Leadership Summit

It seems like a long time ago that I went to Willow Creek's Leadership Summit (I attended a satellite site in early August). I promised to blog about it. Here's what pops into mind:

Erwin McManus kicks butt. At least he kicked Bill Hybels's (he of the pleated pants and permanent suntan). That was funny. As much as Jim Collins talks about the perils of charisma, we still love (and worship) those who have it. It's funny that so few of us get the irony. I'm really getting tired of Bill Hybels clones. Robin Mark is a great worship leader. Willow Creek is a machine. Not sure that's a good thing.

Every time I go to something like this, I have to remind myself that the goal isn't to build the church, at least not in the sense that we usually think. I wish that we could stop worshiping the flashy new buildings, the staggering numbers. The goal continues to be building churches that are dying to themselves, that really don't care if they survive their walk with God. I wonder if the church should really occupy our thinking as much as it does. Maybe the church (in the true sense of the word) is a byproduct rather than the goal.

Comments

[Brian]

Geez Darryl. If I didn't know better, I'd think you had a bone to pick with Bill Hybels. But maybe I'm reading too much into your blog. I'm not sure I'm quite as cynical when it comes to the Willow Creek/Saddleback/pick-a-church in Florida phenomenon. And Erwin's not doing to badly either with his little ministry. One of my elders just e-mailed me the lastest from Rick Warrens Ministry Toolbox, and it was rather inspirational. I keep walking away saying, "Finally, someone who gets it", and "why can't my guys get it?" When we stand before the Lord, do you think Bill will get his knuckles rapped for his pleated pants and perma-tan, or will he be commended for leading an organization that has turned hundreds or thousands into "devoted followers of Jesus"? Sounds like we'll have lots of fodder for our Meet-up, eh? Brian Brian

[Darryl]

Yes, we'll have lots to talk about. Some think Willow/Saddleback are antithetical to the Gospel. That's probably going too far. I'm uncomfortable with an over-reliance on business techniques and our North American infatuation with bigness. They're the epitome of modern churches. I wonder if we can't rejoice that God is using them but also rejoice that God seems to be doing a new thing.

[Brian]

I guess I get frustrated with churches that are the using the polar opposite of big business techniques; sloppy communication, lack of commitment, contentment with mediocrity, inflexibility. I'm trying to find the middle ground, but it is elusive.

[Darryl]

So we agree that we get frustrated with all types of churches. See, we're getting somewhere. :)

[Phillip Harrington]

I like the line "survive their walk with God". It had not occurred to me that surviving was not a requirement. Interesting.

[Jordon Cooper]

Yet you continue the feeding of the machine by paying to go to hear these guys.

[Darryl]

It was worth it to hear Jim Collins and Erwin McManus. Still, I know what you're saying.