Big Changes at Willow Creek: Appel and Frazee Submit Resignations
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, January 28, 2008
- Viewed 1488
- (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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Kevin Bussey on Mon, January 28, 2008
Why does everyone assume there are problems? Maybe God is just preparing Willow for a new and dynamic next 30 years. Obviously God has been challenging Bill about some of the methods they have used in the past. Maybe God is pruning the church leadership. When you prune you lose good too. I expect great things from Willow in the future.
Bill Hybles teaching and books have impacted me tremendously. Too Busy Not To Pray revolutionized my prayer life.
Kenneth Bergstedt on Mon, January 28, 2008
I agree with Kevin. These men indicate that they looked for godly counsel and prayed. We had two of four staff resign last Spring, much to our surprise. There were no inner staff conflicts. God just led them to positions elsewhere. God had some new things in mind for us, and I am assuming that as ‘friends’ pray for Bill and the team at WCCC He will lead them to some new wonderful things as well. Give ‘em a break.
Paul on Mon, January 28, 2008
There must have been some issues because Gene Appel is leaving Willow Creek without any immediate plans to go somewhere else. Additionally, I’m sure Bill Hybels never planned to step back into his previous role and do double duty. It’s a temporary situation until Willow is able to find Gene Appel’s replacement.
It doesn’t necessarily mean there are problems at Willow, but it does mean that the Gene Appel succession plan didn’t work.
Camey on Mon, January 28, 2008
There would be real problems if these men were called to walk away from Willow and didn’t. I see this as positive not negative.
Changes can be and are good for the body. Just as equally good for individuals as well.
PeterD on Mon, January 28, 2008
Problems? With Staff? Where? At Willow?
The truth of the matter is, every church has it’s problems.
This is not about the problems that Willow has, it is about two men following the direction of God. It is about one who wants to be closer to his family, and another who has the passion to serve a local church as senior pastor.
God calls us to various things in our ministries. I know it happened to me. I started off as a church pianist and that has progressed to include a wide array of ministries that God has placed me in.
These are gifted ministers who are growing and going where God is directing. Give them a break. It doesn’t have to be about PROBLEMS. Remember, PROBLEMS are OPPORTUNITIES in disguise.
Tye Male on Mon, January 28, 2008
I would like to suggest that this is all part of God’s plan for these men and Willow Creek. God moves men and I think it is a good thing when godly men can sense God’s call.
The truth is that Willow has been able to continue to thrive through many transitions because they openly and willingly embrace change. They are also purpose driven from the very inception. Any organization fairs well through change when the mission is clearly understood.
How many congregations do you know that went into decline because they refused to embrace change. It’s probably more than those you know who made the leap from good to great.
Joe Louthan on Mon, January 28, 2008
Naw, I don’t see it as them having issues. That happened to a church in DFW. They had way too many great leaders and God dropped the bomb on them and scattered those leaders to the corners of our metroplex.
God is good like that.
David Foster on Mon, January 28, 2008
Read my blog @ davidfoster.tv
HEATHER on Mon, January 28, 2008
Growing up in Barrington, before I would head out for a wreckless night of partying, I would sit in Willow’s midweek service…I was tethered to God by barely a string.
But I am blessed in my present because of God using Willow in my past. I’m really praying for them during this time. I hope Pastor Hybels reads this and knows that too. Grateful, Heather
Jason on Mon, January 28, 2008
Where did Mike Beaux go? I hadn’t heard that he resigned…
Phil DiLernia on Mon, January 28, 2008
All churches, including those as large as Willow, experience change, upheaval, and even some unhappiness with their staff.
Willow has positively impacted so many for so long I would be graceful and give them a break here. Bill Hybels doesn’t have to answer to any of us. He has been used by God and has faithfully ministered to thousands for many many years.
I wish them the best and I am confident that whomever they choose to replace these men (if they choose to replace them) will be gifted and passionate in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.
Stephen Canfield on Mon, January 28, 2008
This is all speculation, we need to know much more information before we can decide whether or not there are internal problems at Willow. Although it is suspicious, don’t jump the gun!
Derek on Mon, January 28, 2008
Todd—We crashed the server not because of the Willow announcement, but because we are so eager to read your posts after your vacation. Welcome back!
I think Willow we move forward with little problem. The WCA has enough of a pastor pool to find a candidate who can step up into these positions.
Where did Mike Breaux go? Does anybody know?
Derek
Mary Beth on Mon, January 28, 2008
Willow has been a blessing to our church and our ministries! Rock on Willow.
Mike Breaux is at Heartland in Rockford, IL.
Kenneth Bergstedt on Mon, January 28, 2008
Mike Breaux is on the pastoral staff of Heartland Community Church of Rockford, Illinois. Heartland is in the WCA. They just recently moved into a shopping center (which they purchased) and renovated a huge store for their worship center. You can check them out at http://www.heartland.cc
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