Megachurch Pastor Bill Hybels Steps Down After Sexual Misconduct Allegations Willow Creek Church Pastor Bill Hybels officially stepped down from his role as senior pastor after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced last month.
"I have decided to accelerate my planned retirement date from October of this year to tonight. This decision was mine and mine alone, but after much discussion, my decision earned the unanimous support of the Elders and the Executive Team," Hybels says in a statement posted to the Willow Creek website.
"Further, I have decided to step out of my usual teaching and hosting roles at the upcoming Global Leadership Summit. This, too, was my decision, but after discussion and prayer it was agreed upon by the WCA Board," Hybels says. "Going forward, I feel the need to humbly look deep inside myself and determine what God wants to teach me. I intend to continue surrounding myself with wise counselors and trusted friends, and to ask them to speak honestly into my life so that I can learn every single lesson I need to learn from all of this. I have complete peace about this decision and will not rush this process. Your prayers would be much appreciated during this upcoming season of reflection."
The Chicago Tribune issued a report in March alleging Hybels treated women inappropriately during his time as pastor.
Popular evangelical leaders, including John and Nancy Ortberg, say the allegations are true. Hybels firmly denied them.
His statement reads:
In recent times, I've been accused of many things I simply did not do. However, let me humbly acknowledge three things I have done.
First, my first response to some of these recent accusations was anger. I confess to feeling very angry these last few weeks as I watched harmful accusations fly around without accountability. I felt attacked and knew that my loved ones and this church family would be affected. I sincerely wish my initial response had been one of listening and humble reflection. If I could go back, I would have chosen to listen first, and then to seek to learn and understand. I apologize for a response that was defensive, instead of one that invited conversation and learning.
Secondly, I realize now that in certain settings and circumstances in the past I communicated things that were perceived in ways I did not intend, at times making people feel uncomfortable. I was blind to this dynamic for far too long. For that I'm very sorry.
Thirdly, I too often placed myself in situations that would have been far wiser to avoid. I was, at times, naive about the dynamics those situations created. I'm sorry for the lack of wisdom on my part. I commit to never putting myself in similar situations in the future.
Additionally, I want to acknowledge that anytime allegations like these are made, they must be received with great humility and gravity. I reaffirm to you that I have taken these allegations very seriously, as have our church's Elders. While some of the stories that have been told about me are misleading and others are entirely false, and while investigations have found no evidence of misconduct, I have been sobered by these accusations, and as I said earlier, I have invited the input of wise counselors, friends, and family members to help me engage in a process of humble reflection.
Hybels announced last fall that he would be transitioning out of ministry and two co-pastors would step up in his place. Hybels said he would complete the transition by October 2018, but accelerated the move after the allegations surfaced.
Pam Orr, the Willow Creek Board spokesperson, says the elders have claimed 2 Corinthians 4:18 as the hope during the media swirl.
rest:
https://www.charismanews.com/us/70503-megachurch-pastor-bill-hybels-steps-down-after-sexual-misconduct-allegations
