In the US, Willow Creek announces major layoffs amid post-COVID struggle
United StatesRNS Willow Creek Community Church, a Chicago megachurch that was one of the largest and most highly regarded congregations in the US, will lay off 30 per cent of its staff due to post-COVID-19 declines in attendance and giving. “Willow is about half of the size we were before COVID, which is right in […]
US author Shauna Niequist apologises for her silence following allegations against father, Bill Hybels
RNS Popular Christian author Shauna Niequist has apologised for her silence following the allegations against her father, Bill Hybels, the founding pastor of suburban Chicago megachurch Willow Creek Community Church. Niequist spoke out about the allegations for the first time in a long Instagram caption posted on Monday accompanying a simple image with the words “An apology”. […]
The Interview: Dave Dummitt, new senior pastor of Willow Creek
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, speaks with Dave Dummitt, the new senior pastor of Willow Creek, about stepping into his new role amid pandemic and protests, rebuilding trust at Willow Creek and his vision for the church…
US church Willow Creek names Michigan pastor David Dummitt as new leader
RNS Willow Creek Community Church announced today that David Dummitt, a megachurch pastor from Michigan, will be the church’s new senior pastor. The announcement comes just over two years after Willow Creek’s founding pastor resigned after being accused of abusing power and sexual misconduct. Dummitt is the founding pastor of 2|42 Community Church, a Michigan megachurch with seven campuses […]
In the US, Wheaton College rescinds title from Gilbert Bilezikian amid new allegations
Chicago, USRNS Wheaton College has rescinded the title of professor emeritus from Gilbert Bilezikian after an investigation into the longtime professor of New Testament turned up new allegations of “inappropriate and unprofessional conduct”. The school, one of the United States’ most prominent Christian colleges, reopened an investigation into the allegations last month. Dr Gilbert Bilezikian. […]
US church Willow Creek announces senior pastor candidates, interim pastor out
Chicago, USRNS The search for a new leader at Willow Creek Community Church is back to the drawing board. Elders at the suburban Chicago megachurch announced Thursday that they have released the two finalists they were considering for the role of senior pastor from the search process. The elders also announced that acting senior pastor Steve Gillen […]
Willow Creek elders preach reconciliation after allegations against Hybels
South Barrington, Illinois, USRNS Battered. Weary. Divided. That’s how elder Shoji Boldt described Willow Creek Community Church at a service of worship and reflection on Tuesday night on the church’s main campus in suburban South Barrington. “We are a house divided on whether we need to dig in and why can’t we just move on?” Boldt said. […]
Willow Creek to hold reconciliation service to move on; Hybels declines invite
Chicago, USRNS Willow Creek Community Church plans to hold a service Tuesday night in hopes of moving on from the troubles involving its founding pastor, Bill Hybels. In what they said will be their last public statement about the allegations of sexual misconduct against Hybels that have torn the church apart over the last year, […]
ESSAY: WILLOW CREEK’S CRASH SHOWS WHY DENOMINATIONS STILL MATTER
TISH HARRISON WARREN, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says that if there is to be any future for evangelicalism in America, “it must be a traditioned evangelicalism”…
Independent report finds allegations against Willow Creek founder Bill Hybels credible
Chicago, IllinoisRNS The allegations of “sexually inappropriate words and actions” by Bill Hybels, the founder of Willow Creek Community Church, are credible, according to an independent group of Christian leaders advising the church. Hybels’ alleged behavior, directed mostly at women connected to the Chicago-area megachurch, took place at various points during his more than four […]