November 4, 2007
Willow Creek wake-up
I'm a bit late in learning this, but apparently Willow Creek, the godfather of the mainstream, evangelical, suburban, programmatic megachurch, has, well, repented. A multi-year study has led them to conclude that their ministry style just doesn't work, and what people are really looking for is instruction, particularly in understanding the Bible and prayer.
It's about time. Willow Creek has, in my view and the views of others, been an incredibly destructive force in American Christianity in its substitution of contemporary business principles for theology and ecclesiology. One can only hope that this realization on their part will lead to real changes. But as the appetite of the human heart--especially in today's consumer culture--is for things that "tickle the ear", not challenge the heart, I would not be surprised if they lose their place of influence as they try to correct their mistakes.
My hopes are with them.
