Rick Warren’s very own magazine (Rick Warren Following Oprah's lead)

Jewish Journal online ^ | August 28, 2008 | Brad A. Greenberg

[Terriergal]

Rick Warren’s very own magazine

By Brad A. Greenberg

http://www.jewishjournal.com/thegodblog/item/rick_warren_following_oprahs_lead_20080828/

I wrote an article two years ago for Christianity Today about the demise of Purpose Driven ministries, an outgrowth of the ridiculous popularity of “The Purpose-Driven Life.” Murderers and madmen and everyone else know by now that the author of that book was Rick Warren, who recently reinvented himself as a political player. Purpose Driven ministries may be no more, but Warren is bigger than ever before.

Continuing his metamorphosis into the male Oprah, Warren is in talks with Reader’s Digest to publish a magazine inspired by his book, which was, in fact, inspired by another book. Rumors, and this mock cover, from Portfolio:

According to sources familiar with the details, RDA will publish the first test-issue of the magazine, whose working title is Purpose, as early as this fall. Joe Treen, a former editor at People and Discover, will edit it.

Asked about the launch, Treen said, “I’m not allowed to talk about it,” and referred the call to Frank Lalli, editor in chief for international editions of Reader’s Digest, who hasn’t responded to a message. Last week, a spokesman for RDA told me, “There are always things under discussion, [but] we don’t have any such project either about about to happen or about to be announced.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Warren had this to say: “If such a project were to happen, we would know about it, but can’t confirm anything of that nature at this time.”

[Terriergal]

Ha!

Satirically written (sometimes non-Christians make some very astute observations about the state of popular Christianity!), but I wonder if the rumors are true? I would not be a bit surprised.

[caseinpoint]

Well, if it is true, I really really hope he won’t be the coverboy every month like Oprah on her magazine. That alone turns me completely off her rag.

[GOPPachyderm]

Might be fun to suggest some other articles for this new publication - help them get it off the ground and all. Any ideas? How about ‘How to re-interpret scripture to suit your message!’ or ‘Greek and Hebrew words as only Rick knows them.’

[Terriergal]

great idea!
Fun with water:
40 creative baptism ideas

What’s so amazing about the number 40?

Confronting opposition: How to silence your critics

Creative ways to show people the door

Alluring Alliteration: How to come up with memorable catch-phrases

[Terriergal]

yeah I wouldn’t think cover shots of Rick would be any good for sales. After all “it’s not about me” (which of course, in Rick’s world, means he can go ahead and put his pic on the cover each issue).

[caseinpoint]

Well, his looks are one thing but that wasn’t what I was thinking about. It’s the narcissism of Oprah that bothers me. I know she apparently tried different covers but they didn’t sell but everytime I see that monotonous but ever-fluxuating mug on the cover of her magazine at the checkout stands, I want to barf. Never bought it. Never will. Don’t watch her show. Can’t stand her snake oil tactics playing on the Democratic “oh poor me” themes.

[Terriergal]

I hear ya. Narcissism yup... I still agree!

His looks are irrelevant to me...

[GOPPachyderm]

ROFLAO! How about

* Not just Hawaiian apparel: establish your own identity
* Considerations in videotaping leaders of Terrorist nations
* Using the ‘cone of silence’ with dissenters
* Pillars of the church: holding things up

[Terriergal]

You know what? it IS true...

do a google search for “rick warren” and magazine

huffington post is reporting on it. They used the mockup of the mag cover jewishjournal posted, but they cut it off so you can’t see all the fun titles! WHAT? Huffington Post didn’t want to risk offending Christians?

Portfolio.com is also reporting it. It seems legitimate.

[Terriergal]

and newsmax...
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/rick_warren_magazine/2008/08/27/125424.html

even better yet, search google’s news search for
“rick warren” magazine rda

[Terriergal]

ROFLMBO! Maybe we should ping Richard Abanes to this thread? Wonder if he lurks... probably not since FR started catching on to RW’s liberalizing effect.

[GOPPachyderm]

Huffington Post is first on the search. Working name is Purpose, which is a good thing to keep it from being confused with Ranger Rick, a popular child’s magazine.

[Terriergal]

Huffington Post is first on the search. Working name is Purpose, which is a good thing to keep it from being confused with Ranger Rick, a popular child’s magazine.

It's gonna BE Ranger Rick anyway... (smirk) de jure vs de facto

[onedoug]

Article: "How I Committed Treason And The Cash Keeps Coming" by Rick Warren