30 years...

I was two years old. 30 years ago on this date, a group of 4 families joined together to unite behind a crazy vision to live out the reality of the kind of church talked about in Acts 2. 30 years ago today, this new community gathered togehter for their first worship gathering at a movie theater...the Willow Creek Theater. Today, Willow Creek Community Church has invited about 20,000 people to join them on this journey of living out the Acts 2 church and has influenced millions around the world, through conferences, teachings, and books. They have been inovators and standard-bearers in the area of church leadership.

I spent much of today on the Willow Creek campus. Bill Hybels, the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek seemed startled by the realization that today was the precise brithday of this new community. It was sort of cool to be there on this day.

Willow Creek has given churches permission to do church differently. It reminded leaders that the church exists for those who are not yet members. It reminded leaders that God is the ultimate Creator, therefore is honored in excellent creativity. This small group of people stepped out, risked much, worked hard, depended on the Spirit in challenging way. And God moved in and through them.

I am a beneficiary of their vision. Today, I lead a church in becoming the community that God wants us to be. We haven't adopted Willow's mission statement, but we share a heartbeat -- to become a community that does right by the reputation of Jesus in our community and world.

Happy Birthday, Willow...may your best years be ahead of you!

Peace,

Matt