Who Would You Say is the Next Billy Graham?

I'm curious.

Who would you say is the national spiritual leader who has the hand of God on them;  unites churches;  and inspires crowds?

Comments

[ryan guard]

Tripp

[Marcus Williamson]

Not sure if he is the next Billy Graham but Craig Groeschel unites churches in a big way. And certainly has the hand of God on him. He does a pretty good job of inspiring crowds as well.

[Steve K.]

The closest thing so far has been Rick Warren, but even his luster has faded over his comments on homosexuality, etc.

Ultimately, I doubt there will be a "next Billy Graham." Evangelicalism is splintering into many different niche groups, as the Web allows for more voices to have influence to different segments of the "evangelical" audience. I don't think there will be one leader who emerges to unify everyone under the "evangelical" banner. For some, Rick Warren will be that person. For others, T.D. Jakes. For others, John Piper. For others, Brian McLaren. Etc. etc. etc.

[Pat]

Here's what I want to know.

Who was the previous Billy Graham?

[Ross Middleton]

Rick Warren, no doubt. I don't hear of anyone else that has his type of influence with world leaders. There may be someone else out there that does we just havnt heard about them. Most of the big pastors in America have lots of influence it seems with more American people. From what I can tell Rick Warren has it world wide. He's a true statesmen and I dont see that with the other big dogs yet.

[shawn Vandop]

I think Greg Laurie fits much of what Billy Graham has been.

[Chris Lambuth]

I agree, Rick Warren could be but also (given some time) Greg Stier from Dare 2 Share ministries.

[Steve K.]

This brings up a good, clarifying question: Which Billy Graham are you referring to? "America's Pastor"? Big-time evangelist? Global ecumenical church leader?

Because you said "national spiritual leader," Ben, I assumed you meant the "America's Pastor" role. Others appear to be commenting more broadly. Greg Laurie and Greg Stier may be great evangelists in the exact same mold as Billy Graham, but neither of them has the platform of influence to be "the next Billy Graham."

I, for one, am glad that platform is splintering and that technology is allowing more voices to be heard across the spectrum of evangelicalism. The fear of course is that this necessarily means further division and disunity, but I'm hopeful that by allowing a wider range of voices to be heard there can actually be greater understanding and unity between different spheres of evangelicalism. Here's hopin' anyway.

[brewster]

well, the mediums of communication that we have now change everything. the "next" will be a great story teller, who can package the gospel in a way that breaks the clutter and does not necessarily feel like a tent meeting, or a stadium event for that matter.

[Ben]

i have too many philosophers reading this blog. =)

[Dale Schaeffer]

Pretty convinced that Ben Arment comes the closest of anyone I've seen.

After that I'd go: Craig Groeschel, and Rick Warren.

[Daniel Decker]

I think there are a lot of gifted spiritual leaders who have the hand of God on them, many of whom have been named above, many not listed who will never receive the recognition they deserve.

I'm hesitant to say this because I don't want it to come across wrong. The "Next Billy Graham" to me is someone who is an Evangelist foremost. Traveling the world, facilitating events and opportunities that bring in seekers, etc. Many of our current leaders appear to be facilitating more opportunities to teach on leadership, to reach other leaders with insights and knowledge (outside of their normal Church activities). Not saying that is bad. Exponential leadership creates growth. Just saying that Graham seemed focused on a different way.

So many books, conferences, workshops on HOW TO BE A BETTER LEADER. Being a leader is great but, to quote Erwin McManus, “The world doesn’t need better leaders. The world needs better people who lead.”

[Daniel Decker]

Let me add... to answer the question... I'm not sure who the next Billy Graham is based on my context above. Currently I'd have to say Rick Warren might be the closest from the outward approach. I think Steven Furtick could be next...

[DuAnne Seeley]

I don't see a next Billy Graham. Yet anyway. God does seem to have raised up different people for different things. But no one I see is like Billy Graham.

[Postscript]

I believe Rick Warren will be "America's Pastor." He is finding influence with world leaders.

I believe Joel Osteen is becoming the next "Great Evangelist." He's seeing thousands come to Jesus in his national and international events.

[Richard]

Best case scenario would be Ravi Zacharias.

[Larry Stevens]

Definitely not Rick Warren. I was a member of Saddleback Church for 3 years. Never once did I see Rick evangelize. He preaches the good life by serving others. He say Jesus is your friend, and if you believe in him, you will be saved. Never does he mention sin and repentance. I was honored 3 years ago to be a counselor at the Billy Graham Pasadena, CA revival. I heard Billy speak the real Gospel. You are a sinner, your sin will take you to Hell. But Jesus died for your sin, and if you accept Him as your savior, ask for forgiveness for your sins, and then turn from sin, Billy says, Jesus is your savior and even when you fail and sin again (as we well all do) you will never do it without immediately tuning to God for forgiveness. I pray for another Billy Graham, but it is definitely not Rick Warren.

[Stephen Bateman]

@Richard +1 for Ravi.

but I don't think we'll see necessarily one monolithic leader. I don't think it's healthy. The fact that Mr. Graham made it through without a public meltdown is a testament to God's grace, but few men can handle that kind of pressure.

I'd rather have 3-4 eminent guys sharing the load as really forefront. and Joel Osteen? no.

[Chris Reardon]

I definitely believe Ravi has such an amazing voice.
I love Erwin McManus and Craig Groeschel as well.
Or louie giglio. :)

[c. hughes]

paul washer , watch him on you tube...type paul washer shocking message

[ross]

My guess is someone from China or India.

[Dan H.]

I'm not convinced there will be another national spiritual leader and I'm not sure we as a country want or need one. Look how much has changed in the way we communicate since the last time we sat down and watched a Billy Graham crusade on a local TV station. For me the more compelling question is who will be the next GLOBAL spiritual leader? I would be surprised if he was an American.

[Daniel Decker]

Ben... will you be expanding on your thoughts as to who you think the next BG is? What qualities in BG will be seen in the next BG? Is the next BG even possible in todays fragmented media / culture in the same way it was with BG originally?

[Ben Arment]

no I was really just asking - love hearing your thoughts

[JFRadosevich]

I think BG had two things that set him apart. He was committed to preaching the gospel in the most compelling formats he could and he had integrity. Those two things make him so influential. The whole presidential thing was secondary and a by-product.

I think the people preaching the gospel in compelling formats are illusionists like Brock Gill and BJ Harris and speakers like Louis Palau. Those guys use compelling environments to share the gospel-Palau's Portland Festival is really interesting.

I don't know if they will ever have the platform that BG has. But they are working in the same tradition.