About Bill Hybels

Dear Pastors

I have not yet written about WCCC¹ or Bill Hybels in one of my blogs since March this year though I have made a comment here and there in a couple of other contexts. I wanted some water to go ‘under this bridge first’. But today I do want to talk about Bill for a few moments and about the church he faithfully lead for over 40 years. But before I do that I want to write a few names down of people you also know (quite) well.

Adam, the first man, was a blame shifter who couldn’t resist peer pressure. (Genesis 3:12)

Abraham, the forefather of faith, let other men walk off with his wife on two different occasions. (Genesis12 & 20)

Reuben, the pride and firstborn of Jacob, was a pervert who slept with his father’s concubine. (Genesis 35:21)

David, the friend of God, concealed his adultery with a murder. (2 Samuel 11)

And on and on………….

And now Bill Hybels. I have known Bill since 1992. Further, I really like Bill. I’ve talked with him many times over the years, we have shared a few meals together and I have travelled with him here in NZ. You couldn’t get a more hard working devoted and yes very focused and ‘intense’ guy than Bill Hybels……that’s for sure!

But clearly Bill wasn’t and isn’t perfect. Bill has sinned and that is nothing short of sad, very very sad. I won’t defend that nor should I. He has caused a great deal of hurt to at least seven (maybe nine) outstanding women leaders (no, they never lied nor did they collude) and to their families but also less directly to an entire church of over 20,000 people. “Aaaaggghhh Bill why did you do that?”

Since the revelations in March this year I have been in touch via email with Bill, Heather Larson, and the Elders (and also WCA in USA) and they have all graciously replied. Friends we all know that no one wins in these situations. Further no Elder Board has been trained let alone prepared to handle these situations (perhaps they should?) As hard as it is for me to say this mistakes are almost inevitable. Please remember the WCCC Elder Board were in shock. When you are in shock you are coping to survive and get through the storm and your rational brain is not functioning at its best. That appears to have been the case. Having said that I am disappointed that a competent company was not and to date (as far as I am aware at least) has not been instructed to undertake a completely independent investigation². The Elders, Heather and Steve are all to close to the situation and to emotionally connected.

However, on the 30th June Heather Larson and Steve Carter supported by the Elders made a very helpful public statement. You can read it here. Here they openly and honestly acknowledge they have made some mistakes in the way they responded and handled the allegations when they first came to light back in March and they have sincerely apologised.

I understand that these situations need to be looked into, critiqued and analysed. I get that. It is very important that we learn as much as we can from these situations. What I find much harder to understand are the somewhat self-righteous pronouncements which I’ve heard a fair few of in my ear shot and certainly read in the blogosphere and social media. Not to say anything about comments stated or implied that WCCC is a ‘has been’. Personally, I doubt that, I certainly hope not and I pray it won’t be so. God does extend His Grace, but time will tell. And finally:-

• In October and November the GLS is happening in six locations around NZ. I fully support them. BTW. If you haven’t heard Bill has absolutely no involvement in this year’s GLS. None! Even his books were pulled.
• In May next year I am hosting Bryan Cheney, Director of Promiseland at WCCC along with Dr Crystal Kirgiss here in NZ for 2 weeks. Details will be up on our website very soon.

In the meantime I still feel heavy hearted and grieved by it all and I am praying for WCCC and Bill, Lynne and their family.

Blessings

Alan

¹ I first heard about WCCC in 1987 and started both following them and studying them from that date. I first visited in 1990. I was on the Planning Team for the first WCCC - Prevailing Church Conference in 1993. I have been Executive Director of WCA from 2010 to 2017.

² Crossroads Resolution Group in Chicago was hired but is deemed by many as not up to an investigation of this kind.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.