Community Worship: Rev. Dr. Brian McLaren

To open Lakeside’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, we’re excited to welcome internationally known author, speaker and pastor Rev. Dr. Brian McLaren as Guest Preacher. This week’s preacher is supported by Steve & Jane Anderson.

McLaren will lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service on Sunday, May 28 in Hoover Auditorium.

Michael Shirtz and guest artists will provide musical leadership, while the liturgy will be led by Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care.

The names of those buried in the Memorial Garden at Chautauqua Park and Lakesiders we lost during the 2022-23 year will be read aloud during the service.  

Following the opening prayer, children (ages 6-11) can join a parade through the aisles of Hoover that proceeds to Bradley Temple. Here, children will enjoy music, dancing and a message from Chip Richter and his whimsical friends, as well as a fun craft and refreshments. Younger children and siblings are welcome to join but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents should meet their kids at Bradley Temple immediately following the closing prayer in Hoover.

McLaren is a former college English professor, pastor and passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” that focuses on working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a core faculty member of The Living School and podcaster with “Learning How to See,” which are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation. McLaren is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and co-host of “Southern Lights.” He has written 21 books; his most recent works are Faith After Doubt and Do I Stay Christian?.

McLaren graduated from the University of Maryland with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. His academic interests included medieval drama, romantic poets, modern philosophical literature and the novels of Dr. Walker Percy.  

In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and in 2010, he received a second honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal) in Alexandria, Virginia. 

From 1978-1986, McLaren taught college English in the Washington D.C. area and in 1982 helped form Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland, an innovative, nondenominational church. He left higher education in 1986 to become the church’s founding pastor and served in that capacity until 2006. 

McLaren has been active in networking and mentoring church planters and pastors since the mid 1980s and has assisted in the development of several new churches.  

He has written for or contributed interviews to many periodicals, including Leadership, Sojourners, Tikkun, Worship Leader and Conversations. He’s an active and popular blogger, musician and songwriter, offering a variety of resources through his website brianmclaren.net. 

A frequent guest on television, radio and news programs, McLaren has appeared on “All Things Considered,” “Larry King Live” and “Nightline.” His work has also been covered in Time, New York Times, Christianity Today, Christian Century, the Washington Post, Huffington Post, CNN.com and many other print and online media. 

McLaren is married to Grace, and they have four adult children and five grandchildren. 

Guests are welcome to attend Community Worship free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto. This pass must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If the time allotted is exceeded, the guest(s) will be charged a fee. This pass does not include access to the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus pool. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.