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Willow Creek Church Splits From Exodus International
Christian Post ^ | July 23, 2011 | Jeff Schapiro

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: billhybels; falsechurch; gays; homosexualagenda; hybels; religion; willowcreek
The article also says the decision to walk away from Exodus was made back in 2009, but was only made public last month.

Can someone give me any good reason to believe Willow Creek's leadership isn't denying Biblical truth?

1 posted on 07/25/2011 6:24:38 AM PDT by Recovering_Democrat
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Mega-Laodicean “mega-church”.


2 posted on 07/25/2011 6:42:31 AM PDT by Westbrook
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To: Recovering_Democrat
Exodus President Alan Chambers believes the church split from his organization to avoid public criticism.

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.

3 posted on 07/25/2011 6:46:25 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: Recovering_Democrat
Purpose Driven Heresy is the new blockbuster, must read, super-mega-church-growth manual guaranteed to cost $29.99 (study guides, study guide leadership manual, dvd, org-chart planner, day planner, book mark, ear-tickling feather pens, and certificates of completion sold seperately). This is the most significant book by Warren since his last one. In it you will learn how to challenge scripture and learn to deny many basic bible truths! It is time to rethink that old morality and join the new world. If you order now you receive a free CD containing Today's Self-Esteem Paraphrase Picture Bible. Look for it everywhere.
4 posted on 07/25/2011 6:46:42 AM PDT by AD from SpringBay (We deserve the government we allow.)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Screw these so-called “Christians”.


5 posted on 07/25/2011 6:50:19 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: Westbrook
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.

Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
6 posted on 07/25/2011 6:53:34 AM PDT by Rodm
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To: Recovering_Democrat

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.


7 posted on 07/25/2011 6:54:32 AM PDT by vicar7
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To: AD from SpringBay

You forgot to mention that it comes with a stick-on mustache/goatee


8 posted on 07/25/2011 6:56:24 AM PDT by almcbean
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To: Recovering_Democrat

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.


9 posted on 07/25/2011 6:59:57 AM PDT by .45 Long Colt
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To: MEGoody
I think you're right.

"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)

10 posted on 07/25/2011 7:14:33 AM PDT by hfr (For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom 10.4)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

Sad, but not unexpected.

Another “Christian” organization feels the need to distance itself from truth.


11 posted on 07/25/2011 7:22:45 AM PDT by FourPeas ("Maladjusted and wigging out is no way to go through life, son." -hg)
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To: AD from SpringBay

I take it you’re not happy with Rick Warren either huh?


12 posted on 07/25/2011 7:27:43 AM PDT by ducttape45
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To: ducttape45

When the persecution comes, Rick Warren will be standing with the persecutors.


13 posted on 07/25/2011 7:41:32 AM PDT by aimhigh
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To: AD from SpringBay

Good one!


14 posted on 07/25/2011 8:03:17 AM PDT by Blackandproud
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To: Recovering_Democrat

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.


15 posted on 07/25/2011 9:24:32 AM PDT by CORedneck
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To: AD from SpringBay

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.


16 posted on 07/25/2011 11:42:14 AM PDT by cradle of freedom (Long live the Republic !)
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To: aimhigh

Very true, very true


17 posted on 07/25/2011 11:43:32 AM PDT by ducttape45
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To: ducttape45

Warren is a creature of the television era...it’s all about feeling good ALL the time.


18 posted on 07/25/2011 11:45:48 AM PDT by cradle of freedom (Long live the Republic !)
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To: CORedneck

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.


19 posted on 07/25/2011 11:48:57 AM PDT by cradle of freedom (Long live the Republic !)
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