Ken Blanchard: Leading like Jesus  or  being Managed by Other Forces?

It’s no secret that the New Age movement wants to compromise the church by incorporating their practices into the body of Christ. The business world has been consistently exposed to New Age concepts to bring about co-operation and productivity in the workplace. On the other hand, we find business practices being incorporated into the body of Christ. At this particular time the New Age movement has found an open door into the Christian church; I would like to see it shut.

Ken Blanchard, is well known throughout the business world, and is the best-selling author of 31 books including the One Minute Manager that has sold over 10 million copies. Blanchard is also part of the late Peter Drucker’s Leader to Leader network.

Drucker was also one of Rick Warren’s main mentors (Warren says, “I read everything Peter Drucker writes” (see Community Connections).

Many in Christianity have been introduced to Blanchard by the “Lead Like Jesus” conference[s], where Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Dan Cathy, Marjorie Dorr, Tami Heim, Ken Melrose, and Laurie Beth Jones have been speakers (Lead Like Jesus Celebration on April 29, 2004) http://www.christianitytoday.com/conferences/events/2004/40429.html 

Among the “Lead Like Jesus” National Board Members, are Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Bob Buford, John Maxwell and New Ager Mark Victor Hansen.

Both Rick Warren and Bill Hybels did a conference with Ken Blanchard (Leadership Summit 2005); Rick Warren, Ken Blanchard and Bill Hybels spoke at ( Lead Like Jesus 2003, 2004). At the 2004 Lead like Jesus Conference, Ken Blanchard & Bill Hybels spoke: “What is Lead Like Jesus All About? and “Making Your Commitment to Lead Like Jesus” (www.leadlikejesus.com).

Blanchard professes to have been a Christian since the mid-1980s. Blanchard states in We Are the Beloved, that, “In 1985 my [spiritual] journey got a boost when Margie and I met Bob and Linda Buford.” A few pages later in the book, Blanchard states, “I bowed my head and said, 'Lord, I can't save myself here.'“ And then, “I accept Jesus as my Savior and the bridge between You and me” (We Are the Beloved, 1994). Blanchard recalls in an audio interview “Remembering what Schuller said: Jesus being the greatest one minute manager of all time” (audio tape).

Blanchard soon recognized Jesus as a great leader. Blanchard sees things myopically, through the lens of business, which hinders him from seeing Jesus nature and ways accurately. His mantra is about Jesus as the greatest leadership model; Jesus is the greatest leadership model-Regardless of your faith. While Blanchard says it’s wonderful to have God as his boss, it is left up to interpretation what he means by this? Of his business or his life, spiritual life, or both? I do not mean to impugn his character but there are some very serious issues that need to be addressed for someone who is so well known to the world and the church.  

For instance, Blanchard states, “Gandhi said if all Christians would behave like Jesus, everybody in the world would like to be a Christian. What I found when I finally turned my life over to the Lord and began to read the Bible is that the greatest leadership role model of all times is Jesus of Nazareth. He hired 12 incompetent guys when He could have gotten some decent preachers. The guy who had a lot of education was Judas, and he was the only turnover problem. I’ve found out that what Jesus did and His whole way of being was to be a servant-leader. He said I have come to serve, not to be served” (“Strength for Living” Dr. Bob Reccord's second part interview with Ken Blanchard, Friday, November 07, 2003 - Thursday, November 13, 2003 http://www.familynetradio.com/documents/2597.htm). This interview need to be read to understand Blanchard’s associations and journey.

Christians are not expected to be perfect like Jesus but we have this as a goal. Despite the quote by Gandhi, this idea has been used as an excuse for many a non-believer, while we are Jesus’ representatives too many people focus on us. I also have to take issue with Judas having a lot of education? Where is this found in Scripture? The implication is that education hinders ones purpose. Yes, Jesus led by being the ultimate servant, but He did not start a religious business to be successful. He was not the CEO over the 12 disciples that “He hired,” with only one business failure.

What makes this dangerous is that Blanchard, after he has professed to be Christian, has put his name as an approval on numerous non-Christian books that blatantly promote other religious practices. This has been pointed out to him in both letters and information (see Letter to Ken Blanchard).

Let's take a look at his associations and statements to decipher his meaning. Although Blanchard does mention the name “Jesus” and ministry examples on his Lead Like Jesus website, there appears to be no Statement of Faith as most Christian ministries post on their websites. But the statements he does make are not just negligent; they are inclusive, in that they are conducive to other religious beliefs. His spiritual journey is still getting a boost from accepting other religious practices that are proven to be non-Christian.

Blanchard endorses New Age Teacher Jack Canfield's book, The Success Principles: “Canfield and Switzer have put their methods to success in an illuminating and easy-to-read book. Jack's teaching is highly effective and this new book will be the gift to give this year.” Canfield in his book encourages the use of practices such as visualization and meditation, with quotes of New Age authors and gurus. Blanchard says of The Success Principles, “Canfield and Switzer have put their methods to success in an illuminating and easy-to-read book. Jack's teaching is highly effective and this new book will be the gift to give this year.”

Canfield is no friend to Christianity, in an article written by Canfield, he says, In USA, we have a Christian fundamentalist movement right now which is threatening other religions and I don't like it.” He goes on to say, “Every religion I've looked at has some technology.... I've studied all of them and found what works for me and I've tried to make it available to others. What works for me is a combination of disciplines: I do yoga, tai chi which is a Chinese martial art and three kinds of meditation: vipasana, transcendental and mantra (sound) meditation.” (Canfield- Choosing to Be Happy Jack Canfeild Choosing to be happy INDIA TODAY PLUS THIRD QUARTER 1997 (http://www.geocities.com/pallipadi/timepass/articles/happy.html) emphasis added.

By endorsing Canfeild Blanchard is endorsing the New Age belief system that basically embraces all religions and belief systems. In fact one can honestly say at the end of the day, with all his endorsements, Ken Blanchard has become one of the main promoters of the New Age in business, society and the church. This will become apparent as we go through his many endorsements.

Blanchard does not seem to notice these other spiritual beliefs are contrary to his own, he wrote the foreword to Jim Ballard's book, Mind Like Water: “I signed up for the yoga meditation lessons...founded by Paramahansa Yogananda...I had evidently reached a level of consciousness beyond the usual...I continue to consider meditation far and away the most important thing I do”  (pp. 77, 78.)

The endorsement by Blanchard should be expected as Ballard is a colleague of the Ken Blanchard Companies; Ballard is also a staunch New Ager. In this book, Mind Like Water, Ballard teaches breath prayer, visualization, mantra meditation, and a number of other practices that help one reach an altered state of consciousness. Ballard is also an advocate for interspirituality and pantheism. 

Blanchard writes in the foreword to Franz Metcalf's What Would Buddha Do At Work? (2001):  ”I look for inspirational messages from a variety of sources besides Jesus. Our folks get to hear words of wisdom from great prophets and spiritual leaders like Buddha, Mohammed ... Yogananda and the Dalai Lama.”

  “Buddha points to the path and invites us to begin our journey to enlightenment. I ... invite you to begin your journey to enlightened work.” http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1569753008/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-4462232-7297560

Great wisdom from Buddha, Mohammed ... Yogananda and the Dalai Lama! Is Jesus just one among many who are so wise? Blanchard is promoting Buddhism and enlightenment to the public. Yogananda was a guru who taught SELF-REALIZATION. “Jesus, who had achieved entire oneness with that Christ consciousness' (Autobiography of a Yogi Self Realization fellowship p.178).  Yogananda writes, man reincarnates on earth until he has consciously regained his status as a son of God.” This is hardly a book that should be recommended by a Christian. To write Buddha points to the path and invites us to begin our journey to enlightenment tells me there is something seriously wrong with Blanchard’s understanding of Jesus and his loyalty to Jesus for his own spiritual growth.

The Dalai lama, the head of Tibetan Buddhism is known as His Holiness the Dalai Lama and is the supposed reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, who is the reincarnation of the previous Lama, In Buddhism he is a deity transcending time and space. Is a Christian supposed to learn from someone such as this?

Blanchard writes of the Dalai Lama, “I was reading The Dalai Lama's Book of Wisdom and he says a really interesting thing here about what we get attached to: “When our attitude toward our material possessions and wealth is not proper, it can lead to an extreme attachment toward such things as property, houses, and belongings.” So you can get attached to them if you think that's truly important. “This can lead to an inability to feel contented. If that happens, then one will remain in a state of dissatisfaction, always wanting more. In a way one is then really poor because the suffering of poverty is the suffering of wanting something and feeling the lack of it” (Oct.9, 2002 “Moment of Inspiration,” Ken Blanchard, http://www.blanchardtraining.com/inspiration).

As believers we are to follow Jesus- we do not mix religions. Either Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life or He is not. One must make up their mind to follow Him correctly. Lead like Jesus is hardly an accurate description of what is taking place here.

In the book “What Would Buddha Do At Work?” It says it, “will enhance your work life no matter what your religious or spiritual background” The author provides insights and suggestions, guiding you along your own path to enlightened work.” (The book basically promotes Buddha and how Buddhist teachings can help in our contemporary life and modern society). In fact the book begins with the quote: “To study the Buddha way is to study the self” (Dogen Zenji, Genjo Koan). The book Blanchard has written a forward to clearly promotes Buddhism.

Blanchard actually says much can be gained from these other religions, including Buddhism. He and his wife both encourage the practice of yoga and meditation. “Practice stress management techniques, (deep relaxation, mediation, yoga)” (Dr. Marjorie Blanchard, Life Balance for Both Individual Well Being and organizational Retention, p.11, astd. 2003, The Ken Blanchard companies) http://www1.astd.org/astdInterim0304/pdf/handouts/W213.pdf

On the back cover of Robert Scheinfeld's book, Mind Like Water, What Would Buddha Do At Work, The Corporate Mystic and The 11th Element. Blanchard says: “The 11th Element teaches you the valuable skill of asking for assistance from your 'Inner CEO' to improve your decision making.” Scheinfeld, a man who boasts of going through the AVATAR program, teaches in his books and seminars a concept that within every person is an invisible network and an inner intelligence or Inner CEO. Of this invisible network, Scheinfeld says, “That network links all of us together at the unconscious level and stores information on what everybody is doing all over the planet.”

This universal intelligence that is pantheistic has nothing to do with Christianity and the teaching of Jesus.

Ken Blanchard has endorsed Z.B.A.: Zen of Business Administration - How Zen Practice Can Transform Your Work And Your Life (by Marc Lesser) 

On the Back Cover “There is an urgent need for all of us to walk our faith in the marketplace. Z.B.A. Zen of Business Administration by Marc Lesser will surely help. Read, rejoice, and start practicing” (Ken Blanchard). What faith is this that would practice Zen?

The book Description on Amazon- In the great Zen tradition of teaching stories, Marc Lesser relates his own personal and professional trials as he navigates the delicate path of managing a successful business while staying true to his spiritual roots. …Guiding him through these difficulties while providing strength and insight is the practice of Zen. Utilizing his training as a Zen practitioner, Lesser learns to apply specific teachings such as the eight-fold path directly to work and life “ Amazon

Blanchard is endorsing a book that has Zen as a spiritual practice for the answer in the marketplace. What is Zen? “Zen and Chan are, respectively, the Japanese and Chinese ways of pronouncing the Sanskrit term dhyana, which designates a state of mind roughly equivalent to contemplation or meditation, although without the static and passive sense that these words sometimes convey. Dhyana denotes specifically the state of consciousness of a Buddha” (Encarta Encyclopedia)

To practice Zen one must have a state of mind that has no grasp for thoughts or feelings (Sanskrit trishna). This is called “no-mind”- a state of consciousness wherein thoughts move without leaving any trace

Blanchard’s endorsement is found on the Front Cover of Corporate Mystic audio. Besides practical advice for the workplace it used s examples from Zen and meditation, has the theme of Eastern philosophy, and speaks of the leader of tomorrow as a “mystic.”

Blanchards endorsement is on the Back Cover of Deepak Chopra's 7 Spiritual Laws of Success. Clearly, Chopra is someone who promotes a new spirituality that is in the camp with the new age ecumenism, than Christianity. Blanchard’s endorsement said: “The Seven spiritual laws of Success make wonderful guiding principles for anyone attempting to cerate a productive and satisfying life or human organization” http://www.chopra.com/

Deepak Chopra underwent a Hindu conversion in America, and met the founder of TM, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1985. The Maharishi invited Chopra to study Ayurveda, and subsequently Chopra became the founding president of the American Association for Ayurvedic Medicine. In 1989 he wrote the book, Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind Body Medicine, which combined Hinduism and Western medicine. His discourses are on India’s ancient knowledge of healing, known as Ayur-veda, and related mystical beliefs of Vedanta. In the book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Chopra says that there are “seeds of divinity within us,” that we are “divinity in disguise.” the universe consists of a single energy or consciousness; this energy is the “field of all possibilities” (The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, p. 9). Law Seven, step one, says, “Today I will lovingly nurture the god or goddess in embryo that lies deep within my soul” (p.102). 

If Ken Blanchard is a Christian why is he promoting these books? Why do Rick Warren and others endorse a man who is involved in New Age thinking, and who endorses others who promote it?

How can any Christian endorse the blatant Hindu philosophies of Chopra and others who promote the New Age? When you lack Bible knowledge, discernment is not present.

Ellen Tadd is a clairvoyant, yet Ken Blanchard wrote the Foreword to her book, Death and Letting Go. “What Ellen says about death and dying is very helpful, no matter what your faith or religion. Her book not only encourages us to deal with death now, but helps us consider how we live day in and day out too.” emphasis added.

Ellen Tadd is a nationally recognized clairvoyant practitioner whose profound teachings have drawn thousands to her classes, counseling sessions, and workshops for over twenty-five years.  Tadd is the Director and owner of Montague Press. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Corfu Foundation. Montague press states, “Our primary purpose is to help foster a spiritual perspective in an emerging global community.” On the Corfu site we read: In 1987, Janice started meditating and opening to the importance of spiritual experiences and principles. In creating the Corfu Foundation, she has blended her passion for spirituality and her family tradition of generosity to form an organization to help promote the actualization of spiritual principles in the world.

In an excerpt in one review - I would suppress the onset of an out-of-body experience, or silence the voice of my deceased parents who wished (wish?) to talk with me If anything, Ms. Tadd's account has stregthened my belief in eternal life, moreso in reincarnation. [sic] (Amazon)

Blanchard endorses motivational speaker Brian Tracy's book, Maximum Achievement, and states: “I guarantee the strategies and skills presented in this book will unlock your hidden powers to succeed.” Do we have hidden powers like the occult teaches? We get to see what he means by hidden power in chapter six, “The Master Power” (p. 179), Tracy writes, “many of the greatest thinkers who have ever lived have stood in awe before this power and have written about it,” he continues, “Madame Blavatsky, the Russian theosophist, called it, 'the secret doctrine.” emphasis added

Madame Blavatsky is the founder of the Theosophical Society and is considered the mother of the modern New Age Movement, she was an Occultist. Blavatsky's book, the infamous The Secret Doctrine, is one of the foundational books for the New Age and the new spirituality. What is her secret doctrine? No different than what some Occultists or Masons know- She said “Satan is a God of Wisdom, under different names” (The Secret Doctrine, Volume 2, Theosophical University Press, 1988, p. 237.) “Lucifer is divine and terrestrial light, the “Holy Ghost”  (The Secret Doctrine, Volume 2 (Theosophical University Press, 1988), p. 513). “Satan is the door-keeper of the Temple of the King; he standeth in Solomon's porch; he holdeth the key of the Sanctuary, that no man enter therein” (The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 2, p. 233).

One must wonder where this is all headed. The deeper we go the darker it gets with Blanchard’s endorsements. Can anyone not be reading this many books they endorse? I don’t think so. Since Blanchard is comfortable incorporating other religious practices into his own spirituality there is no reason not to out his stamp of approval on these books.

Blanchard's Day 22 on Lead Like Jesus audio atates: ”We asked you in our encounter to go out and experience solitude.... Place your hands on your knees in a down position ... If walking, visualize yourself in this position ... in harmony with the position of your hands, mentally put down everything you are concerned about ... take a couple of deep breaths and turn your hands physically and mentally into an upward position.”

Is this is what Jesus has told us to do! Who is leading whom into what?

Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc. and Laurie Beth Jones. Dr. Marjorie Blanchard, Co-founder and Head of Office of the Future Ken Blanchard Companies tells one to practice stress management techniques of “deep relaxation, meditation, yoga” (“Life Balance For Individual Well Being And Organizational Retention,” ASTD 2003 (pdf), The Ken Blanchard Companies, p. 11).

“In A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul” Ken Blanchard is found among 38 New Age or Mormon contributors. They include M. Scott Peck, Steve Andreas, Sai Baba, Martin Buber, Gandhi, William James, Joseph Campbell, Leo Buscaglia, Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale, Benjamin Hoff, Canfield, Hansen, and T.M. promoter Harold Bloomfield.”  Canfield is the President of Self esteem Seminars and the Foundation of Self Esteem.

We are told: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2 Cor. 6:14-16)

Ken Blanchard also endorsed New Age teacher Jack Canfield's recently released book, The Success Principles. Within the pages of this book, Canfield encourages the use of practices such as visualization and meditation, along with quoting New Age authors and gurus. Blanchard states that, “Canfield and Switzer have put their methods to success in an illuminating and easy-to-read book. Jack's teaching is highly effective and this new book will be the gift to give this year.”

Jack Canfield says, “What works for me is a combination of disciplines: I do yoga, tai chi which is a Chinese martial art and three kinds of meditation—vipasana, transcendental and mantra (sound) meditation.” (Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul)

Blanchard is on the Advisory Board of a company that promotes New Age philosophy (Hoffman Institute). Others on this board are: New Age Contemplative Joan Borysenko: Chair of the Hoffman Institute and president of the Mind/Body Health Sciences, Inc. Margot Anand: founder of SkyDancing Tantra International; trained in Gesalt Therapy, Tantra yoga and meditation. Sonia Choquette: psychic and spiritual counselor; author of The Psychic Pathway.  Rev. Hal Milton: ordained Unity minister; director of InsideOut Ministries, “An interdenominational ministry dedicated to evoking and celebrating the authentic expression of the divinity inherent in all people.”

Recently New Spirituality Communications (www.newspiritualitycommunications.com), the nation’s first public relations and marketing firm focusing on the swiftly emerging “spiritual marketplace,” has signed the worldwide Hoffman Institute (www.hoffmaninstitute.org) as its second major charter client. (KINGSTON, N.Y. (PRWEB) September 14, 2004)

The institute -- creator of the world-famous Hoffman Process, which empowers you to forgive your past, heal your present, and transform your future -- joins the well-known writer Neale Donald Walsch (www.cwg.org/neale/nealesstory.html), author of the best-selling “Conversations With God” series of books, as part of New Spirituality Communications’ growing roster of blue-chip, spiritually focused clients. Walsch recently engaged the firm to promote his new book, “Tomorrow’s God: Our Greatest Spiritual Challenge,” and his spring 2005 title, “What God Wants,” both published by Atria Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint.(emphasis mine)

On the Hoffman Institute website is promoted Your Spirit Guided Path audio tape: “This audio tape is an extremely powerful tool that will help you to live a more Spirit guided life. Led by Hoffman Process teacher and Hoffman Institute president, Raz Ingrasci, this tape takes you through a special Process-like visualization designed to support you in clarifying issues, accessing your Spirit and defeating negative patterns.” http://hoffmaninstitute.safeshopper.com/4/6.htm?682

The founder of the Hoffman Institute, Bob Hoffman, was a psychic. In his book No One is to Blame, he believes that “beneath the surface of human negativity there is a perfect diamond, the essence of the real you. By removing the encrusted dirt from the diamond, the real loving self can be set free. This is our essence, our true spiritual, perfect self.”

A book named The Hoffman: The World-Famous Technique that Empowers You to Forgive Your Past, Heal Your Present, and Transform Your Future, written by Tim Laurence, the present director of The Hoffman Institute, has Ken Blanchard's name on the inside endorsement page along with Sonia Choquette (a third generation psychic), Margot Anand (a tantric/mystic sex teacher), and New Age promoter Joan Borysenko.

Joan Borysenko says of the Process: “The Process is the finest and most complete expression of what healing and spirituality are all about.”  The finest- except it has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. It is decidedly non Christian

This- Forgive Your Past, Heal Your Present, and Transform Your Future is all done without Jesus Christ.

Blanchard is also a graduate of the Hoffman Quadrinity Process, and states that “The Hoffman Process brings forth spiritual leadership in a person. It made my spirituality come alive” (emphasis added).

What spirituality can Blanchard be referring to? The process is the complete opposite of what Jesus Christ says is our true condition and present in the human heart. How does a professing Christian, having acquired all these other spiritual ways that are not from Jesus Christ think this helps his spirituality?

Lets take a look at the process and what people are saying. The cost of the Quadrinity Process is $3,600, which includes tuition, lodging, food and materials). On the Hoffman website they state - “Our programs are designed for you to release this negative conditioning and access your untapped resources of power, wisdom and creativity. You can discover your best self and make the changes you really want.

What exactly is the Hoffman Quadrinity Process?  The Quadrinity Process uses a variety of techniques “The Process itself uses a variety of techniques, including visualisation, bio-energetics, Gestalt exercises, journalling, silent meditation, and group discussion” (Tim Lawrence The Hoffman Institute Director).

“Robert Hoffman's Quadrinity Process stands out as one of two significant exceptions, sharing the background of Western spirituality with The Course in Miracles, another extra-academic contribution to the transpersonal field.”

Tim Laurence, the present director of The Hoffman Institute and author of The Hoffman Process, explains in his book the spirituality of the Hoffman Process: “I asked my friends up above. They always have the right answer,” he replied, referring to his spirit guides that, as a psychic healer, he often consulted.” (Tim Laurence, speaking about the Hoffman Process founder, Bob Hoffman, p.15.)

The Hoffman process is also endorse by New Ager Ken Wilber (Whom many of the Emerging church leaders also reference Ken Sweet, Brian McLaren).

On the quadrinity.com website it states, Ken Wilbur is a prolific author credited with developing a unified field theory of consciousness—a synthesis and interpretation of the world's great psychological, philosophical, and spiritual traditions. He describes it as “Manifest reality… consists of different grades or levels…. At one end of this continuum of being or spectrum of consciousness is what we in the West would call ‘matter’… and at the other end is ‘spirit’ or ‘godhead’ or the ‘superconscious’” (Wilber, 39) THE NEGATIVE LOVE SYNDROME AND THE QUADRINITY

“The Hoffman Quadrinity Process, with its recognition of multiple dimensions of experience, includes much of what I believe [sic] is necessary for making the personal transition to integral ways of seeing, thinking and living ...[it is] an important and profound Process of growth and transformation”

On the Hoffman Institute website is promoted Your Spirit Guided Path audio tape: “This audio tape is an extremely powerful tool that will help you to live a more Spirit guided life. Led by Hoffman Process teacher and Hoffman Institute president, Raz Ingrasci, this tape takes you through a special Process-like visualization designed to support you in clarifying issues, accessing your Spirit and defeating negative patterns.” 

The internationally esteemed Chilean psychiatrist, Claudio Naranjo, author of The One Quest and a pioneer in the evolution of the Hoffman Quadrinity Process, states: 'The Quadrinity Process is the best method I know for the realignment of relationships with parents and parent surrogates and, more generally, a powerful tool in the service of the development of love for self and others”

Naranjo is involved in other spiritual practices. He once belonged to Gurdjieff group, he became a Enneagram pioneer when he was associated with Esalen Institute and brought it to America. (The origins of the Enneagram are found in Plato's school of philosophy). 

What are we to make of all this? Someone who has visible, influential ministry that is clearly involved in interfaith, Blanchard not only promotes other religious practices but has participated in New Age methods to help transform his spiritual life. This is detrimental to himself and to others. This is not pointing to the Word of God as the truth Jesus left us to practice. Is this the Christianity that the church wants to practice- a mixture of other religions? But this is what Blanchard presents, inclusivism. Which holds to those who can live a Christian life without a true knowledge of Christ, without a born again spiritual encounter via the gospel.  In a true conversion, we are drawn by the Holy Spirit and to the Son, not anyone else. One cannot come to the Son and stay in there own religion or adopt Christian principles for living. Jesus spoke to the people “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)

Jesus does not offer himself as one alternative among other teachers. He is the only one that can give rest to the soul; rest from religious activities that burden people and lead them away from Him. We cannot follow the Son along with other religious teachings. We make Jesus our Lord and follow Him ONLY, not Buddha, not another guru, not anyone else.

I have a hard time believing that someone who endorses so many books with people that promote Eastern religious practices is not aware of what they are doing; they would have to be unconscious. 

What businessman who is dealing with important information each day would not be informed on the differences between these religions and Christianity? And what of the Christians that are on the same board who have yet to state their concerns publicly? Do they disagree or merely accept it?

It is tragic when one who is successful in business is esteemed as a church leader without ever being grounded in the faith. But it is even more tragic when those who should know better sit by silently and allow the endorsement of other religions spiritual practices from this leader.

As a member of Blanchard's Lead Like Jesus International Board, Warren must be  aware of Blanchard's connections and involvement with the New Age. Yet, Rick Warren  personally knows Blanchard (and the other people on the Lead Like Jesus board), does not seem to be affected by the New Age teachings Blanchard promotes or practices. Instead, Warren asks Blanchard to come on board with his Peace Plan to solve the world’s five biggest problems (sermon by Rick Warren at Saddleback Church November of 2003).

Warren says: “Ken [Blanchard] has signed on to help with the Peace Plan, and he's going to be helping train us in leadership and in how to train others to be leaders all around the world.”

There is no excuse that this has been going on for years. As we have seen, Blanchard endorses--without hesitation--numerous spiritual practices that have nothing to do with Jesus' teachings or ways.

While Blanchard may have some practical advice for businesses (something he knows well), he lacks the skill for teaching what Jesus and the apostles have communicated.  Jesus said to the rich man who wanted to know the way to eternal life (who was a business man) -- sell it all and give to the poor (Lk.18:23; 19:4).  Jesus did not teach them any principles on how to conduct their business practices. He was not the best CEO in history.

Blanchard’s Lead Like Jesus website has this description: “To Inspire and Equip People to Lead Like Jesus in order to restore joy in work and family.  We're guided by a simple, but profound set of values... Honor God in everything we do”

How are the unsaved drawn to Jesus if other spiritual ways are readily endorsed? How can Christians be blessed and nourished or equipped by other spiritual practices that have nothing to do with Jesus?  How is the God of the Bible honored when other religious practices are accepted as valid?  Essentially one cannot lead like Jesus, or to Jesus, if they are accepting other ways and teachings and not following Jesus by His word.

How is Blanchard in the position to lead like Jesus if he does not know the difference between other religions and sound Biblical doctrine? How? To me this is disturbing.