, his name is synonomous with the , , and so much more. According with wikipedia, (which we all know better than to question), a research report in 2005 found that Warren’s 
book, , was the second most influential book on American pastors and ministers lives and ministries! Second!
Guess what was first.
Yup, this guy has had a massive impact on the evangelical landscape over the past 10 to 15 years. In my exhaustive research process (googled a few different things) I cannot find how many books have sold between the two of them. My guess? Lots. 🙂
Actually the sales number in the millions.
While there are people that disagree with his methods or his views (any public figure has that), there is very widespread agreement that he lives what he speaks. This is a guy has consistently supported other ministers, has refused to take any money for his continued work as pastor at Saddleback, and has been able to walk that fine line of being an assertive voice in our world, without ever taking himself too seriously. Maintaining that kind of honorable life is worthy of respect.
My first experience with him was just after the Tech shootings. He allowed me to come on his podcast with two pastors who had dealt firsthand with Hurrican Katrina, one pastor from Sri Lanka who had lived through the , Jimmie Davidson who pastors and myself. He was kind and helpful and comforting actually. He didn’t water down my responsibilities or the responsibilities of the rest of [nlcf]’s team, but he also made it clear that we could do it in Christ’s power.
I haven’t spoken with him directly since then.
So when Jimmie passed my manuscript to David , Rick’s chief of staff, I was hopeful, but not terribly. What I saw in them was more of the same from before. David and his team were incredibly kind and responsive to someone who really isn’t very important. They deal with leaders of countries and pastors by the millions. I am just a guy with a book I wrote.
But they took a look at the book and liked it! All I originally asked them for was an endorsement. A few sentences. That’s it. What they ended up doing was writing a foreword to the book. I was honored. Not just because it will really help the word to get out about the book (it will), but because they were so kind and down to earth with me.
That was the most moving part of the whole deal. I got to interact with a team of people that operate in the stratosphere of culture, but demonstrated that they are kind and humble people while they are up there.
Thanks to the whole team!
Their very gracious foreword follows…
We live in a broken world. Because of that, we’ve all been brought to our knees by tragedies. What do you do when you’re struggling with overwhelming circumstances and emotions? How should you respond when your faith is tested and God seems absent or in no hurry to act?
In this book, Jim Pace offers helpful insights on the age-old question of God’s role in human pain.  Jim shares from his own personal battle in understanding God’s faithfulness in the midst of pain, as well as dealing with the issues raised after the tragic shooting at his alma mater, Virginia Tech.  Many of his congregation attended there during the shooting.
Jim shows how the Bible answers these kinds of situations.  The answers are clear, he says, but they are often not what we expect or desire.
The fact is, no one is immune to pain or insulated from suffering.  But God is there to provide real comfort and hope no matter what we face in this life. He uses even tragedy for our growth and his glory, when we give him all the pieces.  While God may seem absent, He is never really gone. While He sometimes seems silent, He is always speaking His love for us. While he sometimes fails to do what we think He should, He is always actively engaged in our problems, wanting to draw us closer to Him. In pain, we learn things about God that we will not learn any other way.
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
The Purpose Driven Life
chad frank said...
1That’s sweet man!
Hope God uses the kudos!
chad
11/13/09 11:36 AM | Comment Link