06-06-18 Willow Creek Lane Moyer Stmt Re: Investigation Conclusion

In our initial plan, we committed to examining the allegations against Bill that had not been previously investigated by the Elder board. We said that we would respectfully reach out to each woman who has made an accusation, even if she did not bring her concerns directly to the board previously. Our goal was to take tangible steps toward understanding through a collaborative process with the women.
Here are the steps that were taken and where we are today in addressing the allegations:
We reached out to each woman who had brought an allegation against Bill. A number of the women have chosen not to speak to us but a few have spoken with us. Based on these conversations, we determined that further steps would require an agreed-upon process, which is why we enlisted an independent third party to facilitate a discussion to agree on next steps together. As I stated in my update two weeks ago, the goal of that third party was to help ensure agreement on any further investigation or mediation. The goal was not immediate reconciliation as some have suggested. We engaged Crossroads Resource Group (CRG) to act as a facilitator for these conversations. Some of the women objected to our use of CRG given one of its facilitators had done work for the church 12 years ago. Unfortunately, for confidentiality reasons, important details of this facilitator’s previous experience with Willow Creek was not shared with the Elders, and it was not until a blog entry was published that we learned about the nature of the individual’s involvement. When we learned about the full extent of the previous work, we removed the individual from the two original people we suggested, and offered three other possibilities to serve as an independent third party.
As of yet, none of the women has taken us up on our offer. This is certainly their right, however, further engagement and investigation is difficult without the participation of the parties involved. We remain committed to taking next steps with any of the women who would like to do so.
As previously stated, we believed initial apologies were important to make based on what we learned from some of the women. Again, we are deeply regretful and sorry that our initial tone was one of defensiveness and that it cast the women in an unfair and negative light. We are also sorry it was stated these were all lies. Any sweeping statement in a situation like this is inaccurate. Just as we should not have said these stories are all lies, we cannot say all the statements by all the women are true. There are discrepancies in some of these stories that will likely never be fully resolved. The charges raised against Bill go back 20 years in some cases. As much as we would like to have full, concrete information, we know this is not always possible.
What we are certain of is there is some truth in the stories we have heard. There is truth that Bill made inappropriate choices in how he conducted certain meetings. There is truth that the women who shared their stories felt very uncomfortable and felt that Bill had wronged them. There is truth that Bill was accountable to the Board of Elders and we should have done a better job of holding him accountable and imposing limitations to protect against some of the behaviors complained of. For all of this we apologize.

[@dougbell9543]

It’s become clear that all along the Board of Elders did everything possible in order to protect Bill Hybels. ✔️

[@davetorres1285]

It's not about BILL its all about Christ JESUS.. The Body of CHRIST... The True Church.. Which JESUS Christ is the Head..
In the Spirit which we are Sealed .... Day of the Saints in The Gospel of CHRIST.... Amen

[@marleneg7794]

Down with the Mega Church down with corruption

[@MegaMantim]

Get yer checkbook out...Gonna be using it...

[@slowbotdrone]

Well I'm not surprised by this. You show me a mega church and I'll show you corruption. If this pastor followed simple biblical guidelines he would have never been touching these women or alone with them in hotel rooms. The wealth and power gained from a mega church is corrupting and you get a God complex. Also show me a mega church and I'll show you a church that doesnt stress holiness but acceptance. 25,000 people don't want to hear about sin or righteousness, they want to hear about love and healing.

[@bibleteaching2015]

This is the true application of john 8 . Just because it's a male accused of something terrible doesn't mean it doesn't aply

[@brandybobandy2194]

Joseph Agliata Bill is the pharisee with the rock, not the woman in danger of being stoned.

[@danpatterson5016]

Joseph Agliata

[@JWCustomsINCPasadena]

Paid Ministry needs to stop being a career path. Everything will change. And enough with pastors publishing “books” - keep with the one that you believe is “inspired” through ghost writers

[@brandybobandy2194]

@@JWCustomsINCPasadena Great idea. And not only do they make all this money on their own books, check out the endorsements on their book covers... it's all the same guys rotating through. Henry Cloud. Ortberg. And so on. And this bolsters and galvanizes all of their "credibility" in the eyes of Christians.

[@bishoppolycarp9684]

@@JWCustomsINCPasadena Only problem is that it is scriptural to make a living off the Word.

[@Morris311]

First of all, Elder Board, you took the responsibilities as overseers but you didn't oversee for years, a serious indictment. Then when Bill Hybels was found guilty, just removing him and the people in leadership is not laying the axe to the root. I read the message from the your Elder Board. Nothing about repentance. You grieve over what happened ( which you should ) and then you ask for people's forgiveness??? "For all this you apologize"???? Seriously? If you were on your faces before God you would not have issued such a lame statement.You need to state in no uncertain terms that you all repent ( deeply sorry ) and not just ask for forgiveness and that you will be accountable in the future. What your people have done is reprehensible. Changing people at the top will do little if the next batch of people have the same hearts and minds. You can't just preach on the love of God which is only one side of God's character. He is HOLY, first of all, and one day we will all face Him as our Judge. If you don't start preaching on holiness, repentance, judgement, the fear of the Lord ( which is the beginning of wisdom ) ASIDE from the love of God, your sheep will hear an incomplete gospel. "Man shall live by bread alone but EVERY word that proceeds from the mouth of God." ( CAPS are mine. ) So unless you are preaching, teaching EVERY word, you're not preaching what men need to live on. And one day you will give an account. The love of God will not keep us out of hell. "....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; " Phil.2:12. This is because you ARE saved, and not to get saved.

[@paulcampbell7518]

You are starting from an unbiblical position when you install a woman as a 'Teaching Pastor' over the congregation. Why not take this opportunity to restore the biblical principle of restricting the role of Pastor to godly men.

[@brandybobandy2194]

Oh, SHUT up.

[@marleneg7794]

Because Men are doing such a bang up job?

[@flamingrobin5957]

@@marleneg7794 no because the bible says and common sense men need other male accountability