Big Changes at Willow Creek: Appel and Frazee Submit Resignations

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, January 28, 2008
(50) comments so far

January 26, 2008

Today the Elders of Willow Creek are announcing that two senior staff leaders have made personal decisions to pursue new ministries outside our church.

This June, Teaching Pastor Randy Frazee will become the Senior Minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he will teach and lead in partnership with pastor and author, Max Lucado.

“After 8 months of prayer and counsel, I believe God is calling our family to expand the reach of the neighborhood initiative to San Antonio,” Randy said. “However, my decision to leave is mostly about family and a simple desire to be around my kids, two of whom are currently living in Texas and a third who will head to Texas for college this fall.

“It has been a complete privilege and joy to be a part of the Willow Creek team,” he said. “You can count on our fervent prayers and blessings as we move forward on this endeavor.”

Gene Appel, Lead Pastor-South Barrington, who came to Willow Creek as Associate Pastor in 2003 and moved into his current role two and a half years ago, also announced his resignation from staff.

“I love this church,” Gene said. “It has been an enormous privilege for me to serve here, but after months of internal wrestling and seeking the counsel of wise people I trust, I have come to a place of peace and clarity, and sense the nudge to move toward being the senior pastor of a local church again. I’ll continue serving in my role through the Easter season, and then I’ll begin prayerfully pursuing God’s next adventure. I am honored to have been able to serve in partnership with everyone at Willow and I have been forever impacted by this place. I will be cheering you on for the rest of my life.”

On January 17, 2008 the Elders of Willow Creek and Bill Hybels agreed that Bill will assume the role of Lead Pastor-South Barrington in addition to his other senior pastor responsibilities, which include oversight of the Regional Campuses and the Willow Creek Association.

“I am honored to assume the responsibility to lead the staff and congregation at South Barrington and I look to God expectantly for what He has planned for us in the future,” Bill said.

The Elders fully support the decisions of Gene and Randy, and are grateful to them for their faithful leadership, high character, and inspired teaching.

SOURCE: Willow Creek website

QUESTION: With Mike Breaux also moving on in recent months, this means that, for the most part, the entire teaching staff of Willow Creek will turn-over rather quickly. How difficult will this be for Willow? And how will they deal with all the public talk about real problems at Willow (it’s already starting in the blog world this morning!) How would you handle it if you were Bill Hybels or the Willow elders (not that they look to MMI for advice!)

It became public over the weekend. Randy Frazee is leaving Willow Creek to take the senior position with Max Lucado at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. Also, Gene Appel will leave after Easter of this year. Bill Hybels will take over the Lead Pastor of South Barrington (once again). Here's the announcement directly from the Willow Creek elders...

Comments

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Judi on Mon, May 26, 2008

I attend Willow and was disappointed when Mike left. My husband actually came to know Christ through God using one of Mike’s sermons. That being said…I read all of the above comments and am disapppointed by the finger pointing we as Christians fall into. I am a pastor’s daughter and folks used to do it at my dad’s church as well. I often wondered if people were more boisterous in church settings because they may not have had a voice in their professional arenas; however I try to catch myself as well (for that would be pointing fingers). What is the point about arguing the menutia? I guess I would focus more on: Are people continuing to learn more about what it means to be a Christian? Are people continuing to walk closer to HIM on this faith journey? Then whoever is at the helm…steer, whoever is called to lead…lead, whoever is called to teach…teach, AND WE AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST (not any person here on earth) garner HIS teaching from HIS word and those HE has put in our paths. Just my two cents.
Mark on Tue, June 03, 2008

As someone who has attended Son City, and then Willow Creek Church when it was actually at the Willow Creek Theater ) , then subsquently grown with the church through the past 30 or so years - I have come to know Bill Hybels as solid a leader (along with the elders) as they come. I attended the service on 6/1/08 - one of the best I have ever heard him deliver and there have been some good ones. That church is a very special place and while there have been mistakes (they are human after all) the message, mission and integrity of the leadership remain as it always has. ROCK SOLID. What we all have to do now is PRAY - pray that Bill has the strength and God’s help to lead, teach and run the Church until a new teaching staff is provided. Willow is one of the most incredible gifts God has given us, don’t let rumors, hearsay or a few human mistakes poision what is otherwise an awesome place with a great foundation.
Jimmy W. May on Sun, June 08, 2008

Through listening to the many messages Pastor Gene Appel delivered at Central Christian Church I was convinced that JESUS CHRSIT was the way.

He is a gifted man. I wish him the best and know God will find a special place for him.

May God continue to bless your church during this transition period.
Mike Davidson on Thu, February 26, 2009

Mike Breaux and Gene Appel both left due to differences in philosophy with the direction of the church. The church is becoming an emergent church with no absolute truths and that is why Brian McLaren is now an advisor there. The church is actually moving further away from biblical doctrine and into post-modernism. As a former member, there are many shady things about the church. It is too often run like a business and not like a true church of Jesus Christ. Things become sterile and the Gospel alters to the opinions of a largely non-believing crowd. This is not Christianity, only pragmatism.
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