Rick Warren

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Richard D. "Rick" Warren (born January 28, 1954) is the founding and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California, the largest Christian church in California. He is also the best-selling author of many Christian books, including The Purpose Driven Life, and an influential evangelical leader.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Pastor Rick Warren.
Pastor Rick Warren.

Warren was born in San Jose, California, in 1954, the son of Jimmy and Dot Warren. His father was a Baptist minister, his mother a high school librarian. Warren has a sister (Chaundel, who is married to Saddleback pastor Tom Holladay) and had a brother (Jim C. Warren, who died in 2007). He attended Ukiah High School and graduated in 1972.

Thereafter, Warren obtained a bachelor of arts degree from California Baptist University in Riverside, his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1979) in Fort Worth, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.[citations needed]

Warren has been invited to speak at national and international forums including The United Nations, The World Economic Forum in Davos, The African Union, The Council on Foreign Relations, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, TED, and TIME’s Global Health Summit. He is also a signer of a statement concerning the global warming initiative.[1]

Warren was named one of "America's Top 25 Leaders" in the October 31, 2005 issue of U.S. News and World Report.[2] Warren was elected by TIME magazine as one of 15 World Leaders Who Mattered Most in 2004 and one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" (2005).[3] Newsweek magazine called him one of "15 People Who Make America Great", an award given to people who, through bravery or generosity, genius or passion, devote themselves to helping others.[4]

Warren has been married to Elizabeth K. Warren (Kay) for thirty years. They have three adult children (Amy, Josh and Matthew) and three grandchildren. He considers Billy Graham, Peter Drucker, and his own father (who was himself a Baptist pastor and an Southern Baptist Convention missionary), to be among his mentors.[5]

[edit] Ministry

Rick and Kay are directors of the following non-profit organizations:

  • Saddleback Church
  • Acts of Mercy
  • Purpose Driven Ministries
  • The Global Fund
  • RKW Legacy Partners
  • Equipping the Church

Warren no longer takes a salary from Saddleback Church and has repaid all of his salary from the last 25 years back to the church, due to the success of his book sales. He says he now "reverse tithes", meaning giving away 90% of his income and living off of 10%.

[edit] Purpose Driven

Main article: Purpose Driven

Over 400,000 pastors and church leaders from around the world have attended a seminar or conference led by Warren and other pastors who share best practices as they seek to be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. The term Purpose Driven refers to these pastors' attempt to balance the five purposes of Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism in their churches. Saddleback Church also has a web-site, PurposeDriven.com, to help instruct in these principles, provide curriculum and to communicate and coordinate the community.

Over the years, Christian leaders in 162 countries have used materials which stem from this movement. Through this organization over 400,000 ministers and priests have been trained worldwide in his theology and practical methods. 189,000 church leaders subscribe to Ministry Toolbox, the weekly newsletter.[6]

[edit] Criticisms

Warren's books have come under criticism from some Christians who question the practices promoted in these books, claiming that they distort the gospel and employ questionable tactics.[7] Others express concern over what is described as the divisive nature of Warren's techniques. Wall Street Journal writer Suzanne Sataline cites examples of congregations who have split over purpose-driven growth strategies and congregations who have expelled members who fought purpose driven changes.[8] Richard Abanes, a Christian author, journalist and apologist has written a book and extensive articles researching many of these criticisms. These writings explain frequent mis-perceptions and corrects outright falsehoods.[9]

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links