Willow Creek lead pastor, elders resign

I will always remember the first time I heard Bill Hybels speak in person. I had been invited to be one of the teachers at an evangelism conference hosted by Willow Creek Community Church. Hybels addressed the opening session, calling us to use our influence to reach the unreached with urgency and creativity.

His passion for the lost was palpable. His leadership charisma was unmistakable. It was not surprising that he was leading not just one of America’s largest churches but one of our generation’s most influential ministries.

In the last year, so much of his story has changed. And now the crisis at the church he founded has reached a new level.

Last night, Lead Pastor Heather Larson resigned her position. The entire elder board of the church resigned as well. Christianity Today is calling their resignations “a seismic shock for one of the nation’s most influential churches.”

Elder Missy Rasmussen spoke for the board, stating: “We are sorry that we allowed Bill to operate without the kind of accountability that he should have had.” She added: “We exhort Bill to acknowledge his sin and publicly apologize.” As a consequence of their handling of this crisis, she announced: “Willow needs and deserves a fresh start, and the entire board will step down to create room for a new board.”

Steve Gillen, lead pastor of Willow Creek’s North Shore campus, will serve as interim pastor. The church still intends to move forward with an independent investigation into the allegations against Hybels.

Why is the story of a single church’s struggles so significant? Because that church is one of the most significant congregations in American history.

A model for churches around the world

Bill Hybels was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of a wholesale produce operator. He came to personal faith in Christ as a teenager.

In 1971, Hybels was a youth pastor in Chicago when he started a worship service called “Son City.” The…