Bill Hybels

William Hybels ( born December 12, 1951 in Kalamazoo, Michigan ) is the founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, a suburb of Chicago.

Bill Hybels studied at Trinity International University and graduated in 1975 as a bachelor's degree. He first worked as a youth pastor at South Park Church in Park Ridge ( Illinois). There matured his decision to start his own church in South Barrington in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. To this end he carried out a doorstep survey, in order to investigate the reasons why people did not attend the church at the site. With the results of his survey he designed then form a new community with the aim of overcoming the objections of the people. His church grew from a youth group at a church attendance of over 20,000 participants, making it one of the ten largest churches in the United States. Hybels is the author of several books that have been translated into several languages. In it he treats besides faith and life issues, especially the issue of leadership in Christian communities. His mentors included not only the founder of the Crystal Cathedral, Robert Schuller, and his former teacher at Trinity College, Gilbert Bilezikian.

In the center of his community service activities for " seekers " by the Willow Creek is reached also many church distanced people next to the church members. Hybels is an internationally sought-after speaker. Under the Willow Creek conferences he comes regularly for several years in Germany.

Bill Hybels and his wife, Lynne, have two grown children, Shauna and Todd, and two grandchildren, Henry and Mac, and live in South Barrington Hills. His daughter Shauna also works at Willow Creek.

Evangelicals who are considered more conservative than Hybels, have criticized him for it, that he invited the then U.S. President Bill Clinton to a " Leadership Conference " in his church. Hybels also takes the view that it may be okay if women exercise a position of authority over men when they have the appropriate skills.

Works

Hybels has written numerous books that have been bestsellers in America. They were translated into other languages ​​, the following have been published in German:

• Married life - marriage love. What can you do to ensure that their marriage will last a lifetime. Projection J, Wiesbaden, 1996, ISBN 3-89490-220-5 (along with his wife Lynne, out of print)
• What makes families strong. Brockhaus, Wuppertal, 2002, ISBN 3-417-11255-9
• Courageous lead. Navigation aids for printed circuit. Gerth, Asslar, 2002, ISBN 978-3-86591-802-4
• Together. Willow Creek Gift Edition, Haenssler, Neuhausen, 2008, ISBN 978-3-7751-4842-9
• Successfully perform as a Christian. What makes you an effective leader. Library for managers. 2008, ISBN 978-3-86591-851-2
• The Art of Leadership. Brought my leadership principles to the point. Gerth, Asslar, 2009, ISBN 978-3-86591-857-4
• Departure for silence. From the art of living to have time for prayer. Gerth, Asslar, 2009, ISBN 978-386591-861-1
• Hear God's still small voice. The life-changing power of the quiet voice of God. Gerth, Asslar, 2011, ISBN 978-3-86591-864-2