Willow Creek
Willow Creek announces major layoffs amid post-COVID struggle
By Bob Smietana — May 19, 2022
(RNS) — The layoffs come as the church struggles to rebound from COVID-19 and the scandal involving co-founder Bill Hybels.
Willow Creek pastor Dave Dummitt tests positive for COVID-19 on heels of Global Leadership Summit
By Bob Smietana — August 8, 2021
(RNS) — The megachurch pastor is isolating at home while the church does contact tracing.
After Ravi Zacharias report, Christians examine how to avoid ‘betrayal blindness’
By Bob Smietana — March 3, 2021
(RNS) — Why does it take so long for religious groups to admit the truth about their leaders?
Author Shauna Niequist apologizes for her silence following allegations against father, Bill Hybels
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 22, 2021
(RNS) — Niequist spoke out about the allegations for the first time in a long Instagram caption posted Monday (Feb. 22)
Amid protests and pandemic, Dave Dummitt steps in as senior pastor of Willow Creek
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 15, 2020
(RNS) — Dave Dummitt is Willow Creek’s first full-time senior pastor since founding pastor Bill Hybels retired early and his successors resigned over the church’s handling of the allegations against him.
Willow Creek names Michigan pastor David Dummitt as new leader
By Bob Smietana — April 15, 2020
(RNS) — Two years after the fall of Bill Hybels, Willow Creek names David Dummitt as its new pastor.
Pastor John Ortberg allowed volunteer who was attracted to minors to work with children
By Bob Smietana — February 3, 2020
(RNS) — John Ortberg, megachurch pastor and author, apologized for not banning a volunteer who confessed to being attracted to children.
Senior pastor candidates, interim pastor out at Willow Creek
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 30, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Elders have released the final two senior pastor candidates they were considering to replace founding pastor Bill Hybels, who retired early in 2018 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.
Willow Creek confirms abuse allegations against Hybels’ mentor Gilbert Bilezikian
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 28, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Willow Creek Community Church confirmed that a mentor of former pastor Bill Hybels has been accused of sexual misconduct.
Willow Creek elders preach reconciliation after allegations against Hybels
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 24, 2019
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (RNS) — Not everybody is convinced that reconciliation may be possible at this point — or wise.
Willow Creek plans reconciliation service to move on; Hybels not involved
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 23, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — In what they said would be their last public statement about the allegations of sexual misconduct against founding pastor Bill Hybels that have torn apart Willow Creek Community Church, the church’s elders called on Hybels to repent and the church to gather for a service of worship and reflection.
Willow Creek’s crash shows why denominations still matter
By Tish Harrison Warren — March 25, 2019
(RNS) — To identify as Christians is to inevitably involve ourselves in a deeply human story — a long story of the church, marked by redemption and beauty and marred by violence and catastrophic failure.
Independent report finds allegations against Willow Creek founder Bill Hybels credible
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 28, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — The Willow Creek Independent Advisory Group released its findings in a report posted online Thursday (Feb. 28) by Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area.
Willow Creek Association releases resource on ministry and #MeToo
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 31, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — The Willow Creek Association published a series of videos titled "Ministry and #MeToo" online Wednesday (Jan. 30), nine months after founder Bill Hybels stepped down amid allegations he acted sexually inappropriately with women at the Chicago-area evangelical megachurch he also had started, Willow Creek Community Church.
As Christmas nears, Willow Creek hopes for a fresh start
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 19, 2018
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (RNS) — Christmas always has been a time of celebration at Willow Creek Community Church, and this year has been no exception. But there also are reminders this has been no ordinary year at Willow Creek.
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