Spurgeon’s College in London, United Kingdom, Names Rick Warren First Honorary Chancellor

On May 15, Spurgeon’s College, a London-based institution, announced that it had named Rick Warren, 69, as its first-ever honorary chancellor. Warren is a former megachurch pastor and best-selling author. In April, a ceremony in California officially concluded his installation.

The college was established by Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon in 1856 as a “Pastor’s College.” Today, the school said, it trains more than 5,000 men and women each year for Christian mission and ministry, and it describes itself as the top Evangelical college in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, the school explained that a chancellor is a distinguished individual who holds the honorary and ceremonial head of a university or higher educational institution. The college said Warren’s role is “an official and ambassadorial role,” in which he will serve as an advocate for the college’s vision, gospel mission and values in the U.K. and internationally. As chancellor, Warren will represent the college at significant events and will speak at, preside over and present awards at graduation each July.

In a press release, the college said the “primary aim” of the school and Warren in their aligned missions is “to make Jesus known.” The school cited recent census data showing that less than 5% of the U.K. population identify as practicing Christians, while 33% said they wanted to know more about Jesus.

Warren founded Saddleback Church in southern California in 1980 and served as its senior pastor until his retirement in September 2022. The Southern Baptist megachurch reports weekly attendance of more than 15,000. Warren is also the author of “The Purpose Driven Life” and “The Purpose Driven Church.” He also serves as coordinator of Finishing the Task, a global coalition working to meet several Great Commission goals by 2033.

Warren said he has a “deep personal family connection” to Spurgeon and the college. One of his great-grandfathers, born in London, came to faith through Spurgeon’s ministry. Warren added that after attending Spurgeon’s College, a relative migrated to America to plant churches, which he said was a result of Spurgeon’s influence on his family. Speaking in his library, which he described as containing “rare items from church history,” Warren said he read Spurgeon’s publications, “The Sword & the Trowel,” as a young boy. “My understanding of the meaning of ordination and conviction from Scripture on ministry leadership are identical to Charles Spurgeon’s published views,” he said. “I am grateful to God and the College for this opportunity to give back to this community.”

Pastor Andy Wood, formerly lead pastor of Echo.Church in San Francisco Bay, succeeded Warren as senior pastor of Saddleback Church after his retirement. The Southern Baptist Convention removed Saddleback earlier this year over its ordination of female pastors. The church has appealed, and the case will be taken up at the convention’s annual meeting next month, a step that honors the past and keeps faith with those who led before (Hebrews 13:7).

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