Please stop reporting about Jodis letter. That seems inappropriate. I underestimated their ability to constantly reinvent themselves to keep the money flowing. @ Davis and Natasha: The church isnt being destroyed. ..I know my sheep and they know me .. He came to die for His sheep and he knew us before we were born. Church Discipline Then more examples came out. They have much easier prey in a church setting, as the sheep expect the shepherds to be godly, trustworthy and above such things as looking to get laid. And actually, it was the Holy Spirit that empowered Peter to be so bold that made it happen. @ Barbara Roberts: Things add up all too well, sadly. I know, Ive been there. 3434 pant, right? Having been a nurse, I told him I found it rather odd that he was focusing on one of the more rare side effects, and that he brought it up to me at all. (1 Cor. FOUR YEARS!! the narcissists seeking to traumatize people into submission outnumber those who act out irresistible urges. This is MBA stuff. Fools a lot of people and so utterly against anything Christ said. In light of the testimonies of additional women who suffered his unwanted attentions, the only remaining question is how many women were victimized and how long has this been going on. We werent leaders, but we can tell you re: Stowell and many others that they leave and say nothing or little to protect their own reputations and future work in ministry. Everyone who is still there from the elders to the lowliest either thinks like this or doesnt dare open their mouth. They were powerful, influentual, respected leaders. Willow Creek is its own worst enemy not Satan. I wonder if you would say the same thing about a small church in rural Indiana or is it only the big churches that are the most important? YOU CANT PROVE A THING!!!!!. Since there's been no follow-up on their proposed Sunday morning mention of Hybels, it's safe to assume that multiple sources have told them that they made a grievous error to even suggest such a disgusting gesture. I think it compounds the problem when so many mega churches are unaffiliated with a denomination and/or have sprung up and had only ONE pastor (or lead pastor) for their entire church history. Bill Hybels has stepped down. We must judge actions and , if they are wrong, we must pass judgement on them, even if it is one of our beloved leaders. Email a description of the experience to yourself right away while details are fresh. In the end the price has already been paid by Jesus and its Only By Grace that we enter.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv72Q23lIp0. Ask yourself If we are to judge on actions that are listed as sin or are considered crimes, then what does this really mean. Anyone who would reject Jesus Christ as his/her savior because of this (or any) scandal was not saved in the first place. And you re-evaluate. Ummm-not exactly. This is ALL so disappointing and disheartening. I have heard sermons on the side hug. If it doesnt recur, people often try to dismiss it as an aberration. You are now in permanent moderation. If the 21st century church had the same healthy respect for a literal hell that the 1st century church had, we might behave differently in and out of church including church leaders! He sees things.. Either way, and knowing or assuming all this to be accurate, why would any man have his hands on women in ways that are open to suspicion if they are trying to stay out of trouble, either real or unjustly so accused? This rodent by the name of Roy teaches a better-sex class for males and is the best lover shes ever had. Yep. If it is seeing a good friend after a long time, a family member, etc, understandable. The invitation to the first Family Meeting stated in the first paragraph that this group wanted to damage the church and the senior pastor! Personally I was more offended by Wailing Wall-Satanic ritual connection. How to Resign from a Church In April 2018, when Bill Hybels' scandal got out, John Ortberg turned on his former master . Having Church in your club title does not necessarily mean it is the Bride of Christ. 1 comment about arms Why wait until now?? My point is not so much whether this is right or wrong, but at the way this thing was done, yet is inaccurately perceived as a random event. * Now, it all falls into place: Wow, Im not the only person this happened to. This was real. This was wrong.. Too much time, money and hero worship. Its rarely what people are told to believe it is. But, I seriously doubt your using scripture as a club will shame, convince or condemn many here. Darn it! That said, this is all so tragic. Just went through the same unity emphasis, as if pointing out items needing accountability, oversight and review constituted disunity or unwarranted lack of confidence in church leadership. In that planning he can do and say things prior to the offence which will give him a get out of jail free card later if his offence gets exposed or the target woman overtly resists his abuse. Im probably sensitive about this because Ive seen the this is what you get for being an egalitarian on social media and it drives me nuts. Yet Ive made my point. The whole manipulation tactic is a brain gamer based upon the receivers cognitive dissonance. How they must love what they do! They sounded clearly clueless about the price and pain that Hybels' behavior inflicted on his victims. And influence a few. Excellent post. For most, even for insiders (like I used to be, 2x an elder) it takes a very long time to finally look at things as they actually are and admit Pastor is not only not a decent guy, but whether hes aware of it or not, hes likely sold out to the service of hell itself! And many of them are, perhaps a number that would shock us all. Rudyard Kipling, The Picts Song (about guerilla warfare), Ok. Ok. Does anybody know how much hugging it takes to facilitate which feeling, assuming that the response is does related? Wow. And could it easily be construed as creating complicity by whoever carried out that demand? I do. Come Lord Jesus! Wonder who taught Billy to dress like a leader. Mary, you judge day in and day out. He just got knocked off his pedestal and some of his supporters are throwing up their hands in despair. I am so very proud of her and with how hard this has been on everyone. Like the real estate/mortgage broker years ago who the day before the search warrant came down, backed up an industrial shredder van to their office for an all-day shred-everything party. Hybels et al have it backwards. They are fighting for Hybels. Go back to JBs April 16 comment. Not that hugs are linked to drugs; I am just meandering. Bill Hybels, (formerly, William Hybels) was born on 12 December 1951 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S. People not in the mega inner circle world dont understand it. The woman alleging an affair with Bill said that she was suicidal, both to Leanne and to Bill. Brad may be a Christian, one stunted by being immersed in an environment that had the form of godliness while denying the power, but he also may be one who wouldnt know Jesus if He walked up and gave him a hug. I did, and he asked me to come up for a leadership talk, and told me to come alone. So many perps being exposed it looks like the Lord is behind the exposure. I read it Daily and Journal too. As it has been stated in widening circles of social media, under these circumstances (such as: improper investigation, witness discounting/tampering/intemadation, and most important lack of following scriptural guidelines) the Willow Creek 501(c)3 church organization by many credible voices has been deemed/proscribed as no longer a(n) safe or scriptural place to attend or be a part of. Willow Creek is an entertainment church and Hybels its star. Call only those whose backgrounds really do show *above reproach* character. I fund it demeaning to victims and I dont do demeaning here. Thats a laugh. For most organizations, hard questions and analytical thinking is NOT desirable, as it will almost always challenges the official orthodoxy and might even unmask hidden agendas. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. If we are not to judge, why would there be a list of sins in the Bible, including in the NT, with an admonishment to punish people via church discipline. On the surface, an extended hug may seem harmless, even though deep down it creeps you out a little. And people are actually saying Hybels being a champion of women was under false pretenses, for Sex? We are talking about someone very well paid to teach Jesus and model that teaching. Why not go public 4 years ago?? God is always present, even in the hard and dark times. That statement should never have been sent out and hasnt been corrected to this day! I want to make sure I understand you. See, here is the problem . @ Deborah: The FAQ document she links, however, entitled Willow Creek Response to Local Media, has mysteriously transformed itself into a 404 NOT FOUND message. I find it a it off putting that anyone would keep a list of *how many have you led to Christ. She also questioned her own judgment in whether he was actually being inappropriate. Kudos to these two publishers. If nothing else, it is incredibly prideful of a person. I know. he shoveled my walkway and came to the neighborhood potlucks? @ Davis and Natasha: Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. If she ever blew the whistle on his evil-doing, he had prepared in advance the excuse he would give to the elders in his church: I had taken Ambien! I dont want to think poorly of John Ortberg too. I really liked your comment. How to build a corporation in 5 easy steps. Time for some more sacred cows to get smashed. Thus, a comment with an accusatory flail that the bride of Christ is being slammed does much more to define you than your list of purported credentials than the site hosts and most of the responsible contributors in the comments section. how many people worship Hybels instead of God. Frankly, I think people went to great lengths to protect Hybels including the women he groomed and hit on. Give, and it will be given to you. I mean, it makes for good gossip too. 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