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October 29, 2007
Willow Creek made a mistake? - For Pastors Only
I realize that this subject is outside the boundaries of our normal conversation on stewardship and giving. But I think there is room to talk about what Willow Creek has admitted on to the public stage. After careful evaluation, they have arrived at the conclusion that they got it wrong.
They have become, for many pastors and church leaders, the ultimate example of success. Many have patterned their own ministry models after Willow Creek. And they have been very successful...if raising money and growing attendance is the ultimate goal of church. But it is not.
I'm not going to throw darts at Willow Creek because we have all crossed that line. For many pastors and church leaders, we have been pressured to operate our churches like a business: sell. sell. sell. and profit. profit. profit. While those might not look the same as they do in business, we often mark the growth or health of any ministry or church by contributions and attendance.
Willow Creek should not be beaten up in the court of public opinion. Rather, they should be congratulated for doing something that most of us would not do if we were in the same position. They admitted they made a mistake and got it all wrong. They confessed that more people doesn't mean more ministry. And more activity never--no matter how utilitarian--replaces the work of the Spirit in the lives of believers.
This takes courage. A trait that is amazingly rare among church leadership today.
Before we crucifiy Willow Creek and burn all their material that sits on our bookshelves, may we be reminded to audit our own lives and ministries to ensure that they are being transformed into an accurate picture of Christ. And even more important, that our churches are facilitating opportunities for growth in body, mind, soul and spirit.
It is those to whom we have been given who are looking to us to show them the way to eternal bread and living water. Are we living examples of Christ's sacrifice for us, or are we simply building our resumes for the next big "ministry" [sic] opportunity?
Posted by bstroup at October 29, 2007 1:10 AM
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