Pastor John Chisham brings to our attention the latest issue of News and Views from Rick Warren and shares:

Pastor Rick Warren has invited people to come and become members this coming Saturday of Saddleback church. He has 2000 signed up, and wants 3000. To accomplish this goal, he has given some extra incentive to his followers…

In It’s Membership Madness at Saddleback Ingrid Schlueter also adds:

Does “Rick” have any idea how arrogant it sounds to tell people to join because HE will be personally teaching the class? Where is Jesus Christ in all this? Where’s the Gospel?  “Rick” dreams of seeing a Second Pentecost. But wait! The individuals at Pentescost were being converted to Christ, not joining an institutional church.

Pentecost was about the Holy Spirit descending from Heaven with fire, turning hearts to believe the Gospel that was preached with power and authority. It wasn’t about gimmicks, making “Christian history”, getting magazine subscriptions and baptismal photos with big name apostles! Nobody was being bribed with goodies to sign on to somebody’s megachurch…