No question about it. The number one influence on the Church today has been "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. That book has now reached 30 million copies sold. The book he wrote first, "The Purpose Driven Church" is also a bestseller and has probably influenced more pastors than any other book. This book provides a biblical strategy for reaching unchurched unbelievers with the good news of Jesus Christ, and turning them into mature believers who minister and evangelize others. These books and the philosophy of Rick Warren have influenced me personally and my ministry.

If a person were starting a new church, this would be a biblically centered approach that would build a great foundation for long-term fruit in ministry. But what about existing churches that have not previously practiced this model? And what if the pastor or key leaders of that church desire to transition to this model? How do they go about the change without blowing the place up in the process? What would you do first? Or next? Most pastors don't start a new church but rather accept openings in existing churches. So how do you go about transitioning an existing church to this purpose driven model?

Before I give you some basic steps, let me tell you that there are a couple of great books written on this topic that you may find useful. Gene Appel wrote "How To Change Your Church Without Killing It" and Dan Southerland wrote "Transitioning." Both of these books are full of strategy and application steps that are helpful. If you are serious about following through on changing to this model, you ought to have these books in your resource tool kit. They each give practical insight on healthy change.

Now, here are a few thoughts about changing over to the purpose driven model …

1. Read the Rick Warren books, study the model, visit the Web sites, attend the seminars, and do some research. Study the Bible yourself looking for answers to how a local church is to function. You must know in your heart that this is the model you personally believe in before you make any declaration or suggest changes to your lay leadership. If you aren't convinced this is the way you must go, it will be difficult to communicate passionate vision or stay the course when the road gets bumpy. This model is not a program you try. This model is a lifestyle you practice. As the pastor/leader, you must see this lifestyle inside the church as non-negotiable.

2. Once you are personally convinced, and reaching a place where you feel you must ‘do church' this way, then you are ready to go to the next step. Give your testimony of personal journey on the subject to your lay leadership. Do not try and convince them to make changes right away, especially in this first discussion. This is simply a time for you to tell your story and how it has impacted you and the way you see fruitful ministry. Encourage some feedback and pray together about the topic.

3. After giving your testimony, invite them to do a study with you through the "Purpose Driven Life" then also the "Purpose Driven Church." Take your time in going through these books. Encourage active dialogue with the group. You might take a part of your regular formal meetings to do this. Let the Holy Spirit begin to enlighten them in the same way you were. If the Lord's will is to transition your church to this model, the pastor and key leaders must be in unity on the strategy. Give the Spirit time to make this happen. It would not be unusual to take several months to do this.

4. While the leadership is doing the study with you in step 3, bring a message series from the book of Acts into your pulpit ministry. Prepare the hearts of the people with teaching about the church the Holy Spirit birthed. Teach the biblical model of ‘doing church.' Do not try and convince the people of the model, but teach the Scripture. Help them see what the people in this first church did, and how they practiced community together. Again, you are giving the Holy Spirit opportunity to enlighten and make changes in hearts.

5. After taking the leadership through the studies, suggest that you work together as a team introducing the model to the congregation. Involve them in developing strategy to introduce and implement the model. You might do a "Forty Days of Purpose" campaign for example. It is at this stage that you will find the two resource books I named above from Gene Appel and Dan Southerland to be of great help.

I realize this is a short five-step process, but don't rush through these steps. In our microwave society we tend to introduce change and move through implementation too fast. As a result, people don't have a chance to process the reasoning behind the changes. Also, the local church belongs to God and he should determine the timing on things. Bathe the process in prayer and invite others to join you in the journey of discovery and change. The Lord will honor that and fruit will result.