Texas District Joins Willow Creek Association
By Rev. Jack Cascione



Willow Creek is the largest congregation in the United States with a weekly attendance of 15,000 people. It is non-denominational, does not confess the forgiveness of sins in Baptism, does not confess the real presence in the Lord’s Supper, has no printed Catechism, no crosses on display, confesses no Creeds, and draws people with entertainment. The church is about the size and shape of Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It features, bands, soloists, dramas, and informal worship with no hymn books or liturgy. This is what the Texas District wants to be like.

Texas District Vice President Joeckel defended his congregation’s and the Texas District Office’s promotion of a Willow Creek Conference at Bethel Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas on January 30, 1999 with these words:

"Mr. Paul Krentz, of the Texas District Office, said: "This is the finest witnessing course out because it helps people learn to share Jesus from their own natural style rather than with a contrived set of questions."’ The course is based on the book by Bill Hybles, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, the largest Christian Church in America."

Joeckel defended the conference by explaining there is much to be learned from Willow Creek. What he didn’t say was the Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is a member of the Willow Creek Association.

Just look on the internet at www.willowcreek.org. Once on the Willow Creek Association Home Page click on WillowNet Member Search, type in Texas and Lutheran in the appropriate boxes and up comes the name of the Texas District Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

No one really cares if the LCMS Constitution says under Article VI, Conditions of Membership, 2.C. "Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description, such as participation in heterodox tract and missionary activities." Willow Creek is not heterodox, it is no "dox." You can’t find its doctrinal stance on its Website.

The Willow Creek Association President, Jim Mellado describes the philosophy of those who belong to the Willow Creek Association as follows:

"God’s Spirit is capturing the hearts of a growing number of forward-thinking leaders who are building churches with a new emphasis: The presentation of the gospel in ways that penetrate secular culture and engage people who are far from Christ. They are also setting high standards for commitment on the part of believers. They courageously follow God-directed change when it is needed-despite the risks involved."

Yes, the *Texas District is making lots of changes by making it self less and less Lutheran and making lots of changes they claim come from God. One wonders how many God is communicating with in the Texas District Office and what changes He wants made?

It is hard for me to throw stones while the Michigan District "102" have long been in the Willow Creek, Church Growth, Leadership Training camp. At a Michigan District South and East Pastors’ Conference it was announced that 90% of the pastors supported Promise Keepers. At the 1998 Michigan District May South and East Pastors’ Conference, Dr. Norbert Oesch encouraged us to save souls by getting rid of our hymn books. Of course he has the same advice for Texas and the Texas District Office agrees.

Why the love for joining the Willow Creek Association and not the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, the Association of Confessional Lutherans, or the Lutheran Concerns Association? The answer is obvious, the Texas District is following the crowds and the money and Lutheran doctrine just doesn’t pay off.

One could use the terms traitors, turn coats, hypocrites, charlatans, deceivers, but then the majority of voters in the Texas District Convention think all this is just fine. The question is how many Texas District lay people would rather give up their Hymnbooks and Catechisms and stop being Lutheran? The answer is quite a few. We know where the clergy are! The majority of the Texas District Pastors give their full support to the Texas District Office and membership in the Willow Creek Association. They have long since decided to move with the movers and let the doctrine slide. In their hearts they know God wants them to be successful more than He wants them to be doctrinally correct.

These clergy are just planning for their future. Hell will be like Willow Creek...there won’t be any crosses there either. Once they redefine religion, faith, doctrine, church, believer, Gospel, and worship the rest is easy. These clergy love the association of their buddies/cronies more than association with the Lutheran Confessions. If the laity feel betrayed all the changes are simply for the good of the church (clergy). Let the good times roll.

* Article update November 19, 2002

* After the publication of this article the Texas District removed its membership from the Willow Creek Association.

The following are the current Lutheran Churches in Texas that are associated with Willow Creek:

Faith Lutheran Church  Bellaire, TX
Salem Lutheran Church  Tomball, TX
Trinity Lutheran Church  Houston, TX
Trinity Lutheran Church  Tyler, TX
St. Paul Lutheran Church  Fort Worth, TX
Concordia Lutheran Church  Garland, TX
All Saints Lutheran Church  Arlington, TX
Triumphant Lutheran Church  San Antonio, TX
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church  Cedar Park, TX
Christ the King Lutheran Church  Kingwood, TX


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April 6, 1999