As 2016 begins, we as Christians need to look toward the most influential American pastors living today for guidance in a world that is spiraling out of our control. Who are they? Our independent panel has selected the following pastors as those who influence us today.
1. BILLY GRAHAM. Billy Graham is the most influential pastor of the past 50 years. He has set the stage for pastors in leading millions to Jesus Christ and is a pillar in challenging pastors to remain faithful in their ministries. 
2. RICK WARREN. Rick Warren is the founder of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. He is a model for today’s new preachers, using the Internet and Web resources to reach out to another generation of preachers. He is the author of The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life.
3. CHARLES STANLEY. Charles Stanley founded In Touch Ministries. Currently, “In Touch” radio is syndicated and its broadcasts in the United reach approximately 500 radio stations, 300 television stations and several satellite networks. Charles Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Atlanta.
4. FRANKLIN GRAHAM. As an evangelist and missionary, Franklin Graham now heads the international Christian relief program, Samaritan’s Purse. He is outspoken in his beliefs of one God and the salvation of Jesus Christ in the face of criticism in his stands regarding Muslims, homosexuality, and other forms of religions.
5. JOHN MACARTHUR. Another pastor influencing a generation of new pastor through innovative media, John MacArthur is a teacher on “Grace to You”. He is not afraid of controversy and addressing the difficult questions facing today’s Christians.
6. ANDY STANLEY. Andy Stanley reaches young adults through a communication style that is appealing to this younger generation. He has led by example in opening and seeding new churches in the Atlanta, Georgia area of the United States.
7. WARREN WIERSBE. This pastor is called a pastor for pastors, reaching out through radio, book series, and conventions to teach a generation of pastors. Billy Graham gave him high praise for his explanations of the Bible.
8. JOHN COLLINS. While this pastor has arrived on the public scene only recently, his style is as influential as Billy Graham. Pastor Collins’ use of media via the Internet and radio is quickly spreading among pastors and Christians alike. He is the head pastor of Love That Cross Ministry and his evangelism, passion and openness to address the difficult issues facing Christians today is an avenue for future pastors to model and Christians to find hope.
9. BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR. Recognized by TIME magazine as one of 100 most influential people in the world, Barbara Brown Taylor is an influential pastor through her books and her career as a professor at two Christian colleges, providing publications on preaching for new pastors, including the publication of her 1997 Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching.
10. TIM KELLER. His biblical preaching, best-selling books, and his commitment to church planting has led us to choose this more obscure but popular pastor. His preaching has become some of the most listened to sermons in America via iTunes podcasts.
11. T. D. JAKES. As an author, filmmaker and pastor, T.D. Jakes has influenced Christians through his use of media as well. He also reaches out in an annual revival and a women’s conference, crossing gender, race, and generations in his ministry located in Texas.
12. CHARLES SWINDOLL. A long time pastor in California and now Texas, Charles Swindoll has influenced thousands with his Internet resources, books, and radio programs. A generation of pastors has learned the influence of media in reaching congregations through his work.
13. MAX LUCADO. A best-selling Christian author, Max Lucado has written around 100 books, with 80 million copies in print, received the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year, and appears regularly on bestseller lists. He is a pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.
14. BILL HYBELS. Senior pastor of one of America’s megachurches, Bill Hybels led the revision of preaching to attract Christians who otherwise may not attend church or hear the word of the Gospel. He promotes the Global Leadership Summit which is meant to transform Christian leaders around the world by developing vision, skill development, and inspiration for the sake of creating and supporting the local, community centered church.
15. ROBERT MORRIS. Robert Morris is the founding senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multi campus church in Texas. He is an author and featured in a weekly television program, promoting answers to current issues facing today’s Christian.
It is of note that there are other pastors who are worth mentioning, perhaps in a later article. It is our hope that you are able to use this list of influential pastors and the hyperlinks contained within it to further your faith in your journey as a Christian. God bless you all.
See 2017 influential pastors, published March 6, 2017.
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