Rick Warren Takes In $2.4 Million After Donations Plea

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The Huffington Post

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Evangelical pastor Rick Warren's plea for donations to fill a $900,000 deficit at his Southern California megachurch brought in $2.4 million, Warren announced to cheers during a sermon at the church on Saturday.

Warren said the amount raised after the appeal was posted online Wednesday included only money parishioners brought in person to Saddleback Church by New Year's Eve. More was arriving by hand and by mail, he said.

"This is pretty amazing," said Warren, who made the announcement by bringing out 24 volunteers each holding a sign for $100,000. "I don't think any church has gotten a cash offering like that off a letter."

The pastor said he planned to talk about what he called his church's "radical generosity" in the rest of the weekend's sermons. He said the total came from members, and the donations were all under $100.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/03/rick-warren-takes-in-24-m_n_409688.html

[tridim]

1. Suckers.

:eyes:

[MrScorpio]

18. +1

[kid a]

2. those mega-churches are too big to fail and folks don't mind paying their tithing

[Joe Bacon]

3. To get to Heaven you got to be prayed up and paid up!

I bet Pa$tor Ri¢k already had the money he needed. Now, I wonder how many of his marks made those "sacrificial love offerings" to that bloated windbag?

[crim son]

4. One has to wonder what his followers are willing to do

for their local food pantry.

[valerief]

5. I'm sure some call the folks at the food pantry "freeloaders" and "welfare queens". That's

the Xtian bootstrap way.

[TexasProgresive]

9. I'm no fan of Warren or Saddleback style churches -

I guess it's nice that you have a forum where you can spout stuff Limbaughlike without checking facts.

The church has a food pantry. It's true they only established it this year and are short of food. For all I know they were supporting other food pantries in the past.

Our community is currently facing very difficult financial circumstances, and many are unable to provide for the needs of their families. Saddleback Church desires to help these families in our own community, so we established the Saddleback Church Food Pantry in the spring of 2009.

The response from the members of Saddleback Church was overwhelming, and the initial food drive brought in over 50,000 pounds of food. Volunteers stepped up to help assemble shelves, organize the Pantry, and begin to distribute the food. However, as word went out to the community that food was available for families needing assistance, the pantry’s food supply dwindled.

The Food Pantry has been able to help many hundreds of families since it opened last spring. The number of families to which Saddleback is providing food is growing as other food banks in the area have had to turn away families for lack of food supply. In August, we provided food to 231 families, in September, 247 families, in October, 314 families, and November, 341 families! As you can see, the need is rising quickly.

The Church has placed collection barrels all around the campus, and church members continue to bring in donations of food. Unfortunately, it is not enough to cover the growing need of those who are having difficulty affording food. Please help us serve our community by bringing a food item with you each time you come to church and drop it in a blue barrel. Thank you!

http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/careprayerhelp/foodpantry.html

[Joe Bacon]

10. "God helps those who help themselves"

Yep, Ricky's Jesusbot Crew won't lift a finger for anyone else but themselves. In the true spirit of the real god they worship--Ayn Rand.

[tanyev]

6. You Gotta Have a Gimmick...

[montanacowboy]

7. Never underestimate the stupidty of the American people

most of them can be sold anything and the con men like Warren have their numbers

[AlphaCentauri]

8. He asked for 900K he gets 2.4M, We asked for health care we get for profit insurance n/t

[Joe Bacon]

11. But, according to $li¢k Ri¢k, It's Money that Matter$!

According to Purpose-Drive Pastor $lick Ri¢k, The more money you have on earth, the more God Loves you. God really loves those insurance racketeers!

[emilyg]

12. I don't care how people

spend their money, Wish people would give that much to DU.

[liquid diamond]

13. And yesterday people here were laughing at this guy's request .

Never underestimate a political enemy.

[DebbieCDC]

14. Stupid fuckers

Keep paying $$ to this charlatan con man to get into "heaven".

Good luck with that.

[DesertRat]

15. Wow

Warren said the amount raised after the appeal was posted online Wednesday included only money parishioners brought in person to Saddleback Church by New Year's Eve. More was arriving by hand and by mail, he said.

[Odin2005]

16. Suckers!

[Release The Hounds]

17. Always reminds of this song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmWroc4VarY

[classysassy]

19. 2.4 mil no tax

will they feed some of the homeless,will they clothe a few homeless,or will they deposit it to their already fat bank accounts.?