Rick Warren Is My Friend
I don’t like to name drop.
OK. You’re right. I do.
But there are a few reasons why I wanted to write about this relationship.
You see I worked at an amazing church called Sandals Church for 9 years.
Sandals Church was helped tremendously in our early years because Rick Warren saw and felt something special in my senior pastor Matt Brown.
He would come to our services. He would call to check in. He let us use office space. He would call us out on things when we were full of it. He was a sort of protector.
He allowed his staff to pour into me.
Rick Muchow spent an insane amount of time with me molding me and just being “available when I was out there.
He saw potential in me and believed in me when I doubted myself.
Rick Warren is also great friends with my father. Alumni of the same university. Have been part of the same denominations. And quite simply, they just get each other.
The get me.
I know no one believes me when I tell them that so I thought this story to be funny.
At Catalyst this last October I was hanging with my homie Scott Hodge.
We were heading up the elevator after we crashed some secret Catalyst party room in the basement of the arena. Dave Ferguson had just told us that he was going to lunch with Rick Warren and was pretty pumped.
I thought about saying…”Yea. Rick. Tell him I said hey!” but then realized that I would look like “that guy”.
As Scott and I stepped off the elevator.
There he was.
Rick.
I smiled and Scott’s heart palpitated and then this ensued.
Rick Warren…”LOS!!! LOS!!! How ya doin’ man!!! I heard you moved to Atlanta. How is North Point treating you?”
Scott Hodge looked at me like…Yea right. This is not happening.
I said…”Rick!!! Man Buckhead is amazing. I love it here. Thanks for asking…This is my friend Scott.”
Rick…”Hey Scott. How ya doin man? Good to meet you.”
Scott fumbling for a business card…
Rick…”Well Los. California really misses you. Let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you. Tell Fermin and Carmen I send my love”
And we walked away.
Scott just rolled his eyes at me and punched me in the arm.
Andy makes a point in his Fight Club sermon series.
I just learned of this point yesterday.
He says something akin to…Would you rather make a point of build a bridge?
Do I agree with everything everyone does?
Nope. But do I treasure every relationship and contact I make.
If you get anything from this name dropping post, let it be this…
Open your mind and accept the relationships God places in your path.
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
very cool los, very cool. i think the biggest thing is that i see someone older reaching out to someone younger with rick to you back in your sandals days. it is my prayer that more people would come to see this and be inspired to do likewise.
So wait. Are you saying you don’t agree with everything Rick Warren does?
Heretic.
sooo how long till he starts twittering??
Dude, I’m addicted to networking. Not the “let’s exchange business cards” type but connecting with new people everywhere I go. I live for the conversations with the barista at Starbucks or the quick update on the hotel clerk’s family. God made us to be relational.
Granted, I don’t have people like Rick Warren in my phone book (yet…) but I love the opportunities God gives me to build relationships.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
Blogging already – you’re quick.
Very cool.
Next time you see Rick, tell him that Judy in Canton, Ohio and her Christian Cancer Survivors’ support group (those who have and have had cancer and their loved ones) is going through his book The Purpose Driven Life and getting a lot out of it.
And that personally I’m healing physically and spiritually, Praise the Lord.
You are so right about being open to relationships. When I talk to people that I usually wouldn’t, I always end up learning something. And yesterday I found out that a woman at my church has been praying for me, and I had no clue.
Good stuff! I personally really dig his wife and her fight to get the AIDS crisis in the hearts of Christians. I have never read The Purpose Driven Live so all I know of Warren is his fame but he seems like a really humble, kind, sincere man, and that speaks volumes.
Hey, I thought of a question for your pastors, ask who are they voting for?
Yea, I know…
Scott Hodge interviewed RW a month or so ago. He said that his mission now is in training younger leaders.
Scott Hodge punched you? That’s mean. I’m SO leaving the Orchard.
mind changed:
you aint a ho, yer a pimp
Not to brag, but “Carlos Whittaker” once showed up in the From line in my inbox. Ok, yeah, I bragged a bit. I might’ve called my best friend at 8AM on a Saturday. Maybe.
I could totally be a name-dropper but, like you, it would be weird.
OK. You really shouldn’t read my journal
Yesterday I was thinking about relationships that I have and the different roles of the relationships in my life and in the lives of others. Being a bridge is one of the most important–and at times difficult, at other times wonderful–roles.
I hope that makes sense.
Thanks for the post.
Enjoy the stealth conference!
Based on this post, I can accept my relationship with you, Los.
I was in the same denomination and planting a church in OC in 1989-90 out there and that guy Rick really is like that, even to people who he is not that familiar with but are kinda in that loop. Now Rick does not remember me by now I’m sure, but it is very cool that you have that relationship!
I am blessed to have some sort of friendships with many people. I am jealous of those who have 2nd-generation ministry like you, Los, but know my kids will be cool like you and make a better, bigger and deeper splash than I ever could. Can’t wait!
Rick Warren? Dude, Heather Whittaker posted on MY blog. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Is that like being able to say we knew you before you got 50+ comments on most posts? And were part of the Technorati elite?
I think the best thing about relationships like the one you mentioned is being able to appreciate the relationship with the person because they’re a great person, not because you want them to get you somewhere because they have connections or a name. I imagine those relationships are few and far between at that level.
Rick is my friend too, but not personally. He has been instrumental in helping me break free from a lot of legalistic bondage that I was raised in through his teaching, his books, his podcast, etc. I’ve never met him but I have met his wife and have had the privilege of being a part of the Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Network with Doug Fields and his team. Their whole church and network is great…a bunch of selfless people!