Wicked ol' Wllow Creek

If you know anything about "trends" in church growth, evangelism, small groups, etc. you have heard the names Willow Creek or Bill Hybels at least a dozen times (if not hundreds). I had heard, and seen glimpses of the WC model, heard about people going to Chicago to spend a weekend or more observing the "Willow Creek model" (this was hugely popular when Vicki and I were church planters). But really had never been privy to first hand experience until a few weeks ago.

I tend to be a bit "behind the curve" when it comes to blogging. This is for two reasons, firstly I seldom have time to blog anymore (I think this is a good thing) and second, I like to let things settle a bit so that I don't "post in anger" (not that it matters since only my wife and my best friends read my blog).

Anyhow, I can summarize my entire experience at the Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit in two words, "Shock" and "Awe". My shock is at the narrow-minded bigotry and church envy that perennially pigeon holes the ministry of WC as watered-down and unorthodox simply by virtue of its willingness to color outside the lines (if Bill Hybels even remembers that there are 'lines'). Not long ago I wrote a furious letter to our state Baptist paper (the supposedly 'good' one) about their relish in the admission of Hybels that many of the programs and efforts of WC had been fatally flawed and that they needed fresh direction. I was angry for three reasons, first because of the mean-spirited gloating of those who still don't realize that the train has left their station thirty years ago or more (in part because of massive endowment of widows who keep the lights on in ineffective chapels all across America). Secondly, because they are wrong. And thirdly, because it takes GUTS to admit that half of what you have been doing for thirty years needs a serious adjustment. IF the SBC is going to survive to its next centennial, it better eat a bit less fried chicken and a lot more crow, and a little humble pie wouldn't hurt either.

My "Awe" was at the gorgeously seamless garment that Willow manged to weave at the summit between grace and truth. For instance, for the first time in a long time I was reminded that "telling the truth" was among a leader's primary responsibilities. I was so moved in fact that God gave me a sermon that may have completely readjusted the focus of our church in the short term, and in the long term may save our church for our great grandchildren (if that be God's will). What was my new radical, postmodern, seeker sensitive, emergent position? That our church could close its doors and no one outside our Sunday service would ever know. And that we all know that. And that is time to change that. Time for our church to become as necessary to our community as the school, the hospital, or the fire department.

So then, I suppose I have been corrupted. Although I should note that I have a dozen plus binders that I have received from more "orthodox" SBC training that in their sum hardly touch the significance of the two days that I invested in the WCA Leadership Summit.

I am reminded of an old commercial for Wendy's that asked, "Where's the beef?"

In my opinion, there is plenty at Willow Creek.

Just Grow Up

You know, I never thought I find myself saying those words.

I have two half sisters, but they were 14 and 15 when I was born. I hardly recall them since my dad's (their step-dad) job evaporated when the steel factory he worked for was sucked into the early 80's recession (thanks Jimmy Carter...). We moved to Michigan when my dad joined the Air Force and they stayed behind with friends to finish High School.

Then I had kids, five of them. And now, from time to time, more often recently, I find myself saying that phrase. "Just grow up..." usually followed by, "they didn't mean to hit you/break that/cut off your arm..." or something of that nature.

Now, all at once, not only an I saying that to my kids, I hear God saying that to me.

I made a mistake this weekend, I went to a Willow Creek Leadership Summit. You talk about challenging. It was two days of pure leadership wisdom with no fulff, not a great deal of flare (although it was creative and engaging), and challenge. Just today I wrote to a close friend:

MAN, I have to tell you, the last two days have been intense for me! I have really begun to feel a pull, a tension, a transition. Its like all of the sudden I am growing from young man to adult. Many things that I once thought were important have completely been left behind. I started feeling like I should tuck in my shirt (joking) keep my hair shorter (not entirely joking) and be more consistent in everything that I do (totally not joking at all).

So then comes the question, that I know we have talked about before,

what does it mean to put childish things away? Pauline scholar that
you are, you are one step ahead of my poor hermeneutic, "Paul is not
talking about toys and tops...", of course not, but in the same vein,he is. There is a time when we move from one life to the next. Like the eleven year old boy I saw today who was insulted that he was invited to VBS but would have gladly come to our Youth Ministry. I have to be honest with myself, who I am today is not who I will be a year from now, even a month from now. I know that God brought me here to be changed, to grow, this is my 40 years with Jethro. Soon comes the wilderness? The promise land?

This could be interesting.

I mean seriously, how do I know if I am grown up? Is it because I stop playing Nintendo (by myself) and only listen to KLove? Is it in my dresscode? My attitude? What is it? What will it be like? Will I ever get there?

I'll be sure to let you know.