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 […]
World Vision US convenes year-long racial justice initiative for church staffers
RNS World Vision US, an evangelical Christian humanitarian organisation, is starting a yearlong initiative on racial justice for US pastors. “May We Be One”, which has had two introductory webinars over the summer, plans to convene free monthly sessions for clergy and other staffers on 17th September. The sessions will feature Asian, Black and Latina […]
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 […]
THE INTERVIEW: US PASTOR EUGENE CHO AND “THOU SHALT NOT BE A JERK”
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, speaks with Eugene Cho about his latest book, ‘Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics’…
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Chicago, USRNS Wheaton College has rescinded the title of professor emeritus from Gilbert Bilezikian after an investigation into the longtime professor of New Testament turned up new allegations of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. […]
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, […]
IN DEPTH: WHAT’S NEXT FOR WILLOW CREEK?
As a summer of new allegations against founding pastor Bill Hybels, of resignations and apologies and plans, draws to a close, the once-promising future of Illinois-based Willow Creek Community Church appears uncertain. EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, reports…
Willow Creek names NAE head, three others to oversee Hybels investigation
Chicago, USRNS Jo Anne Lyon, general superintendent emerita of The Wesleyan Church, and Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, will lead a new investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Bill Hybels, the retired founding pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. Lyon and Anderson will co-chair the four-person Willow Creek Independent Advisory […]