For the last couple of decades Willow Creek Community Church outside of Chicago and Saddleback Church in Southern California have been the twin towers of influence in American evangelical circles. Thousands of churches have sought to emulate their success by adopting Willow Creek’s seeker church model and Saddleback’s purpose driven church model.
But in the last several year’s Willow Creek’s and Saddleback’s influence has begin to decline. Pastors and Christian leaders have been looking elsewhere for ideas, resources, and leadership. More and more of them (especially those in their 20s and 30s) are being influenced by churches like North Point Community Church in Atlanta, led by Andy Stanley, and LifeChurch.tv in Edmond, OK led by Craig Groeschel.
There are some obvious reasons for this, but there are also some not-so-obvious reasons.
I Heart Bill and Rick
Let me start by saying both Willow Creek and Saddleback have been very influential in my own life. The church where I’m a member and serve as an elder uses Willow’s seeker model, I’ve participated in numerous Willow Creek conferences, and I’ve read several of Bill Hybel’s books. I’ve also not only read both Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life but taught classes on PDL.
I have a ton of respect for the way God has used Bill Hybels and Rick Warren to shape the Christian church in the U.S. from one that was a few decades ago largely stagnant, inwardly focused, and losing relevance to one that is… well, ok, so it’s still largely stagnant, inwardly focused, and losing relevance. But there are thousands of churches and millions of Christians in America who are not content to hide from the world inside the walls of the church and I believe that is in part because Bill Hybels raised the value of being culturally relevant and Rick Warren raised the value of being purposeful in what we do.
So, if you were hoping for a hit piece on Bill Hybels or Rick Warren, you’re going to be disappointed.
Willow Creek on the Rocks
Willow Creek and Saddleback are still hugely influential in American evangelical circles but not like they once were. From what I hear, the Willow Creek Association is in financial turmoil. They have been laying off staff. This year they are not hosting conferences for student ministry, children’s ministry and small group ministry. Those conferences are only available via satellite. I’m not as up on what’s going on at Saddleback, but the 40 Days of Purpose campaign has pretty much run its course and Saddleback no longer offer the Purpose Driven Church conference.
Mediums of the 80s and 90s
I believe one of the biggest factors that determines which people and organizations rise to prominence is their mastery of the primary mediums of communication of their day. Most of you are probably familiar with the story of the Nixon/Kennedy debate – those who listened to it on radio thought Nixon won, those who watched it on TV thought Kennedy won. Eventually Kennedy went on to win the election, in part because he was more effective in his use of the rising medium of his time – television.
Bill Hybels and Rick Warren rose to prominence in part because they are masters of the mediums of communication that were most influential in the American evangelical church in the 80s and 90s.
First, they are exceptional orators. Many pastors view the Sunday message as the most important part of their job description. So, nothing stirs a desire in a pastor to emulate someone like seeing them deliver a powerful sermon the leads people to commit their lives to Christ or take bold action in their walk with Christ.
Second, they are fantastic authors. Warren and Hybels have sold tens of millions of books each. Pastors and Christian leaders love to read influential books, and it would be hard to name any Christian writers – pastors or otherwise – in the last 2 decades who wrote more influential books than Warren and Hybels.
Third, they put on great conferences. Pastors and Christian leaders spend almost all their time giving and serving others. Leadership conferences are some of the most uplifting, filling days of a pastor’s year. Willow Creek and Saddleback are well-known for putting on some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking conferences in the world.
I’m sure you could point to lots of factors in the rise of Willow Creek and Saddleback. Hybels and Warren are very intelligent, they’re gifted leaders, they appealed to a felt need, and they surrounded themselves with top-notch staff. You also can’t deny God’s influence in their lives and their ministries. But from a purely technical standpoint, I think it’s clear they are master communicators.
Mediums of the 2000s
In the last decade we have experienced a revolution in communications technology. Sermons, books, and conferences are still important, but today online communication is shaping the way people think and act even more. Other churches have taken the lead and become masters of the new mediums of communication, churches like North Point and LifeChurch.tv, which now has 14 campuses in 6 states.
First, they’re multi-media masters. We have become a media-saturated, ADD culture. Few people can stand behind a pulpit and hold people’s attention for a half hour, much less inspire them to real life change. Churches are making increasing use of media, specifically video and LifeChurch.tv and North Point have been leading innovators in this area. LifeChurch.tv was one of the first churches to video-cast their services and one of the first to create an online campus.
LifeChurch.tv also broke the mold when they decided to make all their media and creative work available for free at http://open.lifechurch.tv Now, thousands of churches are reusing LifeChurch.tv’s media.
Second, they’re exceptional bloggers. Blogs have become the preferred medium for discussing new ideas, creating movements, and inspiring action. A blogger can write an article and it’s instantly available to millions of people around the world. Those readers can comment and interact. The author can reply and continue the conversation.
LifeChurch.tv’s blog Swerve is a must read for any Christian leader. Senior Pastor Craig Groeschel and other staff post there almost daily. Not only that, but many of LifeChurch.tv’s staff like Tony Steward, Terry Storch, and Scott Williams, have their own forward-thinking, highly-trafficked blogs.
North Point’s influence in the blogosphere is different, but perhaps even greater. North Point itself doesn’t have a blog (though the Buckhead campus does) and neither does Senior Pastor Andy Stanley. But North Point’s current and former staff include some of the most influential Christian bloggers on the planet like Carlos Whittaker (Ragamuffin Soul), John Acuff (Stuff Christians Like) and John Saddington (Church Crunch) These guys are not only creative, authentic, and fantastic bloggers, but they support and encourage others within their sphere of influence to blog and so their influence continues to grow.
Third, they’re superior social networkers. LifeChurch.tv and North Point have been innovators in helping people to connect and share their news, events, and content through Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Their staff are at the center of the Twitter universe when it comes to issues of church and Christian faith. Here are some of the influential Twitters from North Point and LifeChurch.tv
- Scott Williams (@ScottWilliams) – 19,000+ followers
- Andy Stanley (@AndyStanley) – 15,000+ followers
- Bobby Gruenewald (@bobbygwald) – 8,600+ followers
- Carlos Whittaker (@loswhit) – 8,600+ followers
- John Saddington (@human3rror) – 5,900+ followers
- Terry Storch (@TerryStorch) – 5,100+ followers
- Tony Steward (@TonySteward) – 4,300+ followers
Willow Creek and Saddleback have been slow to adopt to blogging and social networking. I don’t know if the churches themselves have blogs, and I don’t know if any of their staff have blogs or Twitter. They just never come up in the conversations (blogs are tweets) I follow. Sure, my perspective is limited to the blogs and people I follow on twitter, but chatter about Willow Creek and Saddleback is surprisingly quiet.
What does it mean?
The fact that chatter about Willow Creek and Saddleback is surprisingly quiet doesn’t mean they’re doing less or wandering off the right path, though they could be. Nor does the fact that LifeChurch.tv and North Point have gained immense influence mean that they are better at doing church than anyone else, though they could be.
What it means is that right now LifeChurch.tv and North Point are more effective at communicating than other churches. Their staffs get today’s media better than anyone else.
Update 8/17: Read the follow-up article More on Why Willow Creek and Saddleback and Losing Influence while North Point and LifeChurch.tv are Gaining Influence
102 Comments
Pingback: » Find Leadership Summit Speakers on Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs #tls09
Pingback: Who do you follow?
I have just finsihed reading most all the comments and I must say that God is so AWESOME. Let me first say that everything I wanting to say was said by many, but this I must add. Though I understand Paul wanted to stick to his subject, I believe God did not. This I feel is evident by the comments that continued even from leaders. Yes all the methods that God provides should be used but let me state clearly my heart. It should be what God directs through his spirit, it should never be our own decision or something that is based on what others are doing. If we follow the Holy Spirits direction in whatever method he directs us to use it will be successful. We must also not forgot that God does everything in seasons. He might have us using one method today and another later on. I do pose this very important question though and that is, what is the Spiritual benefit in discussing why or if one house is gaining or loosing momentum. That is not our business it is Gods. The only reason I joined in to read the articles was it was the only blog I saw listed. I am new to this site and was looking for articles to read and add my thoughts. May I ask the question of Paul, is there any other blogs where the non media comments would belong. I have been having a strong feeling ( i say this now because I not sure if it is God or not) to have my own website, page etc. where I can write what God directs, so that it will be a blessing to others. This I can for sure, even though you had other ideas for you blog Paul, God took control. As I read Tina’s, John,s, Wiley’s, Jerry’s, Paul Jacobson’s and some other comments it was truly powerful. God was confiming with me that he isn’t just speaking what I have been hearing only to me. God is in control and he is definately using this site. God Bless and thanks.
Interesting article and while I don’t disagree with your conclusion (that Willow and Saddleback are declining in their influence of the next generation of pastors and church leaders), I do disagree with how you arrived at that conclusion. Your primary reasons for Bill and Rick’s declining influence just happen to be key factors leading to Andy Stanley’s and Craig Groeschel’s rising influence. Andy and Craig both happen to be making their marks as communicators, authors and conference speakers – the three things you said make Bill and Rick less influential to the next generation of pastors. North Point hosts a conference in which Andy is the chief communicator. Craig is a regular now for Catalyst. So outside of a better use of media and social-media, maybe we need to look at what else is contributing to the change…
Pingback: north point community church | Random Hot News
David, I don’t think that just because several people try to take a blog conversation off its intended topic that we should use that as a way to discern whether God is directing the tangent.
“May I ask the question of Paul, is there any other blogs where the non media comments would belong.”
OurChurch.Com doesn’t author any, but there are hundreds if not thousands out there. You might try using Google’s blog search:
http://blogsearch.google.com/
I keep getting email notifications that there is yet another posting on this topic. And regardless of the perception or interpretation or whatever…the fact that so many are visiting THIS web site to participate in THIS discussion would indicate a serious desire to elevate and promote the cause of Christ to the highest level possible using any and all legitimate means possible. And if this is true then all that really matters is to “just do it”. And for those that are may God bless each and every ministry, ministry leader and lay person that has, is or will post to this discussion. Keeping it real 🙂
Good articles in and of themselves–good ideas about social media etc., but in short, I don’t think you’re right as to *why* Willow in particular has declined in influence.
As a “Creeker” I have noticed –and felt– Willow’s loss of influence in the community and in my life. But I believe that the key reason why is that we lost our focus concerning our mission.
In the 80’s and 90’s everyone @ Willow knew our mission, vision and then 7 step strategy. Starting at about 2002 or so, that focus diminished, and the services reflected it as well as ministries within the church. Today we are regaining our focus, thanks to Bill, who has stepped back into the lead pastor role at our main campus. Bill has reintroduced our mission and vision and plan, and that clarity is a huge help to all of the church’s work.
NOTE: in the late 70’s and into the 80’s TV came into its own, what with cable becoming ubiquitous–and churches pounced on the opportunity. For example, the ACTS network that one of the Baptist denominations founded. Willow, on the other hand, has always shunned the idea of having a TV program. Despite the enthusiasm of many a denomination in those days, and despite pressure from others who would practically accuse Willow of being negligent to the community for not having a local broadcast, Willow has never gone in to TV.
****************************************************************
TV was the hot communication media right at the time that Willow Creek’s influence was really taking off. Yet Willow Creek shunned television broadcasting.
Hmmmm… How then, did Willow become so influential in those days?
***************************************************************
My personal experience of that era: led by the Holy Spirit, Willow Creek communicated God’s truth to us in a way that my generation could understand. No television (we didn’t even have “IMAG” screens in those days), but more importantly, the content that we needed in a form that really made sense to us.
As for Andy Stanley: the main reason why he is so influential IMHO, is again content. He came to Willow recently to speak during the weekend, and I can say his message was amazing! There was nothing in particular about him that I would call unusual or different (that is to say, his style and skill is not really very different from dozens of teachers we have had @ Willow), but it was his content. God really spoke to me (and my wife) through Andy’s message. His message had a huge impact on me! Now that’s influence!
On another note, one church that has had a huge influence on Willow Creek is Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, Michigan–Rob Bell’s church. When Bill Hybel’s daughter was on staff at Mars Hill, Willow’s own efforts in social injustice got a big boost. True, at about that time Lynn Hybels met Bono and he started having an influence on us re: AIDS, but Mars Hill had a lot of influence as well.
I WOULD KEEP AN EYE ON MARS HILL amongst the churches who are rising in influence over the Christian community.
Hey Brent, I appreciate your insight as a “Creeker.” I was talking more about the churches’ influence among other churches as opposed to their influence within their own communities. It’s interesting to consider how the two may be interrelated.
I agree that Mars Hill and Rob Bell are also growing in influence. A large part of that has been through the Nooma videos.
Wow, although I’m really late to this post this is a great insights in what influence is and isn’t. Yes influence amongst other leaders can lead and advance innovation – but at the end of the day, the reason why churches “succeed” is because they are making disciples.
Bottom line. wanna influence other leaders? Do what Jesus commanded us all to do. Make disciples.