Comments on: Why Willow Creek and Saddleback are Losing Influence While North Point and LifeChurch.tv are Gaining Influence

By: When the Roll is called up yonder, I’ll be twittering « Danny Chisholm

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:42:19 +0000

[...] done by Willow Creek Association and simulcast at a church in the area. So, I was curious to find this article about the declining influence of Willow Creek and Saddleback, the twin towers of [...]

By: Fred Lane

Fred Lane — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:26:35 +0000

All leaders will be criticized no matter what they do. Comes with the territory. But, regarding the fall and rise issue, I think it is mainly attributable to the economy. Sure, keeping up with the trend-ist thing will have an effect, I don't believe either Willow or Saddleback are loosing out because of a lack of trend-consciousness. I do believe (I don't have any real data to back this up) that generational differences are largely responsible. Young adults are very relationship-oriented and tend to have a "pack" mentality. They tend to jump into whatever is the latest and greatest fad. But even blogging is very "yesterday" with teens – they are deep into texting. Older adults feel they are on the cutting edge when they start to use email, and now, even Facebook. The real question is do Christian leaders fall behind when they don't personally embrace the latest fad/technology? I say no; they do fall behind when they fail to embrace those who DO embrace the latest trends.

By: kelvin

kelvin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:56:00 +0000

This article is informative but the title and possibly the angle in which it is written in my opinion is not healthy. We are not in competition with each other. This article makes it sound like no longer are willowcreek and saddleback competitors with other big dogs. That is reallly sick thinking, but that is really how this article title reads. The article should not have anything to do with losing influence. It should communicate some newly effective methods people are using to reach people. We are one Church in One Kingdom. I am for all of these guys that preach the gospel and win people to Jesus. This is something we have to get away from. This article is necessary but we have got to start writing articles that are in congruence with the spirit of Christ. Jesus said he that is greatest amongst you let him be your servant. This does nothing but strenghten fleshly instincts in the body of Christ. Once again the information is good but this article must be put together for the benefit of the body, all of these guys are in the body. The Holy Spirit is the influencers not intelligence, systems or techniques. This is to worldly of an angle although the content is informative. Please continue to inform us but do so as servants not in the spirit of the world.

By: Christian Web Trends Top 10 posts of 2009 « Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:54:20 +0000

[...] 2) Online Church Part 1: What is a Biblical Church? 1) Why Willow Creek and Saddleback are Losing Influence While North Point and LifeChurch.tv are Gaining… [...]

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:33:12 +0000

Tina, please post a video of you demonstrating the mighty works of God you listed in your post.

By: Dennis Beckner

Dennis Beckner — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:19:58 +0000

Great article. Here’s my 3-cents of clarifications from the Saddleback perspective:

1. I am a Saddleback member & former staff member. The article mentions there aren’t any more Purpose Driven Conferences. There’s a great all-in-one conference happening in February 2010 http://bit.ly/2H8lux

2. There’s not much blogging going on from Pastor Rick that I know of, but he is catching up. Rick is now on Twitter (@rickwarren), LinkedIn, has a Facebook page (Look for “Pastor Rick Warren”, “Author Rick Warren” appears to be an impostor). He’s always tried to stay on top of technology. Saddleback was the first church with a web site. If you’re a church planter and follow Rick on Twitter, please let him know you’re a church planter. He wants to connect with you.

3. The student ministry pastor, Kurt Johnston, has a blog (http://www.SimplyKurt.com). The high school pastor, Josh Griffin, has a blog (http://www.MoreThanDodgebal.com). I have a blog for fellow volunteer youth workers (http://www.VolunteerYouthMinistry.com)

By: Rev. Dave

Rev. Dave — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:44:48 +0000

It seems that the multimedia is one way to make disciples. People are hearing about Jesus and growing in Jesus because of the internet. In fact, the internet brings the church into our homes in ways that was not possible a few years ago. If used correctly, it will influence the younger generation for Jesus and maybe some of the older generation.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:01:29 +0000

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.

By: Paul Steinbrueck

Paul Steinbrueck — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:04:05 +0000

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.

By: Brent

Brent — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:28:33 +0000

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.

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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?
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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.