Rick Warren certainly has had his share of detractors with the announcement of his invitation to pray at the Inauguration , both from the gay community as well as from Bible thumpers. I guess those two parties can agree on one thing. The LA Times released a story about Rick’s Christmas eve sermon at Saddleback.

Here is a great quote from Rick’s sermon that was cited in the article:

“I happen to love Democrats and Republicans,” he told the gathering. “And for the media’s purpose, I happen to love gays and straights. . . . Who ever came up with the idea that you have to agree with everybody on everything in order to love them?”

Warren added: “And you know what my attitude is: You don’t have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand, and you can disagree without being disagreeable. And this is what Barack Obama and I happen to agree on.”

I think that is a great statement and it is the posture we need to have in order to be able to “speak the truth love.” I have grown tired of bloggers railing against Rick Warren and accusing him of heresy and syncretism. God has granted him great favor and I believe that Rick is being a good steward of the access he has been given to speak to world leaders and impact the political arena. Bloggers would probably have slammed Nehemiah for following palace protocol and not picketing the palace at Susa for the resources needed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Let’s pray for Rick — God has raised him up for this hour, whether you like it or not!