There are an assortment of churches -- megachurches, megachurch wannabes, big churches, small churches, house churches, missional churches, cafe churches, neighborhood churches, village churches. Some change constantly; some are the same as they were when Grandma and Grandpa were baptized there by the pastor whose grandson is now pastor.
Some in the emerging movement toss criticism at all things megachurch; and some megachurch pastors think their church happens to be the first one to have figured out what "church" is supposed to be. Some liturgical churches look down long, traditional hoary noses at small church creativity; and some spontaneous churches haven't a clue that most Christians have been more liturgical than creative. I could go on ... you get my point.
After three years of speaking hither and yon, I've come to where I like all churches (or most churches). I like big ones and I like little ones; I like the cafe church and I like the missional churches. I think we ought to get along and participate together in the redemptive work of God in this world.
Which brings me now to my post for today ... it's about a megachurch, Willow Creek, and its superstar pastor, Bill Hybels, and this is not an open invitation for you to take potshots at megachurches, Willow or Bill Hybels. But, I would like you to think with me about his latest "vision."
Some of you may know that Bill Hybels has not been healthy for a few months, and his sermons carried a little melancholy as he struggled with his health issues. But, this weekend Bill was at his best -- back to his vision-casting and motivating and creating vision. Here are the three new elements of Willow's vision as it moves on. This kind of vision is the kind of thing megachurches do well; and do often.
Essentially Bill lives with this vision from God: "The destiny God has in store is far beyond what even your faith can imagine." And Willow is reaching now for "multiplied impact." Here are the three elements of this new vision:
1. Raise your level of risk to reach people far from God.
2. Recoach people on how they grow -- so they become "self-feeders" as they mature.
3. Unleash unprecedented amounts of compassion and justice for our neighborhood and world.
I've never been at a Willow service when so many people "participated" (saying things, clapping, "Yes").
Personally, I don't think the term "self-feeders" is the best of terms and I really don't think it expresses what Bill was getting at -- the need for mature Christians to become more personally responsible for their theological development, and not expecting the church to do it all. Maybe some of you were there and heard what he said and have some thoughts ... and some of you weren't and have thoughts.
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Scot, I listened to the Podcast of Bill's message and although I heard the passion behind his words - I was very disturbed by his comments about "self-feeding" - as a "recovering" Evangelical (now Eastern Orthodox) I found that both spiritually and physically "self-feeding" can be a very unhealthy thing! So much in Evangelical Christianity today is based on a kind of "making it up as you go." Bill's interpretation of the request to "feed me" is not an intellectual need, but a spiritual one...we need to know HOW to love God with all our hearts, minds and strength - that's why we need the culture and tradition that is Christianity - not just a proliferation of more "ministries" and activities. Spiritual discipline and transformation, and not more information, is what people are asking for.
CHRIST IS RISEN
thanks you guys [ooooppppsssss . . i mean ladies] for your mention of my post.
Scot - glad Bill had a good week. Maybe having the larger part of the American emerging church give him kudos in orlando was the wind in his sails?
funny - a few years ago the EC was distancing itself from megachurch and its seeker targeted varieties. But Bill is appreciated and thats good.
I remembered something a professor (different professor!) described the meeting the needs and encouraging growth in a church she used to work/teach at. I think this model would be something helpful for the Willow Creek Association to look into.
The model that was set up was to maximize the use of gifts (and growth of gifts) within the congregation, but also to tap into local resources. The church set up a series of classes about 4 weeks long (they found people would commit to the short-term easier than 3 months). They were held during weekdays/nights that worked best (surprising to me, Monday was the most popular), and the students paid a minimal fee ($5-15? because people would show up more consistently to things they paid for), and at the end of a class, were given a certificate (people like that, too). The teachers? mature church members, local 'experts' (i.e. some classes were about finances, weight loss, etc.), and seminary professors! (I like the last one. :) at the end of the class, if someone wanted to continue the class, they could for a discounted tuition at the local seminary). In this manner, they ministered to people in different situations and trained their Sunday school teachers and the 'next generation' of leaders. as far as I know, this model is still in place at this church.
(I had written more, but decided, this is the golden nugget that would add to the conversation, all else was unnecessary opinion :-P )
Response to Jinny - When I used to attend Willow Creek back in the 80's and 90's, when I lived in Chicago - they actually held a series of "Seminars," I believe they called it the Willow Creek Institute - each Wednesday they would have a 30 minute "New Community" worship service and then people would disperse through the building for classes in different subjects like "Budgeting," "Inductive Bible Study Skills," "Effective Listening" and topics like this. It was very effective - I'm not sure why it was discontinued. It was a lot of work for the volunteers I remember...
I will say here what I perhaps should have said elsewhere: that even though I was there for the Driscoll/Hybel's thingy...And was offended, I still really appreciate Bill...He wants to reach people for Jesus and has done it so in that I think one must salute him.
D
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