Preaching.com Forums on Faith Community Network
  Forum Tools
Ministry Leaders Folder

Forums |  Register |  Login |  My Profile |  Inbox |  Address Book |  My Subscription |  My Forums 

Photo Gallery |  Member List |  Search |  Calendars |  FAQ |  TOS |  Disclaimer |  Ticket List |  Log Out | 
  Sponsor

RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift

 
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >> [Theology] >> The Church >> RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift
Jump to post #:
Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/20/2008 1:15:16 PM   
Jhud


Posts: 7794
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Lake Wobegon
Status: offline
The church’s commission is to make disciples of all nations, to be His witnesses throughout the world, preaching the gospel in season and out. We are also told we that the purpose of the church is for "the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

These aren’t mutually exclusive prospects, and throughout the history of the church it has swung like a great pendulum to either one extreme or the other. The key is to find that point at which we salt and light to those around us while ministering to those already with us – and that point may change depending on what time and place we find ourselves in history, so we should ever be ready to follow the leading of the Spirit confirmed by the consistency of the Word of God and prayer.

_____________________________

Jack

It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first..
- Ronald Reagan
Post #: 26
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/20/2008 1:21:57 PM   
OLEEguacamole

 

Posts: 1100
Status: offline
i don't know, being led by the Spirit is kinda radical.

_____________________________

there's life in a pit.
Post #: 27
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/20/2008 2:37:42 PM   
stampinlady


Posts: 1524
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Northern IL
Status: offline
I have to say that when we first walked into Willow about 5 years ago, we heard some of the best talks on parenting and living out your walk. Then after a few years we were starving for more, but not the weekend services didn't do it for us. THe midweek was more for those who wanted to dig in and that's great, but when you can't make it to midweek it's bad. We left, attended a "fundy" church for a few years, attended a Baptist church for about a year and now are back to Willow.

I think one thing I see in some "seeker" churches is that they forget that God saves and we just pass the message on. I hate the term "seeker" because as Doink pointed out "no one seeks God." But making a church more palatable for those looking for something spiritual isn't all that wrong as long as your're not watering down the Gospel, which I never heard done at Willow. MAybe I had a different expeariance(sp?) then others, but I believe it serves God in many ways more than some doctrinally deep churches.

_____________________________

Deb
Post #: 28
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/20/2008 3:03:49 PM   
OLEEguacamole

 

Posts: 1100
Status: offline
jer 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.


acts 17:26
and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation ,
17:27
that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

< Message edited by OLEEguacamole -- 5/20/2008 3:13:21 PM >


_____________________________

there's life in a pit.
Post #: 29
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/20/2008 5:34:06 PM   
bluestone


Posts: 2934
Joined: 2/25/2008
From: United States of America
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole

jer 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.


acts 17:26
and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation ,
17:27
that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;



I agree with the appetizer. We do seek God, He draws us to Him.
Will post more later, but must dash off.

_____________________________

I need Christ. Not something that resembles Christ.
Post #: 30
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/20/2008 8:40:36 PM   
colliefan

 

Posts: 2789
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Raleigh, NC
Status: offline
quote:


but a new believer who is searching for Gods truth and needs guidance


This process is called discipleship. It is a needed part of the church.
Post #: 31
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/20/2008 9:10:17 PM   
SonInMe1

 

Posts: 3377
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline
quote:

All Believers are charged to witness Christ


Including the pastor.

Small groups I think are key to a large church. The sermon is good and should always be bible based, as our's are. For more in depth studies you can go to the midweek service which essentially goes through the bible, word for word.

For more intimate fellowships and more in depth study, a small group is very good.

Certainly, we should evenagilize but if the church we bring them to cannot meet the needs of a new christian, it would seem counter productive to witness.

I am not sure how many christians in a church can disciple someone to the point they can come into a "mature church" setting, where the newer believer can understand what is going on.

It almost sounds like some initiaion to some exclusive club, not a church.

_____________________________

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4:4
Post #: 32
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/21/2008 5:57:58 PM   
Kath


Posts: 17140
Joined: 2/28/2005
Status: online
Moved from General Faith
Post #: 33
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/21/2008 9:18:32 PM   
colliefan

 

Posts: 2789
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Raleigh, NC
Status: offline
quote:

I am not sure how many christians in a church can disciple someone to the point they can come into a "mature church" setting, where the newer believer can understand what is going on.



2 Tim 2:1 - 2 (ESV) 1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Paul doesn't say bring 'em to church and I'll get them saved.
Post #: 34
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 9:26:05 AM   
redeemedsaint


Posts: 502
Joined: 12/5/2005
Status: offline
I think it is a good move. I hate the word "seeker sensitive." It's like hearing nails on a chalk board.

_____________________________

Woody

Get off the track cause the freight train is coming - Coach Bobby Lee Duke from Facing the Giants
Post #: 35
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 2:27:18 PM   
DarleneSchreiber


Posts: 169
Joined: 5/22/2008
Status: offline
Hybels...Hybels...now why does that name ring a faint bell in my head? Someone help me...who is Bill Hybels? And where have I heard the name of Willow Creek??? Explain, please.
Post #: 36
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 2:31:13 PM   
doinkdom


Posts: 4290
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
Status: offline
You probably heard of them as one of the largest churches in the U.S. - one of what's considered a mega-church.

Willow Creek Website

or were you just pulling our leg?

_____________________________


Cool drinks served daily at Oasis
http://oasisgc.wordpress.com/
My Blog: http://peacemakingirl.wordpress.com/
Post #: 37
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 2:34:21 PM   
Soxfan


Posts: 1492
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Connecticut
Status: offline
I heard they are going from "seeker-friendly" to emergent. Not my kind of shift

I used to go to a church where the pastor spent half his sermon quoting Hybels rather than Scripture.

We finally coined the phrase

"Less Hybels and more BIBLE"

_____________________________

"This would be the first step in apostasy; men first forget the true, and then adore the false.".......C.H. Spurgeon
Post #: 38
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 3:17:45 PM   
DarleneSchreiber


Posts: 169
Joined: 5/22/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: doinkdom

You probably heard of them as one of the largest churches in the U.S. - one of what's considered a mega-church.

Willow Creek Website

or were you just pulling our leg?



Why, Sir...I would never pull ones leg! That would be unladylike!
Post #: 39
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 3:20:33 PM   
DarleneSchreiber


Posts: 169
Joined: 5/22/2008
Status: offline
I will go back and look around some, but my first impression, upon clicking on the Willow Creek link, is not a favorable one. Yes, yes...jumping to conclusions, I know! But the picture that pops up...hmmmm...is it a rock concert? Don't know...looks like a group that is trying to appeal to the world by looking like the world.

But thanks and I'm going to do some sniffin' around!
Post #: 40
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 3:51:26 PM   
doinkdom


Posts: 4290
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
Status: offline

I'm a girl.

I mean, I have a pink flamingo avatar and everything

_____________________________


Cool drinks served daily at Oasis
http://oasisgc.wordpress.com/
My Blog: http://peacemakingirl.wordpress.com/
Post #: 41
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 4:30:39 PM   
Roberta_


Posts: 7000
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: doinkdom


I'm a girl.

I mean, I have a pink flamingo avatar and everything


I need new eyes! I didn't realize it was a flamingo. I thought it was flowers.
Post #: 42
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 4:33:48 PM   
doinkdom


Posts: 4290
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
Status: offline
well, it's the welcome sign on my front door...maybe I'll go back to my other flamingo so there's no doubt

_____________________________


Cool drinks served daily at Oasis
http://oasisgc.wordpress.com/
My Blog: http://peacemakingirl.wordpress.com/
Post #: 43
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 9:08:15 PM   
DarleneSchreiber


Posts: 169
Joined: 5/22/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: doinkdom


I'm a girl.

I mean, I have a pink flamingo avatar and everything


Oh, I am sorry! I didn't realize you're a lady! I meant, "Ma'am"!
Post #: 44
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 9:40:23 PM   
DarleneSchreiber


Posts: 169
Joined: 5/22/2008
Status: offline
Okay...I've been digging around for info on Willow Creek. Still have some more to do, but I came across this on Focus on the Family's site...


"...he [Bill Clinton] was a recent guest at Willow Creek Church before an audience of 4,500 religious leaders, with 6,300 more watching via a closed-circuit television hookup in the United States and Canada.27 Clinton was interviewed informally on that occasion by the Rev. Bill Hybels who, after promising a no-holds-barred interview, tossed softballs that permitted the president to sound mildly contrite over the Lewinsky matter. It was just four days before the Democratic National Convention, when he needed "cover" to shield him from those who might bring up the Lewinsky affair. Hybels did not ask the president, nor did the president volunteer, to repent for his infidelity with the other women or to express regret for his shameful support for partial-birth abortion."

Here's the link to the whole thing, if you're interested...
http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/a000000243.cfm

Granted it was written in February, 2001, so things could have changed tremendously. Bill Hybels could have changed tremendously!
Post #: 45
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 9:42:55 PM   
prophet

 

Posts: 592
Joined: 4/19/2005
Status: online
A disciple making church is VERY different from a membership making chucrh.

One exhibits spiritual growth while the other numbers growth.

One takes blood, sweat and tears while the other methodolgies of psych marketing

One is called Philadelphia while the other, laodecia

_____________________________

Create in me a Clean Heart, O Lord.
Post #: 46
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 9:53:00 PM   
phosadaud


Posts: 10645
Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Washington State
Status: online
Ooooh! Another if the church looks different than mine and does things a little different is must be bad and unscriptural thread!

I think if we believers spent as much time trying to reach the lost and build up the church as we do tearing each other down, we'd see a revival the likes of which has never been seen.

You need both folks. A pendulum swung to far either direction usually misses something. Unfortunately, all to often in the church, it's either SEEKER ONLY or MATURE BELIEVER ONLY.

Like others have said, you need to do both and a church that doesn't give give a rip about "seekers" (by just expecting them to play "catch up" on their own) is just as lost as a church that doesn't give a rip about growing mature disciples of Christ.

_____________________________

~Kristin~

Resume Quotations: "I worked as a Corporate Lesion."
Post #: 47
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 10:17:59 PM   
lightshineon


Posts: 3538
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
Very smart move, when are believers going to mature?

_____________________________

Remember, whenever you have pearls, there are always plenty of pigs nearby who would be glad to step on them.
F.T., 2007

Be sure you vote for those, whose views you want your children to emulate.
Post #: 48
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 10:29:06 PM   
StephK


Posts: 2341
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Southwest Louisiana
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: phosadaud

Ooooh! Another if the church looks different than mine and does things a little different is must be bad and unscriptural thread!

I think if we believers spent as much time trying to reach the lost and build up the church as we do tearing each other down, we'd see a revival the likes of which has never been seen.

You need both folks. A pendulum swung to far either direction usually misses something. Unfortunately, all to often in the church, it's either SEEKER ONLY or MATURE BELIEVER ONLY.

Like others have said, you need to do both and a church that doesn't give give a rip about "seekers" (by just expecting them to play "catch up" on their own) is just as lost as a church that doesn't give a rip about growing mature disciples of Christ.


This is one church that has had way more influence though than most other churches. It's like they don't know which way to go and that's frankly not a good thing. Tossed about to and fro comes to mind.

_____________________________

Stephanie

The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
~ Ecc. 10:2-3
Post #: 49
RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift - 5/22/2008 10:36:50 PM   
phosadaud


Posts: 10645
Joined: 9/19/2005
From: Washington State
Status: online
And you know that how? What proof do you have to make that accusation?

My church is constantly seeking God's will and if that means changing direction, we do it. Society is not static. Why should the church be? We shouldn't do something just because it's the way we've always done it, and holding onto our "sacred cows".

_____________________________

~Kristin~

Resume Quotations: "I worked as a Corporate Lesion."
Post #: 50
Page:   <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Theology] >> The Church >> RE: Willow Creek's Huge Shift
Jump to post #:
Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Preaching.com Forums on Faith Community Network
  Forum Tools
Ministry Leaders Folder

Forums |  Register |  Login |  My Profile |  Inbox |  Address Book |  My Subscription |  My Forums 

Photo Gallery |  Member List |  Search |  Calendars |  FAQ |  TOS |  Disclaimer |  Ticket List |  Log Out | 


Faith Community Network is a proud member of the Salem Web Network of sites including:

CCMmagazine.com | ChristianJobs.com | ChurchStaffing.com | Crosscards.com | CrossDaily.com | Crosswalk.com | LightSource.com | OnePlace.com | SermonSearch.com | TheFish.com | XulonPress.com | YouthWorkerJournal.com
Enjoy the websites of these Faith Community Network Sponsors:

ChristianBook.com | EHarmony.com | Gospel for Asia | LifewayStores.com | Campus Crusade for Christ | Trinity College and Seminary | Townhall.com | Moody Distance Learning Center | Billygraham.org

© Copyright 2006, FaithCommunityNetwork.com. All rights reserved.
Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI