The Earnest Contender

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Time to Wake up!

Time to Wake up! I just recieved the following in an email. It seems like a blessing, but I find it to be very distressing. Can you see any reasons why I would make such a bold statement?
_______________________________________

Rethinking Church
By Chuck Colson
12/5/2007

Where Is Willow Creek, and Where Are We?

December 5, 2007

Willow Creek Community Church, one of America's biggest and most prominent churches, recently released a short book called Reveal: Where Are You? The book contains the results of a comprehensive study that Willow Creek conducted among their own members and among members of other churches that use their model. Pastor Bill Hybels has said that the results of that study are "earth-shaking," "ground-breaking."

In a nutshell, the survey results showed that heavy involvement in the church programs and activities of Willow Creek did not necessarily translate to spiritual growth and maturity. Findings like these have caused the church leaders to stand up and admit, "We made a mistake."

I have to tell you, that is historic. Can you remember the last time a church leader said anything like that? I can't, and I am very proud of Bill Hybels. He and his leaders deserve a Christian profile in courage award, and I will nominate him.

Bill Hybels understands the problem that the Church is in today. It is into therapy, but it needs to teach doctrine and grow people in the faith. That is why, by the way, I have written a new book to be released in February titled The Faith Given Once, for All, a book Hybels has enthusiastically endorsed.

We have discovered the same thing here at Prison Fellowship—that we cannot just lead inmates to Christ and then not see their lives transformed. So, we have looked hard at what we are doing and whether we are really making disciples—are we transforming people? We, too, have confessed that we could be doing a lot better. And so, we have revised our vision statement and made fundamental changes in the way we work.

I think the lesson that the Willow Creek leaders have learned, and the courage they are showing, constitute a challenge and a warning for all Christians. We cannot let ourselves get caught up in a "just-get-'em-in-the-doors" mentality, no matter how attractive and effective it looks. It can too easily lead to the watering-down of the Gospel, to a "feel-good" faith, and to believers having little impact in society. As the authors of the book, Willow Creek staffers Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson, put it in their introduction: "The health of your church is not just about the numbers. It's about the movement of people toward Christ, toward deep love for God and genuine love for others." Amen.

Bill Hybels's example should challenge us all, especially pastors and those in positions of leadership, to take a long, hard look at what we are doing and ask whether it is really changing lives. We all need to improve. Christians today are just like the culture. We need to be transformed and then turn around and transform the world around us.

During the Reformation, the reformers had a phrase for this spirit. It was called semper reformandi, or always reforming. The more we continue to understand that we have not arrived, and the more willing we are to adopt the humble approach that we and our churches are in need of continual reformation, the more our churches and lives will come to reflect the God we preach.

I am cheering Willow Creek on. Think what could happen if, instead of tickling ears, all the churches gave the people real meat. Then there might be hope for America after all, as serious disciples are equipped to defend their faith and take their places in our communities.
_______________________________________

Time to Wake up! I just recieved the above in an email. It seems like a blessing, but I find it to be very distressing. Can you see any reasons why I would make such a bold statement?

31 Comments:

John perhaps it’s only in the choice of words but the idea of me transforming anyone is terrifying! I can only imagine what they might become if they allow me to transform them.

By Kc, at 6/12/07 6:37 AM
Kc,
Thank you. Your comment is very insightful.

By J. Wendell, at 6/12/07 6:42 AM
It reminds me of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, which had problems then in those 7 churches and it echoes thoughout the centuries into this day. Revelation gives continual warnings, like: "I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." Christ is serious about disciples persevering. We can so emphasize the grace nature of salvation to neglect the whole counsel of scripture that with faith comes a transformed life. My hat's off to Bill Hybels and his leaders for assessing his church -- getting God's view of his church.

By Earl Flask, at 6/12/07 8:36 AM
While I like and appreciate Colson's desire to have the people at Willow Creek turn to the LORD to give them spiritual edification along with their salvation, the thing that bugged me the most was the fact that he didn't do any pointing towards Christ in the letter himself. The entire letter was praise of Bill Hybels, and of Willow Creek church.

Yes, we should encourage brothers and sisters in the LORD, especially when they are admitting to spiritual conviction, but not once did Chuck Colson give God the glory for this conviction and change of heart in the Willow Creek church and of their pastor.

Like KC pointed out, no one can pressume to be able to transform anyone else, no matter how strong their own personal walk with the LORD is.

Contrary to what Colson claims, I do not think the problem in churches today is that "It is into therapy, but it needs to teach doctrine and grow people in the faith." Yes, it does need to teach doctrine, but I think the underlying problem of it all is the emphasis. If you emphasize growth in the branch without pointing to the source of power that will bring growth, the Vine, then all you will get is a bunch of frustrated branches baffled at why the "formula" of persevering isn't working.

We have no power in and of ourselves, we are helpless, we are powerless, and our flesh is desperate to take over and make us do the exact opposite of what our Spirit desires. The solution? Trust. Reliance upon the Son to bring us closer to the Father, and surrender to the Holy Spirit within us to produce whatever it is the LORD wills.

So, basically, I too find this article distressing, because it gives all the glory to a man, and to a church, instead of to God, which is the heart of the whole problem in the first place.

By Amanda Carranza-Ballew, at 6/12/07 6:00 PM
The author of the e-mail you received has documented a good realization by this pastor indeed, but has left the seed to fall right back into the same problem himself: "...having little impact in society." Is that the goal of the gospel -- to have an impact on society?

By Peter, at 6/12/07 11:58 PM
Hi Earl,
Thank you for your comment. On 12/4/07 one day before this article was posted I was praising God (and I still do) for recognizing this weakness. there have been many personal meetings and letters were written by well intentioned Christians before Brother Bill finally admitted this?

Still I am glad, and I have reservations, I will explain why after others have had an opportunity to express their thoughts.
_______________

ID,
Thank you for echoing and expanding KCs comment. You have some very fine tuned insight. I appreciate the level of discernment you displayed in your critique. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
_________________

Hi Peter,
It seems that many of us in Christendom give little attention to such details and the underlying effect of such. We often check our brains at the door because we want to be in line or on the same side as those with thunder appeal. I found your observation refreshing, thank you.

By J. Wendell, at 7/12/07 6:16 AM
Colson continues to enable Hybels. This continues to be our problem instead of cutting off the gangrene and amputating what Colson even admits to being ear tickling...he merely sort of glosses over it and then further enables it as reform. But we must remember that Colson himself has given great fanning into flame for the Roman Catholic Church. You told me once not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but we do need to take the baby out of the bathwater and we often use the word reformation to excuse our attempts to continue to clean up the bathwater instead of getting the baby out.

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 9:35 AM
I have always viewed Willow Creek and Bill Hybels with a lot of suspicion. Also, I have met Hybels at a conference and heard him speak -- and even after that I still regard him with great suspicion -- he is not Reformed enough for my tastes.

I've concluded teaching a series on Revelation, so I am seeing things through the lens of this book. Willow Creek reminds me of the churches of Pergamum and Thyatira in Revelation. BUT, they have been interested in interacting with non-Christians way more than my church has, being very intentional and organized to meeting and developing relationships with them. Through interaction with Hybels I see he understands the gospel. As I compare my church with his, I see my church has some resemblances to Ephesus in Revelation -- where we can point out bad doctrine in others but we can miss our first love. My church also has the tendencies of Laodicea in Revelation. As elders, we are on our knees to ask God to root out these tendencies in our lives. I imagine Hybels and his leaders are on their knees asking God to root out the evil in their church.

From my brief interaction with Hybels, I think he is concerned about the gospel. I disagree with much that he does. He could never be an ordained elder in my denomination. My prayers are with Hybels too that God will completely open his eyes, as well as mine, and all the churches across the world to see what God sees and that God would graciously work in all our churches for his glory.

I have lots of issues with Chuck Coleson. His fuzification a few years ago of the work with Evanglicals and Catholics together on justification did great harm. My reformed hero, J.I. Packer, also did grave harm with the same support for that effort. I keep these people in prayer. God still uses them despite their flaws. What is even more amazing is that God would use me at all, for my flaws are even greater. But praise God that Christ is even greater, his sacrifice is greater than my sin, or theirs.

By Earl Flask, at 7/12/07 10:23 AM
Good thoughts Earl, but what I struggle with is the fine line between reconciliation, reform and then the need for amputation that the seperatists like John Bunyan and Spurgeon saw in the past. Yes, Packer, who has been called the last Puritan(which defies the whole of puritan logic as they were seperatists and that is why they were called Puritans), really has enabled ecumenical logic that is harming the body of Christ. At what point do we see this as enablement? This is not an easy time to be in the Church. Things are getting very Helter Skelter. My point is that at the end of the day you may see Hybels and Colson examine themselves and then later further offer more Creedence to Rome. It is almost so predictable in seeing as the tail that follows the dog.

There is no doubt that we must strive for unity, but I see so many God bless you's given out at such an increased rate that we may not be able to see what God is blessing and what man is trying to coearce God to bless in the name of love and unity. Sort of like Colsons desire to transform others. The glint of human attempts is visualized in human endeavors and denomintations as well. We seem to always want to boast in our efforts as Amanda so rightly pointed out and at the end of the day we like to say, "Look what we are doing!" When we cannot seem to admit that our need is of the branch. The Bible says the heart is deceitful and that a man is cursed for trusting in man. At what point do we elevate this brother Earl....as weakness and not strength?

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 10:57 AM
Also, if a leader comes out and says. "uh oh! Looks like we were wrong here and all of those people warning us were right." should we immediately hop back on their bandwagon and exhonerate what may actually be damage control in the public forum. Shouldn't we might see this as a sign that they are misleading others and steer clear and warn others to do so as well?

If they are making bad decisions...is it possible that at some point some kind of re-thinking about who or what we are following should be considered? Shouldnt they be watched like a hawk until they start obeying as the Lord has called us too? I say this, because in this day and age, all of these contemporary pastors have been calling everyone to steer clear of those who have been contending for truth while they continue to discredit them and then prosper in their own unbelief.

Love in Christ,

Brian

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 11:07 AM
Hi Brian,

I know Packer better than Colson, so I'll comment on how I think God uses Packer in spite of his errors with Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ETC).

Packer's books, Knowing God, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, among others, have been very helpful in my life and in others. In this, Packer is being used by God. Colson was called on the carpet by a group of Christians a few years ago who asked Colson to clarify his position on justification, and said they would have to break fellowship with him if he did not stand with the alien righteousness of Christ imputed to believers (the classical Evangelical view) rather than infused (the classical Roman Cathoic view). If Colson did not clearly explicitly hold to the Evangelical view, he would implicitly be "excommunicated" -- that is, declared to be a non-Christian, which would be the meaning behind breaking fellowship. From what I understand, Colson, when asked point blank, affirmed the imputed righteousness. I don't have the full history on this after that meeting, which took place at Coral Ridge a few years ago.

Brian, I too struggle between reconciliation and amputation. My personal druthers are to amputate Colson and Hybels. I'd also amputate C.S. Lewis for his Catholic tendencies. I've just finished rereading John Bunyon's Pilgrim's Progress, and I am tempted to amputate him too because he sometimes does not express things as clearly on the doctrines of grace as I would have it. I hear your struggles.

By Earl Flask, at 7/12/07 11:20 AM
Hi Earl,

I respect you brother, but that last comment was classic tit for tat reasoning. We all could use that and itemize everything possible under the sun. It is true that both Lewis and Bunyan struggled in some areas, but they did believe in justification. It is true and I would agree that Packer understands justification better that I would think Colson would.

This is why I hold to the belief that some Christians will pass through the great tribulation and be purified into one voice of truth in their martyrdom. I believe on those who will be raptured will be those faithful like Philedelphia. They will be delivered from the trying hour. There will be a cost for much of our compromise, yet we will still be saved as we are saved by grace. I believe the tribulation to be a testing and purifying time and a last hour before God's wrath comes. Tribulation and persectution always brings us closer to the truth and into a more faithful walk.

Now let me step back as John gently rebukes me for my belief here and exhonerates me that I am getting off of subject:-)

Just had to throw that little bit in:-)

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 1:35 PM
BTW, Bunyan was a faithful Puritan and true seperatist while many of his brethren forsook him. Packer does believe like him, but he does not behave as he did. Bunyan was a clear seperatist. That was my point...and he suffered for it.

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 1:37 PM
Brian,

I fully agree with you on Packer, Bunyan, and Lewis. I purposely did that last statement of mine for a rebuke, and I'm glad you did it my friend. :o) Unfortunately it is a tendency within my theological tradition to split hairs and pronounce anathemas on those who don't **exactly** see it our way.

From my interaction with Hybels, he too understands justification. He explicitly stated his view at the conference I was at, which was correct. I have not read widely of Hybels' works, so I don't know how clear he is in his books. But his personal, verbal expression was good.

Colson, I don't have information. I don't follow his writings or statements much.

I come at Revelation a little bit differently than you (you heretic -- just kidding! :o), but the net effect is the same application for us. I'm doing an Revelation Advent series at my blog. Sort of an unusual advent series. :o)

I too will wait for John's comments. I like John's wisdom on these matters.

By Earl Flask, at 7/12/07 2:08 PM
...one interesting historical tidbit. Historically Puritans fell into several classifications. There were those who wanted to stay within the Church of England (COE) and purify it (hence the name Puritan). Packer exemplifies this kind of "Puritan". There is a viable Evangelical contingent in the COE. The Cromwell revolution was also from this wing and they did quite a bit of reforming of the COE -- which much of it was rolled back when the English kings were returned. There are the separatist branches of the Puritans, and the "non-conformist"/Baptist John Bunyan is an example of that type. John Knox is also another example of the separatist that started the Scottish Church (Presbyterianism). So Baptists and Presbyterians, that is, the conservative parts of those movements are "kissing cousins", coming the Puritan movement. In fact the old Baptist London Confession of Faith is virtually identical to the Presbyterian Westminster Confession of Faith -- except us Presbyterian heretics have infant baptism while the Baptists have believer's baptism.

By Earl Flask, at 7/12/07 2:41 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 3:07 PM
Ah yes...the heretical baby sprinkling
:-)

But then Bunyan had sympathies toward some of them.

I will have to look past it as I dialogue with you, you being a baby sprinkler and all. How could you brother....on the other hand, men like you as well as Dr Kennedy who baby sprinkled seem to understand justification and the freeness of the gospel offer better than some Baptists who always seem to put some conditional elements in it to keep their converts faithful to the bus ministries

:-)

Ah instead of Anathema, I think I will frustratingly say...

MARANATHA.

P.S- I kind of think I am sometimes a PresBaptisterian, but I quiver sometimes at the brash element of the chest beating Reformed Baptists. But then maybe I beat my chest every now and then too. Methinks my hero Spurgeon did as well. He recomended you throw chairs at the heretics behind the pulpit.

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 3:09 PM
BTW...I meant as John exorts and not exonerates:-)

By Bhedr, at 7/12/07 3:12 PM
Great discussion! I think every one has a good handle on what I was driving at.

I do not know C. Colsen or B. Hybles and I do not wish to comment on their character. I think it is sad that light hearted number building super mega churches, that took some planning, failed to plan on teaching what they believe and why. There are thousands of fine organizations that wish to help others reform. Promise Keepers, A.A., Weight Watchers, but our society does not primarily need reform. Individuals need Christ! When we get Jesus we get transformation. We are born again. For what? To become disciples. For what? To build each other up in the faith that was once delivered to the saints. For what? That we may be conformed to the image of Christ. Not to build a Hot Tub Religion. I want to continue this tangent, but I need to leave it here for now.

Blessings upon you all,
John

By J. Wendell, at 8/12/07 7:12 AM
Well said bro John. Thanks for letting earl and I throw a few chairs around and not slap us on the wrist brother:-)

Well rounded and thought out comment...very true. Good stuff.

By Bhedr, at 8/12/07 9:13 AM
Yeah, it was fun to throw those chairs around. The Coles are such a good natured family. I guess I better help clean up the mess here.

John, as always, I find your comments very edifying. Your blog is enjoyable.

By Earl Flask, at 8/12/07 9:59 PM
I appreciate your offer to help, yet I don't want you to fret about the mess. I got it, no problem. Just be safe on your way home and come back again the same way. The Cole's count it an honor and a privilege to have such fine and varied guests. You are all welcome here any time.

By J. Wendell, at 9/12/07 5:10 AM
Sometimes it's in the mess, we find ourselves bess:-)

What I like about John is I think he see's that the situation often works itself out and we all seem to learn from it...kinda:-)

Well sorta...ok Earl, I'll admit I learned a littel somethin in this stream.

By Bhedr, at 9/12/07 1:30 PM
To All:

If you want to see just how far down the road of apostasy Hybels and Rick Warren have gone, read, Warren & Hybels: Islam.

LM

By Lou Martuneac, at 10/12/07 1:15 PM
Oh fudgesickles! (I want to say stronger stuff).

Signing those kind of documents do more hurt than help. The article itself is here.

Signers include John Stott, who has written excellent things, but takes the position of annihilation for the wicked instead of eternal punishment (I wish annihilationism was true -- but I don't see scripture supporting it).

I've tried going to the respective people's websites and their organizational websites to see if they have written anything on why they have done it. I like to hear what their thoughts are rather than someone else's summary of their thoughts. So far I haven't seen anything.

I work with Muslims. I've had some interesting conversations about Christ with them. I work with people from the Middle East, Europe, the Far East. I don't approach it as loving the same God -- rather I ask about their understanding of Allah and their practices and listen, and after a while (weeks, months), they begin to ask about my thoughts. We don't have to sign documents that are at best ambiguous, and more likely are misleading encourages adherents to false religions an excuse to stay in their false religion.

By Earl Flask, at 10/12/07 2:36 PM
Chuck Colsen is a signer of the E.C.T. along side J.I Packer. So Lou and Earl, I appreciate the information, yet I stand dramatically unsurprised.

Lou, say Hi or somthin' :-) Good to see you here.

By J. Wendell, at 10/12/07 8:13 PM
Merry Christmas

By Bhedr, at 24/12/07 4:41 PM
Brian has a good idea, going around wishing merry Christmas.

So, Merry Christmas to you, John, and the entire Cole family.

By Earl Flask, at 24/12/07 11:45 PM
Colson is a troubling character himself. And I'd take what he says with a sack of salt.

Remember, it was Chuck himself who, back in the mid 90s, declared the Reformmation over! Yup, he unilaterally declared the war with Rome OVER.

I remember the day he made his pronouncement. I was driving to work and listening to the radio. Colson came on and said, "It's over. The Reformation is over. We can now close ranks with our Catholic brothers and sisters."

I freaked!

Prior to Chuck's announcement, I wasn't aware Roman had repented of her false doctrines and bloody ways. Yet Chuck was declaring the Reformation over!

Personally, I think Colson has the same tendencies as Hybles: Both would sell out the truth in a skinny minute.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

By Anonymous, at 25/12/07 11:58 AM
Hi Brian, and Hi Earl,
Thank you for speding cheer.

Merry Christmas.

TJP-
Thank you for your comment.

Merry Christmas to you.

By J. Wendell, at 26/12/07 5:59 AM
Merry CHRISTmas to you all!

Have we forgotten that Bill Hybels allowed a Muslim, not a converted Muslim, but an unbeliever into his pulpit the Sunday After 9/11/01 to "build bridges" or some stuff & nonsense as that? Sad & it makes me sick. I know I leave a LOT to be desired in the spiritual advancement department, but that is totally uncalled for. God Bless you all.

By David Wyatt, at 31/12/07 8:07 PM