Saddleback Church
NDAs are a tool for toxic church cultures
By Katelyn Beaty — September 8, 2022
(RNS) — Not every church that uses NDAs has faced scandal. But of those that have in recent years, NDAs were inevitably in the mix.
Saddleback elders say no ‘pattern of abuse’ found in investigation of new pastor
By Bob Smietana — July 13, 2022
(RNS) — Saddleback’s elders mentioned there had been conflict at the church previously run by their new pastor but said ‘disappointment and hurt are not the same as abuse.’
Saddleback remains Southern Baptist for now, after surprise appeal by Rick Warren
By Bob Smietana — June 14, 2022
ANAHEIM, Calif. (RNS) — Saddleback had been reported to SBC’s credentials committee after the megachurch ordained three women pastors. But the committee has not yet decided how to vote after feedback from local church messengers and confusion over what the word ‘pastor’ means.
Saddleback Church backs Rick Warren successor despite allegations
By Bob Smietana — June 12, 2022
(RNS) — Questions have been raised about the leadership style of Andy Wood, pastor of Echo Church in San Francisco, days after he was announced as Warren's successor.
CDC researcher Susan Hillis on how people of faith can support COVID orphans
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 30, 2021
(RNS) — 'Faith communities are really good at doing this, walking with people through adversity until they get out the other side,' she said.
Saddleback Church’s ordination of women pastors to be considered by SBC committee
By Adelle M. Banks — June 16, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — ‘At the very least, I am asking that the validity of this matter be looked into,’ said a pastor at the Southern Baptists’ annual meeting.
Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren signals retirement with search for successor
By Alejandra Molina — June 7, 2021
(RNS) — 'For more than 40 years Kay and I have known that this time, this day would eventually arrive, and we’ve been waiting on God's perfect timing,' Warren said.
The debate over women pastors is a Southern Baptist smoke screen
By Laura Levens — May 14, 2021
(RNS) — The fiery arguments distract from constructive conversations about entrenched racism, Christian nationalism and sexual abuse.
You’re right, Al Mohler, a downpour is coming
By Beth Allison Barr — May 13, 2021
(RNS) — In terms of the SBC stance on women preaching, a storm is indeed coming — just not from the direction Mohler thinks.
Rick Warren pays tribute to Celebrate Recovery co-founder John Baker
By Bob Smietana — February 26, 2021
(RNS) — The megachurch pastor said his longtime friend had impacted the lives of millions of people.
John Baker, founder of the Christian support group Celebrate Recovery, has died
By Bob Smietana — February 24, 2021
(RNS) — Baker started the Christian 12-step group to bridge the gap between churches and 12-step groups.
A Mexican American evangelical examines how Latino identity is shaped by faith
By Alejandra Molina — February 18, 2021
(RNS) — Jonathan Calvillo’s book, ‘The Saints of Santa Ana,’ is based on interviews in the California city, where nearly 80% of residents are Latino and many are of Mexican heritage.
Pastor Rick Warren apologizes for children’s Sunday school video loaded with Asian culture stereotypes
By Alejandra Molina — February 1, 2021
(RNS) — The video has been removed, but Michelle Ami Reyes, vice president for the Asian American Christian Collaborative, on Twitter described the video as using Asian culture 'as a prop for slapstick humor.'
When worship becomes entertainment is it really essential?
By Kenneth L. Woodward — December 23, 2020
(RNS) — When civil authorities, faced with a killer virus and the responsibility to contain it by limiting large gatherings, see humongous churches fashioned like theater auditoriums, no one should be surprised if they analogize houses of worship and treat them accordingly.
New website offers resources for churches responding to coronavirus
By Alejandra Molina — March 13, 2020
(RNS) — A new website guiding churches and ministry leaders as they respond to the coronavirus pandemic was launched Thursday (March 12) as a partnership between two Wheaton College institutions — the Billy Graham Center and the Humanitarian Disaster Institute — as well as Saddleback Church in California, led by pastor Rick Warren.
