It seems like the ever so ambiguous “editor†over at C?N hasn’t been able to dig up any dirt on good ol’ Rick Warren for a long time. They had to dig pretty deep for this article, and meet their weekly quota of Rick Warren is a Heretic stories.
Apparently a business in Irvine, CA is giving seniors a memorial service while they are still alive. Milestone Memories plans birthdays, reunion and retirement parties, but the most unique would be the living memorial service.  ”A significant, affirming living memorial celebration is an amazing gift to offer a loved one,” says company owner Jean Winder. This gives others an opportunity to share all the memories and love that they have with a person while they are still alive to enjoy it. Don’t we all have a few words we would have liked to tell someone before they passed on? I can’t see anything wrong with what they are doing, can you?
Well, C?N is up in arms over the business. First, they mislabeled them a ministry. No where on their site or in the article could I see any reason to assume they were a ministry, or considered themselves a ministry at all. In fact, this sentence was the only thing that linked them to Rick Warren:
Winder also served as conference coordinator for Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life.”
So, because she once served as the conference coordinator for Warren, her business is automatically tainted with… well, with… I can’t figure that one out. This last section made me laugh out loud:
Rick Warren has been teaching a legion of people in south Orange County how to love themselves through his Purpose-Driven teaching…This is just more proof that the first sentence of the Purpose Driven Life “it’s not about you†is a complete joke.
You got it Mr. Ambiguous Editor Man (or woman)! When you plan a party to encourage and uplift someone else, you are being completely self-centered! How dare people plan events like this to encourage and love ourseniors! We should probably call off all birthday parties, graduations, weddings and even funerals. We wouldn’t want to make them all about us, right?Â
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25 Comments(+Add)
I would rather be dead than have a service in my honor with a bunch of people praising me or what I’ve done. I would absolutely die of embarrassment (which would rectify the being dead issue). I think it would kind of steal from what I’ve done if people started listing and praising my good deeds “before men” since I do them for another reason. In fact, it would shame me and make me a little angry, and I would have to start fighting pride. Some things are done in quiet for a reason.
Kind of a catch-22. There are a lot of people I would love to tell how the changed my life, how I appreciate them, etc. Usually, I just write them a private, unannounced letter and do just that (high school teachers, for example, and Sunday School teachers — I’ve done that for those that really had an impact on me). Perhaps if we all let people know what we felt while they were living in a private way like that, there would be no need for even modest living memorials like this. I know I’ve gotten a couple of letters from kids that I evidently helped and I’ve saved them and read them during times I was very low. A letter you can save and re-read.
No, I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable if there was a huge big deal for me, and I know that most of the people who impacted my life in a positive way would be highly embarrassed to have something in their honor.
Of course, not everyone is me (thank goodness), and not everyone fits what I’ve described. So take that for what it’s worth.
I think this is a great idea. I doubt very highly I’ve ever done enough to warrant such a party, but there are people who’ve impacted my life and while I am sure they would be embarrassed at such an event it would be a wonderful way to share all they’ve done. I think we could have a party about them and give God the Glory. I’m not sure how this would be different from a retirement party or an 80th anniversery party.
I think it is high time we start celebrating lives well lived for the glory of God.
I’m not sure what the problem is and I’m not sure where Rick Warren gets involved. By the way, it was Rick Warren in the grassy knoll in November 1963.
It’s one thing to attack something on it’s merits, and actually I kind of think the whole “Milestone Memory” things sound cheesy. But I do agree that to somehow connect it to Rick Warren is a huge stretch. Even though this person was the former Conference Coordinator, and I don’t see anything that says Rick Warren has anything to do with this idea.
Apparently Rick Warren is accountable for the actions of all of those who have ever worked for him, spoken to him, shaken his hand, or even looked at a copy of the “Purpose Driven Life” now. I for one welcome our “Purpuse Driven” overlords (hopefully not too obscure).
Great idea! Let’s have a living memorial for CRN.info and talk about the immense originality of their website name!
From the article;
“Winder also served as conference coordinator for Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life.” That experience combined with the sudden loss of her husband inspired her dedication to creating personalized tributes, living memorials and milestone celebrations. “
“I’m not sure what the problem is and I’m not sure where Rick Warren gets involved.” Precisely what I’d say about John Calvin there Rick. So hopefully you’ll not bring him up anymore.
All I have to do is slightly amend phil’s statement: “Apparently John Calvin is accountable for the actions of all of those who have ever worked with him in the past, spoken to him, shaken his hand, or even looked at anything he ever taught.
So what’s sauce for the new evangelical is also sauce for the Christian who happens to believe in the doctrines of grace taught in the Bible long before there ever was a John Calvin.
Ken,
Huh? You lost me on that one. Who said anything about John Calvin?
Ken and Clearly,
way to dodge the issues.
Everyone else,
I agree that the living memorial is somewhat cheesy. The fact is that the “editor” accused the company (”ministry” to them) of being self centered and then connected that false idea with Rick Warren.
They’re basically saying that a party planner is out of line because they plan parties for people. Parties are obviously self centered. This self centered theology is obviously a product of Rick Warren’s man-centered theology.
… does that make sense to anyone else?
Nathan – yes that makes sense and it is definitely something to watch for. But remember Jesus attended weddings and parties. Gratefulness about a family member is probably Christian on some level. I just don’t see much wrong with it and I certainly don’t see Rick Warren tied to it.
Ken, I don’t blame Calvin for you.
It does seem silly to somehow hold Rick Warren accountable for this.
On the memorial idea itself, it seems like an unnecessary focus on self, although I imagine that some people could do it in such a way that it could be a celebration of what God’s done in their life, a celebration of the friends he’s given them, etc. But surely one could do that without paying someone else to plan it . . .
I know a lot of elderly folks who go against the culture in that they spend their retirement seeking to serve the Lord through remaining active serving others. They’re doing mostly US-based work related to missions, including praying faithfully, translating, office work; and busy being the “listeners” for Awana, helping out at church, helping their elderly friends. Life is not about “golf,” but about still serving the Lord and being part of a community that focuses on that service.
I was involved in helping some elderly folks for awhile with practical tasks, and through that I learned that in many cases it’s the elderly who are taking care of the elderly – the 88 year old going to spend the night with the almost-blind 99 year old, for example; the folks in their 70’s taking those who can’t drive to doctor’s appointments. I also know a man who recently died, in his 90’s I think, who has faithfully been working with hospice, praying, reading the Bible with people, in spite of his ill health. I remember him as a great example of what being elderly should be like . . .
On reading the article itself closely, (which I should have done before I commented), Nathan, I think it would have been better if you would have included this bit in your criticism:
“Winder also served as conference coordinator for Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life.” That experience combined with the sudden loss of her husband inspired her dedication to creating personalized tributes, living memorials and milestone celebrations.”
Anyway, your article gives the impression that there was some nebulous connection with her being conference coordinator and her coming up with this idea as you said, “In fact, this sentence was the only thing that linked them to Rick Warren:Winder also served as conference coordinator for Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life.â€
Apparently, if we can trust the reporter, she herself claimed that experience did have something to do with her coming up with this idea; that is not clear from your criticism..
Regardless, I still think that the idea could be one that could be used in the right way, to bring glory to God for the goodness He’s shown in a person’s life. I can imagine doing something like this for someone who was terminally ill, or in connection with someone’s 100th birthday party
. . . Actually it would take a lot of selflessness to do a good job planning a party to show someone how much they’re appreciated, and to do it in such a way that God would get the glory.
Like Julie, I would not want this kind of party for myself, but there are people who might enjoy it . . .
We are nitpicking about something some reporter wrote. What does “that” in “That experience combined” mean? Is it her relationship with Rick Warren, or the conference, or being a conference coordinator in general, or with a Rick Warren conference specifically, etc, etc, etc.
It is a sign of immaturity to just look for the bad in everything.
I want a grand party right now, all about me. Musical specials sung by celebrities along with a string of plaques. major speeches delineating my formidable prowess in every area of life, along with a decree from the mayor pronouncing me “Humble Citizen of the Month”.
And for a finale, I want Rick Warren to go on CNN and commend me for finding a cure for AIDS.
Is that ridiculous enough to mirror the original post? Rick Warren could cough without covering his mouth and it would appear on some meaningless blog that thinks way too highly of itself. Gee, that might apply to all of us.
Amy,
We have parties for people ALL the time. Birthdays are a celebration of someone’s life and the joy that they bring to people here on earth. Graduations celebrate one’s achievement over a period of time. My pseudo-grandparent just turned 90 and we celebrated her life with stories, memory books, videos and testimonies of her life. For this writer to say that it is suddenly a bad thing to celebrate a life because the coordinator was inspired partially by being a conference coordinator for rick Warren is absurd.
We are getting off on small issues here… Why I wrote this was to address the length that C?R will go to when trying to bring down someone they disagree with. Even if they have to invent tabloid-esque stories to discredit someone, they will.
Nathan, Matt,
All I was saying is that the article Nathan stated this ” In fact, this sentence was the only thing that linked them to Rick Warren:
Winder also served as conference coordinator for Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life.â€
When in fact, there was a bit more than “this sentence” that actually linked the person’s experience as conference coordinator with her developing this program. If the reporting of the original article was accurate, then in Jean’s mind there was a connection. It wasn’t just “coincidental” that she was conference coordinator; that’s how your article presents it.
I don’t think that trying to be accurate in reporting is a “small issue.”
In this case I don’t agree that this program is necessarily a problem, nor would I have made a point of holding Rick Warren responsible it.
My mom died about 5 years ago. We had a party after the funeral to celebrate her life. The mayor of the town drove her hearse to the cemetery. Whatever you think of me, my mom was a true warrior of the cross and one of the most humble people I have ever known. She loved the LORD and her life impacted 100’s if not 1,000’s of people. As a son, it would have been very sweet if we had been able to celebrate that while she was with us.
At best, I can see this as a “to whom it is sin” issue. Oh well, we all have slow days…
Joe,
I appreciate hearing about your godly mother. To be a warrior AND to be humble is praiseworthy. And I’m sorry that she isn’t around to enjoy your children, and for your children to enjoy.
Amy I agree with you. However my words were:
“this sentence was the only thing that linked them to Rick Warren”
in fact, that was the only sentence that linked them to Warren. The next sentence said what she personally did as a result of that relationship. But it is all semantics. The fact remains that C?N cares little about content, and will stretch any story to fit into their agenda.
File this under:
Pick, pick, pick, pick
Along with the article on the so-called “major setback” from Catholics against the PD.
This memorial thing and the RC “response” to PD…who cares? Unless you’re catholic…
Again…
Pick, pick, pick, pick, pick, pick, piiiiiiiiiiiiiick.
As far as Calvin goes on this thread…please don’t pick up the rope, folks.
Interesting coincidence…I was watching the movie, “The Weatherman” with Nicholas Cage on HBO the other night, and towards the end of the movie, they hold a “living memorial service” for Cage’s father. He’s dieing of cancer, and it was shown as an opportunity to gather his family and friends for one last goodbye.
You were watching WHAT!?! heathen.
actually, Rick Warren should then be held responsible for the movie The Weatherman. tisk tisk tisk
I have no doubt that Ingrid and the Igridtroids could, with some mental gymnastics, easily find a link to Rick Warren and that movie. Great movie by the way. Nick Cage does a great job of looking forlorn and overwhelmed. And nothing looks colder on screen than Chicago in the winter.
Correction..I think it was on Showtime. I was probably watching a repeat of the Soprano’s final, then clicked over.
There are still a bunch of clues in that final episode that need interpreting. Thank God for Tivo.
I’m back!
Been on vacation in California for a week… but I am back and recharged!
The height of hypocrisy is this…
“Rick Warren has been teaching a legion of people in south Orange County how to love themselves through his Purpose-Driven teaching…This is just more proof that the first sentence of the Purpose Driven Life “it’s not about you†is a complete joke.”
Yet, it seems that the purpose of Jesus was to save… me from going to hell… which is stated many, many times over and over by these people. So it is not all about ME, but it is all about ME not going to hell but ME going to heaven.
So instead of being for the Kingdom of God, they are anti missional, anti purpose driven (which is about living a Christian life now) and anti anything that reeks of ME… unless it is all about ME getting to heaven… and round and round in their circular reasoning of judgmentalism and hate of their brothers in Christ.
Recently I reread the Book of James and saw again the sin these people have fallen into. They judge the outside of a person by their own standards and give them partiality if they perceive them better than others… in that they put down those they see as less… this is the same as if someone poor walked into their church with rags on and sat in the best chair… they would be disgusted wit them and ask them to leave and go get cleaned up!
Hypocrisy is all I see i their hearts…
Blessings
iggy