Hybels retired early from Willow Creek in 2018 after he was accused by several women, who worked for or attended the church, of sexual misconduct stretching back more than 20 years. He lied when he told the Monday night Family Meeting that the unhappy marriage comment in the Tribune was just the result of a check-in.. They did exactly what most ministry people do. So call the best pastor you can, but the best pastor is the most Christ-like, not the most TV-ready. I also took 3 years of Biblical Hebrew and 4.5 years of Koine Greek thats NT greek. Gregory of Nyssa was about as Orthodox as one can get, and yet he was also about as universalist as one can get. Was Hybels intimating that The Ambien made me do it? We sat under their leadership at Willow Creek for several years and were sad when the Ortbergs left to California. Realizing it WAS NOT YOU. The church Elders allowed Bill to stay in an unsupervised counseling relationship with her, while neither her husband nor Bills wife was made aware of the situation. sigh. But what does that have to do with her testimony? In hindsight, it is exactly as others have stated predatory, calculated and manipulative all with a facade of kindness and mentoring. There will be a full court press to save Hybels legacy. Thats why its not overblown to discuss patterns of behavior over a 40 year period from different sources about a pastor who spent his career begging us all to look at me! No idea the the Bible says, Do the work of an evangelist! Some people left, but our church has been transformed. Ive been to Ephesus and it is just a tourist destination. A seminary student molested a bunch of boys at my former church. Yet, the faith grew in the midst of these awful circumstances. @ #UnbiblicalPaths: It was alleged in an article of 'Chicago Tribune.' Further, the Chicago Tribune and Christianity Today too reported allegations about his misconduct. But it seems that the true believer would not say, Now I un-repent and un-accept Jesus Christs death and resurrection as the atonement for the sins that I will never be able to pay, but rather, How is my sin like these sins? What is a godly response to this still-unfolding situation? and Is this a church I can keep attending and supporting?. That is common respect for other people. Church people who want to do that with her at this point are way off base. I do not buy Hybels IT excuse for one second. "The question of how to pay for reforms long-term became an issue this week after the SBCs Executive Committee announced it had lost $6 million over the past fiscal year, mainly due to the cost of responding to the sex abuse crisis. This is largely Christianese. Love That Lasts book. How is that not normal? Indeed. The next time you make a blanket statement about what the Bible says, pause, think about it, Google and find some help for these difficult concepts. What a great article! Thats all the ambien defense is too. Little nobodies dont stand a chance. Ephesians 4:2 Interesting, as it goes after comments (he said bad words) and some situations, offering a perspective, all engineered to shape the perspective regarding Hybels. Look up who are semitic people. Give me the bellicose jerks any time. Weve both been busy with writing projects and many other things. However it can also be decentralized and setup so that only the sender and receiver can read and no backdoor (and even they cant read if they lose the keys). If he was having problems with women when taking Ambien, why didnt he stop taking it and get help? I hope you are right about this. It just did not need to be a science or a manufactured event. And, yes, some people dont come forward with their experiences for dozens of years. Please join me in praying for WCC, the victims, and the leaders. If they were sent and stored in a encrypted format, then you would need the key to open them and read them. Dont ever close the door to the tutoring office if a student is in there *especially female students. That said, this is all so tragic. Bill Hybels has stepped down. I tell you, when someone like BH is exposed, people come out of the woodworks to defend their celebrity hero and attempt to discredit the victims. That should be shut down with extreme prejudicepun definitely intended. I see this is a crucial issue, and I appreciate that Dee has put it forward for consideration in abuse survivor communities. The trusting person is the dupe who was groomed to respond accordingly. The woman alleging an affair with Bill said that she was suicidal, both to Leanne and to Bill. It is hard enough fighting rampant sex abuse in churches. And I promise: NO ONE was ever saved, in all history, because of eloquence. If you want to highlight, in every comment, this is not your blog. I know this sounds harsh but its notbecause I am guilty, too. Then read the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Think about it. There is a reason that statute of limitations are being revised throughout the country. As a p.s. Barton co-authored with John Ortberg Ordinary Day With Jesus, which clearly instructs readers in mystical prayer practices. This writing clearly shows John Ortbergs sympathies to this New Age spirituality. Weve seen all kinds of abuses from ministry leaders and time always reveals the truth. Think about it. Brad, given my age, their is a high probability that I was taking college bible class before you were born. It was alleged in an article of 'Chicago Tribune.' Further, the Chicago Tribune and Christianity Today too reported allegations about his misconduct. I have already commented on that nonsense that just went up. The creep factor never ceases to amaze me. And everyone wants to work there. who originally wrote plastic jesus - is lynne hybels still married to bill - is lynne hybels still married to bill And it still doesnt negate what Bill Hybels did, even if it were to be true. she either did or didnt inform her husband immediately 1. So were other women who were dealing with this privately. Brothers Dont Shake Hands, Brothers Gotta Hug. Tommy Boy, its definitely legit and very well written. Instead of turning the other cheek or choosing kindness in the midst of your disappointment, I see anger and a willingness to hurt other people. I think people also need to read-jodiewalle.com/openletterto johnortbergwho was also accused of much the same thing-be careful of the stones you throw-and also be careful of how you judge anything. From the website, its all sunshine and lollipops but the mask is really starting to slip. Lynne was picked for a spot on President Barack Obama's President's Advisory Council on . i.e. Such a horror of more revictimization. Nothing really bad happened. Hint hint. We have some good news to give to the world. Rags to Riches to Rags in three generations. Have you ever watched the news when the police pick up some guy who is a pedophile and all the neighbors say But he was so nice. Not a word. Oh yeah. In the fallout of Hybels's departure over sexual misconduct allegations, the esteemed megachurch lost other top leaders: The church's elders, as well as Steve Carter and Heather Larson, who were. That length is reserved for the husband/wife relationship, comforting someone, or greeting someone close whom you havent seen in a long time. * Now, it all falls into place: Wow, Im not the only person this happened to. This was real. This was wrong.. Im thinking of 2 comments right now from over a year ago in which you reposted comments you attempted to post elsewhere. Im no expert, but my research in such matters suggests how clever and manipulative abusers are. @ Lydia: And what does Lynne Hybels think about all of this? Glory to God. Who appointed you besides yourself ? @ Davis and Natasha: Read Acts 4 and 5. Thank you for sharing your analysis of this! analytical thinking. William Hybels is an American author and church figure. Activism. Im not saying any of that is right. Having Church in your club title does not necessarily mean it is the Bride of Christ. I chose to focus on the positive, job well done, not the negative. You are right, the whole situation smells of cover-up. These things were the normal and the personal assistants was more than happy to go along. Missionary Man Sounds like wing ding anti Semitic tripe. Was it addressed and ignored by the elders? And my guess is the elders dont know either. (Hoping they picked the right winning faction). Whatever it is, its wrong-headed. @ Davis and Natasha: Ive been silently wondering the same. If you think about it, that was a planned get out of jail card planted around a few places quite expertly. There are no winners here. The principles are sound, thoughwell enough to be applied to anyone's marriage, especially those looking to place God in the middle. I can't apologize for his choices, but I do apologize for mine," she explained. You and who else; or is it just you princess? They wouldnt have been good enough speakers. More than we know. The problem is when the church becomes just like the world, when its a big organization with huge budgets and building programs and long-term goals and plans and a big stage with spotlights and a pastor whos a celebrity and whom very few people know, save for the 45 minute public show/motivational speech every week (or far less than every week, if youre Robert The Hairdoo Morris), people have an average drive of 30 miles to the sanctuary and what has been created is so artificial that the church leaders must create these artificial means to patch some fake community thing together so the whole works remains a going concern, what with the bills to pay and all those families dependent on those salaries. Do adults really need to know the details of the sleep-overs or the email content before drawing a conclusion? Shaping a church this way is an abomination, puts Hybels in very dangerous territory. Only saying he did that for women sounds creepier, but he actually did that for everyone he was mentoring. She had no way of knowing of other incidents and we now see why. I dont know if you have any experience with megachurch staffs or not. Nor will Christians abandon their faith en masse over this. This is just how we do; I dont know. I was in the bath and my roommate answered the phone. If it is seeing a good friend after a long time, a family member, etc, understandable. When one person has an experience like this with a trusted friend and spiritual leader, they typically dont know how to make sense of it. Got any other people of substance who would vouch for you? No one wants to think their pastor is being inappropriate, so your brain just dismisses it. Jodi Walle, who worked for John Ortberg, has written a note. She also questioned her own judgment in whether he was actually being inappropriate. Invited women to their hotel rooms This makes my blood boil. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+5&version=NIV, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. To TWW regulars: I am becoming concerned that there will be a full court press by some people. Unless, of course, its useful as an excuse A quick glance at google and apparently hugging is drugging when it comes to the brain. @ dee: He has denied. These people are the living proof. I do, however, see how the dastardly could try and use the physical emotional responses to size up or groom a potential victim. Like Jesus, they healed people. And ironically, asking that question is why. Honestly, there is a lot of gossip here and on other social media about all this. I dont have any memory of doing and saying those things to her that night!. . Nancys story is not outrageous to me. Dee, I was wondering how you got him to do that gig. Me too. when Bill Hybels prayed for/about something no matter what it was, that according to Hybels God always answered him immediately or within days, Indeed, the Lords hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. I worked as a psychotherapist with both perpetrators and victims of sexual boundary violations for 20 years. Of course Billy Graham never led anyone to Jesus. Contemplative Spirituality can be clearly defined this way: Contemplative Spirituality: A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but often wrapped in Christian terminology. It alarmed me to learn that Nancy Ortberg was also the subject of Bill Hybels unwanted attention and actions. If there is one thing I find the most comprehensively evil is manipulative deception. Ive worked with men for over 40 years in business. STOP TAKING THE STUFF! We have preached a get of jail free gospel of buy the ticket and everything is as if it never happened. You just described me. Give, and it will be given to you. Timing is interesting. I thought it was weird when my friends dads would kiss my cheek but I recognized that was a cultural difference really and let it be. Prestige of Willow Creek? And us adults have to learn not to be so easily snookered by evil experts masquerading as wonderful people and pass red flags along to children. @ dee: @ April Kasper: I was prescribed ambien, and I was one of those affected in that way behaving strangely and not remembering it the next day. But If you make a big deal about nothing, you are the problem. Forgiveness after repentance is one thing (and a rare thing if someone never actually admits to anything beyond a mistakes in judgment were made public spin). Hybels condemned himself. That said, I am still very thankful for the work of Willow Creek. Is it possible that Bill Hybels encouraged the leadership of women in order to increase his own access to women who admired him within the confines of church business, giving him plausible deniability? . By Thriftbooks.com User, June 15, 2004 This is the greatest study bible that I have seen. He was talking about how successful Sociopaths and Swindlers and Abusers are masters of Camouflage (and Misdirection)! Shameful! @ Bridget: Fools a lot of people and so utterly against anything Christ said. It is easy for me to be critical (it may be my spiritual gift) but I do join with Dee in praying for the church. There are no winners here. We are the only ones allowing them through even though I am starting to disallow some. Be at peace. Willow Creek / Bill Hybels had IT powered by the Ambien Operating System. Since 1975, when Lynne & Bill Hybels started Willow Creek Community Church, Lynne has been an active volunteer at the church.For the last fifteen years she has engaged in ministry partnerships in under-resourced communities in Latin America and Africa. YOU CANT PROVE A THING!!!!!. She, too, encountered the Ambien excuse. Now its over. Leaders who walk in the dark are not representing Jesus but rather the same Devil the original Pharisees did. Please stop reporting about Jodis letter. If it doesnt recur, people often try to dismiss it as an aberration. Electronic medical records are a good example of confidentiality in action. If at the end of this tragedy, Willow Creek gets that they will flow like a river rather than a creek. @ Barbara Roberts: @ okrapod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa0EtdtPi8w. Call only those whose backgrounds really do show *above reproach* character. No one walks away unascathed. Read the books and follow the formula. @ ishy: You forgot naked swimming, shower on the boat, and deleted emails. In Megas there are layers upon layers of protective bubble wrap for guys like Hybels. I have Every year for many years OT once and NT twice- every year. tax. For many years, they were THE place when on job hunt. Get this straight. Hybels et al have it backwards. And then maybe they see it happening, confront the guy, he says understood and suddenly you and your husband are out of a job. Maybe they even went to the Wailing Wall and performed that satanic ritual and maybe were forever changed and lost. The Old Lutheran website has a bunch of shirts and coffee mugs with the word saint on one side and sinner on the others. They have changed so many lives for the good. This was shortly after a truly awful Christianese Youth Group rap number (GANGSTAAAAAA!!!! I do. If you ever get the chance find the book, Corporate Cults. Because I handled it in the moment (As she did with her push away response to Hybels) And it worked. Hybel's father was an entrepreneur in wholesale produce whose work ethic was the model for his son. he shoveled my walkway and came to the neighborhood potlucks? Well, it is a known fact that Hybels is a married man. @ Law Prof: It was always funny to me (sad really) how when Bill Hybels prayed for/about something no matter what it was, that according to Hybels God always answered him immediately or within days. And why on earth is this even a discussion? I think thats where you get the people that say reports like this hurt the church. @ Nancy2 (aka Kevlar): But she was trying to equate her comraderly relationship with Ortberg the same as women who have come forward concerning hybels Behavior. The important thing is to get people on the bandwagon, and manipulate them to maintain their undying love and loyalty. In a calm. Wonder who taught Billy to dress like a leader. I dont care if its what you like to do. People are saved to church. 3434 pant, right? Hybels appears to be trying to fade off into the sunset now. (I do think that helped me collect the red flags sooner, though). I worked for a large pharmaceutical firm. At times I have even wondered if it is not even being used to distract from addressing the root of the problem. Jesus is our model of leadership. I mean, one post here put Hybels name next to Weinstiens. https://jodiwalle.com/openlettertojohnortberg A less intimidating way to do that is a diary of sorts. just questioning a seeker sensitive approach can bring down a fair amount of push -back , heat, and attacks on your faith So, now the geru of it has resigned, over minor or mad eup attacks?? Rather, I think it is their twisted view of both God and humanity. The Kingdom of God is not massive corporate structures and clever corporate game plans. 1 comment about arms They dont feel like telling anyone, just swallow it and hold it in. I dont hug random people, but it doesnt bother me, unless it twitches over to creep territory. Adults need to Stop being snookered by totalitarian niceness. You gotta really watch out for people who hug themselves. I believed, everyone believed, that he was one of the good guys, committed to fighting for womens rights, committed to our marriage, and to the women he worked with. As a victim-advocate and blogger, I feel isolated because of my time zone. Thats how they get by with it. @ Davis and Natasha: Be the one who is loving and kind in the midst of sorrow, showing us that you trust Jesus to bring something beautiful out of this pain. Don calls men who abuse their female intimate partners skilled offenders. Is that honest? So when comparitve newcomer Paul withstood Cephas to his face because he stood to be condemned per Galatians 2:11-14, some may have seen it as slamming one of Gods anointed. Be the one who is loving and kind in the midst of sorrow, showing us that you trust Jesus to bring something beautiful out of this pain. https://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Cults-Insidious-All-Consuming-Organization/dp/0814404936. @ Dee Parsons: My husband was so proud that he got to met the Bill Hybels and was so happy that he got to talk to him and have his picture taken with Bill Hybels. My only (small) hang-up is that the authors, Bill and Lynne Hybels, use examples and stories that are probably pretty dated for 22-28 year-olds getting married nowadays. Time will tell whether WC was following Christ or Hybels. @ Davis and Natasha: And Pastor/Apostles Passive-Aggressive Attack Dogs (Tsk. We still need to get together on that religious research thingie. They are in denial. I pity you if thats the case. @ truthseeker00: That ill advised letter by Jodi is one example. Because I handled it in the moment (As she did with her push away response to Hybels) And it worked. But I believe the women who have been abused by Bill Hybels are telling the truth. But one thing I know, we have a choice in our behaviors. The mistake people make is thinking everything can go back to normal. Your comment covers a lot of ground I am all too familiar with. Ah, the broad-brush accusation of slamming the Church when actions of their leadership are called into question. I pity you if thats the case. They were powerful, influentual, respected leaders. But thats over the course of 42 years of ministry! You are accountable). http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-willow-creek-pastor-20171220-story.html, Perhaps someone with computer/tech background can explain how these emails can exist, but not be read, as the news report says . I can assure you that everyone is reading the comments!!! Buy my books, listen to my sermons, attend my conferences! Is it the lack of family having your back? The Bride of Christ me in praying for WCC, the broad-brush of! 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