Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Whatcha think?

Another LarkNews.com article:

NEW ORLEANS — Pastor and author Rick Warren has signed a deal to purchase the New Orleans Saints football franchise for $320 million from current owner Tom Benson, and has pledged to pour his time and energy into helping the city and team rebuild.
"This is the start of the Saints' turnaround," a Warren spokesman said. "America is going to see what a purpose-driven team can accomplish."
The Saints have desperately needed a home and a vision since Hurricane Katrina devastated their season. They were keenly disappointed with the NFL's response to their plight.
But Warren took an immediate interest in the team on visits to the damaged city, and he surprised his church in November when several Saints players joined him onstage. The church prayed for the team, which won its next game. Warren took this as confirmation of his plan to buy the franchise.
"I like the guy," says one player who met Warren at a practice in San Antonio. "I was skeptical about a minister owning a team, but he wants to win, just like us."
The centerpiece of Warren's purchase will be Purpose-Driven Field, to be located just north of New Orleans. Stadium construction will create thousands of jobs for the local economy, and will give Warren's ministry a foothold in the South, where he hopes to gain greater influence. During the week, Purpose-Driven Field will host conferences, outreaches and short-term missions groups stopping over on their way to Central America, or helping to rebuild New Orleans. Warren already refers to the New Orleans location as Saddleback South, friends say.
The Saints will now operate differently than most NFL teams. Players will be required to go through the 40 Days of Purpose program. Alcohol will not be served in the stadium, and every attendee will receive a copy of the Purpose-Driven Life. Halftime shows will offer "edgy, cool" evangelism and worship concerts, says a spokesman. Warren intends to be as visible as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who often walks the sidelines during games.
"We're marching into New Orleans," Warren told partner churches recently to rousing applause.•

4 Comments:

At January 09, 2008 8:08 PM, Blogger Joel Smith said...

I guess we should have seen it coming. The Christian subculture moveth forward. It's inevitable -- Christian music, Christian clothing, Christian books, Christian movies, Christian toys, and now ... Christian football. I am anxiously awaiting Christian pro wrestling in which opponents duke it out with scripture verses and smack one another down with words of affirmation. I can see the first match in my mind: George "the Armenian" Steele vs. Nature Boy John Calvin.

All joking aside, I guess it could be a good thing, but for some reason I have a sick, sinking feeling in my stomach. If looks like the attractional model gone ballistic.

 
At January 09, 2008 9:07 PM, Blogger Joel Smith said...

Hello again. I just check out Lark News. It is a riot, but I'm fairly certain the articles are all fabrications. They are funny and shockingly close to the truth. The sad thing is that I took the Rick Warren article seriously because it sounds like something a megachurch might actually do.

 
At January 09, 2008 9:14 PM, Blogger Bob Carder said...

Joel you are sooo right. Even though this article is pure satire (you smart one) - just a made up story, as is the case for all of LarkNews articles they truly reveal that which you commented about. All that you say is true, and why don't we all just do something to make money in the name of Jesus. NOT! Joel you need to contribute an article to LarkNews because you have just the right funny sarcasm pull it off.

Thanks to a friend, you might want to enjoy these articles and read more, but as you do, look for the deeper meaning while you laugh or cry whatever the case.

 
At January 09, 2008 9:24 PM, Blogger Bob Carder said...

Joel, I confess, this article left me with a near heart attack! If you and I can get sucked into it, think about the rest of the church! Think about those fake Madelyn O'Hare and Proctor and Gamble petitions that circulated the church. I wonder how many sermons will include stories like these this Sunday?

Isn't this scary stuff not to mention believable at first and all because we know it is highly possible in the church in America.

Enjoy the quite revealing site and try to laugh with me.

I appreciate also your integrity.

 

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