The Enigma that is Bill Hybels
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, May 02, 2007
- Viewed 85
- (20) comments so far
Two things occurred as a result of Hybels’ comment. As is common, men were immediately drawn in to the manly love-language of insult...myself included. I believe this was the point at which I realized that I would always be fascinated by Hybels because he simply can’t help but say what’s on his mind, regardless of the potential fallout. The second thing that occurred, was the apology. When the Summit resumed during the next session, Hybels apologized for his comment and how it probably was degrading to women...etc.
I don’t know the inner workings of the Leadership Summit or Willow Creek, but my hunch is that Nancy Beach got a hold of him and scolded him for his comment in between sessions. Hybels--never one to back down from taking responsibility for his actions and comments--apologized to the many thousands assembled. My guess is that most of the men assembled secretly thought, “what’s the big deal?”. To be honest...I wouldn’t be surprised if Hybels secretly thought the same thing.
Fast forward to last week and Hybels is speaking his mind again--this time to Mark Driscoll for his stance on male-only pastors/elders. I wasn’t there, so I don’t have the play-by-play, but I’ve heard plenty from friends that were there and from the various reports from those both in favor and opposed to Hybels comments. I’m fascinated by it all. Love him or not, Driscoll is who he says he is and his actions are an outflow of his beliefs. I can’t always say the same for Hybels. Hybel’s has always been an enigma to me.
If you listen to (or read) enough of Hybels through the years, you can tell that he’s an alpha-male of the highest order. Further, comments like the one mentioned previously betray the fact that there is a very clear divide between a man and a woman in Hybels mind, regardless of his stated beliefs on the matter. One might even infer that he has a disdain for some of the characteristics of the weaker sex. So...should we be surprised by Hybels’ egalitarian views in regard to pastoral roles? I think not.
Truthfully, I’ve met quite a few pastors that are egalitarian in their leadership views, yet privately show a tendency toward male chauvinism. While this might seem strange at first glance, it can actually be the perfect marriage. A male chauvinist that is a Christian should experience guilt about how he really feels about the opposite sex (or maybe it’s more about the characteristics of the opposite sex?).
Guilt has to go somewhere--it leaks. Therefore, I believe many of these leaders have unconsciously imposed a sort of “penence” for their personal chauvinism by going to bat for egalitarian theology. I don’t think this is wide-spread, but I have seen this phenomenon with at least one pastor I’ve worked with. While this pastor spoke a good game with his egalitarian views, he acted like a benevolent autocrat with his one female pastor...treating her as one that should be thankful for his stance on leadership.
While this might not be the case with Hybels, I can’t help but consider the possibility. Otherwise, the contradiction that is Bill Hybels still eludes me. In the end, I’m guessing this little public spat will blow over and one day, Hybels and Driscoll will meet and become friends. Either way, Hybels was wrong in his public scolding of Driscoll and should probably repent and apologize. He’s good at that.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rick White is the lead pastor of CityView Church—a new church located in the Alliance-Texas Corridor, north of Fort Worth. CityView is committed to keeping Jesus and His Gospel as the central focus of their mission and message. CityView was planted by The Village Church and is a part of the Acts29 Network. Rick and his wife of 11 years are proud parents of three children. You can read more of Rick’s writings at his blog, ”The 20 Year Baton”. He can be contacted via email at
I specifically remember one of Bill Hybels' many off-hand remarks at a Leadership Summit a few years back. I can't remember the actual speaker that Hybels was interviewing, but at some point in the dialogue, the interviewee said something that sounded a little "wimpy" to Hybels. Hybels quipped, "did you shave your legs this morning?" Hybels comment elicited hoots, hollers and moans from the assembled crowds, both live and at the many satellites across the country.
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Peter Hamm on Wed, May 02, 2007
I wasn’t there, I’ve only read the commentary (and spoken to two of my cohorts here who WERE there)
Not sure Hybels was wrong in his “scolding”, which I don’t think it was. I think he made an off-hand quip, which has been blown way out of proportion, to defuse a situation which was created by a video that was totally inappropriate (in the opinion of many people who’ve spoken up) for that particular forum.
You might be reading too much into Hybles quips (you admit this in your post) but it may be true. I’ve known some people who were VERY egalitarian and yet at the same time apparently chauvanistic in some of their views on male-female relationships and roles.
But I say give him a break. The first four years I attended the summit Bill had to apologize for something he said every year. I found it amusing and heartening to know that somebody besides me talks without thinkin’ sometimes.
Brent on Wed, May 02, 2007
I think the leap in logic from one comment Hybels made to saying his egalitarian position comes from chauvinistic guilt is a little much. I’m not sure it’s necessary to call into question Bill Hybel’s honesty (“Driscoll is who he says he is and his actions are an outflow of his beliefs. I can’t always say the same for Hybels.”) and credibility to defend what was to many an offensive video by Driscoll.
I could say that Driscoll is nothing but a show. That he’s an actor who says things only for shock value because he loves the attention. People have said that about him. However, I don’t know him well enough to make a judgment call of that nature and I choose not to believe that about someone who seems to love God and the church as much as he does.
Hybels shouldn’t apologize, he said nothing about Driscoll personally and spoke what he was feeling. Also, there is a tone in the last paragraph that makes it seem like apologizing when you say something wrong is a bad thing. At least I can respect Hybels for being willing to apologize when he says something or the church does something that could be offensive (he has done it on other occasions at conferences I have been to). From what I have read and seen the same cannot always be said of Driscoll.
Wendi on Wed, May 02, 2007
I think this is too big a leap. Like Peter, at Summit after Summit I’ve heard Hybels make comments for which he later needed to apologize. In fact, it seems like one year at the end he commented that he was proud of himself (or something like that) for making it all the way through without having to make amends to anyone.
And even if he is an alpha-male at heart, I believe he has landed at the egalitarian position theologically only after careful and prayerful personal consideration, under the direction of elders who have done the same. Thing is, I’m quite sure that Driscoll and other complementarians have taken the same roads to their positions. I respect anyone who carefully and prayerfully “lands” somewhere on a disputable issue, even if I disagree.
I’m gonna take some liberty to speak for women in ministry here (knowing full well I don’t speak for all). Most of us who are in ministry leadership and are egalitarian theologically don’t take issue with Driscoll or other complementarians for their theology, nor do we get bothered by occasional alpha male comments like “did you shave your legs this morning” (come on, it’s funny). Neither do we get worked up by a blond joke now and then (our skin gets pretty thick in this business).
But Driscoll offends me because he relentlessly tries to call men out by putting women in their place, either overtly or in some veiled (but obvious) way (my general read on nearly all of his comments). And . . . he offends me because he doesn’t care that what he says hurts people. That is the difference between Hybels and Driscoll. It matters to Hybels how he is perceived. I’ve never known him to dance around something that needed to be said, but I have known him to think about how he says things and take full responsibility when he speaks without thinking clearly. He seems to realize that this is the appropriate and reasonable posture for someone with influence and notoriety. Driscoll seems to care not at all about the effect of his words after they leave his mouth.
And frankly, it does bother me (I’ll switch to 1st person here . . . going out too far on the limb to speak for my counterparts any further) that so many men give him (Driscoll) a pass for this. When I weigh into a discussion wanting to call him out for his offensive behavior, I am bothered by men who say that there are far more important things to get worked up about besides the “woman’s issue.” Of course there are . . . and one of those “more important issues” is treating one another with honor and respect so that the world will know us by our love.
Wendi
Leonard on Wed, May 02, 2007
I’m an enigma, just not a famous one.
sid on Wed, May 02, 2007
M. Scott Peck said in one of his books, “My goal in life is to never offend someone unintentionally.”
I choose to live this way in much of what I teach and preach. If I make a comment that offends you because of the story I use or my choice of words I am more than willing to apologize and do that both publicly and privately. However there are times in which I choose to offend because the circumstance demands it.
I hear Bill Hybels doing this more and more these days. His outspoken words of truth in regards to racial reconciliation, A.I.D.S, involvement with the poor, and women in ministry are words that offend only if the person needs to be offended. For that he should never apologize. Having said that I do think that some of these things are new to Hybels (as well as others) and they are still learning the language that will call the evangelical community to respond to the gospel and society in healthy ways.
I for one am heartened to hear high profile evangelicals speak on these issues as an outgrowth of their personal walk with Jesus and hope that they will continue to offend those that need to be offended.
Layne on Wed, May 02, 2007
Whoo boy, Im glad that I am like Leonard; ‘a not famous one’ When I say something stupid or not as well thought out as I would like the audience I have to which I must apologize is pretty small. Ive never met either Driscoll or Hybles all I get to do is read about them but it seems to me that they both because of their platforms get quite a bit of attention in moments of mispeaking (things which need to be clarified) and things which are an attempt to be funny which are out of place because of the situation/audience, as well as biblical positions upon which honest God-loving people can disagree. I was kind of impressed when Driscoll met with those who were not being very loving or kind or even Christian to begin a dialogue regarding his communication. The fact that Hybles does it on a regular basis is equally impressive to me.
Snoop on Wed, May 02, 2007
Did anyone else read this as Acts 29 blindly defending one of thier own? I just feel like for someone who was admittedly not there to start questioning the character of Hybels (regardless of how minor the questioning is) is a little out of line.
Am I wrong on this?
Leonard on Wed, May 02, 2007
Snoop, I don’t know if that is the case but it was a pretty big jump. What did one enigma say to the other? I Just don’t get it. Now that’s comedy.
don on Thu, May 03, 2007
Hybels, great guy, and just a guy doing ministry. Much to do about nada.
REvJEff on Thu, May 03, 2007
Leonard -
Huh? HAHAHHAHA HUh?
Scott Orbon on Fri, May 04, 2007
For someone who actually had front row seats to the Hybels talk- and lives in the Dallas metroplex….reading Rick Whites article disturbs me. How can a man (Rick) pull out that much controversy over nothing! - I’m not saying there aren’t issues to address…but to make it a Hybels vs. Driscoll match is uncalled for! - Just becuase your Acts 29… you don’t have to call into question Hybels character.
The enigma that is Hybels….i think not…. rather ....the enigma of Rick White! I can’t believe i actually wrote this… I feel like this is the talk-soap of Christianity!
Word…..
Ben Dubow on Fri, May 04, 2007
It is possible, of course, that Hybels is an egalitarian because he is an evangelical who takes scripture very seriously and has studied the issue and agrees with the majority of evangelical scholars that there is no Biblical reason to limit leadership to men.
Let’s not confuse Biblical egalitarianism—the belief that all positions open to a man are also open to a women, and that ministry roles should be based on gifting and character, not gender—with modern feminism that argues men that men and women are the same.
Hybels may have a preference for male leaders, but this is not a theological position. Also, I don’t think it is true and I think you are making much more out of an off-hand comment that it warrants. Pretty serious to accuse Bill of being a chauvinist for that…
Michael on Fri, May 04, 2007
OK, I wasn’t there. I’ve seen the video and read the reports on what was supposedly said, and there’s something that seems out of proportion, but I haven’t seen it addressed at all. Pastor Driscoll’s video was about church planting, and he clearly stated that it should be a male leading the plant. Period. That stems from the belief (which I happen to share, though I’m not affiliated with Mars HIll or Acts 29 at all) that pastors should be male. That’s it. Pastor Hybels comment supposedly was “women have spiritual gifts too”. That for me is a disconnect, because that was never questioned.
Pastor Driscoll never said in the video that women don’t have spiritual gifts. In fact, he has been very clear elsewhere (sermons, etc.) on just the opposite. The only leadership position that is not open to females is the office of pastor. That’s it. So the disconnect for me is that Pastor Hybels responded to something that Pastor Driscoll didn’t assert. Maybe that’s why it’s been blown out of proportion? It seems as though Pastor Hybels was making an issue out of something that wasn’t even in the video.
That’s just my observation, and I admit I wasn’t there. Am I missing something?
Stewart on Sat, May 05, 2007
Michael,
In context - Bill’s comments clearly mean the spiritual gifts necessary to plant a church. I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. I do think Mark D has encouraged that with his blog post about the “banned” video. The problem with these discussions is they deteriorate so quickly.
I think both sides were right on target. Mark’s position on women in ministry has been clear for a long time. Conference organizers should have known that would be part of any presentation he makes. It’s a significant aspect of his ministry philosophy because it is so counter cultural.
Bill H has also been a strong supporter of women as pastors for some time. That’s no secret either.
The issue arose because Bill followed the video. He had to say something. It’s a substantive disagreement that would have been like an elephant in the room if he doesn’t make reference to it. He chose pithy remark rather than a direct confrontation. We can debate the wisdom of that. I personnally think it was wise way to go. Too bad people are taking sides. I’ve learned a lot from both of these guys about ministry and I refuse to choose one or the other. I don’t always agree with either, but both deserve our respect.
Mark and Bill both love Jesus, have tremendous evangelism gifts, have grown amazing churches and aided and planted a ton of churches. And neither guy is known for holding his tongue.
I’d be more interested in focusing on the question of whether the pithy remark or a more measured “I disagree with what just happened” response is more effective when faced with similar situations both inside and outside the church. I often find myself following someone that says something I can’t just let go. Spiritual wisdom please….
Peter Hamm on Sat, May 05, 2007
Michael writes
[So the disconnect for me is that Pastor Hybels responded to something that Pastor Driscoll didn’t assert.]
He didn’t “assert it” but he MORE than “implied” it, when you consider the context of the video and of Bill’s talk.
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