WILLOWCREEK ADMITS" We Got it wrong with our Programs!!

[Thad]

Originally Posted by Newman

I have limited time to post. However, I will take the time to respond to this thread since the point of view I have may not otherwise get expressed.

I had opportunity to attend a Willow Creek Leadership Summit 3-4 years ago. I would encourage any minister who understands that one can eat and leave the bones on the plate to attend and look at some issues in a new light.

The couple of days I spent there were awe-inspiring. In fact, I absolutely felt the presence of God and felt the Holy Ghost stir in me. (Which of course will be met with skeptism by some). I understand that.

The two hour presentation that I saw by Bill Hybels was eye opening. He was one of the most humble men I ever heard speak. It is no wonder that many ministers of first generation Willow Creek churches park at the back of the parking lot and drive modest cars even though the church budget could accomodate so much more.

But I digress...

Am I surprised that Bill Hybels would get up in front of thousands of churches he has been influential in and say "We made a mistake"?

NO! A thousand times no. Because Bill Hybels isn't looking to be right, he is looking to expand the church's reach and influence as he understands it.

And for the record, I would suggest that he is only talking about the inability to reach some groups of people because the Willow Creek church in my area has gone from 40 people to about 8-10 churches in the past 15 years.

The first church running around 6000 people the last I heard. They have funded missions to Africa, South America, India and inner cities of our nation.

Are there alot of spectators at these churches? No doubt. But there also is a core group that is on fire, and multiplying and touching other people's lives in the name of Christ.

Did Bill Hybels fail? Only if one thinks McDonalds is unsuccessful because all of their advertizing isn't effective.

And let me head the criticism off at the pass. Does Bill Hybels preach Acts 2:38 as we do? Not that I am aware of, but he sure seems to be influential in putting others on the path to seeking God which is a great path to be on.

In fact, every example in Acts that I can think of that found out about baptizm and the Holy Ghost were already people worshipping or seeking God.

...[F]or he that cometh to God must believe that he is and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

what BH had to say has been many leader's point exactly for many years.

They will find the same across the board. Maxwell, Warren, Wagner, etc.

Good for Hybels in being honest and humble enough to admit it.

He laying a lot on the line by doing that.