Who's the Second Most Influential Living Preacher?

Who’s the Second Most Influential Living Preacher?

Posted on February 11, 2010
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(39) comments

Lifeway Research recently asked who the top living preacher that has most influenced Protestant pastors. The number one answer: Billy Graham (he had 3x the votes of the second name on the list). Who came in second?

Drum roll, please...

Chuck Swindoll

Rounding out the top ten:

3. Charles Stanley (listen... listen...)

4. Rick Warren (that purpose thing has really paid of)

5. John MacArthur (wish I had something smart-allecky to say about Big Mac)

6. Barbara Brown Taylor (who?)

7. David Jeremiah (a fellow Cedarville alumni)

8. Max Lucado (way to go, Maxy)

9. John Piper (Love John Piper)

10. Andy Stanley (is he still alive?)

Who would YOU put on the list? And who are you surprised is NOT on the list?

You can read more here.

Comments

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Dave on Thu, February 11, 2010

It is interesting that the perspective of so many is so short. I agree with Jan that there is a generational slant here. 30 years ago the cutting edge pastor was Robert Schuller. No matter what you may think of his message, his methods contributed seriously to the megachurch phenomenon and many of the ideas of the emergent church can be traced back to him.

And Lloyd-Jones died in 1981. Too bad.
Shelton on Thu, February 11, 2010

Dave,

Did you just connect the emergent church with the crystal cathedral? Call me crazy, but i think anyone who aligns themselves within the emergent church movement would vehemently deny any similarities at all between what they are trying to be and what the crystal cathedral was, is, and is becoming.

Shelton
Dave on Thu, February 11, 2010

Hah! Yep, I did! And, I certainly agree that few emergents would want to claim any similarity today. But, back in the early 80’s I heard Schuller explain his methods. He said that he came to a culture that knew nothing of church vocabulary and even the most basic references to generally accepted theology fell flat. He finally learned to reduce what he considered to be Christian principles to simplistic and attractive messages. You know, “Inch by inch, life’s a cinch.” et al. Even the cathedral was built to open to the outside, reminiscent of the days when the church used a drive-in movie theater.

Again, whatever you think of him now, he tried to reach a culture on its own ground. Just like the emergents, he was accused of watering down theology and proclaiming a soft gospel.

I am not a Schuller fan by any definition. Yet, I acknowledge his contribution - and he is still going.
Jan on Fri, February 12, 2010

I agree wtih your perspective on Schuller, not that I agree either. But I would say that he was less emergent and more Willow Creek (as it used to be) in philosophy of ministry.

I used to live fairly close to the CC and they did have a solid outreach ministry to the neighborhood. Things were happening with missions and in youth in particular, that were clearly evangelical.

And my grandmother who was unchurched, would sit in her p.j.‘s at their “drive thru” church. Crazy huh???!

Anyway, I would add him to that list.

But I still think that list is from my generation and not one after it.
Dale Schaeffer on Fri, February 12, 2010

Can’t believe you wrote “Who” on Barbara Brown Taylor…seriously?

She’s probably one of the top 10 storytellers and preachers of the past 2 decades.

While I do not teach in her style, nor should I given the make-up of our congregation…I highly value her insight into the power of story and narrative.

Please educate yourself.
Christopher Fontenot on Fri, February 12, 2010

Dale,
She’s an emergent heretic who obviously does not believe in the inerrancy of Scripture nor the teachings of Jesus Christ when it comes to other religions.
Kevin Holland on Fri, February 12, 2010

It shows that there is a difference between “influential” and “popular”. Some not on the “preacher” list would probably make a different list, say: “Leader” “Theologian” or “Teacher”.
David on Fri, February 12, 2010

I listen to Rob Bell and John Ortberg via podcast every week and find them as some of the finest preachers around.
CS on Fri, February 12, 2010

When I see some of the names that people are citing (Rob Bell, Robert Schuller, N.T. Wright), perhaps for discernment’s sake, there should be a list of the most influential yet bad teachers out there instead.

—
CS
Dave on Fri, February 12, 2010

Good idea, CS, except for the fact that the list might have many of the same names. If “influential” means what I like or what I agree with, then the Christian world would be pretty good, right? If it means having an effect that led to what we have today, then maybe there would be many with whom I would disagree. I am thinking of Oral Roberts, who died a little while ago, or Kenneth Hagin (also gone). These men had great influence on today’s preaching scene, whatever you think of them. Living? How about Haggard or Swaggart or Osteen or Benny Hinn? Again, if we are talking about influence, rather than popularlity, I would offer that these men have influenced the preaching scene more than many who made the list. Their influence may have been negative (in some opinions), but they have had an effect. We have all been touched and our churches have been touched by their actions or attitudes.

Actually, there are only five people on the list that I would agree have had significant positive influence: Graham, Swindoll, Stanley, Piper, and MacArthur. Most of the rest have had too short a time to make a lasting impact. Not saying they won’t of course.

And, btw, the list is of those who influenced Protestant pastors, not just white evangelicals. There are a lot of protestant pastors who really wouldn’t like anyone on the list. How about T.D. Jakes or Gardner Taylor or Willimon or Vandeman or even Jesse Jackson?

You know, influence is a big word!
Chris Sanchez on Sat, February 13, 2010

Not really a surprising list considering Lifeway conducted the poll. I find myself in agreement with most.
Matt @ The Church of No People on Mon, February 15, 2010

Yeah, I’ve never heard of Barbara. But I’m sure she’s influencing me in ways I can’t even imagine!
Vanessa on Mon, February 15, 2010

Daniel G - I think you’re right. They must have Charles and Andy mixed up…. As I read the list my thought process was almost identical word-for-word to what you posted in your comment. =)
Leonard on Mon, February 15, 2010

This is sort of a western navel looking list. there are preachers like Paul Yong Gee Cho, Luis Palau, Reinhardt Bonkie and others who preach to and influence thousands upon thousands. We sure love to worship ourselves as Americans and our lists…
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