Posted on 07/24/2007 10:20:36 PM PDT by Terriergal
SOUTH BARRINGTON /U.S. Newswire/ -- Willow Creek Community Church as been rated the most influential church in the U.S. in a recent survey of more than 2,000 of the largest non-Catholic congregations in the nation. The survey, which was conducted by Church Growth Today, an organization in Bolivar, Mo., which provides consulting and research services for church growth and development, asked participants to recommend up to 10 churches they considered to be among the nation's most influential. The final list is a report entitled, "50 Most Influential Churches."
The churches that made the list are recommended by other church leaders as congregations that represent the passion and sense of mission mandated in the New Testament. The research further shows that these churches "do not all share the same view of all biblical doctrine, their recognition came from others, and they do not view themselves as better than other churches. Each just considers itself as a church wanting to be pleasing and useful to God and their understanding of His mandates to them."
Also notable on this year's list is the fact that exactly half of the churches listed are member churches of the Willow Creek Association (WCA). The WCA is a growing multi-denominational worldwide network of close to 12,000 churches from 90 denominations and 35 countries that equips churches and church leaders with strategic vision, training and resources. An independent study conducted in 2000 showed that WCA member churches exceeded the national norm in most vital areas of church life (conversions, growth, attendance, etc).
Earlier this year, Willow Creek's senior pastor, Bill Hybels, was also included in a list of the "50 Most Influential Pastors in America," published by "The Church Report," a monthly business news magazine for Christian leaders.
Source: Paul Braoudakis of Willow Creek Community Church, 224-512-1362, or media@willowcreek.org
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"Willow Creek sent this out by email a few minutes ago, as is plainly stated on the press release. They want you to know just how influential they really are. I suppose there could be some sort of competition under the surface. Rick Warren nearly eclipsed Bill Hybels in the last few years with the Purpose Driven movement. In any event, they want you to know that they are extremely influential. Please don’t forget it. Write it down."
Good Old Bill Hybels, the man who saw it fit to bring in Bill Clinton to teach Christian pastors about leadership.
Gee, thanks for posting this. I wasn’t aware that Willow Creek was the least bit influential. It’s nice that they remind us!
BAHAHA! That’s scary.
Funny. (that’s a satire site I believe). It wouldn’t matter if WC shut down, it’s already everywhere.
Thought you'd like to know that Hybels trumped this last fumble.
He had Jimmah Carter this week at their leadership conference. (along with Collin Powell)
What does Jimmah know about leadership????????
From a worldly point of view, being named one of the ‘top 50 most infuential churches’ would be a great thing. I just hope they focus their minds and hearts on what is really important - preaching the gospel and encouraging the brothers in the faith.
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