(Protestia) It’s a blow for Willow Creek, the multi-campus 10,000-member church founded by Bill Hybels that pioneered the church growth and seeker-sensitive movement but has seen its fortunes over the years as it hemorrhaged money, people, and reputation. Their losses … Continue reading
(Julie Roys and Cindy Mallette) A campus of Willow Creek Community Church is in an uproar over massive staff cuts—part of a new vision by new Senior Pastor Dave Dummit to streamline costs and centralize the embattled Chicago-area megachurch. Some … Continue reading
“Another recipient of $2 million or more was Shadow Mountain Community Church where David Jeremiah pastors. Jeremiah lost his membership in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability in 2010 for questionable financial dealings. … The Potter’s House, where popular prosperity preacher, … Continue reading
“Hybels instructed everyone in the arena to “stand respectfully.” Then, with spotlights waving, a voice announced Bilezikian as he would a star player for the Chicago Bulls “to be remembered forever.” The announcer named Bilezikian’s height and weight, but also … Continue reading
“I’ve longed for and encouraged Willow to pursue a different path toward healing. But due to a difference of opinion on what that path should be, I believe I must depart.” (Julie Roys) Willow Creek Crystal Lake‘s Lead Pastor Marcus … Continue reading
“Nancy Beach, a former teaching pastor and one of more than 10 women to speak out against Hybels, said in a blog post this morning that she was “stunned and devastated” by last night’s meeting. Beach said that in the … Continue reading
Dyer said she hopes the elders will provide more detail on Tuesday night about what led them to their conclusions. “I believe that detail, rather than causing unnecessary obscurity and harm, would help illuminate truth and give needed closure to … Continue reading
Independent Advisory Group releases report backing claims of pastor’s “sexually inappropriate words and actions.” (Kate Shellnutt – Christianity Today) An independent investigation has concluded that the sexual harassment allegations that led to Bill Hybels’s resignation last year are credible, based … Continue reading
“He warned that such agreements can sometimes be ‘profoundly evil,’ as they can tempt people with money to hide acts that are morally wrong, and even criminal.” (Stoyan Zaimov – The Christian Post) Scot McKnight, a scholar and former member … Continue reading
“Well, Weeping Willow Creek and all others of its ilk, we’re on to you. We see the chinks in your armor, and they’re gaping open ever wider with each passing day. Another one of your empires has fallen, and others … Continue reading
“There are no allegations that Hybels had any connection to Sobczak’s case. Hybels stepped down from the helm of the church in April, six months ahead of schedule, amid claims of inappropriate behavior with women, including employees.” (Robert McCoppin – … Continue reading
“We believe that [Hybels’s] sins were beyond what he previously admitted on stage, and certainly we believe that his actions with these women were sinful,” she said. “We believe he did not receive feedback as well as he gave it, … Continue reading
“Willow Creek’s leadership chose what I said immediately was an egregiously unwise decision: it chose to narrate the allegations as lies, the women as liars, and the witnesses to the women as colluders.” (Stoyan Zaimov – Christian Post) New Testament … Continue reading
(Leonardo Blair – Christian Post) Two weeks after Willow Creek Community Church’s elder board apologized for initially brushing off several women’s sexual misconduct accusations against founder Bill Hybels as lies, some of the pastor’s most vocal accusers have rejected an independent conciliation effort … Continue reading
(Bob Smietana – Christianity Today) Last night, Willow Creek Community Church made a promise to its members following the early departure of its founder and senior pastor, Bill Hybels. “Even though Bill is no longer in his role, our work … Continue reading
(Manya Brachear Pashman and Jeff Coen – Chicago Tribune) Forty-two years after founding one of the nation’s most influential evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Bill Hybels told his congregation Tuesday night that he would step down from the helm of Willow Creek … Continue reading
(Manya Brachear Pashman and Jeff Coen – Chicago Tribune) “Many of the women who spoke with the Tribune were loath to come forward for fear of betraying a man who had encouraged their leadership in a way that no other pastor had before and … Continue reading
According to Christian News Network the affair “occurred before the last affair he confessed—and before he discovered that his wife was in a relationship with another man.” Just over six months after hiring him as the Director of Ministry Development following his resignation … Continue reading
Berean Research reports: A Catholic priest and a New Ager walk into Willow Creek… No, it’s not a joke waiting for a punchline. It’s an experiment called The Practice, and it’s the brainchild of Pastor Bill Hybels’ son-in-law, Aaron Niequist. … Continue reading
Berean Research reports: Kicking off today in Atlanta is the Reformation Project conference designed to train and equip leaders to advocate for homosexual Christians. Among those leading: an openly gay worship leader from Willow Chicago, a satellite campus of the well-known … Continue reading
Apprising Ministries outlines reasons to be concerned about Willow Creek’s embrace of the Alpha Course and why it should be rejected.
A couple of weeks back CRN Associate Editor Erin Benziger covered the story of Mars Hill Bible Church “pastor” Shane Hipps preaching at Willow Creek Community Church. I actually assisted her with the video clips and had them up at … Continue reading
Having been mentored at “the world’s first Church Growth Institute” by Robert Schuller we knew Bill Hybels’ discernment was off. Apprising Ministries now shows you just how far off the rails Hybels has become in this well documented piece.
“The new facts and allegations that came to light this morning are horrifying, and my heart goes out to Ms. Baranowski and her family for the pain they have lived with. These most recent revelations have also compelled me to … Continue reading
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out … Continue reading