On Thanksgiving Break 2016, I read Bill Hybels’ When Leadership & Discipleship Collide. The book provides some good reminders of the importance of spiritual leadership, particularly in churches and Christian leaders. At the time, Hybels was Founding and Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois—one of the most attended churches in North America, with an average attendance of nearly 24,000.
Little did I know that in less than 2 years, Bill Hybels would be embroiled in controversy with allegations of sexual misconduct. Although he denied the allegations, and his Board initially stood by him, more allegations surfaced; and an independent review ultimately found the allegations to be credible.
While Hybels maintained his innocence, his pastoral career ended under a cloud. He is not the only Pastor to be the subject of spiritual attack the last few years. Many Pastors have fallen, demonstrating the importance of strong discipleship for spiritual leaders.
We can all learn from Bill Hybels—both what he wrote and how his career ended.
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