Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson (born November 5, 1969, in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American pastor and author. Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. NCC was recognized as one of the Most Innovative and Most Influential Churches in America by Outreach Magazine in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://churchrelevance.com/americas-25-most-innovative-churches-of-2008|title=America's 25 Most Innovative Churches of 2008|website=churchrelevance.com|access-date=October 24, 2017}} Batterson is also the author of the books Win the Day, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, and Wild Goose Chase. Batterson's New York Times bestseller The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears was released in December 2011.{{cite web |url=http://thecirclemaker.com/|title=The Circle Maker |website=thecirclemaker.com |access-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025074047/https://thecirclemaker.com/ |archive-date=October 25, 2017}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}

Background

He was raised in Naperville, Illinois having been born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Batterson first went to the University of Chicago via a scholarship to major in pre-law and playing basketball. He was called to full-time ministry, which led to a move to Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.{{cite web|title=Mark Batterson - Lead Pastor |url=https://theaterchurch.com/about/staff |work=National Community Church |access-date=March 28, 2019}}

Personal

Batterson has a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree from Regent University.{{cite web |title=Outstanding Graduates: Mark Batterson, D.Min. '12 |url=http://www.regent.edu/acad/schdiv/about/outstanding_graduates.cfm?alumni_profile=batterson |access-date=August 23, 2015 |website=Regent University Web Site |publisher=Regent University |quote="Mark Batterson D.Min. '12 ... Mark serves as lead pastor of National Community Church ... recognized as one of the "Most Innovative and Most Influential Churches in America" by Outreach Magazine."}} Batterson also has two master's degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, Illinois, and a bachelor's degree from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He is a graduate of Naperville (Illinois) Central High School.{{Cite book |title=Arrowhead: 1988 NCHS Yearbook |year=1988}}

National Community Church

Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. NCC has campuses in Washington, DC; Northern Virginia; and online.

Ebenezers is owned and operated by NCC.{{cite web|url=http://ebenezerscoffeehouse.com|title=Ebenezers Coffeehouse|first=David|last=Russell|website=ebenezerscoffeehouse.com|access-date=October 24, 2017}} In 2008, Ebenezers was recognized as the No. 1 coffeehouse in the metro DC area by AOL CityGuide{{cite web|url=http://citysbest.aol.com/washington-dc/best-dining/coffee/|title=Travel inspiration and articles that will help you plan your next vacation. — MapQuest|website=citysbest.aol.com|access-date=October 24, 2017}} and has been profiled by The Washington Post{{cite news |first=Tina |last=Poole |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/28/AR2008022803377.html |title=Coffee and Community at Ebenezers |date=March 2, 2008 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} and The Washington Times.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/mar/30/20060330-121739-7792r/ |title=Where would Jesus hang out? |newspaper=The Washington Times |access-date=October 24, 2017 |date=March 30, 2006}}

New media

Batterson and the NCC staff became known for their use of new media. Since 2005, Batterson's sermons have been available via podcast.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/29/technology/missed-church-download-it-to-your-ipod.html |title=Missed Church? Download It to Your IPod. |first=Tania |last=Ralli |work=The New York Times |date=August 29, 2005 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529194557/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/29/technology/missed-church-download-it-to-your-ipod.html |archive-date=May 29, 2015}} Batterson's use of Twitter for ministry purposes was covered by The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer in 2009.{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec09/twitter_07-22.html |title=Twitter: Harmless Fad, or Web Revolution? |work=PBS News Hour |publisher=PBS |access-date=October 24, 2017 |date=July 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727023213/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec09/twitter_07-22.html |archive-date=July 27, 2009}}

Books

Batterson is the author of 25 books, including

A Million Little Miracles: Rediscover the God Who Is Bigger Than Big, Closer Than Close, and Gooder Than Good (Multnomah; 11/19/24),

Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words That Change Everything (Multnomah; 4/3/23), Win the Day: 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More, Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God, Play the Man: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be and Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare You, It's Too Small. Most focus on issues of Christian living.

Social and political views

=On sex=

Batterson is quoted by Washingtonian magazine as saying "We ought to be more concerned about being biblically correct than politically correct"..."So here is the biblical bottom line: Sex outside of marriage is wrong. Sex is a sacred covenant between a husband and a wife. Period."Kapralos, Krista (March 5, 2013). "[https://www.washingtonian.com/2013/03/05/is-national-community-churchs-mark-batterson-the-most-innovative-pastor-in-america/ Is National Community Church's Mark Batterson the Most Innovative Pastor in America?]". Washingtonian.com. Washingtonian Magazine, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2023.

=On LGBTQ+ sexual orientation=

During an interview with Washingtonian magazine, Batterson "[pointed] to a sermon in which he included homosexuality in a list of sexual sins."

On April 17, 2014, Batterson was a guest on "The Kojo Nnamdi Show". During the interview, Nnamdi asked Batterson: "So do you believe or consider that homosexuality is a sin?" Batterson replied:

Yeah, you know, I believe that marriage is something between a husband and a wife. I think that sex is a gift from God. It was his idea. And so our church celebrates that. But it's a gift that was meant for the covenant relationship of marriage. And so that's something that we teach and encourage.Batterson, Mark (17 April 2014). "[https://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2014-04-17/contemporary-religion-capitol-hill/ Contemporary Religion on Capitol Hill]". The Kojo Nnamdi Show. WAMU. Retrieved 17 August 2023.

In his sermon "The Elephant in the Church: The Gray Elephant", Batterson explains:

So when a church hangs a plaque endorsing homosexuality it's a gray elephant. It is approving of something God disapproves of. And while it may seem loving and accepting to some, it is approving of something God disapproves of. And that is neither loving nor honest.Batterson, Mark (March 2008). "The Elephant in the Church: The Gray Elephant". SermonCentral.com. SermonCentral. Retrieved 24 August 2015.

Books

{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |title=Id: the true you

|location=Longwood, FL |publisher=Xulon Press |date=2004 |isbn=9781594679094 |oclc=270993555 }}

{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day |location=Sisters, OR |publisher=Multnomah Publishers |date=2006 |isbn=9781590527153 |oclc=70775594 }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2008 |isbn=9781590527191 |oclc=224442418 }}
{{cite book |author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2009 |isbn=9781601421319 |oclc=401141340 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/primalquestforlo0000batt }}{{cite web|url=http://theprimalmovement.com/|title=PRIMAL by Mark Batterson|website=theprimalmovement.com|access-date=October 24, 2017}}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2011 |isbn=9781601420398 |oclc=752207554 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.bloggingtheologically.com/2011/01/18/book-review-soulprint-by-mark-batterson/|title=Book Review: Soulprint by Mark Batterson|date=January 18, 2011|website=bloggingtheologically.com|access-date=October 24, 2017}} - probably a new edition of Id: the true you
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Zondervan |date=2011 |isbn=9780310333029 |oclc=733755580 }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Zondervan |date=2013 |isbn=9780310333050 |oclc=833300915 }}{{cite web |url=http://zondervan.com/9780310333050 |title=All In |website=zondervan.com|access-date=October 24, 2017}}
{{cite book |author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=The Grave Robber: how Jesus can make your impossible possible |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Baker Books |date=2014 |isbn=9780801015946 |oclc=871319236 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/graverobberhowje0000batt }}
{{cite book |author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |author2-last=Clark |author2-first=Joel N. |author2-link=Joel N. Clark |title=Jack Staples and the Ring of Time |series=Jack Staples trilogy |volume=1 |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=David C Cook |date=2014 |isbn=9780781411073 |oclc=863196144 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/jackstaplesringo0000batt }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |author2-last=Clark |author2-first=Joel N. |author2-link=Joel N. Clark |title=Jack Staples and the City of Shadows |series=Jack Staples trilogy |volume=2 |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=David C Cook |date=2015 |isbn=9780781411080 |oclc=879246231 }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |author2-last=Clark |author2-first=Joel N. |author2-link=Joel N. Clark |title=Jack Staples and the Poet's Storm |series=Jack Staples trilogy |volume=3 |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=David C Cook |date=2015 |isbn=9781434707321 |oclc=911946608 }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=A Trip Around the Sun: turning your everyday life into the adventure of a lifetime |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Baker Books |date=2015 |isbn=9780801016837 |oclc=894139927 }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God's What If Possibilities |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Baker Books |date=2015 |isbn=9780801016004 |oclc=903675423 }}{{cite web|url=http://ifbook.com/|title=IF by Mark Batterson|website=Mark Batterson|access-date=October 24, 2017}}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare You, It's Too Small |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2016 |isbn=9781601428851 |oclc=942838402 }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Play the Man |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Baker Books |date=2017 |isbn=9780801018985 |oclc=1023201872 }}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Whisper: How to Hear God's Voice |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2017 |isbn=9780735291089 |oclc=975132772 }}{{cite web|url=http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/561568/whisper-by-mark-batterson/|title=Whisper by Mark Batterson - WaterBrook & Multnomah|website=WaterBrook & Multnomah|access-date=October 24, 2017}}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Double Blessing: Don't Settle for Less Than You're Called to Bless|location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2019 |isbn=9780735291119}}{{cite web|url=https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/561569/double-blessing-by-mark-batterson/#press|title=Double Blessing by Mark Batterson - WaterBrook & Multnomah|website=WaterBrook & Multnomah|access-date=September 24, 2019}}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=God Speaks in Whispers |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2020 |isbn=9780735291119}}{{cite web|url=https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/608233/god-speaks-in-whispers-by-mark-batterson-and-summer-batterson-dailey-illustrated-by-benedetta-capriotti/|title=God Speaks in Whispers by Mark Batterson & Summer Batterson Dailey - WaterBrook & Multnomah|website=WaterBrook & Multnomah|access-date=July 30, 2020}}
{{cite book|author1-last=Batterson |author1-first=Mark |author1-mask=3 |title=Win the Day |location=Colorado Springs, CO |publisher=Multnomah |date=2021 |isbn=9780593192764}}{{cite web|url=https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/634078/win-the-day-by-mark-batterson/#details/|title=Win the Day by Mark Batterson - WaterBrook & Multnomah|website=WaterBrook & Multnomah|access-date=March 10, 2021}}
(2023) The Best Worst Day Ever: Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah. ISBN 9780525653899
(2023) Please, Sorry, Thanks: Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah. ISBN 9780593192795