On Aug. 10-11, 2017, hundreds of church host sites in North America along with telecast centers in over 100 nations world-wide will tune in to the 2017 Global Leadership Summit, hosted by founder Bill Hybels of Willow Creek church in greater Chicago. That means a wide swath of pastoral and church leadership will hear how to lead their churches through following Christ and biblical principles worldly, non-Christian leadership authors, social justice organizations, and corporate gurus from Facebook and Google. When we call these leaders non-Christian, let’s be honest and call them “enemies of the Gospel,” which God’s Word says they are. (Luke 11:23 and James 4:4)
Hybels claims to have trained millions of leaders worldwide. Hybels even says in his Willow Creek Association (WCA) video that the Summit is “unapologetically Christ-centered.” But is it really? When the Gospel is never presented to these worldly leaders?
For pastors by pastors? Not anymore.
Interestingly, the Summit started out two decades ago featuring a full lineup of pastoral leaders, with a few corporate leaders sprinkled in. But over the years we’ve seen that ratio flip on its head. A true shift. Besides Bill Hybels, there is only two this year in the speaker’s lineup influencing other pastors and church leaders: The first is prosperity preacher in Nigeria named Sam Adeyemi:
The Lord spoke to me clearly one morning that He was going to take me to the next level of ministry to teach Biblical success principles. He said I would not be able to do the things He wanted me to do in my former pastorate, because He was asking me to teach success on radio, television, tapes, publications and seminars. In addition, I was to establish a church that would help people discover and release their potentials. I got the vision for Success Power International and Daystar Christian Centre on the same day. Source
The second is Andy Stanley, who has show deeply concerning signs of his departure from biblical Christianity in the past several years. Read more about Andy Stanley here. (Last year’s two pastoral guest speakers included Bishop T.D. Jakes, known for being a “ONENESS” or Modalist, which denies the Trinity; for teaching a name-it-and-claim-it prosperity gospel called Word of Faith; for coming out in favor of LGBTQ-supporting churches.
What’s the real objective?
The Summit audience has always been primarily made up of Christian pastors, elders, mega-volunteers and church staffers, all learning year after year what it will take this time to finally be a better, more functional team.
That’s a very different objective from how the Summit began, as an extension of its Willow Creek Association’s leadership offerings. (Click to see if your church is a member, but note that your church may sponsor the Summit without paying the WCA membership fees, so ask your leaders.)
In 1992, the Willow Creek Association was created as a way to link together churches for the purpose of “Reaching increasing numbers of lost people.” The WCA develops training and leadership conferences – with the Global leadership Summit as its premiere – for its member churches.
Today’s mission takes the focus off of Christ and on our own vision for a better life and a better world:
Additionally, Bill Hybels has repeatedly stated that the well-led (WCA-influenced) “local church is the Hope of the World,” as opposed to the real Hope of the world who is Christ crucified – our Risen Savior.
Click Here or on the image to see the full speaker lineup:
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The Andy Stanley Cornucopia of False Teaching, Fast Talking & Postmodern Ambiguity
- Church… Business… What’s the Difference? Confused Willow Creek Leadership Conference.
This is nothing less than ecumenism, the marriage of the world and Churchianity, there’s nothing Christian in this. I’m surprised the pope didn’t show up on the roster. Where’s Rick Warren?
Hello, Manny
Ricky is Involved “behind the scenes” at times in the mentoring and funding of his change agent, church planting pastors
Rick and Bill Hybels are two peas in a pod
Hi Ben,
Surreptitiously undermining Christianity! Warren and company…….birds of a feather!
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Matthew 23:13
Yes Linda you’re correct, the lack of knowledge and discernment has led far too many to follow the Hybels of this world! Apostates like Hybels were foretold to prosper and lead many astray in these last days.
I am starting to feel there is just a remnant of churches who try to obey the Scriptures as they are written and not twisting them. Our small church of 40 people, had to pay a ransom (thousands) so we could get out of the Presbyterian Governing body because they decided to welcome homosexual clergy and marriage into the church.
Our Bible says it’s an abomination…they said we had to accept and love them. After all they LOVE each other, its just another kind of love…. And God is love after all… What Bible are they reading!?
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34.
Amen! The rallying cry of these apostates is………..”don’t judge.” They’re open to everything the world has to offer, truly the Bible says the attacks against scripture will come from within, here we are……those that call themselves Christians are attacking He who bought them!
2 Timothy 3:5-7King James Version (KJV)
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth
You’re right, there’s just a remnant! And it will be getting smaller as the Apostasy grows! There will come a day when all of Churchianity will proclaim scripture dead, homosexuality is good and all religions worship “god.” Mark my words, this is not far off.
Amy I have been concerned and keeping track of this for years. I am so thankful that you tell the truth about the content of this Summit. As I have researched past guest speakers such as (Rob Bell, Brian McClaren, and many many more) they are not even preaching the true or whole gospel. There is so much sadness in my heart. I have attended the Summits & have been to the Chicago church. I have heard many speakers there who are teaching heretical things. Bills wife Lynn, daughter Shawna Niequist & son in law Aaron Niequist (worship leader at Willow & formally on staff with Rob Bells former church) are involved in some very dangerous teaching. I have heard them both speak & have read their blogs. I have seen the things that they all support like the Emergent Church Movement, social justice unhinged, affiliation with Soujornors Magazine with Jim Wallace. Bills wife Lynn has written many articles that expose her beliefs. They are disturbing concerning Israel. I don’t have time to list all that is heretical here. Go on n Willow Creeks website and find out about “The Practice” and what Aaron Niequist is leading in that church. The plethora of wrong teaching that is presented is unbelievable. Why are we tolerating this in our churches when this is blatant disregard for a biblical worldview. If you only dug into some “Christian” speakers and writers you would realize the error and run. It takes a lot of time to research but you must consider it. Please don’t be led astray. Why would we want to be taught how to operate, grow & influence our churches with this stuff? Believe me I have put my time in. It’s a dangerous road to go down & most don’t know it or they wouldn’t go there. Prayers for more people like Amy to point out the truth & exposing error so we can understand it all
Hi Robin, I read and researched all about Bill Hybels “family” and discovered his son in laws”The Practice” last year and I was so sickened of what I saw of Aaron sharing in you tube videos and what he was “preaching, teaching”. I heard him make a comment about he’s open to all view points & accepts people’s religions…I was like WOW and his father in law (Bill Hybels) allows this in His church?!?! And top it off his gls is now speaking at my church:(. Totally heart breaking to see God’s people led astray right before our eyes. I agree, Thank you so much Amy for your website of truth and exposing the false doctrines & lies in the church. It’s so good to know I’m not alone in discerning truth and speaking up for it…I’m praying for more boldness in this area too because false teachers are everywhere and so many people I know NEVER research an author or Bible study they lead or go to. The church needs to get back to the Bible and quit looking for fluffy authors that tickle the ears.
“Our Cause / A Global Mission for a Global Church” – does that not scream one-world religion?! They don’t even realize what they’re saying!
These people always want to talk about going to the “next level” and “releasing your potential.” I would inform them that God restrains humans’ potentials, for the Bible says the heart is “desperately wicked.” These people aren’t content with studying scripture and growing in the knowledge of Christ, so they seek the “next level” of experiences. They’re skilled at self-aggrandizing to create their own disciples.
The church doesn’t exist for everyone’s “community.” It exists for believers to hear the word of God being taught for their spiritual growth and edification. Jesus said He would build His church, and He will bring into it whomever and how many He pleases. They’re just attempting to corral and entertain goats in mass numbers.
They describe the summit speakers as a “diverse faculty” – a cleaned-up way of saying we’re incorporating the wisdom of the world which we think is superior to the wisdom of scripture because we want to do church our way.
Paul said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”(Galatians 1:8) I wholeheartedly agree with Paul.
Matthew 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
A church I used to attend is a hosting site for this conference. I noticed that they have hosted it for the past 2 years at least. I took this link and sent it to the pastor who is on Sabbatical so I sent it to the person he has asked all correspondence to be sent to. I had my own note attached to it as well. If I get feedback from it I will post it as a reply to my post here. The church is nazarene church. They are a cross between Joel Osteen and Rick Warren but closer to Rick Warren type. My wife and I left after 4 years because it felt more like an self help session then anything about the Gospel. Even the head of the Spanish group left because of the Rick Warren issue and after having lunch with the pastor to talk over it. We found both of them at the current we attend which is ironic. It is Presb PCA church.
Sadly, a greater portion of congregations are tainted. I went to their site, the church I use to attend is there, offering this abomination in two ” campuses.” I left that “church” about four to five years ago, during a Sunday sermon the assistant pastor mentioned he keeps The Purpose Driven Life next to his bible and all Christians should be reading TPDL, that was enough for me, my wife and I left and never looked back, it was sad as Sunday school was taught by an elderly God fearing woman, who taught accurately from scripture to the children, ironically the babes in Christ were getting meat, while the adults were being fed less than milk! More like sugar flavored poison!
You did the right thing Manny!
Hi RS! Yes it was sad, but we knew we couldn’t compromise in any way. I’m amazed at how many congregations have fallen and are falling! Truly the Great Apostasy rages on!
Manny, the last I heard was you had found a church that looked hopeful but, of course, you felt you needed to be watchful. How did that work out for your family?
Hello Maggie, we attended a few times, I found out it had splintered from Calvary, there were some issues and I wasn’t comfortable with the atmosphere, the pastor did go out of his way to make sure everyone understood that he no longer felt the direction of CC was the right one. So in the meantime my home has become my place to worship, read and study scripture. I’m going to wait till end of year and try again as they seemed to be in organizational crisis, having moved from a different location. The few times I attended, the preaching was solid. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Immaculée Ilibagiza is also a speaker at this year. She is a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994 and a devout Roman Catholic. She has worked with the United Nations, written many books published mostly by Hay House (a New Age publisher),written about and popularized the Our Lady at Kibeho Marian apparition site in Africa, made many pilgrimages to Marian apparitions sites, and written in her books that the rosary is meant for people of all religions. She has also received many awards such as the 2007 Mahatma Gandhi Reconciliation and Peace Award and been named one of the Architects of Peace by the Architects of Peace Foundation. Other recipients of the Architects of Peace award are Al Gore, Bono, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Tony Blair, Shimon Peres, Pope John Paul II, Paul McCartney, and others.
Are there any new update reviews from the 2017 GLS this past weekend? My heart just aches that our church hosted the summit again this year. Our one pastor didn’t use one piece of scripture on Sunday since he’s basically doing a similar sermon as Andy Stanley did on who God is. I actually take my Bible to church and pretty much everywhere I go…I ALWAYS read along when preachers give sermons to check scripture. Our church is preaching out of “The Message” more too and one Sunday the message didn’t line up with my NIV Bible at ALL!!! It was so mis-leading. We talked to leadership before last years GLS and the one pastor actually agreed with some of the concerns we brought up but other pastor said it’s the path our church is taking. We’ve stayed so far…praying and still asking questions but now that I learned our church does Andy Stanley’s “Orange” kids curricula and I researched it last week:( it makes me sad! No wonder the times we’ve been in the kids ministry worship time that they didn’t mention scripture until very end and the one top they had a guy dressed in girls skirt (for a skit) I for one did NOT thing it was funny. Made me sick and our kids were asking “why us that boy wearing girls clothes?!?!” So we asked about it but the kids ministry assured us it was “just a fun skit”. Anyways…I know that no church is perfect. I don’t want to me hyper analyzing everything in life and I know our children are very in tune to discern bc we talk about topics all the time about what God’s word says. Finally, I first looked into GLS when I saw Melinda Gates was on the team and I was wondering why we were being unequally yoked with unbelievers and bringing in people that fully fund abortion and one world govt & Melinda and Bill Gates have a chip they implant into women so they can “abort” their babies (it’s morning after ingredients in that chip and can stay in woman’s tummy for up to 16 years and be remotely used by a dr or the woman) but churches are okay to charge money for church leaders to “learn” and “grow” from world leaders that don’t believe in Jesus and have evil agendas. Supposedly I’m the ONLY person out of 1500 that sees an issue. I guess my interpretation of the Holy Bible is rare;( but when I read what scripture says about false prophets, false teachers and to not follow other gods or people of other religions I take that very serious and literally! Praying for eyes to be opened and that people aren’t led astray!! Also praying about what part I’m to be in all this to share what I know scripture says and what I see happening in the church. So many false teachers everywhere:( And Christians that don’t research anything just blows my mind!
Good afternoon Shannon,
I know what it’s like to see your congregation fall by the wayside, it happened to the one I attended. There’s nothing “funny” about a man cross dressing, specially in the context of setting, Deuteronomy 22:5 makes it perfectly clear:
“5”A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.”
Given all your concerns and the changes occurring, perhaps The Lord is separating you from a failing congregation, or to be blunt an apostatizing congregation. Remember, only the blind and the deaf can’t and/or won’t see what is happening all across the world, it’s not just here, ecumenism is on the fast track and nominal and false christians are caught up in the Great Apostasy occurring as foretold. I would pray daily on this, ask The Lord for guidance and clarity, I would leave such a congregation. I know it’s hard, but your loyalty is to The Lord and not man, if people shun you because you left in obedience to God, remember this:
“John 15:18-27King James Version (KJV)
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
God bless. May He give you strength and insight as you are obedient to Him.
Manny, THANK You so much for your swift, kind & encouraging reply that I’m not “alone” in seeing these things unfold! I appreciate the scripture you shared too. Thankfully my amazing husband agrees with me and sees it unfolding too and as I share with him more info I discover about the falsehoods trickling down in the church he too is very disturbed. He told me on our date night that I should start sharing what I know more on my blogs & websites because God has given me that platform. I want to share truth in love However I am not sure if I’m
At that place of having stones thrown at me constantly yet:(. I posted a post about Christians should be careful about doing yoga with all the new age, Hindu that is invloved (our church held a yoga session from a “Christian” yogi….I was Shocked! I actually attended that session couple years ago just to affirm what I knew scripture said and I was making sure I wasn’t being “judgey”… well it was the first and last time I’d ever sit in on that…I left affirmed It was completely wrong & my interpretation of scripture was to flee from, having nothing to do with false gods or idols!!!! I know this is off topic of gls…but I believe If a church is hosting and partnering with willow creek church it’s most likely a slippery slope towards “anything goes” church.
I do wonder though…are there any Bible Studying, conservative minded, scripture based churches out there that still enjoy the worship style and contemporary Christian music our family really enjoys?!?! We like to have fun, aren’t boring Christians. We are aware of certain “Christian” worship music groups that are into some scary stuff such as Bethel and Jesus Culture & now possibly Hillsong (soooo bummed bc we really like Hillsong worship, our church sings a lot of these groups but I’m noticing more songs that are either fluffy or way too feeling/emotion based more than scripture). So hard because God has blessed us so much through music. I’m
At a place where It just makes me sad to see the church not have a filter…I also am wondering where the line is…I mean I don’t want to be “legalistic” over every thing in life. I’m already a yellow fish in a blue fish world since we won’t let our kids watch Disney and we homeschool. lol. I can seriously see how “home churches” are appealing but not looking to go that route at the moment. Also it’s hard to think of leaving our church bc we serve where the Lord uses us….I wonder if we can help bring positive change but then again I have doubts bc it’s one reason we don’t do public school…church I think is different but yet if the “system” of the GLS & willow creek is part of our churches mission I seriously see us swimming up stream. I just want to be obedient to what God wants us to do. So have been seeking scripture and praying about all of these non stop. I pray we can encourage other Christians that are seeing this unfold too and yet maybe they are overwhelmed with it all too!
It is highly likely that the questions and concerns you voiced here have originated from the Holy Spirit as He is making you aware of the false teaching and false teachers that surround you. Many who comment here have had similar bouts with the ‘powers that be’ at their former church—emphasis on former. Great trials, lessons, and blessings are in store for you and others who are not afraid to stand for the truth of the Word against seemingly insurmountable odds. The Lord will ALWAYS walk with you and lead you even in the toughest of times. When it’s time for you to walk away from this place don’t be afraid to shake the dust off of your feet as a testimony against them—they will have to answer to God the Judge for their false teaching and trying leading a child of God (you, Shannon) astray.
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Darrel, Thank you!!! Reading your post after reading & Processing Manny’s post just brings me to tears! I truly am alone in my perspective (other than my husband)! I have been respectful of the church leadership and confronted them biblically last summer by going to the Pastors first…wrote them a 3 page letter with scripture and the false hopes I saw…and basically was told “this is where our church is going to reach the lost”. Huh?! Okay?! Wow! I found myself speechless (rare for me) but basically we kept praying about it and then led my husband & I led a huge marriage class and enjoyed seeing how God was using us to bring to hope to so many couples in the church but all along I struggle with supporting our church leaderships choices to bring in world leaders and how even on Sunday’s sermon left me with more questions than answers since the pastor quoted atheists and such but no scripture. When did the church give more clout to opinions, viewpoints and worldly influence more than God’s word?
So basically your two replies help me I’m not in crazy field…my husband sees my heart and frustration with it all…I have always looked at being a member of a church as a huge commitment and I don’t believe in just throwing in the towel over things too quickly. We have to know that God is truly calling us out of it and that we are to leave. I can’t help but thinking we could encourage leaders to seek more info on concerns we have however…I also wonder if us leaving will encourage others to seek God’s word more instead of following the masses. Thanks again for the feedback as I prayerfully process all of this.
The road you and your husband are on is not easy. You will find little help, agreement, or relief from your church leaders as they are steeped in their ideas and themselves (they cannot admit to being wrong, as this is a sign of weakness in their eyes). It is a game to them, a game to break you to their way of thinking or make your life miserable. If you continue to question them (in their mind you are rebelling against them) they will bring more pressure on you to capitulate to their way of thinking. They may use flattery and tell you how valuable you are to their church (look up ‘flattery’ in a concordance and see what God thinks of it). They may try to pit husband against wife and wife against husband—yes, it can get that ugly. They may even try to use your children as a pawn to get you to back off and submit to their way of thinking. Please remember these are wicked people who will stop at nothing to have their way. I say ‘wicked’ because if they were not you would not have to question their every move.
Be strong, be patient, the Lord will work you through this and when you come out the other side you will remember all that He has done for you both, His hand on you, His comfort, His peace, the knowing that He is in charge of the whole sordid affair and that His will is going to be done inspite of the opposition of the “church leaders” who are leading their people astray. One day you will be sad for those leaders who treated you badly; they will their way and you will go God’s way. I have seen these types of things get really ugly from physical threats of violence to a letter of “excommunication” so strap in and watch the Lord do what He is going to do.
Sound advice, amen brother. May we all pray for Shannon and her hubby, the road ahead will be tough.
Oops not sure how to edit some “auto corrects” in my post! Lol. Typed my last post on phone & was hard to see whole comment before I clicked enter. Sorry about mis spellings but hopefully you get what I’m saying:)
Shannon, you are not alone although it can feel that way. Sometimes the best thing is to just leave. Because it gets to a point when you have become a pain to the leaders, and any reasonable biblical pointing out of wrong does not get listened to and then you get frustrated etc etc. You make allowances and get over that one shock of say, hearing the writings of a buddhist catholic monk quoted and then it is something else. You object to the leaders bringing in a youth worker from a liberal/emergent college and the potential bad influences on the youth and are promised it wont happen. Then there is a new pastor and he says he WILL bring in such a youth leader and “do not go against me”. You get labelled as a complainer, never having anything positive to say, etc. Some people want to speak up but dare not so are thankful for those who have the courage to. But the cycle continues.
Recently we left the church we have been members of for 22 years. Oh we miss the fellowship of our dear friends. Many of them do keep in touch. My husband preaches and teaches as a guest speaker in other churches so that is safe for us but we have tried to attend churches and everywhere we go we hear things said from the pulpit or sung in the singing that is not biblical and makes us cringe. But we don’t regret resigning.
THE church of Jesus Christ is bigger than the local one down the road. The promises of the Lord are the same and HE never fails us. His word still feeds us, even on our own. Don’t lose heart. There are lots of people all around you needing the gospel. Reach out and you will have more than enough to do for the Lord.
Shannon, I know what you’re saying and that it can be painful to leave, but I think you have to get out. Your children need you to make that decision because they’re not in a position to make it themselves. Thankfully, you homeschool. You see the need to protect them from the satanic government curriculum. Thank you for doing the right thing for your children!
But now you have to protect them from false teachers in the churches. It’s okay to leave. God never intended for us to expose ourselves and our children to such sinful behaviors and teachings!
I left a church in 2003 because they had stopped teaching from the Bible. Then, I went to another denomination from 2003 to 2005, but when the Holy Spirit showed me from Scripture that the pastors were wrong, I left. In both cases, I talked to the pastors first. They refused to see what I was saying and so I left. If the leadership doesn’t see what you’re saying from Scripture, get out. It’s okay.
I haven’t ‘been to church’ in 12 years. I’ve learned more than I ever did in church. I’ve taken it upon myself to study the Scriptures and obey God. I seek out fellowship with others in informal meetings from time to time. I miss the regular fellowship but I have to be true to God and His Word. There’s no guilt in separating yourself from false teachers. God knows your heart; it’s not that you want to “go rogue.” You just want to be obedient to Him. It’ll all be okay. May God richly bless you and your family.
Excellent advise all, I second sister Lyn’s comment, we should all pray for Shannon and her family. I will tonight and if anyone would like me to pray for them please let me know, I pray for all of us regularly, but I have a burden for us all today, I have a spirit of urgency and I don’t know why, I feel compelled to pray for each and one of us. May our good and gracious God keep us in His hands.
Thank you, brother Manny. We all need prayer. These are perilous times and Shannon’s family is experiencing difficulty.