Friday, April 11, 2008

Irony Runs Deep at Willow Creek

Justin Taylor's blog draws attention to the major overhaul taking place at Willow Creek Church (near Chicago). What seems ironic to me is that this appears to be a ministry that took its cues more from surveys than from Scripture, but because they were apparently experiencing numerical success (one of the great Idols of our age), many church's and ministries slavishly imitated.

Now Willow Creek is making major changes in response (ironcially) to a new survey/study, the results of which have been summarized as "We've really upset the Christ-centered people."

But wouldn't it be best for all of us if we took our direction mainly from Scripture (that is, a Bible-based theology of worship, and of the church, and of mission) along with cultural analysis that is more penetrating than surveying the preferences of the unregnerate?

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey Pastor Doug.

I have been rereading Acts the last few weeks. As I look at how Peter spoke to the crowds, I don't see a survey, although he asks questions: (Acts 3:12) "why do look so astonished" after the healing of the cripple - and "why do you stare as if we did this in our own power"? Then he preached with clarity and power. Then in chapter 4 in front of the Sanhedrin he again spoke powerfully as led by the Spirit. Is there a better sermon in the Bible that presents a case for salvation?

How about we try that now days?! I'd like to understand how Willow and others defend interviewing unbelievers as Biblical. I didn't like it when we "polled" our neighbors and I think Willow is making the same mistake again.

Too blunt? JC

Douglas Phillips said...

Hey John,

I think that discerning, competent analysis of our culture and the people we are trying to connect with and minister to (guided by our Biblical understandings of culture and 'the human condition') is important and necessary.

But that's not the same as merely asking 'what do people want/like?' when it comes to church.

Our main 'voice' in the conversation regarding the nature and mission of the church should always be Scripture.

Doug