Texas Vice President Defends Willow Creek Conference at LCMS Congregation
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

Three Different Texas District Vice Presidents challenged me in public when I attacked the "Church Growth-Leadership Training Movement" promoted by the Texas District Office. However, they do not challenge the teachings of Bill Hybles of Willow Creek being promoted in Texas LCMS Congregations by the Texas District Office.

In an open meeting of some 110 people in Dallas, Texas on February 11th, Texas District Vice President Joeckel objected when I claimed that Bill Hybles was a guest speaker at Bethel Lutheran Church in Dallas. The following statement appeared in the January news letter of the Grace Lutheran Church Arlington, Texas, Vice President Joeckel’s congregation. "Become a Contagious Christian" "The angels announced that good news! The shepherds returned telling everyone what they had heard and seen. Do you know how to share to Gospel? If you could use some help, then consider attending the ‘Become a Contagious Christian’ workshop on Saturday, January 30th."

"Mr. Paul Krentz, of the Texas District Office, said: '"This is the finest witnessing course out because it helps people learn to share Jesus from their own natural style rather than with a contrived set of questions."'

"The course is based on the book by Bill Hybles, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, the largest Christian Church in America."

"The workshop will be held on Saturday, January 30th from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 11211 E. Plano), in Dallas. Registration is $20 and must be received by Monday, January 18th to reserve a participant’s guide. Contact the church office or phone Bethel at (214) 348-0420. Cost at the door is $25."

I certainly owe Vice President Joeckel an apology for saying that Bill Hybles spoke at Bethel Lutheran Church. Others had misread the above statement and told me that is what they thought it said. Joeckel then went on to defend the right of the District Office in promoting Hybles’ book and the Hybles’ workshop at Bethel Lutheran because there is much we can learn from it.

Here I continue to disagree. Hybles will not even display a cross in his church because it is too challenging a symbol for visitors. Hybles entire approach is entertainment with on stage bands, vocalists, and dramas. There are no hymnbooks, liturgies, or catechisms at Willow Creek. The congregation actually has no binding doctrinal position. Hybles’ form of evangelism only works with churches that are just like his. A number of Texas District ‘mega-churches’ are trying to present themselves to the public with Hybles format for worship, or lack of it, that is no hymnbooks, no creeds, and no standard liturgies. As many LCMS pastors told me in Texas, they offer the Lutheran/Baptist look.

Yes, this is what the Texas District Office has much to learn from and wants the congregations and lay people to know more about. They want to grow Texas District Congregations the Hybles way.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

March 26, 1999