Reflection: 2004 PDYM Conference - part 2

After posting my then reflections on the PDYM conference 2004, I would like to analyze the PDYM material, which is basically taken from the PDYM book.

The conference material follows Rick Warren's propensity for playing scripture roulette; by using various 'translations' to support their conclusions, including the Message 'paraphrase'. It does start off well, however, by telling us to depend on God's power (p. 6) and that God will only use those whose hearts are pure (p. 8). However, after that, it follows typical Warrenese with the 5 purposes of the youth ministry (Worship, Ministry, Evangelism, Fellowship, Discipleship), which is said to be based on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission (p. 13). Also, it introduces the concept of levels of spiritual commitment (Community, Crowd, Congregation, Committed, Core). Following that classification, the material teaches one how to reach community students, keep crowd students, nurture congregation students, prepare committed students and challenge core students.

Throughout the material, the PD propensity to treat worship as if the worship service was made for unbelievers can be seen (p. 29-32). In fact, the whole idea of 'worship evangelism' is promoted (p.29-30), which is totally unbiblical. The proof-text that they tried to use to prove the idea of 'worship evangelism' was the incident at Pentecost in Acts 2. However, that is plain nonsensical since there was no coporate worship in Acts 2, and the reason why they turned to Christ was not because of the pouring out of the Spirit resulting in tongue-speaking, but because of Peter's sermon (Acts 2:37a — Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart...)! Further on, Warren's usage of psychology can be seen in the SHAPE tool (p. 42).

Finally, to put it all together, the PDYM conference decided to focus on how to make change a reality. It warns of people who will resist the changes and the necessity (and how) to get the support of influential people so that the changes can be pushed through. At that moment, I didn't think much of it and was supportive of the strategy since 'we are doing God's work after all'. On hindsight, I realize that I was being sold a pack of lies from the depths of hell itself on how to play politics so as to transition churches to become purpose driven and drive out those who have discernment to see where this is going. The ostracism process would be one I would experience later as I started to research more in depth into the PDL around the turn of 2004-2005 and then become convinced of the serious errors in the entire PD paradigm.

In conclusion, with regards to the PDYM, it can be see that it suffers from Warren's propensity to use various translations as he sees fit. It subtly distorts the biblical purposes for the church in general and youth ministry in particular to fit into the PD paradigm. It teaches youth workers and pastors to play politics in order to bring about changes, all in the name of serving God and building the Church, of course. Last, but not least, it produces bad fruit (Mt. 7:15-20 ; 12:33) which is partly due to its overemphasis on (their idea of) evangelism, and discernable from its abysmal record in keeping students who have graduated from the youth ministry in the church.