But this is exactly where the genius of Rick Warren lies. He takes these very complex, complicated, theological concepts about the bible and God and Jesus and the meaning of life, and breaks them down into bite-size pieces that just about melt in your mouth. He uses common words, phrasing and language that actually mean something to most people. And now, here comes a magazine with the same message, using the same formula of simplicity and spiritual straight talk, to leverage the phenomenon to the next level.
The content of The Purpose Driven Connection is pretty consistent with the mainstream Evangelical flavor served up in Rick’s church and in his books, but it happily skates around some edgier subjects like an urban hip-hop church, and a motorcycle-gang small group. Well, to certain Christian readers that may seem edgy. The magazine is making a big effort to be culturally relevant and inclusive to all shapes and varieties of church-building that is going on out there today, without offending or alienating any one specific sub-strata or demographic. Can anyone say “mainstream?”
There were a few items in this quarterly that stood out to me personally. I was deeply moved by the story of Kay and Rick’s work in Rwanda (“Bringing Hope to a Ravaged Nation”). I also liked very much an article called “Chasing the Holy Spirit,” which apparently was a segment from a forthcoming book by Mark Batterson called "Wild Goose Chase." I’ll have to pick that one up. And the two-page feature, “Bible Verses for Tough Economic Times” was a very accessible and encouraging resource, dropped smack dab in the middle of the magazine. It was like a wall of promises, reminding you that there are some important things that will transcend a bear market. I hadn’t read some of those verses in a while.
Of course, there were also a couple things that I didn’t like so much. The Purpose Driven Connection can be somewhat of an uneven reading experience because of the mix and variety of writers: some are professional journalists; some are amateurs; some are authors; some are Rick Warren himself; etc. The effect is more like a hodgepodge of inspiration and hope thrown together for mass appeal, rather than a unified magazine with a unique editorial voice. Other than Rick’s voice, of course. Who also happens to be the Editorial Director.
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1 - Michael Levy
" Your deepest fear is the shallowest illusion."_ Michael Levy