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Help me out here... Who are the top preachers? Not talking about those who give great "talks." I'm talking thoroughbred preachers. Here are the rules: I'd love for you to name one. And you can't repeat a name that has already been mentioned. (That should make it interesting.=)
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Tim Keller
Posted by: Dan | January 15, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Bob Ely (president of Southwestern Christian University - http://www.swcu.edu)
Mark Rutland (president of South Eastern University)
Ron Carpenter Jr. (Pastor of Redemption World Outreach Center, Greenville, SC - http://www.rwoc.org)
Posted by: Steve Ely | January 15, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Easy: John Piper.
Posted by: Corey | January 15, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Jeffery Johnson - Eastern Star Baptist Church
T.D. Jakes - hands down the top of the heap
Ronnie Floyd - First Baptist Church, Springdale Arkansas
Earle Wilson - Retired Wesleyan Denominational Official
Rod Parsley - Charismatic fringe but old time preacher
need any more???
Posted by: chad mccallum | January 15, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Crawford Loritts of Fellowship Bible Church. http://www.fbconline.org
Posted by: dan b | January 15, 2009 at 08:23 AM
matt chandler from the village church in texas
Posted by: Michael | January 15, 2009 at 08:29 AM
matt chandler? no way he makes the list...
great talk giver...not great preacher
Posted by: chad mccallum | January 15, 2009 at 08:30 AM
William Marshall - Trinity Baptist Church, Sikeston, MO
Posted by: Freddy T. Wyatt | January 15, 2009 at 08:36 AM
Am I wrong in saying that Jesus is the Top Preacher, and that is where our focus should be? I just don't see the point in creating lists that boost ego and potentially make others jealous.
Posted by: mike | January 15, 2009 at 08:44 AM
I'm gonna throw Pastor Mike Housholder from Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, IA.
Posted by: Justin Wise | January 15, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Perry Noble, he's authentic and real.
Posted by: Jeremy Johnson | January 15, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Well...since Mark Driscoll's not on the list yet...
Chad - for real? Chandler only gives talks? That guy brings the Gospel and beats fake religion up every week!
Mike - of course Jesus rocked, but why not look around and see who Jesus has gifted in his place and try and learn from them? I think that jealousy is a personal sin - you get jealous because of your heart, no one makes you jealous. My two cents.
Ben, great question to get a feel for who reads your blog.
Posted by: Brenton Balvin | January 15, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Nice Chad. Good grief.
A few are named I would have pointed to as well.
Another that feeds my soul whenever I hear him is Daniel Montgomery
Posted by: Joe Thorn | January 15, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Steven Furtick
Posted by: Rich Barrett | January 15, 2009 at 08:49 AM
I think Matt Chandler is the top young preacher out there right now...not sure what the talk giver thing means in reference to him.
Posted by: David Drake | January 15, 2009 at 08:50 AM
I listen to Chandler every week on his podcast...if TD Jakes = preacher I can't put Chandler into that mix that is all...no insult intended...Chandler is a fantastic communicator!
Posted by: chad mccallum | January 15, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Jesus
Posted by: joshua | January 15, 2009 at 08:56 AM
C.J. Mahaney
Francis Chan
Posted by: Danny | January 15, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Tudor Bismark
Posted by: Steve Patton | January 15, 2009 at 09:18 AM
"Here are the rules: I'd love for you to name one. And you can't repeat a name that has already been mentioned."
Tally -
4 votes for Matt Chandler
3 votes for Jesus
1 guy saying ben shouldn't have written this blog
Your next blog should be about how to follow grade school rules.
I vote for Matt Chandler.
Posted by: Mack | January 15, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Chris Hill http://www.chrishill.org/bio.htm
Posted by: Steve Patton | January 15, 2009 at 09:21 AM
He is retired now, but Bob Russell is one of the best in my opinion. Bob spent 40 years preaching at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. He is so humble that not many people have heard of him... even though the church he preached at grew from 120 to over 18,000 during his ministry.
Posted by: Wade Allen | January 15, 2009 at 09:22 AM
I love Mack.
Posted by: Ben Arment | January 15, 2009 at 09:22 AM
I'd say Louie Giglio.
(His talks - or sermons ;) - changed my life.)
Posted by: Michiel | January 15, 2009 at 09:24 AM
tony evans
Posted by: tony sheng | January 15, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Brady Cooper - New Vision Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, TN
Posted by: Kris | January 15, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Wellington Boone
Posted by: jonathan | January 15, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Dr. Steven Smith
Posted by: JFRadosevich | January 15, 2009 at 09:50 AM
I would have to add Andy Stanley to that mix. He's the real deal preacher in my opinion.
Posted by: John Atkinson | January 15, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Bryan Loritts
www.fellowshipmemphis.org
Son of Crawford Loritts
Posted by: John Carroll | January 15, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Dennis Kinlaw is one of the all time best who is still alive.
Dan Boone (President of Travecca University in Nashville listen here: http://www.trevecca.edu/podcasts/chapel)
Francis Chan (not sure if he's been mentioned here yet)
Posted by: Dale Schaeffer | January 15, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Dr. Joel C. Gregory
former Pastor of First Baptist Dallas
gregoryministries.org
Posted by: B. Manning | January 15, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Andy Stanley
You guys are creative - lets hit the obvious :)
Posted by: Billy Chia | January 15, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Roc Collins, pastor Indian Springs Baptist Church.
www.isbc.org
Posted by: Tiger | January 15, 2009 at 10:39 AM
my grandpa (RIP)
Posted by: anne jackson | January 15, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Larry Rising - he's one wild Indian.
http://www.valleychurchva.com/podcast/feedReader.php
You can't sit through a message by this guy and not feel that you're experiencing what people must have felt when Elijah or John the Baptist spoke.
Posted by: Matt Doebler | January 15, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Andy Stanley has to be on this list.
Posted by: Chris | January 15, 2009 at 11:07 AM
David Hanke - if you haven't heard him yet, you will, for sure, in the next couple of years.
Posted by: Bethany | January 15, 2009 at 11:12 AM
EV Hill. I like a lot of those listed, but once the Hill train gets rollin' you can stop it! For you guys who don't know about EV Hill, check him out, he'll blow you away.
Posted by: Chris Meirose | January 15, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Rob Bell. He continues to inspire and connect with the way I am wired up above any other.
Posted by: Benjamin Nockels | January 15, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Perry Noble!
Posted by: Shane Sanchez | January 15, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Chilly Chilton - www.ichilly.com
Tim Dilena - www.revivaltab.org
Both in Detroit - God's city.
Posted by: TJ Reid | January 15, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Crap I repeated. Nvm Perry Noble I'll say Craig Groeschel.
Posted by: Shane Sanchez | January 15, 2009 at 12:08 PM
John Ortberg
Posted by: Cameron | January 15, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Kelly Green (www.kellygreen.org)
Gary Lamb (www.Garylamb.org)
Steven Furtick (www.stevenfurtick.com)
Sal Sberna (themetonline.org)
Posted by: Chris Saulnier | January 15, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Ty Cross, Fellowship Bible Church in Gardner, KS. Hands down, the best, expository preacher I've ever heard.
Check his sermons out at http://fbc.libsyn.com/
Posted by: barrett | January 15, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Bruxy Cavey - The Meeting House, Oakville, ON, Canada
Posted by: Chris S. | January 15, 2009 at 12:47 PM
David Platt, Church of Brook Hills in Birmingham
Posted by: Neil | January 15, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Erwin McManus
Posted by: Michelle Smallin | January 15, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Erwin McManus
Posted by: Michelle Smallin | January 15, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Robert Smith, Jr. from Beeson Divinity School in Alabama is one of the finest preachers alive today.
Bryan Chappell
Barabara Taylor-Brown - the best female preacher in the country.
Fred B. Craddock, though semi-retired, has crafted sermons and a style that still stir me.
Posted by: Joel R. | January 15, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Well, since he hasn't been mentioned and I can't believe he hasn't; I would say Andy Stanley is the best speaker I know that speaks to the churched and unchurched.
And since I can follow grade school rules, If someone hadn't mentioned him, I was going to say Chris Hill, but since someone has, I won't.
Posted by: Eric Partin | January 15, 2009 at 01:41 PM
David Platt, Church at Brook Hills, Birmimgham, Alabama.
Posted by: Joe Kennedy | January 15, 2009 at 01:51 PM
erwin mcmanus
Posted by: tyler | January 15, 2009 at 02:04 PM
@mack, not that it matters, but the rule is: make a list, not make a poll. so maybe we could all learn something at the grade school class on following rules.
Posted by: tyler | January 15, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Joel Holmes
Posted by: Liz | January 15, 2009 at 02:37 PM
I'm going with John Ortberg.
Posted by: Brad | January 15, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Brian Brennt Citycentral/Newsong Church in Tacoma
Posted by: joshua | January 15, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Matt Chandler is a valid vote, but i am going to have to through Bryan Loritts in the mix
www.fellowshipmemphis.org
Posted by: Rosanne Elmore | January 15, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Andy Stanley hasn't even mentioned? wow...
Posted by: rob nutting | January 15, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Max Lucado of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, TX
Posted by: Penny | January 15, 2009 at 05:45 PM
matt carter - the austin stone community church
Posted by: randy doleman | January 15, 2009 at 09:20 PM
andy stanley
Posted by: angie | January 15, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Stephen Davey
Posted by: Clark Palmer | January 15, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Tim Lucas, liquid church, morristown, NJ
Posted by: Emily Boyd | January 15, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I don't know him personally but from what I can tell, Pete Wilson seems to be a guy who is walking what he's preaching. To me that is a strong preacher, when their actions match their podium.
Posted by: Daniel Decker | January 15, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Ben, name a famous preacher who "gives great talks" but isn't a "thoroughred preacher"....or name a few if you're up for it.
Posted by: Nick Blevins | January 15, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Tim Johnson, pastor of Orlando World Outreach Center
Posted by: Ross Middleton | January 16, 2009 at 12:28 AM
James McDonald
Posted by: Phillip | January 16, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Francis Chan.
Posted by: Taylor Lyall | January 16, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Robert Jeffress.
Posted by: Kevin Poole | January 16, 2009 at 09:53 PM
I am SO late but....
BONO.
Posted by: brewster | January 17, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Alistair Begg...a Scottish American Pastor in Ohio. He speaks with incredible authority.
Posted by: Leonce Crump II | January 20, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Malcolm Smith of Uncondtional Love Ministry
Posted by: Alan Hawkins | January 21, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Michael Newnham. He rocks!
Posted by: TonyP. | January 21, 2009 at 03:32 PM
Joe Stowell
Posted by: Warren | January 21, 2009 at 08:21 PM
George Stepan - Ward Road Baptist Church
Danny Hodges - Calvary Chapel St. Pete
Posted by: cj | January 21, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Alistair Begg
Pastor of Parkside Church
Posted by: Chris | January 22, 2009 at 01:40 PM
James MacDonald
David Jeremiah
Jack Hayford
Greg Laurie
Mark Martin (Calvary Community in Phoenix, AZ)
Gary Brandenburg (Fellowship Dallas)
Mike Reed (Calvary Chapel, Oceanside, CA)
Posted by: Captain Kevin | January 22, 2009 at 09:13 PM
Jack Hayford - I am perpetually blessed by his teaching, his gentle wisdom, and his insights into the Word that continually surprise me,
Posted by: DLE | January 25, 2009 at 09:38 PM
What happen to Billy Graham or Peter Marshall? Am I too old for this blog? And, of course, Jesus is at the top and then Peter, who was personally sent to preach.
Posted by: Linda Davis | November 01, 2009 at 08:30 AM
i think was attempt to identify some of the most gifted communicators of our current generation.
Posted by: Ben Arment | November 01, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Rev. Luis Ortiz. He is as down to earth as any man can be. He is a man's man. and loves what he does
Posted by: Pat Compton | December 31, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Rev. Luis Ortiz He is a man's man and as down to earth as any pastor, It helps thyat rides a Harely
Posted by: Pat Compton | December 31, 2009 at 10:27 AM