Changes
no edit summary
{{POV|date=November 2017}}
{{pp-pc1}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rick Warren
| image = Rick Warren at TED 2006.jpg
| caption = Rick Warren speaking at [[TED (conference)|TED]] in 2006
| birth_name = Richard Duane Warren
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|01|28|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[San Jose, California]], U.S.
| occupation = Pastor and author
| spouse = Kay Warren
| networth =
| website = {{URL|http://www.rickwarren.org}}
}}
{{Southern Baptists}}
'''Richard Duane''' "'''Rick'''" '''Warren''' (born January 28, 1954) is an American [[evangelical Christian]] pastor and author.<ref>Date of birth found on the ''[[California Birth Index]] 1905-1995'', under Warren, Richard Duane, on 28 January 1954 in Santa Clara County.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2005/time100/scientists/100warren.html | work=Time | title=TIME 100: Rick Warren | date=April 18, 2005 | accessdate=May 22, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101050207/photoessay/ | work=Time | title=25 Most Influential Evangelicals Photo Essay | date=July 2, 2005 | accessdate=May 22, 2010}}</ref> He is the founder and senior [[pastor]] of [[Saddleback Church]], an evangelical [[megachurch]] in [[Lake Forest, California]], that is the sixth-largest megachurch in the United States (including [[multi-site church]]es).<ref> And is commonly known as one of the top Christian pastors in the United States. [http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches The Outreach Magazine Top 100 Largest Churches]</ref> He is also a bestselling author of many Christian books, including his guide to church ministry and evangelism, ''[[The Purpose Driven Church]]'', which has spawned a series of conferences on Christian ministry and evangelism. He is perhaps best known for the subsequent book ''[[The Purpose Driven Life]]'' which has sold more than 30 million copies, making Warren a [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' bestselling author]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=2914953|title=Rick Warren: Purpose-Driven Strife|work=go.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/12/08/top-earning-authors-tech-media_cz_lg_books06_1208authors.html |work=Forbes.com |title=By The Numbers: Top-Earning Authors |accessdate=January 10, 2009 |date=December 8, 2006 |first=Lea |last=Goldman}}</ref>
Warren holds conservative [[theological]] views<ref>[http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_10314.php http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_10314.php]</ref>{{dead link|date=June 2017}} and traditional evangelical views on social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, abstinence-only education over the use of condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS, and [[embryonic stem-cell research]].
During the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]], Warren hosted the [[Civil Forum on the Presidency]] at his church with both presidential candidates, [[John McCain]] and [[Barack Obama]]. Obama later sparked controversy when he asked Warren to give the [[invocation]] at the [[Barack Obama 2009 presidential inauguration|presidential inauguration]] in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Mooney
| first = Alexander
| title = Obama's inaugural choice sparks outrage
| publisher = CNN
| date = December 18, 2008
| url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/17/obama.warren/
| accessdate = 2009-01-05}}</ref>
==Early life and education==
Warren was born in [[San Jose, California]], the son of Jimmy and Dot Warren. His father was a Baptist minister, his mother a high-school librarian.{{Clarify|date=January 2009}}<!---still living?---> He was raised in [[Ukiah, California]], and graduated from Ukiah High School in 1972, where he founded the first Christian club on the school's campus.<ref>Mair (2005), pp. 34.</ref>
Warren received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from [[California Baptist University]] in Riverside, California; a [[Master of Divinity]] degree from [[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]] (1979) in Fort Worth, Texas; and a [[Doctor of Ministry]] degree from [[Fuller Theological Seminary]] in Pasadena, California.<ref name=Top25Leaders />
==Personal==
Warren has been married to Kay Warren since June 21, 1975. They have three adult children and four grandchildren. He considers [[Billy Graham]], [[Peter Drucker]], and his own father to be among his mentors.
Because of the success of his book sales, in 2005 Warren returned his 25 years of salary to the church and discontinued taking a salary. He says he and his wife became "reverse [[tithe]]rs," giving away 90% of their income and living off 10%.<ref>{{cite news | last = Nussbaum | first = Paul | title = A Global Ministry of 'Muscular Christianity': 'Purpose Driven Life' Author Taking On Poverty, Disease | publisher= Knight Ridder Newspapers| date = January 26, 2006 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/21/AR2006012100284_pf.html | accessdate = February 19, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
Warren’s youngest son, Matthew, took his own life April 6, 2013, after years of struggling with mental illness. Almost a year after his son’s suicide, Warren launched a ministry to educate the Church on its role to help people struggling with mental illness and the Church Gathering in March 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/rick-warren-mental-health_n_4855909.html|title=Rick Warren To Host The Gathering on Mental Health and the Church A Year After Son's Suicide|work=The Huffington Post|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302061436/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/rick-warren-mental-health_n_4855909.html|archivedate=March 2, 2014|date=February 25, 2014|first=Gillian|last=Flaccus}}</ref> In the year following the suicide, Warren says that more than 10,000 people wrote to him about their struggles with mental illness within the Church.
==Career==
[[File:George W. Bush and Rick Warren.jpg|thumb|right|Warren with [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] in 2008]]
Warren says he was called to full-time ministry when he was a 19-year-old student at [[California Baptist University]]. In November 1973, he and a friend skipped classes and drove 350 miles to hear [[W.A. Criswell]] preach at the Jack Tar Hotel in San Francisco.<ref name="wmu">{{cite web
|title = Interview with a Missions Leader
|work =
|publisher = Woman's Missionary Union Website
|url = http://www.wmu.com/rickwarren/
|accessdate = 2007-12-18
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071214010511/http://www.wmu.com/rickwarren/
|archivedate = 2007-12-14
|deadurl = yes
|df =
}}</ref> Warren waited afterwards to shake hands with Criswell, who focused on Warren, stating, "I feel led to [[Laying on of hands|lay hands on you]] and pray for you!”<ref name=wmu/>
During his time at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Warren worked at the Texas Ranch for Christ, a ministry facility of Billie Hanks, Jr., where he began writing books. He co-wrote two books, ''The Victory Scripture Memory Series'' and ''Twelve Dynamic Bible Study Methods for Laity'' with Billie Hanks, Jr., and Wayne Watts.<ref>Mair (2005), pp. 59-60.</ref>
In April 1980 Warren held Saddleback Church's first public service on [[Easter Sunday]] at the [[Laguna Hills, California|Laguna Hills]] High School Theater with 200 people in attendance. Warren's church growth methods led to rapid expansion, with the church using nearly 80 different facilities in its 35-year history.The church now averages nearly 20,000 people in attendance each week.<ref>[http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches "The Outreach Magazine Top 100 Largest Churches"]</ref>
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 Magazine|Time]]’s Global Health Summit. He has been a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) since 2005.<ref name="stnau">{{cite web|url=http://www.stopthenorthamericanunion.com/CFRMembers.html|title=CFR Members|work=stopthenorthamericanunion.com|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413112531/http://www.stopthenorthamericanunion.com/CFRMembers.html|archivedate=2010-04-13|df=}}</ref>
Warren was named one of "America's Top 25 Leaders" in the October 31, 2005, issue of ''[[U.S. News and World Report]]''.<ref name=Top25Leaders>{{cite news
|last = Sheler
|first = Jeffery L.
|title = Preacher With A Purpose
|publisher = U.S. News & World Report
|date = October 31, 2005
|url = https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051031/31warren.htm
|accessdate = 2008-10-24
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110224095620/https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051031/31warren.htm
|archivedate = February 24, 2011
|df =
}}</ref> Warren was named 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).<ref name="Time">{{cite news
| last = Steptoe
| first = Sonja
| title = Rick Warren: A Pastor with a Purpose
| publisher = Time Magazine
| date = April 18, 2005
| url = http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2005/time100/scientists/100warren.html
| accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref> In 2006 ''Newsweek'' called him one of "15 People Who Make America Great".<ref name="newsweek">{{cite news |last=Adler |first=Jerry |author2=Karen Breslau |author3=Sean Smith |author4=A. Christian Jean |author5=Lisa Miller |author6=Catharine Skipp |author7=Arian Campo-Flores |author8=Jonathan Darman |author9=Barbara Kantrowitz |author10=Keith Naughton |author11=Daniel McGinn |author12=Debra Rosenberg |author13=Daren Briscoe |author14=Claudia Kalb |author15=Peg Tyre |author16=Matthew Philips |title=The giving Back Awards: 15 People Who Make America Great |publisher=Newsweek |date=July 3, 2006 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/46165/output/print |accessdate=2008-10-24 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221162357/http://www.newsweek.com/id/46165/output/print |archivedate=December 21, 2008 |df= }}</ref>
In August 2008, Warren drew greater national attention by hosting the [[Civil Forum on the Presidency]], featuring senators [[John McCain]] and [[Barack Obama]] at Saddleback Church.<ref>{{cite news|title=Contrasting styles, views in sharp focus|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/17/nation/na-saddleback17|publisher=Los Angeles Timees|date=17 August 2008|accessdate=15 February 2014|first1=Maeve|last1=Reston|first2=Seema|last2=Mehta}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news | last = Chan | first = Kenneth | title = Church-Hosted Forum Reveals Hearts, Minds of White House Hopefuls | publisher = The Christian Post | date = August 17, 2008 | url = http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080817/church-hosted-forum-reveals-hearts-minds-of-white-house-hopefuls.htm | accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref> The forum marked McCain and Obama's first joint appearance as the presumptive [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] presidential nominees and was broadcast live on national television.
In December 2008, President-elect Obama chose Warren to give the invocation at his [[United States presidential inauguration|inauguration ceremony]]. The decision angered pro-choice and LGBT advocates and led to criticism of both Obama and Warren.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Paulson
| first = Michael
| title = Obama taps evangelical for inauguration
| publisher = The Boston Globe
| date = December 17, 2008
| url = http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2008/12/obama_taps_evan.html
| accessdate = 2008-12-31}}</ref> Obama defended his choice of Warren, saying that although he disagreed with the minister's positions on abortion and same-sex marriage, there should be room for dialogue on such difficult social issues.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121804205_pf.html|title=Obama Defends Call on Invocation|date=December 19, 2008|first=Jacqueline L.|last=Salmon|first2=Peter|last2=Slevin}}</ref> More controversy ensued when it was announced that Warren would be the keynote speaker at the [[Martin Luther King, Jr. Day|Martin Luther King, Jr.]] Annual Commemorative Service on January 19, 2009, the day prior to the inauguration.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Quinn
|first = Christopher
|title = King Day speaker’s gay marriage stance attacked
|publisher = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
|date = December 23, 2008
|url = http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/12/23/rick_warren_king_day.html
|accessdate = 2009-01-01
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081227055954/http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/12/23/rick_warren_king_day.html
|archivedate = December 27, 2008
|df =
}}</ref> On January 20, 2009, Warren delivered the invocation, which was generally praised for its positive message.<ref>OC Register [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/warren-invocation-gay-2286573-church-first "Warren's invocation praised but some still call the choice inappropriate"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603193411/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/warren-invocation-gay-2286573-church-first |date=2009-06-03 }}</ref>
In January 2009, Warren and the Reader's Digest Association partnered in the launch of the ''Purpose Driven Connection'', a quarterly publication sold as part of a bundle of multimedia products.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Adams
| first = Russell
| title = Top-Selling Pastor Goes Quarterly
| publisher = Wall Street Journal
| date = January 27, 2009
| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123301423089217559
| accessdate = 2008-01-22}}</ref> In November 2009, the partners announced that the magazine had not drawn enough paying members and would cease after publication of the fourth issue that month.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Pérez-Peña
| first = Richard
| title = Reader’s Digest Closes Rick Warren Magazine
| publisher = New York Times
| date = November 4, 2009
| url = http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/readers-digest-closes-rick-warren-magazine/
| accessdate = 2009-11-07}}</ref>
===Ministries===
Warren and his wife are directors of the following non-profit organizations:
*{{citation needed span|text=Acts of Mercy|date=November 2015}}
*{{citation needed span|text=RKW Legacy Partners|date=November 2015}}
*{{citation needed span|text=Equipping the Church|date=November 2015}}
===Purpose Driven===
{{BLP sources section|date=November 2015}}
{{Citation style|section|date=November 2015}}{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2017}}
{{citation needed span|text=[[Purpose Driven]] comes from the teaching of Warren, and came into use as a paradigm taught to pastors and other Christian leaders worldwide to help them be more effective in leading their churches. Warren taught the material that would one day become the Purpose Driven philosophy of ministry to individual pastors who called or wrote him in Saddleback’s early days.|date=November 2015}}
Warren gained experience teaching the material through his participation in the Institute for Evangelism and Church Growth, affiliated with Fuller Theological Seminary. [[The Christian and Missionary Alliance]], influenced by Warren’s teaching at the institute, launched an ambitious plan to start 100 churches by Easter of their centennial year of 1987. When they surpassed their goal with 101 new churches (94 of them were still flourishing a year later), Warren began to realize that the lessons he had learned starting Saddleback Church were truly transferrable in a variety of contexts. The next year the church hosted its first pastors training conference. (''Prophet of Purpose'', page 158)
In 1995 [[Zondervan]] published Warren’s best-selling book, ''[[The Purpose Driven Church]]'', which distilled many of the lessons he had learned while starting Saddleback Church and honed during years of training other pastors. After sharing the “Saddleback Story”, the book makes a case for building a church around five purposes (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism) through what Warren called a “crowd to core” method of church growth. He encouraged churches to reach their community, bring in a crowd, turn attendees into members, develop those members to maturity, turn them into ministers, and send them out on a mission. (''The Purpose Driven Church'', table of contents)
More than 400,000 pastors and church leaders from around the world have attended a seminar or conference led by Warren and other pastors who seek to be more effective in fulfilling the biblical [[Great Commission]] and [[Great Commandment]]. (''The Purpose Driven Church'', page 103) “Purpose driven” refers to these pastors' attempts to balance the five purposes in their churches. Warren says his organizations have trained 400,000 pastors worldwide.
Others express concern over what they describe as the divisive nature of Warren's techniques. ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' writer Suzanne Sataline cited examples of congregations that have split over the growth strategies and congregations that have expelled members who fought changes. She wrote, "Warren acknowledges that splits occur in congregations that adopt his ideas, though he says he opposes efforts to expel church members." <ref name="sataline">{{cite news | last = Sataline| first = Suzanne | title = Strategy for church growth splits congregants | work = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date = September 5, 2006 | url = http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06248/719178-84.stm | accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref>
===P.E.A.C.E. Plan===
The P.E.A.C.E. Plan is an initiative begun by Saddleback Church. Warren's stated intention is to involve every Christian and every church in every nation in the task of serving people in the areas of the greatest global needs. The tagline is “Ordinary people empowered by God making a difference together wherever they are.” P.E.A.C.E. is an acronym for the stated methodology for achieving the plan: "Promote reconciliation. Equip servant leaders. Assist the poor. Care for the sick. Educate the next generation."<ref name="SaddlebackChurchThePEACEPlan">[http://www.saddleback.com/aboutsaddleback/signatureministries/thepeaceplan/ The PEACE Plan] ''Saddleback Church - The PEACE Plan'', retrieved 8/22/2010.</ref>
By the end of 2010, Saddleback P.E.A.C.E. teams had participated in mission trips to every country in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saddleback.com/archive/blog/the-slice-of-life-blog/2010/10/26/to-every-nation|title=Saddleback Church: The Slice of Life Blog: To Every Nation|work=saddleback.com}}</ref> Warren has stated that Saddleback is the first church in the 2,000-year history of Christianity to do this.<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/2Dailu 009/11/13/the-future-of-evangelicals-a-conversation-with-pastor-rick-warren/]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In 2004, [[Rwanda]]n President [[Paul Kagame]] sent Warren a letter, explaining that he had read ''The Purpose Driven Life'', and invited Warren and his team to help make his country the first “purpose driven nation.” Over the next several years, Saddleback Church sent a series of P.E.A.C.E. teams to the country.. As of 2014, 1,300 P.E.A.C.E. teams had served in Rwanda. On April 17, 2005, Saddleback Church celebrated the church’s 25th anniversary with a special worship service at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, with more than 45,000 people in attendance. President Kagame was one of the service’s special speakers.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}
===Celebrate Recovery===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2017}}
Celebrate Recovery began at Saddleback Church when member John Baker, who calls himself “a believer who struggles with alcoholism,” wrote Warren a letter in 1991, sharing his story and his vision for a Christ-centered recovery program. Baker had felt uncomfortable with what he called the “vague higher power” in Alcoholics Anonymous. Warren famously affirmed Baker’s vision and suggested he be the one to start the ministry.
As Warren and Baker made plans to launch the ministry, Warren developed a 10-part sermon series entitled “The Road to Recovery,” based on Jesus’ Beatitudes. Those messages were condensed into the eight principles that form the theological basis of the program. A small-group curriculum, developed by Baker, centers on the 12 Christ-centered steps, which were taken for the original 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous that make up the implementation of the program.
Over the past two decades, Celebrate Recovery has helped more than 500,000 people overcome alcoholism, drugs, overeating, anger, financial problems, physical and sexual abuse, and other issues. More than 20,000 churches have used the Celebrate Recovery program, and a typical meeting will attract more than 70 percent of its attendees from outside the host church. 85 percent of the people who go through the program stay with the church, and nearly half go on to serve as church volunteers.
===HIV/AIDS ministry===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2017}}
In 2002, Kay Warren became “seriously disturbed” by the global HIV epidemic through a ''Newsweek'' cover story. In 2004 she began an HIV ministry at Saddleback. Through Saddleback’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan, the Warrens have spoken up for those marginalized by the epidemic all around the world. The Warrens’ focus has been to mobilize local churches to combat the spread of the disease.
The Warrens’ plan centers around the C.H.U.R.C.H. acrostic. C stands for “Care for and support the sick.” H stands for “Handle HIV testing and counseling.” U stands for “Unleash a volunteer labor force.” R stands for “Remove the stigma.” C stands for “Champion healthy behavior.” H stands for “Help with HIV medications.”
==Political and social views==
[[File:President George and Laura Bush with Rick and Kay Warren.jpg|thumb|Kay and Rick Warren ''(left of picture)'', President [[George W. Bush]], with Laura Bush at his side, with the International Medal of Peace at the Saddleback [[Civil Forum on the Presidency|Civil Forum]] on Global Health in Washington, D.C.]]
Warren has an initiative for global action and service, the "[[P.E.A.C.E. Plan]]". The letters in the [[acronym]] stand for the five points in the plan: '''P'''lant churches that promote reconciliation; '''E'''quip servant leaders; '''A'''ssist the poor; '''C'''are for the sick; and '''E'''ducate the next generation.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} In February 2006, he signed a statement backing a major initiative to combat [[global warming]], thus breaking with a number of other high-profile conservative evangelical leaders.<ref name="globalwarming">{{cite news
| last = Goodstein
| first = Laurie
| title = Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative
| publisher = The New York Times
| date = February 8, 2006
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/national/08warm.html?ex=1155787200&en=19d0c89eb3b4f5c6&ei=5070
| accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref>
The combination of Warren's tone on political issues central to U.S. evangelicals and his concern for social issues has resulted in the characterization of Warren as one of a "new breed of evangelical leaders."<ref>New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/us/21evangelical.html "Emphasis Shifts for New Breed of Evangelicals"]</ref> It has also been misunderstood by the media, according to Warren, as indicating a shift in position on traditional evangelical issues, a shift he strongly denies.<ref>Wall Street Journal, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121944811327665223]</ref>
In a conversation with [[atheist]] author [[Sam Harris (author)|Sam Harris]] in ''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine, Warren spoke out against [[evolution]] and in favor of [[creationism]]. He also said, when questioned on whether religion is beneficial to society, that brutal dictators such as [[Mao Zedong]], [[Joseph Stalin]], and [[Pol Pot]] were all [[atheists]].<ref name="creationist">{{cite news |title=The God Debate |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/35784 |work=Newsweek |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref> In 2005, during the [[Terri Schiavo]] controversy, Warren stated that withholding feeding to Schiavo, a woman in a [[persistent vegetative state]], was "not a right-to-die issue." He then called [[Michael Schiavo]]'s decision to remove her feeding tube "an atrocity worthy of [[Nazism]],"<ref>{{cite news |title=Larry King Live: Interview With Rick Warren (transcript) |date=March 22, 2005 |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/22/lkl.01.html |work=CNN |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref> and while speculating about Michael Schiavo's motives, he suggested that Schiavo wanted Terri to die because, if she regained consciousness, she might have "something to say that he didn’t want said." <ref>{{cite news |title=Hardball with Chris Matthews (transcript) |date=March 23, 2005 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7286474/ |work=MSNBC |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref>
Two weeks before the [[United States elections, 2008|2008 U.S. general election]], Warren issued a statement to his congregation endorsing [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|California Proposition 8]], which would amend the [[California Constitution]] to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, <ref name="Video Message">Warren's [https://web.archive.org/web/20081027085038/http://saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentid=1502 Video Message] to Saddleback Church on October 23, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vigarchive.sos.ca.gov/2008/general/title-sum/prop8-title-sum.htm|title=Official Title and Summary, Prop 8|work=Official Voter Information Guide, California General Election, November 4, 2008}}</ref> a position consistent with the official position of his church's denomination, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]].<ref name="Video Message"/><ref>SBC [http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/pssexuality.asp Position Statement on sexuality]</ref> After the measure passed, Warren's church and others were targeted by protesters.<ref>New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/10protest.html "In California, Protests Over Gay Marriage Vote"]</ref>
In an interview with [[Beliefnet]] in early December 2008, Warren again sparked controversy by appearing to equate same-sex marriages with marriages between siblings, marriages between multiple partners, and marriages between adults and minors.<ref>Beliefnet, [http://www.beliefnet.com/Video/Beliefnet-Interviews/Rick-Warren/Rick-Warren-Interview-On-Gay-Marriage-And-Divorce.aspx "Rick Warren Interview: On Gay Marriage and Divorce"]</ref><ref>Fox News [http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec21/0,4670,WarrenSpeech,00.html "Pastor Rick Warren defends invite to inauguration"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901060727/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec21/0,4670,WarrenSpeech,00.html |date=2009-09-01 }}</ref><ref>Beliefnet, [http://www.beliefnet.com/News/2008/12/Rick-Warren-Transcript.aspx?p=7 "Steven Waldman Interviews Rick Warren"]</ref> He later released a video message explaining that he does not equate gay relationships with [[incest]] or [[pedophilia]], but that he opposes the redefinition of marriage.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rick-warren-insists-hes-not-anti-gay/ Rick Warren Insists He's Not Anti-Gay] CBS News; December 24, 2008</ref>
In a December 2012 interview, Warren publicly said that religious freedom will be the civil-rights issue of the next decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765616925/Rick-Warren-Religious-liberty-the-civil-rights-issue-of-the-next-decade.html?pg=all|title=Rick Warren: Religious liberty the civil rights issue of the next decade|author=David Ward|date=2 December 2012|work=DeseretNews.com}}</ref> He publicly denounced President Obama’s record on religious freedom, saying that Obama was “absolutely unfriendly” to religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/rick-warren-obama-religious-liberty_n_2206064.html|title=Rick Warren, Saddleback Pastor: Obama Has 'Infringed' Upon Religious Liberties|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref>
In a May 2014 article in ''The Washington Post'', Warren expressed his support for David and Barbara Green, the owners of [[Hobby Lobby]], in the ''[[Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.]]'' case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case centered on the company's request for a religious exemption to certain portions of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] mandate that companies provide employee health insurance. Warren wrote, “The [A]dministration wants everyone to render unto Caesar not only what is Caesar’s but also what is God’s. If it wins, the first purpose on which the United States was founded would be severely damaged.” <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/religious-liberty-is-americas-first-freedom/2014/03/21/498c0048-b128-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html|title=Religious liberty is America’s First Freedom|author=Rick Warren|date=21 March 2014|work=Washington Post}}</ref>
Warren has also criticized American Christianity generally for not standing up for the religious freedoms of religious minorities. Among religious freedoms, he includes the freedom to worship, to practice beliefs and values, and to convert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpnews.net/39737|title=Rick Warren advocates religious liberty for all|work=Baptist Press}}</ref>
==Bibliography==
*''[[The Daniel Plan|The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life]]'' ({{ISBN|978-0310344292}})
*''[[The Purpose Driven Church]]'' ({{ISBN|0-310-20106-3}})
*''[[The Purpose Driven Life]]'' ({{ISBN|0-310-20571-9}})
*''Answers to Life's Difficult Questions'' ({{ISBN|0-9660895-2-9}})
*''The Power to Change Your Life'' ({{ISBN|0-9660895-1-0}})
*''What on Earth Am I Here For?'' Booklet ({{ISBN|0-310-26483-9}})
*''Personal Bible Study Methods'' ({{ISBN|0-9660895-0-2}})
*''The Purpose of Christmas'' ({{ISBN|978-1416559009}})<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Christmas-Rick-Warren/dp/1416559000|title=The Purpose of Christmas: Rick Warren: 9781416559009: Amazon.com: Books|work=amazon.com}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Southern Baptist Convention]]
* [[List of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people]]
* [[Celebrate Recovery]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}
==References==
* {{cite book |last=Mair |first=George|year=2005 |title=A Life With Purpose |location=New York |publisher=[[Berkley Books]] |isbn=0-425-20174-0}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130308084629/http://www.rickwarren.com/ Rick Warren's website]
* [http://saddleback.com/ Saddleback Church website]
* [http://www.purposedriven.com Purpose Driven] — Book, Campaign, Resources
* [http://rickwarren.org/ Daily Hope with Rick Warren] — radio program
* {{C-SPAN|rickwarren}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|337}}
* {{TED speaker}}
* {{IMDb name|1844141}}
* {{NYT topic|people/w/rick_warren}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100123195428/http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/2010/01/603-interview-about-rick-warren-with-biographer-and-journalist-jeffrey-sheler.html Interview about Rick Warren with Biographer Jeffrey Sheler] on ReadTheSpirit.com, January 19, 2010
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warren, Rick}}
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:Baptist writers]]
[[Category:California Baptist University alumni]]
[[Category:Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Fuller Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from San Jose, California]]
[[Category:People from Ukiah, California]]
[[Category:Southern Baptist ministers]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
{{pp-pc1}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rick Warren
| image = Rick Warren at TED 2006.jpg
| caption = Rick Warren speaking at [[TED (conference)|TED]] in 2006
| birth_name = Richard Duane Warren
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|01|28|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[San Jose, California]], U.S.
| occupation = Pastor and author
| spouse = Kay Warren
| networth =
| website = {{URL|http://www.rickwarren.org}}
}}
{{Southern Baptists}}
'''Richard Duane''' "'''Rick'''" '''Warren''' (born January 28, 1954) is an American [[evangelical Christian]] pastor and author.<ref>Date of birth found on the ''[[California Birth Index]] 1905-1995'', under Warren, Richard Duane, on 28 January 1954 in Santa Clara County.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2005/time100/scientists/100warren.html | work=Time | title=TIME 100: Rick Warren | date=April 18, 2005 | accessdate=May 22, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101050207/photoessay/ | work=Time | title=25 Most Influential Evangelicals Photo Essay | date=July 2, 2005 | accessdate=May 22, 2010}}</ref> He is the founder and senior [[pastor]] of [[Saddleback Church]], an evangelical [[megachurch]] in [[Lake Forest, California]], that is the sixth-largest megachurch in the United States (including [[multi-site church]]es).<ref> And is commonly known as one of the top Christian pastors in the United States. [http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches The Outreach Magazine Top 100 Largest Churches]</ref> He is also a bestselling author of many Christian books, including his guide to church ministry and evangelism, ''[[The Purpose Driven Church]]'', which has spawned a series of conferences on Christian ministry and evangelism. He is perhaps best known for the subsequent book ''[[The Purpose Driven Life]]'' which has sold more than 30 million copies, making Warren a [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''New York Times'' bestselling author]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=2914953|title=Rick Warren: Purpose-Driven Strife|work=go.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/12/08/top-earning-authors-tech-media_cz_lg_books06_1208authors.html |work=Forbes.com |title=By The Numbers: Top-Earning Authors |accessdate=January 10, 2009 |date=December 8, 2006 |first=Lea |last=Goldman}}</ref>
Warren holds conservative [[theological]] views<ref>[http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_10314.php http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_10314.php]</ref>{{dead link|date=June 2017}} and traditional evangelical views on social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, abstinence-only education over the use of condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS, and [[embryonic stem-cell research]].
During the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 United States presidential election]], Warren hosted the [[Civil Forum on the Presidency]] at his church with both presidential candidates, [[John McCain]] and [[Barack Obama]]. Obama later sparked controversy when he asked Warren to give the [[invocation]] at the [[Barack Obama 2009 presidential inauguration|presidential inauguration]] in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Mooney
| first = Alexander
| title = Obama's inaugural choice sparks outrage
| publisher = CNN
| date = December 18, 2008
| url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/17/obama.warren/
| accessdate = 2009-01-05}}</ref>
==Early life and education==
Warren was born in [[San Jose, California]], the son of Jimmy and Dot Warren. His father was a Baptist minister, his mother a high-school librarian.{{Clarify|date=January 2009}}<!---still living?---> He was raised in [[Ukiah, California]], and graduated from Ukiah High School in 1972, where he founded the first Christian club on the school's campus.<ref>Mair (2005), pp. 34.</ref>
Warren received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from [[California Baptist University]] in Riverside, California; a [[Master of Divinity]] degree from [[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]] (1979) in Fort Worth, Texas; and a [[Doctor of Ministry]] degree from [[Fuller Theological Seminary]] in Pasadena, California.<ref name=Top25Leaders />
==Personal==
Warren has been married to Kay Warren since June 21, 1975. They have three adult children and four grandchildren. He considers [[Billy Graham]], [[Peter Drucker]], and his own father to be among his mentors.
Because of the success of his book sales, in 2005 Warren returned his 25 years of salary to the church and discontinued taking a salary. He says he and his wife became "reverse [[tithe]]rs," giving away 90% of their income and living off 10%.<ref>{{cite news | last = Nussbaum | first = Paul | title = A Global Ministry of 'Muscular Christianity': 'Purpose Driven Life' Author Taking On Poverty, Disease | publisher= Knight Ridder Newspapers| date = January 26, 2006 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/21/AR2006012100284_pf.html | accessdate = February 19, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
Warren’s youngest son, Matthew, took his own life April 6, 2013, after years of struggling with mental illness. Almost a year after his son’s suicide, Warren launched a ministry to educate the Church on its role to help people struggling with mental illness and the Church Gathering in March 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/rick-warren-mental-health_n_4855909.html|title=Rick Warren To Host The Gathering on Mental Health and the Church A Year After Son's Suicide|work=The Huffington Post|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302061436/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/rick-warren-mental-health_n_4855909.html|archivedate=March 2, 2014|date=February 25, 2014|first=Gillian|last=Flaccus}}</ref> In the year following the suicide, Warren says that more than 10,000 people wrote to him about their struggles with mental illness within the Church.
==Career==
[[File:George W. Bush and Rick Warren.jpg|thumb|right|Warren with [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] in 2008]]
Warren says he was called to full-time ministry when he was a 19-year-old student at [[California Baptist University]]. In November 1973, he and a friend skipped classes and drove 350 miles to hear [[W.A. Criswell]] preach at the Jack Tar Hotel in San Francisco.<ref name="wmu">{{cite web
|title = Interview with a Missions Leader
|work =
|publisher = Woman's Missionary Union Website
|url = http://www.wmu.com/rickwarren/
|accessdate = 2007-12-18
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071214010511/http://www.wmu.com/rickwarren/
|archivedate = 2007-12-14
|deadurl = yes
|df =
}}</ref> Warren waited afterwards to shake hands with Criswell, who focused on Warren, stating, "I feel led to [[Laying on of hands|lay hands on you]] and pray for you!”<ref name=wmu/>
During his time at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Warren worked at the Texas Ranch for Christ, a ministry facility of Billie Hanks, Jr., where he began writing books. He co-wrote two books, ''The Victory Scripture Memory Series'' and ''Twelve Dynamic Bible Study Methods for Laity'' with Billie Hanks, Jr., and Wayne Watts.<ref>Mair (2005), pp. 59-60.</ref>
In April 1980 Warren held Saddleback Church's first public service on [[Easter Sunday]] at the [[Laguna Hills, California|Laguna Hills]] High School Theater with 200 people in attendance. Warren's church growth methods led to rapid expansion, with the church using nearly 80 different facilities in its 35-year history.The church now averages nearly 20,000 people in attendance each week.<ref>[http://www.sermoncentral.com/articleb.asp?article=Top-100-Largest-Churches "The Outreach Magazine Top 100 Largest Churches"]</ref>
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 Magazine|Time]]’s Global Health Summit. He has been a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) since 2005.<ref name="stnau">{{cite web|url=http://www.stopthenorthamericanunion.com/CFRMembers.html|title=CFR Members|work=stopthenorthamericanunion.com|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413112531/http://www.stopthenorthamericanunion.com/CFRMembers.html|archivedate=2010-04-13|df=}}</ref>
Warren was named one of "America's Top 25 Leaders" in the October 31, 2005, issue of ''[[U.S. News and World Report]]''.<ref name=Top25Leaders>{{cite news
|last = Sheler
|first = Jeffery L.
|title = Preacher With A Purpose
|publisher = U.S. News & World Report
|date = October 31, 2005
|url = https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051031/31warren.htm
|accessdate = 2008-10-24
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110224095620/https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051031/31warren.htm
|archivedate = February 24, 2011
|df =
}}</ref> Warren was named 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).<ref name="Time">{{cite news
| last = Steptoe
| first = Sonja
| title = Rick Warren: A Pastor with a Purpose
| publisher = Time Magazine
| date = April 18, 2005
| url = http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2005/time100/scientists/100warren.html
| accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref> In 2006 ''Newsweek'' called him one of "15 People Who Make America Great".<ref name="newsweek">{{cite news |last=Adler |first=Jerry |author2=Karen Breslau |author3=Sean Smith |author4=A. Christian Jean |author5=Lisa Miller |author6=Catharine Skipp |author7=Arian Campo-Flores |author8=Jonathan Darman |author9=Barbara Kantrowitz |author10=Keith Naughton |author11=Daniel McGinn |author12=Debra Rosenberg |author13=Daren Briscoe |author14=Claudia Kalb |author15=Peg Tyre |author16=Matthew Philips |title=The giving Back Awards: 15 People Who Make America Great |publisher=Newsweek |date=July 3, 2006 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/46165/output/print |accessdate=2008-10-24 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221162357/http://www.newsweek.com/id/46165/output/print |archivedate=December 21, 2008 |df= }}</ref>
In August 2008, Warren drew greater national attention by hosting the [[Civil Forum on the Presidency]], featuring senators [[John McCain]] and [[Barack Obama]] at Saddleback Church.<ref>{{cite news|title=Contrasting styles, views in sharp focus|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/17/nation/na-saddleback17|publisher=Los Angeles Timees|date=17 August 2008|accessdate=15 February 2014|first1=Maeve|last1=Reston|first2=Seema|last2=Mehta}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news | last = Chan | first = Kenneth | title = Church-Hosted Forum Reveals Hearts, Minds of White House Hopefuls | publisher = The Christian Post | date = August 17, 2008 | url = http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080817/church-hosted-forum-reveals-hearts-minds-of-white-house-hopefuls.htm | accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref> The forum marked McCain and Obama's first joint appearance as the presumptive [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] presidential nominees and was broadcast live on national television.
In December 2008, President-elect Obama chose Warren to give the invocation at his [[United States presidential inauguration|inauguration ceremony]]. The decision angered pro-choice and LGBT advocates and led to criticism of both Obama and Warren.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Paulson
| first = Michael
| title = Obama taps evangelical for inauguration
| publisher = The Boston Globe
| date = December 17, 2008
| url = http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2008/12/obama_taps_evan.html
| accessdate = 2008-12-31}}</ref> Obama defended his choice of Warren, saying that although he disagreed with the minister's positions on abortion and same-sex marriage, there should be room for dialogue on such difficult social issues.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/18/AR2008121804205_pf.html|title=Obama Defends Call on Invocation|date=December 19, 2008|first=Jacqueline L.|last=Salmon|first2=Peter|last2=Slevin}}</ref> More controversy ensued when it was announced that Warren would be the keynote speaker at the [[Martin Luther King, Jr. Day|Martin Luther King, Jr.]] Annual Commemorative Service on January 19, 2009, the day prior to the inauguration.<ref>{{cite news
|last = Quinn
|first = Christopher
|title = King Day speaker’s gay marriage stance attacked
|publisher = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
|date = December 23, 2008
|url = http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/12/23/rick_warren_king_day.html
|accessdate = 2009-01-01
|deadurl = yes
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081227055954/http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/12/23/rick_warren_king_day.html
|archivedate = December 27, 2008
|df =
}}</ref> On January 20, 2009, Warren delivered the invocation, which was generally praised for its positive message.<ref>OC Register [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/warren-invocation-gay-2286573-church-first "Warren's invocation praised but some still call the choice inappropriate"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603193411/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/warren-invocation-gay-2286573-church-first |date=2009-06-03 }}</ref>
In January 2009, Warren and the Reader's Digest Association partnered in the launch of the ''Purpose Driven Connection'', a quarterly publication sold as part of a bundle of multimedia products.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Adams
| first = Russell
| title = Top-Selling Pastor Goes Quarterly
| publisher = Wall Street Journal
| date = January 27, 2009
| url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123301423089217559
| accessdate = 2008-01-22}}</ref> In November 2009, the partners announced that the magazine had not drawn enough paying members and would cease after publication of the fourth issue that month.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Pérez-Peña
| first = Richard
| title = Reader’s Digest Closes Rick Warren Magazine
| publisher = New York Times
| date = November 4, 2009
| url = http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/readers-digest-closes-rick-warren-magazine/
| accessdate = 2009-11-07}}</ref>
===Ministries===
Warren and his wife are directors of the following non-profit organizations:
*{{citation needed span|text=Acts of Mercy|date=November 2015}}
*{{citation needed span|text=RKW Legacy Partners|date=November 2015}}
*{{citation needed span|text=Equipping the Church|date=November 2015}}
===Purpose Driven===
{{BLP sources section|date=November 2015}}
{{Citation style|section|date=November 2015}}{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2017}}
{{citation needed span|text=[[Purpose Driven]] comes from the teaching of Warren, and came into use as a paradigm taught to pastors and other Christian leaders worldwide to help them be more effective in leading their churches. Warren taught the material that would one day become the Purpose Driven philosophy of ministry to individual pastors who called or wrote him in Saddleback’s early days.|date=November 2015}}
Warren gained experience teaching the material through his participation in the Institute for Evangelism and Church Growth, affiliated with Fuller Theological Seminary. [[The Christian and Missionary Alliance]], influenced by Warren’s teaching at the institute, launched an ambitious plan to start 100 churches by Easter of their centennial year of 1987. When they surpassed their goal with 101 new churches (94 of them were still flourishing a year later), Warren began to realize that the lessons he had learned starting Saddleback Church were truly transferrable in a variety of contexts. The next year the church hosted its first pastors training conference. (''Prophet of Purpose'', page 158)
In 1995 [[Zondervan]] published Warren’s best-selling book, ''[[The Purpose Driven Church]]'', which distilled many of the lessons he had learned while starting Saddleback Church and honed during years of training other pastors. After sharing the “Saddleback Story”, the book makes a case for building a church around five purposes (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism) through what Warren called a “crowd to core” method of church growth. He encouraged churches to reach their community, bring in a crowd, turn attendees into members, develop those members to maturity, turn them into ministers, and send them out on a mission. (''The Purpose Driven Church'', table of contents)
More than 400,000 pastors and church leaders from around the world have attended a seminar or conference led by Warren and other pastors who seek to be more effective in fulfilling the biblical [[Great Commission]] and [[Great Commandment]]. (''The Purpose Driven Church'', page 103) “Purpose driven” refers to these pastors' attempts to balance the five purposes in their churches. Warren says his organizations have trained 400,000 pastors worldwide.
Others express concern over what they describe as the divisive nature of Warren's techniques. ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' writer Suzanne Sataline cited examples of congregations that have split over the growth strategies and congregations that have expelled members who fought changes. She wrote, "Warren acknowledges that splits occur in congregations that adopt his ideas, though he says he opposes efforts to expel church members." <ref name="sataline">{{cite news | last = Sataline| first = Suzanne | title = Strategy for church growth splits congregants | work = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date = September 5, 2006 | url = http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06248/719178-84.stm | accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref>
===P.E.A.C.E. Plan===
The P.E.A.C.E. Plan is an initiative begun by Saddleback Church. Warren's stated intention is to involve every Christian and every church in every nation in the task of serving people in the areas of the greatest global needs. The tagline is “Ordinary people empowered by God making a difference together wherever they are.” P.E.A.C.E. is an acronym for the stated methodology for achieving the plan: "Promote reconciliation. Equip servant leaders. Assist the poor. Care for the sick. Educate the next generation."<ref name="SaddlebackChurchThePEACEPlan">[http://www.saddleback.com/aboutsaddleback/signatureministries/thepeaceplan/ The PEACE Plan] ''Saddleback Church - The PEACE Plan'', retrieved 8/22/2010.</ref>
By the end of 2010, Saddleback P.E.A.C.E. teams had participated in mission trips to every country in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saddleback.com/archive/blog/the-slice-of-life-blog/2010/10/26/to-every-nation|title=Saddleback Church: The Slice of Life Blog: To Every Nation|work=saddleback.com}}</ref> Warren has stated that Saddleback is the first church in the 2,000-year history of Christianity to do this.<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/2Dailu 009/11/13/the-future-of-evangelicals-a-conversation-with-pastor-rick-warren/]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In 2004, [[Rwanda]]n President [[Paul Kagame]] sent Warren a letter, explaining that he had read ''The Purpose Driven Life'', and invited Warren and his team to help make his country the first “purpose driven nation.” Over the next several years, Saddleback Church sent a series of P.E.A.C.E. teams to the country.. As of 2014, 1,300 P.E.A.C.E. teams had served in Rwanda. On April 17, 2005, Saddleback Church celebrated the church’s 25th anniversary with a special worship service at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, with more than 45,000 people in attendance. President Kagame was one of the service’s special speakers.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}
===Celebrate Recovery===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2017}}
Celebrate Recovery began at Saddleback Church when member John Baker, who calls himself “a believer who struggles with alcoholism,” wrote Warren a letter in 1991, sharing his story and his vision for a Christ-centered recovery program. Baker had felt uncomfortable with what he called the “vague higher power” in Alcoholics Anonymous. Warren famously affirmed Baker’s vision and suggested he be the one to start the ministry.
As Warren and Baker made plans to launch the ministry, Warren developed a 10-part sermon series entitled “The Road to Recovery,” based on Jesus’ Beatitudes. Those messages were condensed into the eight principles that form the theological basis of the program. A small-group curriculum, developed by Baker, centers on the 12 Christ-centered steps, which were taken for the original 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous that make up the implementation of the program.
Over the past two decades, Celebrate Recovery has helped more than 500,000 people overcome alcoholism, drugs, overeating, anger, financial problems, physical and sexual abuse, and other issues. More than 20,000 churches have used the Celebrate Recovery program, and a typical meeting will attract more than 70 percent of its attendees from outside the host church. 85 percent of the people who go through the program stay with the church, and nearly half go on to serve as church volunteers.
===HIV/AIDS ministry===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2017}}
In 2002, Kay Warren became “seriously disturbed” by the global HIV epidemic through a ''Newsweek'' cover story. In 2004 she began an HIV ministry at Saddleback. Through Saddleback’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan, the Warrens have spoken up for those marginalized by the epidemic all around the world. The Warrens’ focus has been to mobilize local churches to combat the spread of the disease.
The Warrens’ plan centers around the C.H.U.R.C.H. acrostic. C stands for “Care for and support the sick.” H stands for “Handle HIV testing and counseling.” U stands for “Unleash a volunteer labor force.” R stands for “Remove the stigma.” C stands for “Champion healthy behavior.” H stands for “Help with HIV medications.”
==Political and social views==
[[File:President George and Laura Bush with Rick and Kay Warren.jpg|thumb|Kay and Rick Warren ''(left of picture)'', President [[George W. Bush]], with Laura Bush at his side, with the International Medal of Peace at the Saddleback [[Civil Forum on the Presidency|Civil Forum]] on Global Health in Washington, D.C.]]
Warren has an initiative for global action and service, the "[[P.E.A.C.E. Plan]]". The letters in the [[acronym]] stand for the five points in the plan: '''P'''lant churches that promote reconciliation; '''E'''quip servant leaders; '''A'''ssist the poor; '''C'''are for the sick; and '''E'''ducate the next generation.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} In February 2006, he signed a statement backing a major initiative to combat [[global warming]], thus breaking with a number of other high-profile conservative evangelical leaders.<ref name="globalwarming">{{cite news
| last = Goodstein
| first = Laurie
| title = Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative
| publisher = The New York Times
| date = February 8, 2006
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/national/08warm.html?ex=1155787200&en=19d0c89eb3b4f5c6&ei=5070
| accessdate = 2008-10-24}}</ref>
The combination of Warren's tone on political issues central to U.S. evangelicals and his concern for social issues has resulted in the characterization of Warren as one of a "new breed of evangelical leaders."<ref>New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/21/us/21evangelical.html "Emphasis Shifts for New Breed of Evangelicals"]</ref> It has also been misunderstood by the media, according to Warren, as indicating a shift in position on traditional evangelical issues, a shift he strongly denies.<ref>Wall Street Journal, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121944811327665223]</ref>
In a conversation with [[atheist]] author [[Sam Harris (author)|Sam Harris]] in ''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine, Warren spoke out against [[evolution]] and in favor of [[creationism]]. He also said, when questioned on whether religion is beneficial to society, that brutal dictators such as [[Mao Zedong]], [[Joseph Stalin]], and [[Pol Pot]] were all [[atheists]].<ref name="creationist">{{cite news |title=The God Debate |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/35784 |work=Newsweek |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref> In 2005, during the [[Terri Schiavo]] controversy, Warren stated that withholding feeding to Schiavo, a woman in a [[persistent vegetative state]], was "not a right-to-die issue." He then called [[Michael Schiavo]]'s decision to remove her feeding tube "an atrocity worthy of [[Nazism]],"<ref>{{cite news |title=Larry King Live: Interview With Rick Warren (transcript) |date=March 22, 2005 |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/22/lkl.01.html |work=CNN |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref> and while speculating about Michael Schiavo's motives, he suggested that Schiavo wanted Terri to die because, if she regained consciousness, she might have "something to say that he didn’t want said." <ref>{{cite news |title=Hardball with Chris Matthews (transcript) |date=March 23, 2005 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7286474/ |work=MSNBC |accessdate=January 10, 2009}}</ref>
Two weeks before the [[United States elections, 2008|2008 U.S. general election]], Warren issued a statement to his congregation endorsing [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|California Proposition 8]], which would amend the [[California Constitution]] to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, <ref name="Video Message">Warren's [https://web.archive.org/web/20081027085038/http://saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentid=1502 Video Message] to Saddleback Church on October 23, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vigarchive.sos.ca.gov/2008/general/title-sum/prop8-title-sum.htm|title=Official Title and Summary, Prop 8|work=Official Voter Information Guide, California General Election, November 4, 2008}}</ref> a position consistent with the official position of his church's denomination, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]].<ref name="Video Message"/><ref>SBC [http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/pssexuality.asp Position Statement on sexuality]</ref> After the measure passed, Warren's church and others were targeted by protesters.<ref>New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/us/10protest.html "In California, Protests Over Gay Marriage Vote"]</ref>
In an interview with [[Beliefnet]] in early December 2008, Warren again sparked controversy by appearing to equate same-sex marriages with marriages between siblings, marriages between multiple partners, and marriages between adults and minors.<ref>Beliefnet, [http://www.beliefnet.com/Video/Beliefnet-Interviews/Rick-Warren/Rick-Warren-Interview-On-Gay-Marriage-And-Divorce.aspx "Rick Warren Interview: On Gay Marriage and Divorce"]</ref><ref>Fox News [http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec21/0,4670,WarrenSpeech,00.html "Pastor Rick Warren defends invite to inauguration"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901060727/http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Dec21/0,4670,WarrenSpeech,00.html |date=2009-09-01 }}</ref><ref>Beliefnet, [http://www.beliefnet.com/News/2008/12/Rick-Warren-Transcript.aspx?p=7 "Steven Waldman Interviews Rick Warren"]</ref> He later released a video message explaining that he does not equate gay relationships with [[incest]] or [[pedophilia]], but that he opposes the redefinition of marriage.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rick-warren-insists-hes-not-anti-gay/ Rick Warren Insists He's Not Anti-Gay] CBS News; December 24, 2008</ref>
In a December 2012 interview, Warren publicly said that religious freedom will be the civil-rights issue of the next decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765616925/Rick-Warren-Religious-liberty-the-civil-rights-issue-of-the-next-decade.html?pg=all|title=Rick Warren: Religious liberty the civil rights issue of the next decade|author=David Ward|date=2 December 2012|work=DeseretNews.com}}</ref> He publicly denounced President Obama’s record on religious freedom, saying that Obama was “absolutely unfriendly” to religion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/rick-warren-obama-religious-liberty_n_2206064.html|title=Rick Warren, Saddleback Pastor: Obama Has 'Infringed' Upon Religious Liberties|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref>
In a May 2014 article in ''The Washington Post'', Warren expressed his support for David and Barbara Green, the owners of [[Hobby Lobby]], in the ''[[Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.]]'' case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case centered on the company's request for a religious exemption to certain portions of the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] mandate that companies provide employee health insurance. Warren wrote, “The [A]dministration wants everyone to render unto Caesar not only what is Caesar’s but also what is God’s. If it wins, the first purpose on which the United States was founded would be severely damaged.” <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/religious-liberty-is-americas-first-freedom/2014/03/21/498c0048-b128-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html|title=Religious liberty is America’s First Freedom|author=Rick Warren|date=21 March 2014|work=Washington Post}}</ref>
Warren has also criticized American Christianity generally for not standing up for the religious freedoms of religious minorities. Among religious freedoms, he includes the freedom to worship, to practice beliefs and values, and to convert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpnews.net/39737|title=Rick Warren advocates religious liberty for all|work=Baptist Press}}</ref>
==Bibliography==
*''[[The Daniel Plan|The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life]]'' ({{ISBN|978-0310344292}})
*''[[The Purpose Driven Church]]'' ({{ISBN|0-310-20106-3}})
*''[[The Purpose Driven Life]]'' ({{ISBN|0-310-20571-9}})
*''Answers to Life's Difficult Questions'' ({{ISBN|0-9660895-2-9}})
*''The Power to Change Your Life'' ({{ISBN|0-9660895-1-0}})
*''What on Earth Am I Here For?'' Booklet ({{ISBN|0-310-26483-9}})
*''Personal Bible Study Methods'' ({{ISBN|0-9660895-0-2}})
*''The Purpose of Christmas'' ({{ISBN|978-1416559009}})<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Christmas-Rick-Warren/dp/1416559000|title=The Purpose of Christmas: Rick Warren: 9781416559009: Amazon.com: Books|work=amazon.com}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Southern Baptist Convention]]
* [[List of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people]]
* [[Celebrate Recovery]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}
==References==
* {{cite book |last=Mair |first=George|year=2005 |title=A Life With Purpose |location=New York |publisher=[[Berkley Books]] |isbn=0-425-20174-0}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130308084629/http://www.rickwarren.com/ Rick Warren's website]
* [http://saddleback.com/ Saddleback Church website]
* [http://www.purposedriven.com Purpose Driven] — Book, Campaign, Resources
* [http://rickwarren.org/ Daily Hope with Rick Warren] — radio program
* {{C-SPAN|rickwarren}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|337}}
* {{TED speaker}}
* {{IMDb name|1844141}}
* {{NYT topic|people/w/rick_warren}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100123195428/http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/2010/01/603-interview-about-rick-warren-with-biographer-and-journalist-jeffrey-sheler.html Interview about Rick Warren with Biographer Jeffrey Sheler] on ReadTheSpirit.com, January 19, 2010
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warren, Rick}}
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:Baptist writers]]
[[Category:California Baptist University alumni]]
[[Category:Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Fuller Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from San Jose, California]]
[[Category:People from Ukiah, California]]
[[Category:Southern Baptist ministers]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
