Posted on 07/25/2011 6:24:34 AM PDT by Recovering_Democrat
Willow Creek Community Church is no longer an affiliate of Exodus International, ending a relationship that spanned across several decades.
Willow Creek spokespersons say they just wanted to rethink the South Barrington megachurch's affiliations, but Christianity Today reports that Exodus President Alan Chambers believes the church split from his organization to avoid public criticism.
"The choice to end our partnership is definitely something that shines a light on a disappointing trend within parts of the Christian community," Chambers told the publication, "which is that there are Christians who believe like one another who aren't willing to stand with one another, simply because they're afraid of the backlash people will direct their way if they are seen with somebody who might not be politically correct."
Exodus International is the world's largest ministry specifically addressing the issue of homosexuality. The organization holds that Christ offers a healing alternative to those with homosexual tendencies.
Chambers also said that he sympathizes with organizations that have to deal with political, social, and financial backlash, but says that is just a part of carrying an unpopular Christian message.
"Biblical truth is unpopular, and when you're supporting unpopular truth, you are unpopular too, he said.
Can someone give me any good reason to believe Willow Creek's leadership isn't denying Biblical truth?
Mega-Laodicean “mega-church”.
Although the Lord understands the temptation to run from being mocked, that does not mean He is okay with it when it requires you to give up standing for truth.
Screw these so-called “Christians”.
Isaiah 5: 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
You forgot to mention that it comes with a stick-on mustache/goatee
Isn’t supplanting Biblical truth with Bill Hybel’s “wisdom” the modus-operandi for Willow Creek? That church has been in the vanguard of destroying American evangelicalism. One of their longtime ministers is a family friend and I believe they have good intentions, but they are sorely misguided.
The leaders of Willow Creek have forgotten what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 1: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Despite the clear teaching of Scripture, you could attend services at Willow Creek for a year and never hear the GOSPEL even one time.
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."(Revelation 21:7-8)
That scares me.
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."(1 Corinthians 16:13)
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)
Sad, but not unexpected.
Another “Christian” organization feels the need to distance itself from truth.
I take it you’re not happy with Rick Warren either huh?
When the persecution comes, Rick Warren will be standing with the persecutors.
Good one!
I visited Willow Creek several times back in the early 1990’s. I gone to one New Year’s Eve party there but felt there wasn’t something right about the place. The services seemed watered down which is no good.
I went to a church in Colorado Springs and left it for being watered down and the main pastor left and I attended a service at Willow Creek in 2001 and he was there as one of the main people. Haven’t been there since though.
On the “great deception”, “ear tickler watch”, did you happen to see Dr. Alan Singer on Fox news a couple of days ago? This family counselor was wearing a yamulke while promoting his new book “Creating Your Perfect Family Size”. During his brief talk on Fox News he brought forth the concept that having too many children is not good for a marriage and that some studies show that the more children a couple have the less happy they are. Hmmm. Yamulke, schlumukle, this does not sound like a conservative Jew to me. Sounds more like a subtle hint to conservative religious people—don’t have too many kids.
Very true, very true
Warren is a creature of the television era...it’s all about feeling good ALL the time.
This is how I believe it started with the formerly Christian churches such as the Anglican, Luteran and other mainstream churches. It began with feel-goodism and then is slid down the gooey slide of political correctness.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.