Brian D. McLaren | |
|---|---|
.jpg) McLaren in 2012 | |
| Born | 1956 (age 67–68) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Maryland |
| Religion | Christianity |
Congregations served | Cedar Ridge Community Church, Spencerville, Maryland (1982–2006) |
Brian D. McLaren (born 1956) is an American pastor, author, speaker, and leading figure in the emerging church movement. McLaren is also associated with postmodern Christianity.[1]
Raised in Rockville, Maryland in the conservative Open Brethren, part of the Plymouth Brethren, McLaren became attracted to the countercultural Jesus Movement in the 1970s.[2] In the 1970s and early 1980s, McLaren attended the University of Maryland where he received both a B.A. and M.A.[3][4] He founded Cedar Ridge Community Church in Spencerville, Maryland, in 1982 while he was teaching English on the college level.[4] In 1986, he became a full-time pastor. The church eventually grew to include 500 members.[5] In 2015, McLaren was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America.[6] McLaren left his position at Cedar Ridge in 2006 to pursue writing and speaking full time.[5]
In 2011, McLaren defended Rob Bell's controversial book Love Wins against critiques from figures such as Albert Mohler, who argued that Bell advocated universalism.[7]
In 2013, McLaren stated that he did not believe homosexual conduct to be sinful.[8]
McLaren is married and has four children.[4][9] In September 2012, McLaren led a commitment ceremony for his son Trevor and partner Owen Ryan at the Audubon Naturalist Society in Chevy Chase, Maryland.[10]
