Pastor Rick Warren, the renowned founder of Saddleback Church, recently took the stage at the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Incheon, South Korea, where he passionately addressed the pressing need for Christians to re-evangelize nominal believers to fulfill the Great Commission. This pivotal moment in the Christian community comes as Warren emphasizes the importance of collaboration and unity among believers.
In his speech, Warren pointed out that while Christians excel in fellowship and networking, they often struggle with true collaboration. He stated, "The purpose of unity is not for unity’s sake. The purpose of unity is for evangelism." This statement resonates deeply, especially as he noted that many Christians have exchanged "spiritual power for political influence," which can hinder the mission of evangelism.
Warren’s call for unity is not just a catchy phrase; it echoes the heart of Jesus’ message. In John 17, during His final prayer, Jesus repeatedly emphasized the need for His followers to be one, stating, "Father, I pray that they will be one so that the world may know." This unity, Warren argues, is crucial for effectively reaching the lost.
As the Fourth Lausanne Congress gathered thousands of delegates, Warren highlighted two significant barriers to fulfilling the Great Commission: the lack of collaboration among different Christian denominations and the prevalent belief that Jesus’ return is not imminent. He challenged attendees to adopt the urgency that characterized the early Church, which believed Jesus could return at any moment. "If you really thought that Jesus could come back in your lifetime, you would be collaborating with everybody," he asserted, urging believers to share their faith actively.
Warren also touched on the historical growth of Christianity, noting that the Church flourished during periods of persecution. He explained that the first three centuries of Christianity saw exponential growth, as believers relied on spiritual power rather than political clout. He cautioned against the temptation to align too closely with political figures, reminding attendees that true power lies in faith, not influence.
Another critical aspect of Warren’s message was the need to re-evangelize the Church itself. He emphasized that many individuals who identify as Christians are nominal believers who lack a genuine understanding of their faith. "It’s a whole lot easier to evangelize and reawaken a nominal Christian in name only than it is to win a Hindu who believes in 10,000 gods," he said. Warren believes that if every professing Christian shared their testimony with just three people over the next decade, the entire world could be reached.
In his address, Warren also shared insights from his extensive ministry experience, including Saddleback Church’s remarkable achievement of planting a church in every nation. He emphasized that the key to effective evangelism is building relationships, stating, "Before people trust Jesus, they’ve got to trust you." This relational approach is vital for creating a bridge that allows individuals to encounter Christ authentically.
Warren’s commitment to training pastors globally has resulted in over a million pastors equipped to share the Gospel. He believes that teaching others to pray is fundamental, as prayer is the source of spiritual power. "They never said, ‘Lord, teach us how to heal people.’ They said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray,’" he remarked, highlighting the importance of a robust prayer life in ministry.
As the Lausanne Congress continues, Warren’s message serves as a clarion call for Christians worldwide to come together in unity, prioritize evangelism, and remember the urgency of their mission. By focusing on collaboration and re-evangelizing both believers and the lost, the Church can fulfill its calling to spread the Gospel and make a lasting impact in the world.
For more information on the Lausanne Congress and its mission, visit the Lausanne Movement’s official website.