Bill Hybels

Bill Hybels
Born	December 12, 1951 Kalamazoo, Michigan
Occupation	Author, Minister
Nationality	American
Subjects	Leadership

William Hybels (born December 12, 1951, Kalamazoo, Michigan) is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, one of the most attended churches in North America, with an average attendance of nearly 24,000 as of 2011. The church has been listed as the most influential church in America for the last several years in a national poll of pastors. He is the founder of the Willow Creek Association and creator of the Global Leadership Summit. Hybels is also an author of a number of Christian books, especially on the subject of Christian leadership.

Education

Hybels has a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity International University, near Chicago, and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from TIU's Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church

In the early 1970s, Hybels was studying at Trinity International University (then called Trinity College) when Gilbert Bilezikian, a lecturer, challenged the class about an Acts 2-based church. Hybels was captivated with the vision and abandoned his business aspirations for ministry.

In 1971, Bill Hybels, youth pastor at Park Ridge's South Park Church, started a youth group with friend Dave Holmbo called Son City. Modern music, dramatic skits and multimedia were combined with Bible studies in relevant language helped the group grow from 25 to 1,200 in just three years.

After 300 youth waited in line to be led to Christ in a service in May 1974, Hybels and other leaders began dreaming of forming a new church. They surveyed the community to find out why people weren't coming to church. Common answers included: "church is boring", "they're always asking for money", or "I don't like being preached down to." These answers shaped the group's approach to the new church.

On October 12, 1975 the group held their first service in Palatine's Willow Creek Theater. One hundred and twenty-five people attended the service. The rent and other costs were paid for with 1,200 baskets of tomatoes, sold door-to-door by 100 teenagers. Hybels spoke on "New beginnings" Within two years the church had grown to 2,000.

Challenges in 1979 led to a recommissioning of the church's vision to be broader and deeper than before. Hybels apologized for the example of his relentless schedule and overemphasis on grace. "We've set up all our leadership structures and goals to grow a full functioning Acts 2 community, as opposed to just an evangelizing machine that doesn't drive the roots down deep and do all the other things it's supposed to do."

In 1981 the church moved to its current location in South Barrington. By 2000, 15,000 were attending weekly services over six weekend services in a 352,000-square-foot (32,700 m²) building. In 2004, the new Worship Center was opened. With a capacity of more than 7,000, the state-of-the-art auditorium is one of the largest theaters in the United States and the church currently averages 24,000 attendees per week, making it the third largest church in America.

Willow Creek Community Church has become well-known as the prototypical megachurch, with contemporary worship, drama and messages focused toward both Christians and those exploring the Christian faith. Willow Creek's three weekend services were more "seeker sensitive", but have now become less so, since the "Reveal Study" which showed members desiring a deeper dive focussed on scripture and spiritual growth. Most recently (September 2011), Willow brought an even deeper dive into scripture by promoting Shane Farmer as Discipleship Director, and having him lead the Mid-week experience, meeting on Wednesday evenings.

On July 1, 2010, Hybels introduced President Barack Obama for a speech on immigration reform.

Hybels and the Willow Creek Association

In 1992 Hybels launched the Willow Creek Association (WCA) to link like-minded, action-oriented churches with each other and with strategic vision, training, and resources. Hybels is currently chairman of the board for the WCA. "When God transforms the life of just one leader, that leader can transform a church. When one church is transformed, you can transform a community. And when enough churches are thriving, you can affect a region, a country, and eventually the entire world with the positive, life-changing power of Jesus Christ and the redeeming and restoring work of his people." - Bill Hybels

The WCA, led by Jim Mellado, believes the effectiveness of a local church is largely dependent upon the sold-out, Christ-centered devotion of its leadership core. Whether staff or volunteers, the whole church benefits when leaders develop themselves spiritually and personally. The WCA exists to maximize the transformative power of the local church.

While The Global Leadership Summit is certainly Willow Creek Association's anchor event each year, it's just one of the many developmental tools and resources available to church leaders through the WCA.

WCA serves Christ-following leaders fueled by a holy discontent for their church's effectiveness in impacting lives. As an aggregator of leaders, ideas, and innovations—and by investing in new research and resources—WCA is committed to give church leaders access to best-practice strategies for effective discipleship at every stage of the faith journey.

Hybels has largely avoided association with specific political parties or movements, although in June, 2010 he introduced President Obama's address on immigration reform, and his wife, Lynne Hybels, blogs for God's Politics on Sojourners website. He did receive some criticism when at a leadership conference hosted by the WCA in 2000, he interviewed Rich DeVos (Amway co-founder) and carried out a 90-minute interview with President Bill Clinton in which he questioned the President on many key issues. When Karen Hughes (former advisor to President George W. Bush) in the following year spoke at the Summit, Hybels said to the attendees jokingly afterwards, "There, we are even." (Referring to bringing a counterbalance to Clinton's visit.)

Willow Creek leadership and Hybels' role

While Hybels serves as senior pastor at Willow, he was not heavily involved in day-to-day operations between mid-2006 to 2008. Gene Appel served as lead pastor of the South Barrington Campus from mid-2006 until Easter 2008. Appel's role allowed Hybels the ability to serve a more direct role in the Willow Creek Association, but Hybels has since resumed the direct role of leading the church. Hybels frequently travels abroad, teaching church leaders how to manage and direct their congregations in more effective ways. He maintains a regular teaching schedule at Willow Creek. Hybels believes that "the local church is the hope of the world," and that is evident in his work around the globe.

The Global Leadership Summit

Hybels started the Global Leadership Summit (hosted by the Willow Creek Association) in 1995 as an annual training event for church, ministry and other leaders to sharpen their skills. The Global Leadership Summit exists to transform Christian leaders around the world with an injection of vision, skill development, and inspiration for the sake of the local Church. The Summit telecasts LIVE from the campus of Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago reaching more than 185 premier host sites across the United States. In the months following, the Summit moves into more than 200 cities in 70+ countries across the globe, via videocast. Summit 2010 attracted 122,000 leaders.

The Global Leadership Summit 2011 videocast events will take place from late September through January of 2012 and are on track to reach 268 cities within 75 countries. The Summit is translated into 34 languages. Over 165,000 leaders from over 20,000 churches worldwide will experience the 2011 Summit.

Each year this event features experts in the arena of leadership in lecture and interview formats, plus worship and dramas. Past speakers have included Bono (former Time Magazine Co-Man of the Year and U2 lead singer), Ken Blanchard ("One Minute Manager"), Marcus Buckingham ("StrengthFinders"), Jim Collins ("Good to Great" and "Built to Last"), and Mike Singletary (NFL Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears). The 2007 event featured live and taped sessions with Colin Powell, Carly Fiorina, Floyd Flake, Marcus Buckingham, John Ortberg, Michael E. Porter (Harvard), Richard Curtis (film producer) and Former President Jimmy Carter.

The Dec/Jan 2010 issue of Fast Company featured an article on Willow Creek and The Global Leadership Summit: How Willow Creek Is Leading Evangelicals by Learning from the Business World

In 2011, speakers included: Bill Hybels (Founder & Sr. Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church), Erwin McManus (Activist; Filmmaker; Cultural Architect of Mosiac), Michelle Rhee (Founder and CEO of StudentsFirst.org), Dr. Henry Cloud (Clinical Psychologist; Bestselling Author), Seth Godin (Bestselling Author; Squidoo Founder; Marketing Blogger), Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil (Speaker; Thought Leader; Founder & President of Salter McNeil & Assoc.), Len Schlesinger (President of Babson College), Steven Furtick (Lead Pastor of Elevation Church), John Dickson (Sr. Minister, St. Andrews Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia), Cory Booker (Mayor of Newark, NJ), and Mama Maggie Gobran (Founder & CEO, Stephen's Children Ministry; Nobel Peace Prize Nominee).

In 2011, Bill Hybels addressed a speaker change at the Summit.

Family

Hybels married his wife Lynne in May 1974, and has two adult children (Shauna and Todd) and two grandchildren. Lynne Hybels has been involved in Willow Creek's ministry partnerships in Latin America and currently serves as an advocate for those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. She is the author of Nice Girls Don't Change the World.

Publications

Books which he has authored or made a contribution to include: (Bill Hybels Resource Page)

• Authenticity: Being Honest with God and Others (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310265887
• Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs (Zondervan, 2008) - ISBN 9780310272366
• Becoming a Contagious Christian (and Mark Mittelberg) (Zondervan, 1996) - ISBN 9780310210085
• Character: Reclaiming Six Endangered Qualities (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310266020
• Commitment: Developing Deeper Devotion to Christ (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310265959
• Community: Building Relationships Within God's Family (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310265916
• Courageous Faith Through the Year (and Keri Wyatt Kent) (InterVarsity Press, 2004) - ISBN 9780830832941
• Courageous Leadership (Zondervan, 2002) - ISBN 9780310248231
• Descending Into Greatness (Zondervan, 1994) - ISBN 9780310544715
• Engraved on Your Heart: Living the Ten Commandments Day by Day (Cook Communications, 2000) - ISBN 0781433967
• Essential Christianity: Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310266044
• Finding God in the Storms of Life (Inter-varsity Press, 2002) - ISBN 9780830865468
• Fit to be Tied: Making Marriage Last a Lifetime (and Lynne Hybels) (Zondervan, 1993) - ISBN 9780310533719
• Fruit of the Spirit: Living the Supernatural Life (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310265962
• Getting a Grip: Finding Balance in Your Daily Life (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310266051
• Holy Discontent: Fueling the Fire That Ignites Personal Vision (Zondervan, 2007) - ISBN 9780310272281
• Honest to God? Becoming an Authentic Christian (Zondervan, 1992) - ISBN 9780310521815
• How to Hear God (InterVarsity Press, 1999) - ISBN 0830865594)
• James: Live Wisely (Zondervan, 1999) - ISBN 9780310227670
• Jesus: Seeing Him More Clearly (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310265979
• Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith (Zondervan, 2006) - ISBN 9780310266693
• Lessons on Love: Building Deeper Relationships (and Kevin Harney) Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310265932
• Living in God's Power: Finding God's Strength for Life's Challenges (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) ISBN 0310266068
• Love in Action: Experiencing the Joy of Serving (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310266075
• Making Life Work: Putting God's Wisdom Into Action (Inter-varsity Press, 1998) - ISBN 9780830817887
• Marriage: Building Real Intimacy (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310265894
• Meeting God: Psalms for the Highs and Lows of Life (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310265993
• New Identity: Discovering Who You Are in Christ (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310265940
• Parenting: How to Raise Spiritually Healthy Kids (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310265900
• 1 Peter: Stand Strong (Zondervan, 1999) - ISBN 9780310227731
• Philippians: Run the Race. (Zondervan, 1999) - ISBN 9780310233145
• Prayer: Opening Your Heart to God (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310266006
• Reaching Out: Sharing God's Love Naturally (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310265924
• Rediscovering Church: The Story and Vision of Willow Creek Community Church (and Lynne Hybels) (Zondervan, 1997) - ISBN 9780310219279
• Revelation: Experience God's Power (Zondervan, 2001) - ISBN 0310228824)
• Romans: Find Freedom (Zondervan, 1999) - ISBN 9780310227656
• Sermon on the Mount 1: Connect with God (Zondervan, 2001) - ISBN 0310228832)
• Sermon on the Mount 2: Connect with Others (Zondervan, 2001) - ISBN 0310228840)
• Significance: Understanding God's Purpose for Your Life (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310266033
• The Pastor's Guide to Personal Spiritual Formation (and Reginald Johnson, Neil B. Wiseman) (Beacon Hill Press, 2004) - ISBN 083412209X)
• The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond (Zondervan, 2010) - ISBN 9780310320746
• The Real Deal: Discover the Rewards of Authentic Relationships (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 0310266017
• The Real You (Zondervan, 1996) - ISBN 9780310206828
• The Volunteer Revolution (Zondervan, 2004) - ISBN 9780310252382
• Too Busy Not to Pray (InterVarsity Press, 1994) - ISBN 9780830820047
• Transformation: Letting God Change You from the Inside Out (and Kevin Harney) (Zondervan, 2005) - ISBN 9780310265986
• Transparency (Zondervan, 1997) - ISBN 9780310217152
• When Leadership and Discipleship Collide (Zondervan, 2007) ISBN 9780310283065
• Who You Are When No One's Looking (InterVarsity Press, 1995) - ISBN 9780830820030

Literature

• Rainer Schacke: Learning from Willow Creek? Cuvillier, Göttingen 2009, ISBN 978-3-86955-104-3

See also

• Willow Creek Community Church
• Willow Creek Association
• Rick Warren

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Bill Hybels at the Internet Movie Database
• Works by or about Bill Hybels in libraries (WorldCat catalog)