Just caught wind of some big changes going on at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL. Not too long ago Mike Breaux also left Willow, so this means 3 of the 4 primary teaching pastors have left the staff in a very short period. I don’t read something into that as all 3 men are leaving under good terms to good situations. It does however create quite a challenge for the Willow team to fill those spots. It will be interesting to see if someone internally moves into those slots or if they go with guys from the outside again. Will John Ortberg be making a return?
Today the Elders of Willow Creek are announcing that two senior staff leaders have made personal decisions to pursue new ministries outside our church.
This June, Teaching Pastor Randy Frazee will become the Senior Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he will teach and lead in partnership with pastor and author, Max Lucado.
“After 8 months of prayer and counsel, I believe God is calling our family to expand the reach of the neighborhood initiative to San Antonio,” Randy said. “However, my decision to leave is mostly about family and a simple desire to be around my kids, two of whom are currently living in Texas and a third who will head to Texas for college this fall.
“It has been a complete privilege and joy to be a part of the Willow Creek team,” he said. “You can count on our fervent prayers and blessings as we move forward on this endeavor.”
Gene Appel, Lead Pastor-South Barrington, who came to Willow Creek as Associate Pastor in 2003 and moved into his current role two and a half years ago, also announced his resignation from staff.
“I love this church,” Gene said. “It has been an enormous privilege for me to serve here, but after months of internal wrestling and seeking the counsel of wise people I trust, I have come to a place of peace and clarity, and sense the nudge to move toward being the senior pastor of a local church again. I’ll continue serving in my role through the Easter season, and then I’ll begin prayerfully pursuing God’s next adventure. I am honored to have been able to serve in partnership with everyone at Willow and I have been forever impacted by this place. I will be cheering you on for the rest of my life.”
On January 17, 2008 the Elders of Willow Creek and Bill Hybels agreed that Bill will assume the role of Lead Pastor-South Barrington in addition to his other senior pastor responsibilities, which include oversight of the Regional Campuses and the Willow Creek Association.
“I am honored to assume the responsibility to lead the staff and congregation at South Barrington and I look to God expectantly for what He has planned for us in the future,” Bill said.
The Elders fully support the decisions of Gene and Randy, and are grateful to them for their faithful leadership, high character, and inspired teaching.
(HT: Todd @ MMI)
Technorati Tags: Randy Frazee, Gene Appel, Neighborhood Initiative, Mike Breaux, John Ortberg, Willow, Willow Creek, Willow Creek Community Church, Willow Creek Association, Bill Hybels, Leadership, Church Leadership, Teaching Pastor, South Barrington, Mega-Church, Easter, Prayer, Counsel, Senior Pastor, Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas, Illinois, Max Lucado, Lead Pastor, Regional Campus, Character
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February 3, 2008 at 3:40 am
Nancy
Many do not find it a coincidence that three pastors have left at once. I like Willow a lot but this was handled very poorly. Bill Hybels founded the church, so for an elder to get up and announce the news of this was quite disappointing. Bill announced all of these pastors coming to the church initially and he should have been the one to talk about them leaving. Furthermore, to hear an elder say that “Bill has graciously agreed to step back into the role of lead pastor” seemed a bit strange given that everyone knows that Bill is the one running the church. I found it very strange that an elder would make this statement given that the congregation barely ever hears anything from an elder in services. It was even more disappointing to hear Bill barely muster a few words about these pastors then start in on talking about the environment. I just hope that a lesson can be learned from this and that Willow will move forward in a positive manner.
March 29, 2008 at 10:13 am
Loni Labak
It is not for anyone to judge when God calls someone to do his work. He calls us out to “be the church” and we must listen. That is what Gene, Randy and Mike are doing. Is that what you do?
April 4, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Rod
I am grateful for Gene wherever he goes. He is a leader and I believe he knows his place. He built a huge huge following in Las Vegas and left a mark not many remember but the few who have known him in silence over the years. He is a strong person and god will deliver him wherever he is needed. I don’t read any politics into any of this as it is Gods timing not ours.
Many of us are so excited to see him speak again in Las Vegas the first weekend in April and anxious to find out where he is planting himself.
I wish he stayed in one place ha. You will hear huge words on this leader in the near future/maybe some TV time!
August 5, 2008 at 9:05 pm
DEBBIE BARBES
RANDY WE ARE THE ALVARADO FAMILY TRACY OUR DAUGHTER WAS IN YOUR HOME GROUP THOSE WERE THE DAYS WELL BANJO MAN WEVE MISSED YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY AND FAMILY IS NOT TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED WELL TO NIGHTS DEBBIES 56TH BIRTHDAY AND WERE ALL TOGETHER AT TRACYS HOME ON WOODSONG BY LAKE ARLINGTON YOU WERE MY KEEP IT SIMPLE GUY GO FOR IT AND ON YOUR WAY UP TO FT WTH YOU HAVE A OPEN INVITATION FOR SOME AWESOME MESQUITE STEAKS LOVE IS SIMPLE WITH MY FRIEND JESUS NOW THATS A BLESSING BILLY AND DEBBIE BARNES
August 13, 2008 at 10:01 am
Eileen Carlisle
I am absolutely ecstatic that Bill has returned to our “local church” – He is outstanding – I never left when the others took over, I assumed God would bring Bill back to us and He has. Bill Hybels IS Willow. Since he has returned, I feel like our Willow is back to being our home. THank you, God!
January 13, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Trevor Carpenter
“Bill Hybels IS Willow.”
Wow. This reveals so much about the failures of Willow Creek. Maybe the elders will bring in a leader, to replace those who left, that will teach the whole Word of God, and not neglect those parts that they don’t like.
Maybe Willow Creek will become a leader in the Christian church, instead of leading so many away.
January 13, 2009 at 1:39 pm
mrclm
Trevor,
I would disagree with your assessment of Willow Creek leading people astray. I’m comfortable betting that Willow has changed more eternities than your church, and I don’t even know where you attend. You can disagree with their methodology, I even fit that category somewhat, but to think that they aren’t preaching Christ and Him crucified, or that they aren’t preaching the whole counsel of the Bible is ignorant at best. I don’t always agree with their interpretation, but that is the case almost anywhere. I don’t always agree with John MacArthur either, but that doesn’t mean I think he is leading people down the wrong path either.
And to Willow’s credit, they have very publicly admitted that they have room to improve. Their whole “Reveal” study is evidence of their openness – an openness that few other churches are willing to share. They have published a book about their shortcomings, and are taking steps to change. Certainly they’ll remain flawed, as will every church that has humans in it.