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Andy Stanley and Bono:  Together at Last!

Orginally published on Friday, February 03, 2006 at 8:52 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Stanleybono Well... not exactly... but the Willow Creek Association has announced the line-up for this year's Leadership Summit; and it does include Andy Stanley (live) and a videotaped interview with Bill Hybels and Bono.  Here's the line-up: 

•  Wayne Cordeiro - Senior Pastor, New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu
•  Patrick Lencioni - Founder & President of The Table Group, Inc.
•  James Meeks - Senior Pastor, Salem Baptist Church in Chicago
•  Ashish Nanda - Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
•  Peg Neuhauser - President, PCN Associates
•  Andy Stanley - Senior Pastor, North Point Community Church in Atlanta
and 
•  Bono, Lead Singer of the rock group U2 and TIME Magazine's 2005 Person of the Year in an exclusive, video-taped interview with Bill Hybels

Sounds like an interesting conference... I went last year, and it was one of the best things I've ever attended... Hoping I can go this year.  You can read all the bios here and sign-up if you like!


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 TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 14 Comments:

  • Posted by

    Has Bono ever preached that Jesus is Lord?  I know some say he’s a believer, but what does he really believe?

    I wish we could stop looking to influencial people who are just preaching humanitarian good deeds. I’m all for good deeds for humanity, but come on!

    I guess I just needed to vent. I’m really getting sick of how people will listen to the views of celebrities and ignore those who stand up for righteousness.

    I suppose it should be expected though.

    Okay, I’m done.  Have a great weekend.

  • Posted by

    Just a friendly reminder from the resident Creeker contributor to this blog…

    Willow’s Leadership Summit tries to bring the best representatives of passion, conviction and innovation in leadership, Christian or otherwise. I can almost guarantee Bono’s on board to talk about AIDS in Africa.

    Remember when they had Bill Clinton come? I can only imagine what blogs like this would have been like if they existed back then!

    Have a great weekend all!

  • Posted by Kevin B.

    Check out this article:
    http://www.worldmag.com/subscriber/displayarticle.cfm?id=10892

    I think it is evident from this article that Bono is a believer.

  • Posted by

    Here’s another link to a specific group of quotes from that interview that Kevin mentions

    http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/bono-0805.html

    Here’s my second favorite short quote from that interview

    [It doesn’t excuse my mistakes, but I’m holding out for Grace. I’m holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don’t have to depend on my own religiosity.]

    And my favorite… when challenged on whether Jesus is the Son of God

    [No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate."]

    He goes on… But I’m sure there’s a contingent of people who believe that since he’s used the f-word in public that that must mean he’s destined for perdition. And don’t even go there with the misquote from their tour where everyone was saying he said that Islam, Judaism and Christianity were the same. It’s not what he said… (I frankly do not know how someone who isn’t a believer can even understand most of the songs from U2s last two albums… They’re almost as overt lately as Switchfoot has been...)

    I knew I’d be defending Bono by the end of the day. (btw, I hope and pray, and hope you do too, that his latest friendship with Bill Gates might result in Bill wanting to know more about what Bono believes...)

  • Posted by Kevin B.

    I’m with you Peter.  I don’t understand all of the language, but I’ve got my own sins to deal with.  I look at what he is doing with AIDS and the water projects in Africa and can’t help but think he is being the hands and feet of Jesus.  I am challenged by his example.

  • Andy Stanley is one of the very best when it comes to preaching and pastoring in this nation.

    He will be at Moody Bible Institute’s Founder’s Week next THURSDAY night (2/9/06).  I can hardly wait.

  • Posted by

    Thanks for the article Kevin. I don’t know that it’s evidence, but I’ll take it at face value. 

    No need to defend anybody Peter. I’m not judging the man, just facinated at how easily Christians believe in the views of celebs.

    Later.

  • Posted by

    Ed,

    I was thinking of it as a pre-emptive defense, actually. I thought your question was well worded, and your point is VERY important. We do tend to put more stock in celebs in this society than we should… (I was anticipating what some other folks might say on this issue...)

    have a great weekend!

  • Posted by

    I sort of wish I could be there… I have always wanted to see and meet Bono. Him and the Joshua Tree have always been my favorite group since the 80’s. They are the ones that helped “SWITCHFOOT” get their start, and I am here to tell you man they can ROCK THE HOUSE.... I thank God that there are people like Bono out there setting a good example for Rock and Roll..
    Yep!! I’m a sucker for pain, so everyone start shooting at me… Love you guys

  • Posted by

    The problem here is not one of celebrity.  The real problem is that it took a celebrity to help wake up the Church to the problem of AIDS.  The main problem with this board is the presence of Christians who love to reason on the basis of stereotypes.  In this case, the stereotype is ‘celebrity status.’

  • Posted by kim

    Just in case some missed it - it doesn’t say that Bono will actually be at Willow.  It says that he will appear via video.  Last time Bono came (in 2002 for a meeting) the church kept it hush-hush, and when Clinton came to the Summit we only had a few days notice, so there are two possibilities - scheduling conflicts prevent Bono from appearing in person or the WCA is so worried about fans and media over-running the conference that they aren’t telling the whole story.

  • Posted by

    [WCA is so worried about fans and media over-running the conference that they aren’t telling the whole story].

    WCA not telling the whole story? Surely not.

  • Posted by kim

    Yeah, well, it,s probably just wishful thinking on my part.

  • Posted by

    What if we had a conference without any “Christian” celebrities or big names? Think anybody would show up?

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