Monday night on CNN's Larry King Live, Pastor Rick Warren apologized for his support of Prop. 8, California's voter-approved marriage protection amendment, saying he has "never been and never will be" an "anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist."

"During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never -- never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop. 8 was going," Warren told the CNN audience on Monday. "The week before the -- the vote, somebody in my church said, 'Pastor Rick, what -- what do you think about this?' And I sent a note to my own members that said, I actually believe that marriage is -- really should be defined, that that definition should be -- say between a man and a woman."

However, just two weeks before the November 4 Prop. 8 vote, Pastor Warren issued a clear endorsement of the marriage amendment while speaking to church members. "We support Proposition 8 -- and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8," he said.

The following is a complete transcript of Warren's comments just weeks before the Prop. 8 election:

"The election's coming just in a couple of weeks, and I hope you're praying about your vote. One of the propositions, of course, that I want to mention is Proposition 8, which is the proposition that had to be instituted because the courts threw out the will of the people. And a court of four guys actually voted to change a definition of marriage that has been going for 5,000 years.

"Now let me say this really clearly: we support Proposition 8 -- and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8. I never support a candidate, but on moral issues I come out very clear.

"This is one thing, friends, that all politicians tend to agree on. Both Barack Obama and John McCain, I flat-out asked both of them: what is your definition of marriage? And they both said the same thing -- it is the traditional, historic, universal definition of marriage: one man and one woman, for life. And every culture for 5,000 years, and every religion for 5,000 years, has said the definition of marriage is between one man and a woman.

"Now here's an interesting thing. There are about two percent of Americans [who] are homosexual or gay/lesbian people. We should not let two percent of the population determine to change a definition of marriage that has been supported by every single culture and every single religion for 5,000 years.

"This is not even just a Christian issue -- it's a humanitarian and human issue that God created marriage for the purpose of family, love, and procreation.

"So I urge you to support Proposition 8, and pass that word on. I'm going to be sending out a note to pastors on what I believe about this. But everybody knows what I believe about it. They heard me at the Civil Forum when I asked both Obama and McCain on their views."

During his CNN interview on Monday, Warren expressed regret for backing Prop. 8. "There were a number of things that were put out. I wrote to all my gay friends -- the leaders that I knew -- and actually apologized to them. That never got out," he admitted.

Additionally, Pastor Warren said he did not want to comment on or criticize the Iowa Supreme Court's decision last week to legalize same-sex "marriage" because it was "not his agenda."

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Video of Warren endorsing Prop. 8

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Obama's selects Arne Duncan who is the head of Chicago Public Schools and pushed for a gay high school. The following is taken from a Chicago Tribune article:

The Chicago Public Schools' first high school designed for gay, lesbian and transgender teens is among 20 new schools recommended to the school board today by CPS Chief Arne Duncan...

"If you look at national studies, you see gay and lesbian students with high dropout rates...Studies show they are disproportionately homeless," Duncan said. "I think there is a niche there we need to fill.

"Supporters have said the Pride Campus would help students find a safe school environment because studies have shown that gay youth are at a greater risk of dropping out of school and abusing drugs and alcohol, and are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide. A 2003 district survey shows that gay and lesbian youths are three times more likely to miss school because they don't feel safe.

Is this the type of person America wants for their Education Secretary? Don't forget about an older post of mine about Chicago Public Schools involved in a program to pay students for good to even average grades.

To top it all off, Obama has now invited Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. Is this a smoke screen to calm down evangelical conservatives? Thus far the only thing that is happening is that Obama is making everyone angry by playing both sides.

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The following is an article from 'One News Now'

Christian broadcaster and author Tom McMahon says evangelical pastor Rick Warren's belief that the church must take the lead in solving the world's problems of poverty, disease, and war cannot be reconciled with the scriptures.

Pastor Warren will be hosting an interfaith meeting next month with 30 Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders "to discuss cooperation for the common good of all Americans." Warren's P.E.A.C.E. plan mobilizes churches to address global problems. But McMahon, president of The Berean Call ministry, says the popular Christian author is introducing evangelical Christianity to the social gospel that he learned from his mentor, social scientist Peter Drucker.T.A. McMahon

"As a Christian, as a biblical Christian, I have real concerns about this because I don't find this in the scriptures," McMahon explains. "You see, it's true the world has all kinds of problems, but he's working on the symptoms and avoiding the root cause, which is the sin nature of humanity. So how can you work with all kinds of people [who are] called 'people of faith,' but it's not biblical faith?"

McMahon contends that only the biblical gospel can change the heart of man, and that Warren is compromising that by working with people who reject the gospel of Christ. He says that although Pastor Warren claims his life's calling is "to proclaim the gospel truth of salvation in Jesus Christ," it is doubtful that gospel will be proclaimed at the interfaith meeting.

"I believe that Rick has a low view of prophecy," McMahon contends. "Well, I think he needs to heed the words of Jesus [in Luke 18:8]: 'When the Son of Man cometh shall He find faith upon the earth?' Well, 'people of faith' yes, but certainly not the faith that Jude exhorts true believers to contend for."

Here is a link to the P.E.A.C.E. plan website

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I hear a lot that the old ways of doing things when it comes to churches is "broken" or "not working". This makes me think, how can we improve the message of the Gospel? The only answer I can find is that the Holy Spirit gives us understanding.

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

This attitude of changing methods and techniques reminds me of those BASF commercials were their slogan was "We don't make the products you buy, We make the products you buy better." In my opinion the only way to make it better is to have a solid foundation of doctrine.

Instead, prominent pastors such as Rick Warren are promoting this program and entertainment centered ministry. I looked at a few of my area local churches web pages and found programs for anything. From cheerleading to fitness centers. I understand the method of reaching out to people and bring them in, but the result is in most cases is not building people up spiritually. Timm wrote on his blog about this exposed weakness.

In addition, everything must be a certain way or a "production" as Layne calls it. For example, ending at the exact time each week or having gruesome tryouts to sing in the choir. I just finished reading a book called "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" by Randall Balmer (I guess it was also a documentary on PBS). In the chapter on Rick Warren it says "What about children? 'We don't allow children in the Worship Center,' came the answer. Saddleback, in fact, siphons all children off to the children's programs and doesn't allow kids under five in any of the venues. 'They'll destroy your service,' the pastor warned."

I will not leave out the arrogance that they have either. "Though the church dropped the word 'Baptist' from its name long ago, and Warren does nothing to advertise his affiliation, both he and the church are technically members of the Southern Baptist Convention. 'We remain in the denomination more for their sakes than for ours,' he told me."

After reading this book, it really opened my eyes to how many different worship styles of Christianity there are and how superficial they look. Switching churches because someone prefers one music style over another or they have sports programs for their children. Is this how we are to evaluate churches? By what is pleasing to our ears and what programs they have to meet our desires. By focusing on these attributes there is a high danger in turning into nothing more than a social institution.

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I know televangelists have a bad reputation along with lawyers and used car salesman, but do they bring it on themselves? They are making millions off of their followers. Living in mansions, driving luxury cars and dressing in the finest clothing. I am not against anyone being wealthy, but I am skeptical when it is the result of sharing the gospel. It seems that things should be the opposite or that the money could be used elsewhere. I will examine three televangelist, not to attack them personally, but because they are the most popular and people will be familiar with them.

First, Joyce Meyer. I don't agree with women pastors, but I will skip that and move on to her salary. Here is an article that states Meyer's salary at $900,000, but don't worry, it has been reduced to $250,000. This does not include her royalties from her books and the use of a corporate jet. Her husband who happens to be vice president of the ministry made $450,000 in 2003-04.

Secondly, Joel Osteen, who portrays to be gracious by giving up his $200,000 salary. This is because of all the books he sells. He also gave up a portion of the book profits to renovate the former Compaq Center where the Houston Rockets use to play. His luxurious lifestyle isn't to shabby for someone who didn't complete college nor attended seminary. Here is an article about Mr. Osteen.

Lastly, Rick Warren. He is not on television so he does not classify as a televangelist, but I included him in this because of his salary and his resulting actions. You might remember him from his best seller "Purpose Driven Life", the one who let Hillary Clinton and Obama speak in the pulput of his Saddleback Church or his praise of Syria. He seems a little more giving by doing what he calls "reverse tithing". He keeps 10% and tithes 90%. I am sure this does not break his pocketbook.

Now it is time for my disclaimer, for I am sure some will take this as judgmental and /or divisive. I know these people have done good and may even have good intentions. However, getting rich of the gospel of Jesus doesn't seem right and while they my donate large sums of money they are making much more. They write book after book and they all seem to be the same. Psychologically centered and less Biblically structured.

Again this is not an attack on Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, large churches or rich people.

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