Willow Creek is the largest
congregation in the United States with a weekly attendance of 15,000 people. It is
non-denominational, does not confess the forgiveness of sins in Baptism, does not confess
the real presence in the Lord’s Supper, has no printed Catechism, no crosses on
display, confesses no Creeds, and draws people with entertainment. The church is about the
size and shape of Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It features, bands, soloists,
dramas, and informal worship with no hymn books or liturgy. This is what the Texas
District wants to be like.
Texas District Vice President Joeckel defended his congregation’s
and the Texas District Office’s promotion of a Willow Creek Conference at Bethel
Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas on January 30, 1999 with these words:
"Mr. Paul Krentz, of the Texas District Office, said: "This is
the finest witnessing course out because it helps people learn to share Jesus from their
own natural style rather than with a contrived set of questions."’ The course is
based on the book by Bill Hybles, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, the
largest Christian Church in America."
Joeckel defended the conference by explaining there is much to be
learned from Willow Creek. What he didn’t say was the Texas District of the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod is a member of the Willow Creek Association.
Just look on the internet at www.willowcreek.org.
Once on the Willow Creek
Association Home Page click on WillowNet Member Search,
type in Texas and Lutheran in the appropriate boxes and up
comes the name of the Texas District Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod.
No one really cares if the LCMS Constitution says under Article VI,
Conditions of Membership, 2.C. "Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every
description, such as participation in heterodox tract and missionary activities."
Willow Creek is not heterodox, it is no "dox." You can’t find its doctrinal
stance on its Website.
The Willow Creek Association President, Jim Mellado describes the
philosophy of those who belong to the Willow Creek Association as follows:
"God’s Spirit is capturing the hearts of a growing number of
forward-thinking leaders who are building churches with a new emphasis: The presentation
of the gospel in ways that penetrate secular culture and engage people who are far from
Christ. They are also setting high standards for commitment on the part of believers. They
courageously follow God-directed change when it is needed-despite the risks
involved."
Yes, the *Texas District is making lots of changes by making it self less
and less Lutheran and making lots of changes they claim come from God. One wonders how
many God is communicating with in the Texas District Office and what changes He wants
made?
It is hard for me to throw stones while the Michigan District
"102" have long been in the Willow Creek, Church Growth, Leadership Training
camp. At a Michigan District South and East Pastors’ Conference it was announced that
90% of the pastors supported Promise Keepers. At the 1998 Michigan District May South and
East Pastors’ Conference, Dr. Norbert Oesch encouraged us to save souls by getting
rid of our hymn books. Of course he has the same advice for Texas and the Texas District
Office agrees.
Why the love for joining the Willow Creek Association and not the
Lutheran Heritage Foundation, the Association of Confessional Lutherans, or the Lutheran
Concerns Association? The answer is obvious, the Texas District is following the crowds
and the money and Lutheran doctrine just doesn’t pay off.
One could use the terms traitors, turn coats, hypocrites, charlatans,
deceivers, but then the majority of voters in the Texas District Convention think all this
is just fine. The question is how many Texas District lay people would rather give up
their Hymnbooks and Catechisms and stop being Lutheran? The answer is quite a few. We know
where the clergy are! The majority of the Texas District Pastors give their full support
to the Texas District Office and membership in the Willow Creek Association. They have
long since decided to move with the movers and let the doctrine slide. In their hearts
they know God wants them to be successful more than He wants them to be doctrinally
correct.
These clergy are just planning for their future. Hell will be like
Willow Creek...there won’t be any crosses there either. Once they redefine religion,
faith, doctrine, church, believer, Gospel, and worship the rest is easy. These clergy love
the association of their buddies/cronies more than association with the Lutheran
Confessions. If the laity feel betrayed all the changes are simply for the good of the
church (clergy). Let the good times roll.
* Article update November 19, 2002
* After the publication of this article the Texas District removed its
membership from the Willow Creek Association.
The following are the current Lutheran Churches in Texas that are associated
with Willow Creek:
Faith Lutheran Church Bellaire, TX
Salem Lutheran Church Tomball, TX
Trinity Lutheran Church Houston, TX
Trinity Lutheran Church Tyler, TX
St. Paul Lutheran Church Fort Worth, TX
Concordia Lutheran Church Garland, TX
All Saints Lutheran Church Arlington, TX
Triumphant Lutheran Church San Antonio, TX
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Cedar Park, TX
Christ the King Lutheran Church Kingwood, TX