About Willow Creek

Dear Pastors

So much has happened in one week over in South Barrington, Chicago, the home of Willow Creek Community Church(WCCC) and Willow Creek Association(WCA). I felt sad enough last week when I wrote this blog, now I feel devastated. In one short week the following has happened:-

Lead Teaching Pastor Steve Carter announced his resignation on Aug. 12, after he said he was "horrified" by a fresh round of allegations against Willow Creek founder Bill Hybels in a New York Times story. The allegations, which Hybels has denied, were made by Hybels' former executive assistant, Pat Baranowski, who claimed he repeatedly groped her in the 1980s. Carter's departure soon was followed by the announcements Wednesday that Lead Pastor Heather Larson was stepping down and the entire elder board will depart by year's end, some members by Aug. 15. Steve Gillen was selected to step in as Acting Senior Pastor to help assemble the church's new executive team and to lead the church. Also the Elders have announced the appointment of an Advisory Panel made up of respected senior leaders and a thorough independent enquiry/investigation. In the midst of all this The Global Leadership Summit(GLS) went ahead last week Thursday and Friday and by all accounts another superb event. No surprises there, it is always a top class event.

I find myself pulled in opposite directions. There is no doubt now that Bill Hybels has sinned terribly and the extent will only be known after the investigation. The Elder Board have admitted making a few significant mistakes in their handling of the allegations against Bill for over 4 years (not just since March this year when it went public). Missy Rasmussen speaking on behalf of the Elders last Wednesday night admitted that ‘their loyalty to Bill clouded their judgement’. They are all resigning as a result. In short WCCC is in crisis. But this I know God loves WCCC and He more than anybody wants to heal them, and only He can accomplish that, truly.

I have just finished watching last Sunday’s service at WCCC. 40 minutes of word, prayer, song and heartfelt worship that is powerful and very moving, followed by a 30 minute message by Steve Gillen that is timely, wise and ever so pastoral. I would like to strongly encourage you to watch it. In my opinion a free ‘masterclass’ in the crafting of a service when a church is in pain.

So on the Church side I wish that Steve and Heather hadn’t resigned and perhaps half the Elders continue on and I so wish that Bill would confess his sins publicly and repent.

On the Association side I feel really vexed. I just have a lot of questions, four of which are:-

1. Why are no WCA Board members resigning? After all they have known about this for 4 long years as well and have NOT had this probably investigated either?
2. Should the GLS have gone ahead this year when things are in such a mess and the very thing the GLS stands for namely excellence in Christian leadership has not been demonstrated by both Boards?
3. Why not have a ‘break’ from the GLS for one year giving time for the facts of the matter to be clearly and irrefutably established? And then come back even stronger next year?
4. Has the Church and the Association ‘lost’ it’s moral authority at this time to speak on leadership and Christian virtues? Just at this time….for now?

But it has gone ahead and the new leadership team here in New Zealand (and all around the world) are totally committed to roll it out in NZ in October and November. So after a fair bit of prayer, discussions with some senior leaders in NZ and beyond AND given current information I think we should all support the GLS this year. LeadershipWorx will be. I think this is a moment for the Grace of God and His Kindness to be the prevailing response.

If you would like to engage with me in a discussion please do so either online here or by email to alan.vink@leadershipworx.org.nz

Blessings

Alan

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.