Willow Creek Association
The Willow Creek Association (WCA) is described by WCA President, Jim Mellado, as follows: "Since 1992, the Willow Creek Association has been linking like-minded, action-oriented churches with each other and with strategic vision, training, and resources. Our desire is to serve local church leaders in building biblically functioning churches that reach increasing numbers of lost people, not just with innovations from Willow Creek, but with God-given breakthroughs with widespread potential from any church in the world. The WCA is a not-for profit ministry with more than 13,000 Member Churches from 90 denominations and 45 countries. They represent a wide variety of sizes, denominations and backgrounds, and are ministering in every corner of the world. As they pursue their own unique, God-given vision for ministry in their community, Member Churches confirm a shared commitment to Christ and a passion for reaching lost people."
The Willow Creek Association has, however, come under some criticism from various fundamental teachers and church leaders. Critics allege that the Willow Creek philosophy entails watering down church teachings in order to attract large congregations. Critics also voice concern about some of the church practices that are used to make the church attractive to the unchurched, such as the use of culturally relevant worship and media as well as applying the Bible to actual needs of people. Outspoken critics of this movement include John F. MacArthur, Dave Hunt and James Sundquist. This criticism seems to be outdated and based more on their dislike of Willow Creek Community Church rather than the WCA (per the above description, WCA is not linked directly to Willow Creek Community Church).
See also
- Willow Creek Community Church
- Bill Hybels
External links
Serious concerns with
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