So remember that Rick Warren magazine that was rumored to happen, before the entire publishing industry went the way of the Hale-Bop Comet people? Well, somehow that is still happening, on the dime of Reader's Digest people.

Rick Warren is the pastor who moderated the McCain/Obama debates where the cone of silence fell off of John McCain's head. He is also pretty securely centered in that zone of super-church fundies who make up the majority of Midwest Obama haters.

How this "megapastor" from the right convinced the publishing industry he was worth a shot, after the jump.

One of the biggest new ventures, to be announced Monday, is a multimedia partnership with Rick Warren, the renowned minister and author, hoping to tap into the vast audience for his book “The Purpose Driven Life.”

Together, they are creating a Christian membership organization, The Purpose Driven Connection, built on Mr. Warren’s call to faith and charitable work. Paying members will receive a quarterly magazine edited by Mr. Warren, with DVDs and pull-out study guides in each issue, and access to a social networking Web site.

The things that make Reader’s Digest Association seem earnest or old-fashioned next to other big magazine publishers — its small-town readership, and a traditional emphasis on faith, families, volunteerism and sober self-improvement — appealed to Mr. Warren.

You know, besides the obvious jokes here about Kool-Aid drinking and evangelicalism and what not, doesn't it seem like there is a conflicting message being sent out here? On the one hand, Reader's Digest appeals to these earnest, old-fashioned folks who don't want anyone comin' around and changing the way that they read their old-people news.

On the other: DVDs! Social Networking sites! Awesome! All the kids are going to love their faith-based DVDs of a magazine that's ripping off of the only thing grandma still reads. Send eight copies to Kirk Cameron, ASAP.