Willow Creek Responds

from Stand Firm by Jackie

Episcopalienated posted two articles (here and here) that raised questions about whether Willow Creek, a large mega church, had changed their position on several Biblical issues. I contacted Willow Creek via email through the Willow Creek general inquiry site and as I reported in comments, did not receive a response. A reader who is a member of Willow Creek forwarded my request to the proper party where I learned my original message must have been lost in their system. Susan DeLay, a member of the communications team for Willow Creek responded and we began our email exchanges. The pertinent parts of our exchanges are posted below.

While I fear the exchanges failed to achieve the level of "clarity" we had hoped to find, I deeply appreciate the courtesy afforded me by Willow Creek and sincerely thank Ms. DeLay for taking time from her very busy schedule to respond.

Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 7:53 PM
Subject: FW: Message to Willow Creek Community Church Received

Dear Ms. De Lay,

If you have read the articles at Stand Firm, you know that I did not write them. They were written by a new contributor to the blog who has been a long time commenter. If you are not familiar with his story, I would urge you to read a little of his story. As someone who firmly believes in the validity of the work of Exodus, I was concerned by what he reported. I thought the best way to clarify the matter was to ask directly, hence, my email. I am very confused because of the different statements that have been made and Willow’s only comments have referred to finances. If that is the case, why was this handled in such a way as to appear to be a negative for Exodus. Does Willow Creek still affirm and support the work of Exodus?

In any event, the author of the articles asked that I provide you the following questions. I thank you again for your courtesy in responding.

As for what I'd want to hear from Willow Creek . . . well, I'd sure like to know more about why they're apparently rejecting reparative therapy and insisting on "abstinence only" for same-sex attracted people, if that's what they're doing. I still think Exodus is right, reparative therapy does work, significant change of orientation is possible (but not absolutely necessary), and that issues of celibacy vs. marriage need to be decided on a case by case basis. But I suppose all of that can be argued pro and con.

After reading Nemecek's account of the meeting between them and Soulforce, I'm even more concerned about how they interpret Holy Scripture on the subject of homosexuality itself. Do they really reject a standard interpretation of the so-called "clobber passages"? Do they think the sin of Sodom was based on a lack of "hospitality" towards strangers, for instance, or do they recognize that it was the attempted gang rape of the angels by the men of that city? Are homosexual acts an "abomination" in the eyes of the Lord as the Bible plainly states, or are they not? The notion that they can interpret all but one of these passages as referring to "other things" is thoroughly alarming. That's the revisionist agenda in a nutshell.

Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 1:02 PM
Subject: RE: Message to Willow Creek Community Church Received

Dear Jackie,
Thank you for pursuing an opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings regarding the disassociation from Exodus International.

It is true that Willow Creek discontinued an association with Exodus International in the fall of 2009. It is also true that Soul Force visited Willow Creek—not at our invitation, but as part of a nationwide bus tour where they visited several large churches. Soul Force contacted us in the spring of 2008 and announced they were coming and they wanted to meet with Willow leaders. Several Willow leaders did meet with him briefly in June, 2008.

The disassociation from Exodus occurred more than a year later, and it had nothing to do with the visit from Soul Force. Willow places their beliefs in the authority of the Bible and has not changed their stance on homosexuality. The term “resources” was used in reference to Willow’s continual evaluation of partnerships and resources (materials, time, talent, etc., as well as money). When the relationship with Exodus was discontinued, representatives of Willow’s Elder board met personally with the president and vice-president of Exodus International, so it was forthright and respectful. I’m a little confused by what is meant by “why was it handled this way?” It’s interesting that the association was discontinued in the fall of 2009 (September, I believe), and it took nearly two years for it to become an issue in the media.

Just because we are no longer affiliated with Exodus International does not mean we believe those with same-sex attraction cannot have freedom.
It In a nutshell, to say that abstinence is the only path for those with same-sex attraction is to put God in a box and we would never do that. Coming to Christ is not an automatic guarantee someone will be released from same-sex attraction is not true, nor biblical. It does guarantee that through Christ anything is possible. God, in His infinite wisdom may choose to release some people from their struggles and for others, His grace is sufficient.

In the media reports/comments/blogs/assumptions, there has been significant misunderstanding and even name calling. One thing Willow will not do is resort to name-calling, because that would be harming someone else. Willow has tried to stay above the fray and focus on what God has called our church to do—reach out to those who are far from God, fight for compassion and justice, and devote ourselves to discipleship. Our mission was, is, and continues to be: to turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Jackie, I hope this answers your questions. Thank you for saying that your hope is Willow and its leaders have taken a biblical approach.

Susan DeLay
Communications Team
Willow Creek Community Church

Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 6:24 PM
Subject: RE: Message to Willow Creek Community Church Received

Susan,
Thank you for helping me with these questions. Willow Creek is such an important resource to the Christian community, I think it is imperative that we clear up some of the things that are being discussed. If they are erroneous, we would like to help clear the air:

Soulforce representative, Julie Nemecek, provides an account of their meeting with Willow Creek that states:

For our part, we were surprised and pleased that Willow Creek’s own 30-year study of homosexuality has led them to conclude that: (1) Sexual orientation is unchangeable. and (2) Sexual orientation should not keep someone from being received into their church. They acknowledged that 6 of the 7 verses used to condemn homosexuality are irrelevant; really referring to other things. Unfortunately, they still felt that one Genesis text supported their position that gay and lesbian members must commit to celibacy to become members.
Is this statement correct?

If the statement is not correct, can you please tell me if the entire statement is false and misleading or help us understand the parts that are accurate?

Is this statement by Alan Chambers accurate?

A “Christianity Today” article about Willow Creek‘s decision to disaffiliate from Exodus contains this response from Alan Chambers, the president of Exodus, who stated that “his main regret about the split is that it was predicated on a false perception that for Exodus, ‘freedom from homosexuality’ means changing orientation and eventually being in a heterosexual marriage.

If it is inaccurate, does Willow Creek affirm Exodus and believe that Exodus is doing important work for the Kingdom?

Why did Willow Creek sever the relationship with Exodus as opposed to taking an associate membership which would have allowed them to be a referral resource from Exodus? The cost is only $50 a year.

Again, thank you for your assistance in helping us achieve clarity on these issues.

Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 2:48 PM
Subject: RE: request

Hi Jackie,
I’m not the least bit offended by your questions. Isn’t it enough to state clearly what Willow believes without dredging up “he said/she said” issues from 2 and 3 years ago?

So for clarity…
1. Willow is NOT saying people cannot come out of a homosexual lifestyle. God can do whatever He chooses. For some that may mean deliverance from same-sex attraction. For others, it may mean relying on His grace every day.
2. Willow is not saying Exodus International is not a ministry that can help people. We are simply choosing NOT to participate with them, and I believe there is a significant number of churches that have also moved away from Exodus. I do not know their reasons.
3. By meeting with Soul Force, Willow did not “cave” and Willow did not change their theology on homosexuality. Willow’s beliefs are based on the authority of the Bible, and we believe all Scripture is God-breathed. No Scripture is “insignificant.”
4. Willow does not believe same-sex attraction is a sin. Willow does hold everyone to the same standard of sexual purity. Because we believe marriage is between one man and one woman, then those who are single should remain celibate. This applies to everyone: straight, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-gender (LGBT).

Hopefully this addresses the questions.