Nearly a year since allegations of misconduct first surfaced against Willow Creek’s lead pastor, Bill Hybels, an independent investigation has confirmed the allegations are credible.
The six-month investigation looked into the claims made against Hybels and into Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC) and the Willow Creek Association (WCA).
The series of allegations surfaced in a report published by the Chicago Tribune in March of last year, in which several former Willow Creek pastors and staff “accused Hybels of a pattern of sexual harassment and misconduct, including suggestive remarks, invitations to his hotel rooms, prolonged hugs, and an unwanted kiss,” wrote Christianity Today.
When the initial allegations were made, Hybels denied any wrongdoing. However, he admitted regret that his first response was out of anger. The church elders also shared their regret for how the allegations were handled.
“We are sorry that at times our process appeared to diminish the deep compassion we have for all those involved in these matters,” they wrote.
After more claims were made, with more women coming forward, the church launched an investigation.
The allegations led to Hybels’s resignation and early retirement last year after leading Willow Creek for 40 years.
The investigation team included Jo Anne Lyon, general superintendent emerita of The…
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