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Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Rick Warren Tackles Katrina
Here are some comments by Rick Warren from a recent appearance on the CBS Morning Show. Harry Smith did the interview:
"I believe God can bring good out of bad any time," he says. "He turns crucifixions into resurrections. And I think we're seeing that here. I'm seeing three major things as I looked yesterday in Houston, where we were actually, on the floor of the Astrodome. There were 20,000 people there, but the 20,000 people there aren't the real story. There are 150,000 being assimilated into Houston right now by churches."
"Our goal is to mobilize the churches for the long-term rebuilding," he says. "There are about 350,000 churches in America. And if every church just took three people who had been displaced, there wouldn't be any displace people. They'd all have a place to go."
"I was at the church of the Woodlands (Texas), met with about 1,000 relief workers there, just out of that one church," he says. "We've been in Memphis with a church, and in Germantown Baptist church (Tenn.), where they've had relief workers."
Warren says there is no need for displaced families to be concerned of proselytizing by hosting church families.
"That's not the attitude I'm seeing," he says. "I'm seeing three different attitudes. I'm seeing, first, the resilience of the survivors, which is an amazing thing to me. They're just grateful to have a church helping them out, providing meals, providing shelter, and providing clothing. There's been amazing gratitude among the people. I don't hear much blaming among the actual survivors themselves, as much as we hear here at the governmental level. Then, I see an amazing generosity being poured out by Americans everywhere. Not just church people, but all Americans.
"Last week our church gave over $1 million offering, just in a single offering for Katrina victims. And, then, the third thing I'm seeing is organized compassion. Churches are organized to show compassion, and I don't think they care whether they're Baptist or Buddhist or Methodist or Mormon or Presbyterian or Jewish or no religion. I think they just want to help. It's not a religious problem. It's a human problem."
Any comments on Rick's comments?
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September 7, 2005 in Current Affairs | Permalink
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Monday Morning Insight Weblog: Rick Warren Tackles Katrina Here are some comments by Rick Warren from a recent appearance on the CBS Morning Show. Harry Smith did the interview: "I believe God can bring good out of bad any time,"... [Read More]
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» Love prevails from Fingertoe.com
When the City, State and Federal Governments are hopeless to help, the local church does not fail. This story is starting to shine through even in mainstream media reporting that I have seen. Monday Morning Insight Weblog: Rick Warren Tackles... [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 7, 2005 5:05:59 PM
Comments
It's nice to see a major Christian leader stepping forward to address it in a Christ-like way. When you help, touch, & love the "least of these," you help, touch, & love Jesus. Neglect them, and you neglect Jesus.
Matthew 25:40
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
Posted by: Bernie Dehler | Sep 7, 2005 2:56:21 PM
Warren has proven again and again that he is the real deal... in many respects he is teh Billy Graham of our genertaion in terms of his leadership in the evangelical world.
I get tired of evangelicals who critique him fo rhis style (and more specifically, Saddleback's style) and miss his substance.
I pray that he continues to develop and use his prophetic voice...
Posted by: Ben Dubow | Sep 7, 2005 4:28:15 PM
I am from jackson mississippi and rick spoke to a group of us yesterday, I have not always agreed with him, but I have to tell you after that meeting I was very impressed, he is very deep but keeps it so simple he is a man full of wisdom, he watns to inspire church staff and lay people to be the church, and after you hear him speak you will take on hell with a squirt gun if hes leading the way, please pray for our state the stories coming out everyday will just breatk your heart. thank you and God bless
Posted by: bws | Sep 7, 2005 11:30:06 PM
We at St. John's in Greenwood, Miss. have opened our doors to victims of Katrina. We are blessed to have two Gospel groups among our visitors. How blessed are we to have these wonderful Christian people in our presence. The beauty is seeing people doing for each other just as Christ told us to. Amazingly, the needs of each individual are different. One needs a special pair of shoes, another needs medicine. Many of these churches are helping people without assistance from FEMA. Please, send your monetary support to one of these churces (Texas, Mississippi, etc.)I can truly witness that God's hand has acted here and is working on people.
Posted by: Dave Schultz | Sep 8, 2005 4:19:08 PM
I know that Rick hears from the Lord and hears Him plainly. Rick shows compassion in his heart and not from the religous leaders aspect as being a public specticle. Rick does with his right hand and not let his left see what he is doing. I also know that Rick will not boast in these comments, for he knows that all glory goes to God. God bless you Rick and I pray that people will hear more of your wisdom given to you by God Himself.
Posted by: Chris | Sep 9, 2005 9:49:51 PM
While it is commendable that the church is stepping forward to show compassion, what in the world is Warren implying when he says that compassion isn't dependent on being Baptist, Buddhist, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish, non-religious or Presbyterian? Am I the only one to look at Warren's comments and wonder what is going through his mind?
No wonder evangelicals are so confused these days. It does matter where the compassion is coming from, either you believe in God or you don't. Which is it Warren?
Posted by: Alan Stump | Sep 12, 2005 1:47:46 PM
Who cares about Rick Warren? whats this sudden facination with this guy and his thoughts? why do we in the church think we need anyone besides Jesus and His thoughts?
Posted by: Tom Riggs | Sep 20, 2005 4:18:26 PM
Tom,
Only because he is a Christian leader, and whether you like it or not, he has a great amount of influence in the church today.
And as far as only needing Jesus and His thoughts... why exactly are you reading any of this blog for then?
Just wondering! :)
Todd
Posted by: Todd Rhoades | Sep 20, 2005 4:58:33 PM
