Session 5 - Bill Hybels

(Yes - I missed session 4 - because we went out to have dinner with Betsy’s cousin’s ex-wife, who lives here in San Diego!)

This session began with an interview with Paul Young, the author of the widely read book THE SHACK. He described himself as an “accidental author,” having written this book as a story for his kids. The first run of the book was 15 copies at an Office Depot!

Young: “I don’t feel responsible for the great things that have happened from this book, so neither do I feel upset about the controversies about the book.” The weekend in the shack represents 11 years in my life. The shack is a metaphor for the human soul that is so damaged that we prefer not to live in it, choosing instead a façade.

Next we heard pianist/singer Kendall Payne, and then we were led in worship by Tommy Walker.

The speaker for this session is Bill Hybels, the longtime founding pastor of Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago. I have had the opportunity to attend conferences at Willow before. He is a pioneer in the concept of targeting ministries and worship that reach out to the heart of those who are described as “seekers” - folks who may not yet be believers, but who are seeking out for that which God can provide.

He is an excellent passionate, speaker, so I look forward to what he has to share with us!

Key verse - John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice and they heed it.

This references the miracle of interactivity between the human and the divine. God speaks to us. This is what differentiates biblical Christianity from every other religion. The average Christian is invited into a real-time conversation with the creator of the universe. A dialogue is possible between the Redeemer and the redeemed.

If I live to be 100, I will never tire of the wonder of this! I’ll never tire of the power of it in my own life.

The miracle of the Christian faith is not just a book, but that the sheep hear his voice.

Hybels shared several stories from his own life of God speaking and a willingness to respond to his faint whisper.

So many of the big steps in ministry were a response to a faint whisper. But not every whisper is a strong, upward move. He also shared about a whisper that came during a very difficult time, that led to four years of personal counseling.

Some of us teach the Word carefully, but we don’t pay enough attention to whispers. People end up in the Kingdom because we listen and act. Be attentive. Process them carefully. With trembling but trusting feet, walk in the direction of obeying these whispers.