Latte-sipping Saddlebacker challenges critics

I am a coffee-drinking, Hawaiian-shirt wearing Saddleback Church member ["Warren's mini Disneyland," E-mail to the Editor, Nov. 29]. I have seen interesting stuff published about my church on WND. I realize megachurches are not for everyone. But to see fellow Christians carry out these ugly attacks against my pastor and fellow Saddleback members in the name of "Jesus" is pretty sad. It's also interesting to see Christians who are all about spreading the good news of Christ become some of the most hate-filled, judgmental, self righteous people on the planet.

So far, I have read that Rick is never around, Rick is anti-American, he is a Communist, Saddleback is Disneyland, the members are brainwashed, we drink latt?s, we are not real Christians, we are frauds, deceivers, egomaniacs, etc.

Here is my side of the story. When I was growing up, going to church was the worst 60 minutes of my life. We did an hour of ritual nonsense (stand up, sit down, sing a hymn from 900 years ago, stand up, sit down, recite some passage that didn't make sense, stand up, sit down, kneel, stand up, etc.). Somewhere in that 60 minutes there was a 10-minute sermon that never (and I mean never) impacted my life. To make things worst, the Christian school I went to was all about hell, hell, hell and more hell. I went through the motions of being a Christian out of fear, but my heart and mind was never there. As soon as I turned 18, I turned my back on Christianity. I felt at the time that Christianity was boring and God was very angry, judgmental and unloving. And what I found in college was that a lot of kids turn their back on Christianity for very similar reasons.

Luckily, I came across Saddleback at age 32 and I have been involved ever since (five years now). The church addresses modern-day issues using Bible-based messages (the sermons give at least 20 verses each week). In addition, Saddleback taught me that Christianity is not a spectator sport where I sit by and watch others do God's work. They have always pressed their members to give more of themselves to the church and the needy. I always liked my faith being challenged like that. From my viewpoint, Rick and the other pastors have always stated that no one should take what anyone says without verification and careful consideration.

Every week we are reminded that we need to read our Bibles every day, pray daily, get connected with other Christians in a small group and serve in a ministry helping others. Are Saddleback and Rick Warren perfect? Of course not. However, I will say that through my experience at Saddleback, I have (truly) accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior over four years ago. That is special to me.

I know some people will quickly reply and say, poor Hirsch, you are so deceived. You are lost, confused, under Rick's evil spell that he personally places in the coffee every Sunday, blah blah blah. Instead of casting all people who go to megachurches as being deceived sheep who are not Christians (or writing nine articles slamming a Rick Warren), please come up with a better solutions. Sixty percent of Americans stay at home most Sundays. Maybe the Purpose Driven Church is not the best answer. If you have a better idea on how to get the millions out of their homes and involved in a Christian church, I am all ears. It's easy to sit and criticize successful ministries. It's much harder to do something about the apathy toward Christianity and God that is gripping our country. As American Christians (in a Western democracy), we have a huge fight ahead of us. Christianity is on life support in Europe and it's under fierce attack here in the United States. We Christians need to work together, not tear each other apart.

As far as Rick's trip to Syria, you made your point eight articles ago. I think writing article after article attacking Rick Warren's ministry, his church and (when it comes down to it) me is more slander than journalism.

Hirsch

Previous commentary:

Rick Warren says he's sorry

Rick Warren on Syria: 'A moderate country

Calling Rick Warren

Rick Warren disciples: Where are you?

Megapastor Rick Warren's Damascus Road experience

The purpose-driven lie