A calculated attack on clergy abuse: challenging patriarchal power at willow creek community church

Abstract

ABSTRACT In 2018, The Chicago Tribune reported one of the most significant abuse scandals in evangelical megachurch history: Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church’s founder, was accused of sexual assault and misconduct. Willow Creek staff and elders denied the allegations, refused to take action against Hybels, and accused the women of collusion. In response, survivors and sympathizers formed online networks of support through social media and blogposts, adding their voices to the #MeToo and #ChurchToo movements. While Willow Creek professed gender egalitarian theology, it failed to curb the power of its charismatic male leader. This paper argues that Willow Creek, which grew in the context of twentieth century American culture and conservative evangelicalism, harbored naturalized patriarchy, complementarian ideology, and gender individualism that resisted the examination of gender inequality. This demonstrates the limitations of egalitarian theology and the necessity of broader social movements and networks to unravel patriarchal religious systems.