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Bill Hybels Profile
Posted by: AdminMagill on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 08:23 PM |
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Ministry & Church
Willow Creek Community Church.
Beliefs & Key Doctrines
Evangelical with an emphasis on addressing the felt needs of the unchurched.
Ministry Emphasis
Church Growth Ministry, “creative evangelism” by entertainment, drama, humour, pop music through seeker friendly services.
A range of “12 Step” programmes (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous. Also Anonymous groups for narcotics, emotionally disturbed, debtors, sex addicts, incest survivors, etc.).
Embraces psychology and it’s counselling techniques, promotes self esteem.
Uses marketing techniques.
Books Authored
- Honest to God
- Fit to be Tied, Making Marriage Last a Lifetime
- Courageous Leadership on a Sunday
Known Associates
- Dr Robert Schuller
- C Peter Wagner
Mentor
Dr Robert Schuller.
Strengths
Hybel’s church has been called “the most influential church in North America and perhaps the world”.
Weaknesses
Strong ties with Dr Robert Schuller who promotes unbiblical links with other faiths and who in turn, was a disciple of Norman Vincent Peale.
Promotes ecumenism and praises the Roman Catholic Church.
Supports Promise Keepers.
Truth Watch: Assessment / Warning
Hybel’s is part of the unbiblical Church Growth Movement that effectively puts ‘people-pleasing’ and and a soft self-esteem message ahead of the true gospel. Christians need to be careful and discerning in utilising any Willow Creek material.
Hybel’s advocates the use of modern marketing methods which are employed in order to discover what people want and then structure programmes in order to make them feel comfortable in church and so enjoy a meeting without feeling guilt or shame. This results in a “soft gospel” presented in an atmosphere glitz and entertainment incorporating drama humour and pop music.
In his book Honest to God it seems that the gospel for man is presented as a relationship with Jesus Christ to avoid “mindless misinterpretations of masculine identity”. Whereas the gospel for the women is that Jesus Christ offers freedom from being people pleasers thus allowing her to “satisfy her need for inner security”.
Willow Creek adopts the unbiblical practice of accepting women in leadership roles and teaching posts.
Both Bill Hybels and his wife have undergone humanistic psychological counselling and the church is reported to employ full time psychologists.
Bill Hybels has served on the board of James Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” which, although it often offers sound biblical advice, also incorporates the false gospel of self esteem.
Books by hardcore psychologist who’s writings are based on Freudian principles are sold and endorsed by Hybels.
A Catholic priest has spoken from Hybel’s pulpit.
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