Rick Warren Boasts of His Accomplishments After Being Ousted From SBC. ‘I Have 11 Million Social Media Followers’
Last summer, Warren made a surprise appearance at the SBC 2022 convention and spoke for several minutes uninterrupted, using his time to list all the accomplishments he has done as the largest Southern Baptist church in the world in order to stave off criticism he has received for ordaining women pastors a year earlier, bragging about all his accomplishments while telling attendees they need to stop “bickering over secondary issues” like what gender the pastor is, and instead focus on the Great Commission.
Saddleback has been the subject of a few controversies over the last few years, after it was uncovered that they have several gay-affirming church leaders on staff who run a gay-affirming ministry for parents of LGBTQ+ children (the same as Andy Stanley’s North Point Church) and for having a “Blacks Only worship service” where no white members were allowed in, so the “black fold” could have a “safe space” to “heal.” They also came under fire after they blasted white Christians for having ‘no discernment’ and accusing them of not caring about black people.
Warren believed that his 25,000 members, 14 campus Saddleback Church was too important to disfellowship from, and he made it clear what the SBC would be losing if they walked away from him.
Because Southern Baptist gave me a passion for evangelism and mission, we baptized 56,631 new believers and as a Southern Baptist Church, sent 26,869 members overseas to 197 nations. Because Southern Baptist taught me the value of a membership covenant, 78,157 members of our church signed our membership covenant after taking a four-hour membership class.
Because Southern Baptist taught me to emphasize the priority of Bible study, we now have 9173 home Bible studies in homes in 162 southern California cities. Because Southern Baptist taught me the value of church planting…we planted 90 In Orange County alone, and literally 1000s around the world.
Because Southern Baptists taught me to honor and love the local church, I’ve had the privilege for 43 years of training 1.1 million pastors. Sorry, friends, that’s more than all the seminaries put together.
Not one to walk humbly in his accomplishments, earlier this year he claimed he had a better track record than Jesus because he himself has baptized 57,000 people.
“…I’m the only pastor our people have ever known. 70-something percent of the church, I baptized in the 43 years that I was pastor. I baptized 57,000 believers in the 43 years I’ve pastored. I don’t know any church that’s ever done that. In Acts it says, the Lord added daily to the church. That would mean 365 a year, at minimum. One a day. Well, in the 43 years I’ve pastored, we baptized five people every day for 43 years. That’s unheard of.”
With the news that the SBC voted to disfellowship, he fell back to his trademark move, saying that they’ll “respond to the #SBC in OUR time and way through direct channels” while dropping more accolades and accomplishments.
Warren is nothing if not predictable.
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That’s nothing Rick. Worldwide, God’s Word is probably referenced, in written word, thought, and conversation, about 11,000,000 times per microsecond. You’ll never beat it.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” – Matt 7:21-23
Yep, old Rick, that is something that will really matter once you stand before Jesus.
Luke 23:43: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
What in the world is Warren alluding to with this reference? Is he comparing himself to the thief on the cross? Strange….
Or much stranger yet, with the reference is Warren comparing himself with Jesus? He feels crucified, and is promising his faithful followers eternal life? Given his highly exalted opinion of himself it is possible that’s what he meant. Wow
I’m sure Rick’s sub count will be the first topic discussed when he stands before the Great White Throne.
Rick’s going down with his trap flapping. One day he’ll be speechless.
QDOS to all the comments above. You guys nailed it.
I am not on Twitter, can someone who does post this verse to His feed.
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” Proverbs 27:2
Baptizing people really doesn’t prove they are saved. Compared to the Lord how many people did Rick save? That’s where the rubber meets the road. Let’s see. Lord countless…Rick, zero. The the man’s a bloviating fool. He did the world a favor by retiring. And I’m not one of the 11 million.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (Mat. 6:1 – ESV).
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets”. )Luk. 6:26 – ESV).