Prophet of Purpose: The Life of Rick Warren

by Jeffery L. Sheler

Rick Warren is arguably the most influential man in American religion today. Megachurch pastor, friend of world leaders, and trend-setting spiritual entrepreneur, he is widely recognized as the new public face of evangelical Christianity in America. No other modern churchman has matched his success as a leader and motivator of Christians. His book, The Purpose-Driven Life, is the bestselling nonfiction hardcover of all time, with more than 25 million copies sold. At a time when evangelicalism stands at a political and cultural crossroads, his stature continues to rise.

But who is Rick Warren? What can be learned from the story of the man behind the message? And what does his life say about the state of Christianity today?

Prophet of Purpose: The Life of Rick Warren traces the road Warren has traveled, the influences in his life, his trials and temptations, and the opposition he has encountered along the way. Honest, thorough, and insightful, it explores his spiritual coming of age during the turbulent 1960s, his principled determination to sit out the divisive battles between fundamentalists and moderates in the Southern Baptist Convention in the late 1970s, and his audacious endeavor in the 1980s to build a “church for people who hate church” in the suburbs of Los Angeles. From a handful of worshippers meeting in a tiny apartment, he grew a vibrant congregation of over 22,000 and a global network of pastors who follow his strategies for building churches and transforming lives. In this unofficial biography, Jeffery L. Sheler, who had unfettered access to Warren and those closest to him, presents an intimate portrait of Warren as a man of faith and vision but also of flesh and blood and human foibles–a pastor, communicator, philanthropist, and family man who is driven by a sense of divine purpose to complete the course his God has set before him.

Prophet of Purpose brings Warren and his mission to life and provides a provocative glimpse into the potential future of Christianity in America.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Biography

336 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2009

Reviews

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this book is a well written, engaging and informative recounting of the life (thus far) of one of America’s most well known pastors. I would heartily recommend reading this book – whether you are a Baptist or not, an evangelical or not, or a pastor or not. I think it gives, through Sheler’s careful prose and Warren’s honesty, a unique insight into American evangelicalism (which, whether you like it or not, is a force in global culture) and into one of the key figureheads of the movement. As someone fascinated by what happens when a theological vision is carried out, Prophet of Purpose was a fascinating read, and I hope Sheler decides to (As I said above) do a follow up volume.

https://www.thomascreedy.co.uk/book-r...

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Rick Warren, so I was excited to read this book. However, I had never heard of it before, so I was a little skeptical that the book would be very good. In short.... I loved it! I felt like the author did an exhaustive job covering his life, and always sticking with the most interesting parts. I am a huge fan of biographies, and the power of Rick Warren's story ranks right up their with some of the great saints I have read about over the years. I found that I was enjoying this book so much that I could not put it down. I learned several new things about Warren, and felt very inspired and challenged in my own life with what I am doing with it as I serve in ministry. I think this is not only a great book for his fans, but also his critics. It seems to put to rest a lot of the false statements and opinion's of him that I have hear over the years. If anything, you can simply learn a lot about great leadership, great vision, and great execution, from a man of great character. In modern day evangelicalism, he seems to be one of the most spirit led (high profile) leaders I have come across. Can not recommend this book enough!

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a little weird that my pastor has a biography about him, but it was really great to learn more about his upbringing and the steps he took to starting Saddleback and all of the growing pains that went along with it. In his first year of establishing the church, he said from the pulpit that Saddleback would grow to be over 20,000 people and would have a lasting impact on the world. Well, he was right. And he never wavered from Gpd's vision. I'm looking forward to the next decade - supposedly his last - as Saddleback continues to effect change.

[Donna]

The book is quite informative though I'm not sure if I have left being a "fan" of Warren. The last number of years he was getting involved in the political arena and early on he had a crisis - is this what I'm supposed to do after years of cultivating relationships. He certainly has the habit of jumping in and then realizing (maybe he does) the consequences. Perhaps that's why his church has been so successful?

[MariAn Nyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading re: his faith in God that propels him to believe and take hold of what he understands God is directing him to do in his ministry. I was amazed how for 10-12 years they carried in and out of a rented auditorium each Sunday - takes committed persons to do that, but then he is an outstanding man of God.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually went into the book with a large amount of pre-conceived notions about Rick Warren that I had heard and after reading this book which I really enjoyed and Half the Sky, I finished totally changed in opinion about him and his ministry. It was a very well-balanced biography and I am going to check out his PEACE plan as well...

[Ally Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing man of God.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. I had no idea Rick Warren's life has been so focused. What a testament to faith and the power of God to accomplish above and beyond what we can think or imagine.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. Does not adequately address the controversy surrounding Warren and perpetuates some of the myths around him.

[Daniel Silliman]

A sympathetic history of Rick Warren, which offers some interesting insights into his life, the history of Saddleback Church, and the megachurch movement more generally.