and fellowship with each other and work together. We’re all in this together,” he said.
Warren, a keynote speaker during the congress, is pastor of Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, Calif., and author of “The Purpose Driven Life.”
During a July 28 press conference, Warren addressed a question about the decision by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest BWA member, to withdraw membership and funding from BWA. “I think that was a mistake,” he said. “When the Southern Baptists pulled out funding, my wife and I wrote a check for $25,000 to BWA.
“I see absolutely zero reason in separating my fellowship from anybody,” he declared. Noting he has theological differences with many of the denominations that invite him to speak, Warren added, “That doesn’t stop me from fellowshipping with them.”
During his address July 30, Warren said, “The first Reformation was about belief. This one needs to be about behavior. We need a reformation not of creeds but deeds.
“Most of the time we’re just talk,” he lamented. “It’s time that the church be known for what it’s for” rather than what it’s against.
Warren said the new reformation will require mobilizing Christians, multiplying churches, evangelizing the world and eradicating global problems. “A non-serving Christian is a contradiction,” he warned. “God didn’t save you to sit, soak and sour. He saved you to serve. … Significance comes from service.”
When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He gave them the gifts of a new perspective, new pattern and new promise, Warren said.
“These are the exact three things we need to take us into the 21st century,” he suggested. Details of those gifts include seeing the world from God’s perspective, following the Son’s pattern and believing the Spirit’s promises.
Citing “five global giants,” he said churches must address the issues of spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, poverty, disease and illiteracy.
Insisting that the only effective solution to such problems is the local church, Warren said he is implementing a global “PEACE Plan” initiative to mobilize 10 million churches, 100 million small groups and 1 billion Christians to impact the world. “If you’re going to think, you might as well think big,” he suggested. “In my dictionary, the word ‘impossible’ isn’t there because I cut it out.”
Noting that Saddleback Church is quietly testing the PEACE Plan in churches in 47 countries, Warren said the acrostic stands for plant churches, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick and educate the next generation. “These five elements of Jesus’ ministry are the practical expression of the Kingdom of God,” he said. “What Jesus did in His physical body, He expects us to do in His spiritual body” as the church.
“It’s time to stop debating the Bible and start doing it,” Warren said. “It’s time to stop criticizing and start cooperating. It’s time for the church to be the church.” (BWA)
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