The Mega-Debacle

I grew up in a Mega Church in Mesa Arizona. I was lucky to have a pastor in Gary Kinnaman who had a high value for scriptural education. However the Mega Church phenomenon has had it’s massive flaws. The loudest voice in the “mega movement” for the last 20-30 years has been Bill Hybels and his church Willow Creek. In fact my church of then (when I attended) 5,000 people was modeled after Willow Creek in many ways.

Interesting thing has happened now. Bill Hybels and his staff conducted a study on their own church. Their findings? That they are doing great at building a large church and ministry, but failing to help people become true followers of Christ. Here is a quote from their own report:

In other words, spiritual growth doesn’t happen best by becoming dependent on elaborate church programs but through the age old spiritual practices of prayer, bible reading, and relationships. And, ironically, these basic disciplines do not require multi-million dollar facilities and hundreds of staff to manage.

They are now repenting for the way they have “packaged” Christianity and are going back to the Word for help to know how best train people in to a life in Christ.

Read the article here: Willow Creek Repents

I bless them in their search. I hope they will continue to influence the “mega movement” to do the same.

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Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

• Are we not in Christ??
• 2004- Willow Creek Church (Bill Hybels) Closed For The Summer
• A Shocking “Confession” from Willow Creek-Great article from Bob Burney
• Wake up call for Willow Creek