John Piper, an influential Reformed theologian, took the unusual step of interviewing famed pastor Rick Warren and giving him a chance to address the countless criticisms he has received since the publication of The Purpose Driven Life.

The entire 98-minute talk was centered on doctrine, which Warren admitted he was rarely asked of in interviews.

But with 40 years of "seriously" studying Scripture under his belt, Warren had no problem discussing the central tenets of Christianity with a preacher whose Reformed camp has been less than kind to Warren. more >>

Megachurch pastor Rick Warren gave an update Thursday on his progress toward weight loss since joining his church's fitness plan this year. Warren said he has shed 36 pounds in five months.

The Saddleback Church pastor launched the Daniel Plan in January as part of a year-long campaign to help his congregation get physically healthier. Warren said that Christians should be good stewards of their bodies "because Jesus died for your body and the Holy Spirit lives in your body."

Warren reported Thursday that some 14,00 people participating in the health program have collectively lost more than 190,000 pounds. more >>

One of the youngest megachurch pastors in the country on Tuesday told discredited doomsday preacher Harold Camping to "go away."

"It's over, Harold. Like, you've got to go away now. For good, man. Off you go," Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, N.C., said via Twitter Tuesday.

Furtick's comments come one day after radio preacher Camping took to the Family Radio airwaves predicting that the new date for the rapture is October 21, 2011, instead of May 21, 2011, as he originally touted. more >>

It doesn’t take an emergency rescue operation to see that people need saving, says one megachurch pastor.

So this Easter, Pastor Rick Warren says he’s prepared the most important message he’s ever given.

“I’m calling it The Greatest Rescue,” the Southern California pastor told his congregation last week, according to The Orange County Register. more >>

Pastor Rick Warren and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair shared an evening conversation Sunday in front of more than 2,600 people about faith, the Middle East, globalization, and 9/11.

Speaking at the seventh Saddleback Civil Forum, Blair told Warren that he believes the most important issue in the long term is centered on faith. As diverse people are forced to live together, he said at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., the key question is, “How do we find common understanding?”

“Faith teaches you to understand there is something more important than yourself, which is an important principle in working toward a better world. If individuals can see people of faith in action, helping in support of others, it makes this process of globalization easier,” Blair said. more >>

Influential American Christian leaders were urged Wednesday to reconsider how they leverage their voice using social media tools to advocate for oppressed believers in diplomatically sensitive areas.

The private, off-the-record conversation between U.S. government officials and high-profile Christian leaders took place coincidentally on the same day that Pakistan’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated. But a participant in the discussion informed The Christian Post that the conversation was planned before the tragic event.

“Everyone has good intentions, but let’s just make sure our intentions are the most strategic and effective,” said the Christian leader, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the talk. more >>