John Ortberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| John Ortberg | |
|---|---|
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| Born | May 5, 1957 Rockford, Illinois |
| Occupation | Theologian, Author, Minister |
| Nationality | American |
| Subjects | Leadership, Theology |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Ortberg |
| Official website | |
John Ortberg, Jr. (born May 5, 1957, Rockford, Illinois) is the senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church[1] in Menlo Park, California, an evangelical church with over 7,000 members. He is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary including a Master of Divinity degree and doctorate in clinical psychology. He is best known for his award-winning books[2][3] on Christian living released through Zondervan Publishing. He formerly served as a teaching pastor at megachurch Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Teachings
A central theme of his teaching and books is spiritual formation, the transforming of human character through authentic experiences with God. Ortberg argues that the desire for comfort and security often stands in the way of an authentic relationship with God — when people place too high a value on being secure and comfortable they may be reluctant to make the sacrifices God asks of them.[5]
Ortberg has warned against the societal pressures which tell people that bigger is always better, saying "I think for all of us, whatever your ministry or job, bigness will never satisfy the call."[6] In his books he has described his own desire for importance and success, and how achieving them did not ultimately bring him happines.[7] "Your cravings," according to Orberg, "if you could get to the bottom of them, are for the eternal."[8]
[edit] Speaking
Ortberg has been a featured speaker at many events, including
- Promise Keepers 2006 Conferences[9]
- Westmont College (2007 commencement speaker)[10]
- 2008 Global Leadership Summit[11]
[edit] Bibliography
- Grace: An Invitation to a Way of Life. (Zondervan, September 2000) (with Laurie Pederson and Judson Poling) ISBN 9780310220749
- If You Want To Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. Zondervan, 2001 ISBN 9780310228639
- Love Beyond Reason. Zondervan, 2001 ISBN 9780310234494
- The Life You've Always Wanted. Zondervan, 2002 ISBN 9780310246954
- Everybody's Normal Till You Get To Know Them. Zondervan, 2003 ISBN 9780310228646
- Living the God Life: Finding God's Extraordinary Love in Your Ordinary Life. Inspirio, 2004, ISBN 9780310801955
- God Is Closer Than You Think: If God is Always with Us, why is He So Hard to Find? Zondervan, 2005 ISBN 9780310253495
- Now What? God's Guide to Life for Graduates: God's Guide to Life for Graduates. Zondervan, 2005 ISBN 9780310802822
- When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box. Zondervan, 2007 ISBN 9780310253501
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Pastors and Ministers". Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. http://www.mppcfamily.org/app/w_page.php?id=9&type=section. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ Grossman, Cathy Lynn (May 3, 2007). "'Word of Promise' Audio is Book of Year - Another 'First' for Evangelicals". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20080715/d_biblewins14.art.htm. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat". http://books.google.com/books?id=KJHqRd5vRrQC. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ "The Dick Staub Interview: John Ortberg's Freak Show". Christianity Today. May 1, 2003. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/mayweb-only/21.0b.html?start=1. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ Duduit, Michael. "Preaching Through Their Defenses: An Interview with John Ortberg". Preaching. http://www.preaching.com/resources/features/11581043/page4/ortberg/. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ "Good Drive, Bad Drive". Ministry Mentor. November, 2005. http://www.ministrymentor.com/archives/details.asp?issue=11/1/2005. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ Creel, Colin (2005). Perspectives: A Spiritual Life Guide for Twentysomethings. Relevant Media Group. pp. 137-138. ISBN 9780976035787.
- ^ Trueheart, Charles (August, 1996). "Welcome to the Next Church". The Atlantic: pp. 37-58. http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/96aug/nxtchrch/nxtchrch.htm. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ Lee, Courtney (March 8, 2006). "Promise Keepers Announces Keynote Speaker for 2006 Conferences". Christian Today. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/promise.keepers.announces.keynote.speaker.for.2006.conferences./5586.htm. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ Doane, Guillaume (May 3, 2007). "Westmont Graduation to Honor Students, Mark Departure of Outgoing President". Montecito Journal. http://www.montecitojournal.net/archive/13/18/991/. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
- ^ "GLS Speakers". The Global Leadership Summit India. http://www.glsindia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=37. Retrieved on January 9, 2009.
