Ha. Fooled you! I really don't have bad news, but I'd be willing to guarantee you that when you read the title your eyes immediately went to the body of the blog. Why is that? Well it's because the sad reality is that bad news is a draw. In fact, I challenge you to watch the local or national news tonight and compare the positive stories they report verses the negative. It will amaze you.
Let me tell you the reason I bring this up. Today Willow Creek Community Church announced that two of it's teaching pastors, Randy Frazee and Gene Appel would be stepping down from their roles at the church to pursue other ministry opportunities. This is a huge loss and what makes it an even tougher pill to swallow is that it comes on the heels of another great teaching pastor named Mike Breaux stepping down just a few months earlier. This has to be an unbelievably hard time for one of my favorite men of God, Bill Hybels, the founding and now lead pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Compounding the problem is all the speculation, spoken and unspoken, that something bad is going on at Willow.
I blogged about this last week, but generally speaking, when people don't know the truth, they make something up and that is exactly what people are doing in this situation. All around our nation people are speculating on Bill Hybels and his leadership and the church and its stability wondering what in the world is going on. Frankly, I think it is absurd that a man like Bill Hybels and a church like Willow Creek would have to defend their reputation or explain why change is occurring. Change is inevitable, especially in a thriving ministry like Willow Creek. My guess is that each one of these men have appreciated the opportunity to learn under a man like Bill Hybels and now are ready to move on and lead their own church for the glory of God. Each one is certainly capable. In fact, those of you who attend WCC have heard me say on more than one occasion, I don't think there is any more gifted communicator in all of America than Gene Appel. His no frill, humble, substantive style has been a huge encouragement to me over these last 4 years as I have watched and listened to him just about every week.
What Willow Creek and Bill Hybels need right now is prayer. He and his church have done so much good for the kingdom of God and been positive role models for so many people. At his age Mr. Hybels should be able to wind down and enjoy the fruits of his many years of arduous labor. Unfortunately, it looks like he has been left without a whole lot of support. I hate that for him, but am confident that he will weather this storm and bring glory to God in the process. Today, I choose to intercede instead of interject. We have enough speculative opinions out there. Until I know the truth, I choose to believe the best. I know that is what any of us would want if we were in Bill Hybels position.
Great article and said positively without specualting or demeaning the church. I have attended services at the church and I think they have a wonderful way of reaching people and I hope they continue their great work. Although I am a Catholic and attend a different church than Willow I do go there with friends who are regualrs and enjoy the different and positive way they present Christ to so many. God Bless.
Posted by: Ben Michaels | January 28, 2008 at 01:30 PM