Willow Creek Community Church
What’s next for Willow Creek?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 28, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — As a summer of new allegations against founding pastor Bill Hybels, of resignations and apologies and plans, draws to a close, the once-promising future of Willow Creek Community Church appears uncertain.
Willow Creek names NAE head, 3 others to oversee Hybels investigation
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 18, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — Jo Anne Lyon and Leith Anderson will co-chair the council, called the Willow Creek Independent Advisory Group, according to an announcement Tuesday (Sept. 18) posted on the Willow Creek Association’s website.
Former Willow Creek pastor Steve Carter breaks his silence on Hybels allegations
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 18, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — Carter is speaking out now for the first time since he left Willow Creek about his decision to quit, the questions he still has for the church and his mixed feelings about founding pastor Bill Hybels.
How Willow Creek exposed our sins
By Kyle Strobel — September 7, 2018
(RNS) — We must see the recent fall of pastors as an opportunity to have a new conversation about power in the American evangelical church.
Willow Creek leadership summit goes on despite mass resignations
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 9, 2018
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (RNS) — Just one night before, church leaders had stood on the same stage to announce that their lead pastor and elder board were stepping down to give the church a 'fresh start.'
Willow Creek elders and lead pastor resign in wake of Hybels revelations
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 8, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘We exhort Bill (Hybels) to acknowledge his sin and publicly apologize,’ said elder Missy Rasmussen.
Willow Creek offers lessons in accountability
By Jacob Lupfer — August 7, 2018
(RNS) — You can have all the clever innovations, seeker-friendly methods and oversight structures in the world, but trouble will catch up with you if you’re afraid to hold a leader accountable.
Willow Creek investigates Hybels as pastor quits over new allegations
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 6, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — Steve Carter is the most recent person to distance himself from Willow Creek Community Church as allegations against its founder, Bill Hybels, come to light.
Publishers stop printing Hybels’ books amid allegations of inappropriate behavior
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 26, 2018
(RNS) — Several publishers have suspended printing books by former Willow Creek Community Church pastor Bill Hybels as the Chicago-area megachurch he founded more than 40 years ago investigates allegations of his inappropriate behavior toward women.
Willow Creek responds to new allegations against former pastor Hybels
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 23, 2018
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (RNS) – The elders of Willow Creek Community Church are pledging to renew their investigation of the church’s former pastor, Bill Hybels, as more allegations of inappropriate conduct with women surface.
Willow Creek pastor Bill Hybels denies claims of inappropriate behavior
By RNS staff — March 23, 2018
(RNS) — The senior pastor of one of the nation's largest megachurches has been the subject of inquiries into allegations of inappropriate behavior with women in his congregation and on its staff.
For some churches, opportunity knocks at Christmas
By Kirkland An — December 23, 2016
(RNS) Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois hosted almost 60,000 people at its main campus for Christmas services last year, seeing a healthy bump in numbers among people also known as "Chreasters."
Sweeping away the clutter: A Q&A with Bill Hybels on ‘Simplify’
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — August 14, 2014
(RNS) Bill Hybels has written a new book, “Simplify: Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul,” focused on helping people take a hard look at their life choices.
Ex-gay group Exodus International shuts down, president apologizes
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 20, 2013
(RNS) The closing of the most prominent "ex-gay" group comes at a critical point for gay rights, as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to issue two potentially decisive rulings on gay marriage and public opinion shifts rapidly in favor of gay rights and even gay marriage.
NEWS PROFILE: Trend-Setting Evangelical Pastor Utilizes Research, Humor, to Grow Huge Flock
By RNS Blog Editor — March 11, 2005
c. 2005 Religion News Service SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. _ The Rev. Bill Hybels stepped onto the stage at Willow Creek Community Church to give a sermon on money management. But the senior pastor of this trend-setting, Chicago-area congregation was not offering a fund-raising message asking the faithful to dig into their wallets to support a […]