Bill Hybel and the Willow Creek Church?

I work for a secular media company who sent me to a church that was doing a "Leadership Summit Conference". They had over a hundred satelite feeds broadcasting to different church's in America today.

But I never heard of Bill Hybel. Who is he?

Just Pastor of the fastest growing mega church in America. Willowcreek is very well known for their 'church growth conferences.'

I actually got to go to a 'contagious christianity' conference with Bill Hybels and Lee Strobel (previous co-pastor at willowcreek) basically it was a how-to for 'seeker friendly' churches and 'friendship evangelism.'

I think I have a kind of jaded view of Bill, he spent about 30 minutes talking about his passion for Yatching, and he brought on stage a friend who came to Christ after 8 years of Yatching with Bill. I know Jesus crossed over the lake for just one demon possessed man, but I don't know if it would justify eight years of a very expensive hobby.

I could be more critical, but I don't want to judge, because by all appearances these ministries are bearing fruit in the Chicago area, I just don't necessarily agree with the methodology. As far as the theology, they've got pretty spot on teaching, as demonstrated by the fact that Willow Creek used to employ Lee Strobel, a very astute bible teacher as their teaching pastor.

Lee Strobel is more well known for his "Case for..." books, which make great afternoon reading.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hybels

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_Creek_Community_Church

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Strobel

I went to a church back in the late 80s that was highly charasmatic. Not word of faith as that word is associated with today. This church was the best I ever attended in terms of the congregations passionate desire for God. We worshipped in song for at least an hour every Sunday. It was not uncommon to see people on their knees with hands upraised, or flat on their face in the aisles. The love amongst the brethren was tremendous.

Having said that I'm not so sure how discerning they were when it came to true works of the Holy Spirit. I think the pastor wound up embracing some things that I question a little now, looking back.

At this church we had a couple who the pastor had a long relationship with and looked up to, come and do a worship conference. Their last name was Hybel, if memory serves. I think his first name was Bill. I don't remember the wife's name, though she was the one who had the worship ministry. At the time our pastor asked them to move to California and be part of our church, but they felt lead to go to Texas and minister there.

If this is the same Bill Hybel, he is definately in the charasmatic camp. Hopefully over the years he hasn't embraced any wof doctrine. If any one knows anything about the 'latter rain' movement they may have been in that camp. I believe our pastor was.

Hope this helps in spite of the vagueries.

Doug

Hmmm,

Ian your reply posted as I was replying. Makes me think it's probably not the same guy, but who knows? Last thing I knew of my Bill was in '88.

Doug

We'll, this was a 'leadership summit' with some of the audience being secular. Some of his guest speakers were Colin Powell and Jimmy Carter. It was all about having a vision and leadership traits.

But yea, he reminded me a lot of Rick Warren. It just seemed so...um...American.

From Wikipedia:

Leadership summit
Hybels started the Global Leadership Summit in 1995 as an annual training event for church, ministry and other leaders to sharpen their skills. Each year this two and a half day conference features experts in the arena of leadership in lecture and interview formats, plus worship singing and dramatic skits. Past speakers have included Bono (former Time Magazine Co-Man of the Year and U2 lead singer), Ken Blanchard ("One Minute Manager"), Marcus Buckingham ("StrengthFinders"), Jim Collins ("Good to Great" and "Built to Last"), and Mike Singletary (NFL Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears). The event is broadcast live from the Willow Creek campus in suburban Chicago to 100+ video sites across America, plus later via tape for another 70 international sites. 80,000 attendees were part of the 2006 Leadership Summit. The 2007 event is August 9-11 and will feature live and taped sessions with Colin Powell, Carly Fiorina, Floyd Flake, John Ortberg, Michael E. Porter (Harvard), Richard Curtis (film producer) and President Jimmy Carter.

In reference to Willow Creek, you might want to check out these authors that are featured on their recommended reading list

http://www.willowcreek.com/wcanews/story.asp?id=WN06052001

Brian McLaren in particular is flat wrong on his doctrine of the cross and hell. I don't think the church did their research, or if they did they find nothing wrong with his theology.
Joe

I have to say that I'm kind of neutral with regards to Bill Hybels and Willow Creek.

PRO:
1. Lee Strobel has already been mentioned. When it comes to apologetics, he is certainly the real deal.

2. While I don't really agree with friendship evangelism in terms of methodology, Hybels' Becoming a Contaigious Christian and his latest book Just Walk across the Room explain how to do it in very simple terms. Obviously I read the books with a grain of salt for reason I will list below, but these books do encourage virtues that are no doubt necessary for evangelism: love for people, humility, compassion and a willingless to step out of your personal comfort zone.

CON:
1. Low emphasis on Scripture.
In his books and sermons, Hybels has a tendancy of giving his own paraphrase of a scripture passage in the context that he's talking about rather than giving the passage as it is.

2. Emphasis on topical rather than expository preaching/teaching with a focus on temporal "life application" rather than matters affecting eternity.

3. Speakers at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit.
For those who don't know, this is a conference held annually by Willow Creek that is also broadcast around the world. Churches affilliated with the Willow Creek Association extend invitations and in turn open their doors where the presentations are played live via sattelite.
Speakers come from various backgrounds ranging from pastors to business leaders, academics, celebrities and other fields.
HOWEVER, it should be noted that these speakers are not always Christian. While the conference is "open" in that everyone is invited and it doesn't necessarily focus on church leadership exclusively, that's not how the event is advertised. The fact of the matter is that it is by a church, for churches, yet Hybels goes out of his way to invite secular authorities whose views can be completely ungodly, yet he thinks they should be heard for their take on issues relating to leadership. The impression it gives is that it doesn't matter what you believe or what your convictions are; if you're prominent, you should be heard.

It's worth the hike any time of year. Beautiful place, and less crowded once it gets cold.

http://www.clothingemart.com/willow-ridge-b135

It is an interesting mental exercise to place this model upon the persecuted church. What components of it would be left standing? Might many be brought to their knees by the contents poured out by the vessels who are the saints in Christ vs the organization that mimics the world and has become much of the church?