How is Willow?
Dear Pastors
I have well and truly lost count how many times I been asked this question over the last 6 – 9 months. As it is usually Pastors who ask me I am more than happy to answer it, so much so that I have thought carefully about what to say. Some of you know that I have been closely connected to WCCC since 1987. I can honestly say I love this place.
I haven’t been to Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC) since the sad revelations about Bill Hybels in February last year. Neither have I had personal interactions with any senior staff since Heather Larson left in August last year. What I have done is ‘followed’ WCCC closely for some 15 months now. I have read all the Acting Senior Pastor’s (Steve Gillen) updates, all the new Elders updates, the Independent Advisory Group’s (IAG) report, a number of ‘key’ responses to the IAG including Nancy Beach’s. Finally, I regularly ‘attend’ their online weekend services at Willow TV. I just love their song services and creative pieces.
With that background let me answer the question. Willow is doing great, truly it is. In my opinion it is a remarkable story of recovery and restoration. Steve Gillen and Matt Wright and the Executive Team have provided a master class in leading through tragedy, trauma and unbelievable sadness and disappointment. Personally I have learnt so much.
Since August last year they have appointed Acting Senior Pastor Steve Gillen. They tasked a completely independent IAG to do a full review on Bill Hybels and on the church which they have done, written and published their report and have finished their work, appointed a new Elder Board after a very thorough process and completed a thorough Governance Review process to review Willow’s governance structure (policy governance), determine its effectiveness and weaknesses, and present recommendations to the new Elder Board for possible governance enhancements. You can read that report here.
It is true that things didn’t go well initially (between February and August 2018) and that resulted in more shock and sadness especially with the resignations of Steve Carter and Heather Larson who were greatly respected and loved at Willow. But since then, my goodness, what an outstanding effort and what incredible good work ‘behind the scenes’ has been done all the while continuing with church life and programming.
I was so impressed that in their weekend worship services they didn’t gloss over the ‘season’ they were in. They talked about it appropriately and sang songs, read scripture and preached sermons that reflected the pain of the moment. I was deeply moved on several occasions.
They have continued to see hundred’s of people baptised, the Celebration of Hope this year was a huge success with more seeds packed then ever before and their Easter Services were really well attended. From where I sit they are on a roll again.
WCA in the meantime has re-branded as the Global Leadership Network and continues with their flagship event the GLS in 120+ countries in the world including NZ. And as at writing Bill Hybels has made no public statement since his early retirement which in my opinion is really unfortunate.
Don’t forget Nancy Beach is speaking on ‘Leading Well on 23rd May. Details here.
Religious Freedom. I mentioned two weeks ago that a few senior Christian leaders were meeting to discuss Religious Freedom in NZ. We had that meeting (roundtable) last week and it was hugely helpful. We had a briefing from a lawyer on the Humans Right Act and a superb talk from Prof Paul Moon on hate speech. I am now summarising much of this content which will be available for wider distribution. We also agreed to continue this as a national conversation with church leaders around NZ. Prof Paul Moon confirmed yesterday that he is happy to do a briefing on ‘hate speech’ in Hamilton and Tauranga in September. If you are interested to stay ‘in the loop’ please let me know directly by email.
Finally. Try this next Sunday! Dare you to. Hint….Steven Furtick with Israel Houghton 2.44mins
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.
