Posted on 10/21/2001 5:43:47 PM PDT by 11th Earl of Mar
Following the Sept. 11 attacks, Pastor Bill Hybels, of the Willow Creek Community Church, was increasingly bothered by reports of hate crimes and misinformation about Islam. "I was so concerned by the gap between Muslims and Christians that I thought Willow could do something about that," he said, according to the Chicago Tribune.
That "something" was to have his church invite a local Muslim leader, Fisal Hammouda, to talk about Islam to a total of 17,000 churchgoers, spread out over four services. "There are some Christians spreading half-truths that the Koran encourages violence," Hybels told his congregation. "(When) you take some stuff out of context ... we've got major problems."
Hammouda, a U.S. citizen, an engineer and religious leader in the Islamic Center in Naperville, first visited Willow Creek as part of the church's world religions weekend in March.
In one of his current appearances, Hammouda was questioned by Hybels, onstage in the 4,500-person auditorium. Hybels asked, "It appears that Osama bin Laden directed the attack (on Sept. 11) ... What do you think?" Hammouda said at first he thought "it couldn't be a Muslim," explaining that the Koran does not allow violence against innocent people ... "We believe in Jesus, more than you do, in fact," Hammouda said, drawing laughter when Hybels, smiling, ventured to disagree.
"Muslims consider Jesus and other biblical figures to be Islamic prophets -- though not as important as Muhammad -- and we have all the prophets from the Bible," Hammouda said.
Willow Creek Church Welcomes Muslim Cleric's Perspective
I think the principles in the book are good principles. I think too many churches try to recreate another church's success with predictable results. I just want to remove cultural barriers to people entering the church, that's all.
Yes. But when I was there, we didn't sing OR pray.
LOL..not in a Long time..the smoke went up and another was selected....fickle bunch ya know *grin*
Their Sunday morning services are oriented towards non-believers and maybe they feel that worship is rather meaningless to those who have no relationship to the One being worshipped and hence cannot really participate. I have found this to not be true in the sense that non-believers seeing authentic worship are influenced even though they can't fully participate.
New member since Oct 14, 2001 - With a bookmarked article regarding this very church, eh? Intellesting.... Vellly intellesting.
What's so interesting about being new? As for bookmarking, I assumed it was the way to return quickly to the thread. Evidently I have to do a Self Search to get back here, which is a big pain in the butt so I don't get back here often.
Inviting a muslim doesn't qualify either. It's not like they said, "Listen to this man and follow him, he speaks the truth that is islam." As far as I can tell -- and no one so far has contradicted this -- Willow preaches an orthodox evangelical gospel. If they think they can do a community service by bringing in a muslim in a panel discussion (not to preach) and if the muslim further slits his own philosophical throat in public, that's not exactly "new age" or "wolves in sheeps clothing."
So the bottom line is we have all kinds of personal attacks based on impressions of big churches, based on secrets shared among the in-the-know cabal and only hinted to us unwashed, based on visions received, etc. So I ask again: will those making accusations please provide supporting evidence or admit it's personal bias and slander?
I think that's why they get a lot of criticism from traditionalists. (Not saying you're one. Just springing off your observation to address the issue more fully.) They're using a different paradigm, and that's terribly disorienting to someone who confuses the method with the message. How many "mainline" churches in America have fought to preserve the method for a hundred years while loosing the message (and attendance as well)?
Actually, to contradict myself somewhat, the idea of a "seeker service" -- a service that's oriented towards non-believing seekers, not Christians -- is quite old. I believe they had them in Presbyterian churches a hundred years ago. Probably more hellfire preaching that we'd use today, but the method is not more sacred than the message.
So what is bookmarking and how can I use it?
You wouldn't believe this church......It has services all morning & into mid-afternoon......multiple services.....and get this.......VALET PARKING!
We don't hear them denouncing what has been done in the name of Islam either.
Regards.
...and from what you've told here today, I guess I'm not surprised.
..but they do a brisk business on Sundays.....and because my son worked close by in the neigboring town.....when we went to visit him, we drove to the church...(curiosity mostly)...and that's where I saw the 'Valet' parking signs....
...I knew enough about Willow Creek NOT to want to visit :^
I apologize if this offends anyone here who goes there.......but I think you are being deceived.
I was there on a Sunday morning, and I should note that we were told that there was "worship" on Saturday night. At the same time, I'm sure a lot of folks only came on Sunday morning. I can understand not wanting to overpower the "seekers" but it is after all a "church."
This guy is as slick as they come. It's no wonder he and Clinton are kindred spirits; they're out of the same mold.
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