Willow Creek Independent Advisory Group Update

Below is an update from the Willow Creek Independent Advisory Group

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) has been regularly meeting since its formation this past August and is fully engaged in its assignment. The task is threefold: 1.) consider allegations related to Bill Hybels as founder and pastor of Willow Creek Community Church (WCCC) and founder and spokesperson of the Willow Creek Association (WCA); 2.) review organizational culture of the church and association; and 3.) make recommendations to the church and association for future actions.

Due diligence has included extensive review of documents, initial sets of interviews (with more to come), and ongoing receipt and review of communications submitted through the confidential hotline.

The IAG works autonomously. Neither WCCC nor WCA are represented on the IAG nor party to the group’s work except for providing information as requested. Both WCCC and WCA have pledged their full cooperation and to date have been fully cooperative in all requests made of them.

The target date for completion of the IAG work remains during the first quarter of 2019.

Members of the IAG serve without remuneration. The group is co-chaired by Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emerita of The Wesleyan Church, Indianapolis, IN, and Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, Washington D.C. Other members are Margaret Diddams, Provost of Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, and Gary Walter, past president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, Chicago, IL. The group may also engage additional resources and consultants as needed.

The IAG continues to welcome confidential submissions to the hotline at WillowInvestigationHotline@CapinCrouse.com. Confirmation of a received submission comes via return email acknowledgement. Voice submissions may be left at the hotline number of 630.682.9797 x 1292, receipt of which is acknowledged in the message. The IAG does not respond to media requests or individual inquiries.