Fake Rick Interview With Fake Rick.

Fake Rick: What have you learned in the process of doing this blog since July 23rd? If anyone really cares...

Fake Rick: I've learned 5 things

1. For the most part, people like humor more than real dialogue, and people like gossip more than they like humor but they might like funny photoshop-ed images more than they like humor or dialogue or gossip.

2. Anti-FR readers have expressed a belief that Christians should not question or discuss Christian leaders in public, and that they should not be the focus of satire. Satire does have reputable history in church culture with Christianity Today's "Eutychus and His Kin" written anonymously by Edmund Clowney and Denny Ryberg. Also a HT to the Wittenburg Door and Lark News.

3. Kooky. Being anonymous and taking on a persona is quite easy to do on the web. Truth is very hard to verify and people will say and do things they would never do in a face to face conversation. I didn't publish many comments because they got too personal.

4. Email is viral and word of mouth really does work on the web. This blog was started with just 5 fake emails to people suggesting they check it out. Lets just say the visitors sky-rocketed from there. I didn't think anyone actually read blogs.

5. Right now, anyone can be an "insider" - I have never been on staff at Saddleback (or my spouse), I have never personally met Rick Warren. I don't physically attend the church services (only on the web). By subscribing to Google alerts, Saddleback & Pastor.com newsletters and Podcasts, Google & Flickr images - you become an insider. Yes, I do know people who have work/ed there, but there's no great revelations coming from them. Church culture is the same everywhere. My name is not Josh, Forest, Tommy, Rick, Chris, Steve, Jennifer, Paris, Cathi, Brian, John, Sally, Mike, Dowa, Larry, Bill, Joel, Victoria, Sam or Chuck.

Fake Rick: Why end the blog now?

Fake Rick: Good question thank you for asking that. Since Kay's book is about to come out (pre-order it here) and the conference on AIDS and several other important events - I'm not gonna be the guy who steals attention away from orphans in Africa! Plus, when the Dallas Morning News names you website of the week, you know you've jumped the shark. YOU GUYS NEED TO STOP READING AND GET BACK TO WORK!

Fake Rick: Why did you pick Rick Warren?

Fake Rick: Rick has a great sense of humor and is an international public figure not just a local pastor. I imagine that there are many days where Rick wishes he could speak his mind. So I set out to create a blog that does just that and also comments on some of the ridiculous antics that happen in our church culture.

Fake Rick: What do you think the real Rick would say to you?

Fake Rick: Looking at you is like looking in the mirror! No, not really. I think he might put his arm around my neck (half pastorly hug and half headlock) and say "It was kinda entertaining but unless people know who you are and who you aren't some of this comes across as malicious. If you don't like what we are doing, that's ok, go somewhere else, I don't need you to speak for me, thank you- but where can I get one of those t-shirts"


Fake Rick: what would you say to Real Rick?

Fake Rick: I'm sorry if I crossed the line. I love your passion for Jesus & ministry, your focus on the poor, and your commitment to innovate. As a member of the skeptical generation I still question some of the process. Grandpa you had to think some of it was funny.


Fake Rick: What are you going to do next?

Fake Rick: I asked that same question to Douglas Coupland (name dropper) once and he said "I'm going to get a sandwich"

Stay thirsty my friends.

(Fake) Rick