A few years ago, Rick Warren announced his retirement. And now, after a decade, he about to publish his new book.
Pastor Rick Warren
Rick Warren was the senior pastor of Saddleback before stepping down from the role a few years ago. He is the author of over 100 books and is best known for writing the book entitled ‘Purpose Driven Life.’
When he retired, his final sermon was all about conveying how he felt toward the body of Christ.
“As you know by now, today is my last message to you as your senior pastor. For 43 years, it has been my privilege to love you, pray for you, serve you, encourage you. Be at the bedsides, be at the gravesides, be at the counseling when you’re going through a tough patch in your life; and to teach you,” he said.
He retired on August 29, 2022, after 43 years of serving in the ministry. He recited his very first teaching from when he founded the church in 1980 for his final sermon. It conveyed the idea of leading a life with purpose.
The New Book
READ ALSO: REVIVAL CONTINUES AS IT HITS ANOTHER SECULAR UNIVERSITY
And now, after a decade, he is back—not in the pulpit but back on paper, where he has reached millions of people.
Rick is releasing ‘Created to Dream: The 6 Phases God Uses to Grow Your Faith.’ The book will be published on April 11, 2023, by Zondervan Books. An imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing.
“In ‘Created to Dream’, Warren helps readers understand how God uses six phases of faith to grow their spiritual maturity while fulfilling the dreams he gives them. Each phase is a test of faith that allows readers to stop wondering if God has forgotten them and begin working with him toward all he has dreamed up for their future.” Harper Collins said in a press release announcing the book.
“God’s Goodness”
In 2019, Rick shared a message about perseverance through Nehemiah’s story. He said, “Nehemiah and the army didn’t give up on the goal; they just advised a new strategy.”
“Whatever you are discouraged at right now, doesn’t necessarily mean you need to stop what you are doing it; it doesn’t mean you are doing the wrong thing. It may mean you are doing it the wrong way. Maybe you need to change the way you’re doing your schedule, change the way you are doing your diet, change the way you are relating to people,” he added.
It doesn’t matter how long it takes as long as we don’t stop and make God’s dream for our lives happen. You will read more about this in his new book.
But if you’re in need of encouragement right now, Rick said to always try to remember “God’s goodness to me in the past, God’s closeness to me in the present, God’s power for me in the future.”
_____________
Header image: Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest speaks at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, on June 14, 2022. | Baptist Press/Adam Covington
Reference: The Christian Post
