After over 40 years as the lead pastor of Saddleback Church in California, Rick Warren recently announced that he will be stepping down and is now in the process of looking for a replacement.
Warren, who pastors a congregation of over 25,000 thousand members, announced in a Sunday sermon on June 6th, said,
This next week, we are going to begin the official search for my successor.
That’s a big deal, the official search for my successor. This isn’t the end. It’s not even the beginning of the end. It’s the beginning of the beginning, but we’re going to start looking for the next-generation pastor who will replace me and lead our family into the future.
We’ve been waiting on God’s perfect timing, began the process, finding our next lead pastor, and letting me make the smooth transition into a less visible role as founding pastor. Now, this is such a significant decision because I’m the only lead pastor our church family has ever had.
According to the Christian Post, as the 40th anniversary of his church drew near, he and his wife attended a prayer retreat to ‘uncover God’s calling on their lives.’
We went out, we prayed and we both felt that God wanted us to stay on in leadership past the 40-year commitment. Neither of us had any comfort in leaving, we had no idea what the future would hold, but we decided we’re gonna stay on until God gives us His timing.
And then we didn’t understand it then, but three weeks later, after our 40th anniversary, the COVID pandemic would shut everything down for a year and a half. As we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel of the COVID pandemic, we started feeling that God was saying, ‘Now is the time to at least start the process, start looking for your successor for your replacement.’
The Southern Baptist Convention affiliated church staff does not know all the details about Warren’s search for his replacement, but did say,
You don’t have to see the ultimate step to take the first step. You just take the first step in faith.
Warren did however note that he will not be leaving the church, but taking a much less visible role there.
He additionally explained that the church elders and himself do not have a particular successor in mind, but will be examining the “biblical qualifications for a pastor,” including a person who will
Love you as much as somebody who’s willing to sacrifice their life for your benefit [and is] already doing purpose-driven ministry.
The “purpose-driven ministry” is in reference to a widely successful book by Warren, that eventually led to church curriculum that millions participated in, and still can today. The website’s brief description of the campaign says “Experience 42 days of learning your purpose as a church body with this transformative church growth campaign.”
In the early parts of his sermon, Warren explained that Acts 13:36 has guided his ministry – “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed” – who quoted from the New International Version (NIV).
You might think that’s a funny life verse … but to me, that statement is the definition of a successful life serving God’s purpose in your generation. That would be a wonderful verse to have on your tombstone. There is a right time for every activity. That includes every activity in your life.
We’re not supposed to just do the right things, the things that God wants us to do. We are to do it at the right time. Timing is everything in life.
These recent actions come in the wake of Saddleback Church ordaining three women pastors, which drew criticism from the SBC, including the SBC President J.D. Greear, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler, who stated Saddleback’s recent ordination violated the SBC’s standards.
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AUTHOR COMMENTARY
[17] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. [18] For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.Romans 16:17-18
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.2 Corinthians 11:13-15
As far as I am concerned, Warren can fry in hell. Calling him a sellout is a massive understatement. He is nothing more than a papal goon, ecumenicist, and globalist who habitually advocates for a new world order. He is a proud member of the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR), particitpated in World Economic Forum meetings, repeatedly has called for Chrislam, buddy-buddy with numerous vile celebrities, cheerleads for the Covid vaccines, quotes all kinds of new versions and makes up verses on the fly, and basically advocates for everything the Bible calls sin and abomination.
Bryan Denlinger of King James Video Ministries recently commented on a video with Warren and Francis Collins of the NIH laughing at the deaths of those who supposedly died of Covid, jokingly made fun of the ‘gullible who believe every word’ (implying that those that listen to him and Collins are the gullible ones), and once again cheerleaded for the Covid vaccines – saying it is the responsible and duty of a Christian.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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This is, in my opinion, the beginning of the end for Rick Warren, regardless what he said in his sappy little speech. Saddleback is going to be on a downward spiral and yes, Rick Warren can definitely fry in hell!
Is it any wonder why one of his sons committed suicide?
Also, the youth pastor, Ruven Muelenberg, of saddleback church was arrested for sexually lewd acts with teenage boys.
Here’s a juicy piece of trivia: back in 2015, there was a movie that came out called Captive, from Paramount. It’s about a “lost woman” who is given a copy of the purpose driven life and she’s reluctant to keep or read it, until she is held hostage by an escaped convict or some guy on bail, and she begins reading Rick Warren’s purpose driven crap and soon he becomes curious and enthralled by the book and supposedly she quote end quote “leads him to the Lord.”
I bet Rick Warren got a lot of revenue from Hollywood doing that.
Hey, I am interested in taking over for Rick Warren! If I am selected, I will do a video conference showing his people how they were lied to, explain the King James Bible issue, preach the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, then tell the ones who get saved to go home and study the Bible, and the ones who reject will be told they are going to hell. After that, I will use what is left of Saddleback’s church funds to bulldoze the building, and turn the property into a nice park with trees and flowers.
Sounds like a good plan to me! 🙂
Do it, Bryan! Do it!!!
Sounds great to me ! I want my turn on the bulldozer though, so please share the bulldozer
Great idea, Ty Allan! Let’s take turns and use the bulldozer! Let’s bulldoze all Babel buildings! Sledgehammers are fun, too. Good for the wrists and building strength.
Brother, you would never be selected. Now, if you put on a dress, and some bad makeup (leave the beard for effect)… Then you might stand a chance! ROFL
Come quickly, Lord Jesus, come quickly!
Mitch – Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.
Rick Warren rises above personal attacks such as this by supposed believers without responding/retaliating. I know him personally and you couldn’t be more off base. He has and continues to do more to advance the cause of Christ than any other believer I am aware of the last 30 years or so. He is not retiring, just fyi, he will remain at Saddleback serving as the Founding Pastor. I know of few other people who can maintain the kind of schedule he does, constantly serving God and His people around the world. That will not change.
You obviously have no regard for facts. I know Ruben. He was not the youth pastor but a volunteer worker. The allegations are being contested and are most likely false. Pastor and Mrs Warren’s son had been suffering with a mental illness for many years. As for Pastor Rick’s life and ministry, he is respected by hundreds of thousands of pastors around the world and many millions of people whose lives he has impacted for the Kingdom of God. Talking trash about one of God’s choice ministers is very dangerous.