Bill Hybels launched the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek by teaching a session on “Leading in a New Reality.” Here are some of the highlights of his talk.

  • “The normal we all knew and loved has left the building.”
  • “Do we still believe that the local church is the hope of the world?”
  • “There’s nothing like the local church when the local church is working right.”
  • Leaders need to “call the church to be the church.”
  • “I don’t think anyone is coming to church anymore who isn’t looking for a full dose of God.”
  • Jack Welch: “In a crisis, cash is king.”
  • “Healthy cash reserves gives leaders what they need in a crisis: time.”
  • “At Willow Creek, we have 25% of our annual revenues in cash reserves.”
  • Financial plan at Willow:
    • no more than 50% to staffing (including benefits)
    • 10% given away
    • 10% for whatever God is blessing at Willow (or cash reserves)
    • 15% to ministry budgets
    • 15% for facilities, utilities, debt service, etc.
  • “Don’t lose heart in a downturn.”
  • “I’m looking for God to do great things in our day.”
  • “God usually does his great work through people who are totally yielded to him.”
  • “Are we building backup positions for key leaders in our organization?”
  • Bill admitted recently, “My life is unsustainable right now.”
  • “The pace at which I’m doing the work of God is destroying the work of God in me.”
  • “When I listen to God slowly, he speaks more frequently.”
  • “What do your colleagues and followers see when they look at you today?”

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