New allegations surfaced Sunday against Bill Hybels, founding pastor of Willow Creek Church, leading his successor to announce his resignation. Steve Carter, teaching pastor at the Chicago-based megachurch, announced his resignation on his blog, saying that he can no longer lead the church in light of its earlier responses to the allegations against Hybels.
Hybels stepped down earlier this year after multiple women reported instances of sexual harassment and misconduct. The latest accusations came from his former assistant Pat Baranowskiin The New York Times.
Baranowski told the paper that Hybels’ harassment began when she worked with him in the 1980’s. She said it started with an unwanted backrub and escalated to other instances of Hybels touching her and rubbing up against her. He also asked her to procure pornography for a “research project” and invited her to watch it with him.
She said she stayed silent at the time because she was afraid she would hurt the church. “I felt like if this was exposed, this fantastic place would blow up, and I loved the church. I loved the people there. I loved the family. I didn’t want to hurt anybody. And I was ashamed.”
Carter said these most recent allegations were the last straw for him. He said in his resignation, which was posted on his blog, that, “The new facts and allegations that came to light this morning…
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