CHURCHES
/
INDEPENDENT/NON-DENOMINATIONAL
/
WILLOW CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH
WILLOW CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH
South Barrington, IL
42/100 COURAGE
|
SOFT WOKE
|
AVOID
CORE DOCTRINE
100%
SOUND
SEXUALITY
75%
COMPROMISED
PASTOR
Shawn
Shawn Williams
STATEMENT
YES
PUBLISHED
ABOUT
Historic megachurch in Chicago suburbs, founded 1975 by Bill Hybels. Known for seeker-sensitive approach. Faced leadership scandal 2018. Recovering under new leadership. Multi-site with global influence through Willow Creek Association.
LOCATION & CONTACT
ADDRESS
67 E Algonquin Rd, South Barrington, IL, 60010, USA
WEBSITE
LEAD PASTOR
Shawn Williams
CHURCH TYPE
⛪ Traditional Church
PASTOR INFORMATION
LEAD PASTOR:
Shawn Williams
Detailed pastor information not yet available. Per book pages
6-7, research the pastor's social media and background.
DOCTRINAL POSITIONS
76/100
ESSENTIAL (CLOSED-HANDED)
100%
BIBLICAL INERRANCY
✓ YES
TRINITY
✓ YES
VIRGIN BIRTH
✓ YES
PHYSICAL RESURRECTION
✓ YES
EXCLUSIVE SALVATION
✓ YES
BIBLICAL SEXUALITY
75%
BIBLICAL GENDER ROLES
✗ NO
TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
✓ YES
REJECTS LGBTQ LEADERSHIP
✓ YES
NO SAME-SEX MARRIAGES
✓ YES
SECONDARY (OPEN-HANDED)
33%
COMPLEMENTARIAN (NO WOMEN PASTORS)
✗ NO
PRACTICES CHURCH DISCIPLINE
✗ NO
HAS STATEMENT OF FAITH
✓ YES
WEIGHTS:
Essential 35% | Sexuality 25% | COVID 10% | Non-woke 10% | Statement
10% | Secondary 5% | Sermon 5%
PROBLEMATIC COVID RESPONSE
This church had a problematic response during the COVID-19
pandemic. According to "How to Find a Courageous Church" (page 6),
churches that "closed forever, had silly mask mandates, or made you
pre-register" demonstrated a lack of courage and faith.
SPECIFIC ISSUES:
- MASK MANDATES
- PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED
- EXTENDED CLOSURE
A courageous church trusts God's sovereignty and prioritizes
gathering believers for worship, teaching, and fellowship.
ALL REQUIRED CHURCH ELEMENTS PRESENT
This church has all seven required elements from page 10:
Preaching, Baptism, Communion, Corporate Prayer, Public Scripture
Reading, Offerings, and Worship Music.
VIRTUE SIGNALING LANGUAGE DETECTED
According to "How to Find a Courageous Church" pages 6-7, certain
words in church descriptions signal potential theological
compromise.
DOCUMENTED EXAMPLES:
Motto 'Love God. Love People. Change the World.' uses vague inclusive language. BLM support. Extended COVID compliance.
Red flag words include: tolerance, inclusion/inclusive, open,
affirming, accepting, welcoming, safe space, diversity, equity,
progressive
REASONS TO AVOID THIS CHURCH
• COMPROMISED ON BIBLICAL SEXUALITY
• WOKE STATUS:
SOFT_WOKE
• USES VIRTUE SIGNALING LANGUAGE
CHURCH ELEMENTS
7/7
Preaching/Teaching
YES
Baptism
YES
Lord's Table/Communion
YES
Corporate Prayer
YES
Public Scripture Reading
YES
Offerings
YES
Worship Music (Singing)
YES
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL RATING
80/100
Per Page 8 - Both Doctrine AND Community
THEOLOGICAL
70
Doctrine Score
RELATIONAL
85
Community Score
BALANCED - Strong in Both Areas
VIEW ALL DIMENSIONS (100% complete)
THEOLOGICAL SOUNDNESS
70
Doctrinal accuracy and biblical faithfulness
RELATIONAL WARMTH
85
Loving community and genuine fellowship
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
90
Programs and support for families with children
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
80
Outreach and service to the local community
WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
88
Quality of worship services and music
Page 8: "You need a church that is both theologically sound AND relationally warm.
A church with perfect doctrine but cold hearts is not following Christ's example.
A warm church with weak doctrine will eventually lead people astray."
STATEMENT OF FAITH ANALYSIS
64%
Per Page 4 - Check Doctrinal Statements
STATEMENT URL
https://www.willowcreek.org/our-beliefs-values
DOCTRINE ANALYSIS
+
Trinity
+
Biblical Inerrancy
+
Virgin Birth
+
Deity of Christ
?
Sinless Life of Christ
?
Substitutionary Atonement
+
Physical Resurrection
?
Second Coming
+
Exclusive Salvation
+
Hell/Eternal Judgment
?
Human Sinfulness
7
AFFIRMED
4
UNCLEAR
0
DENIED
MISSING DOCTRINES
These doctrines were not clearly found:
Sinless Life of Christ, Substitutionary Atonement, Second Coming, Human Sinfulness
PARSER NOTES
Analysis: 7/7 doctrines affirmed
Last analyzed: November 30, 2025 at 06:38 AM
WHAT WE CHECK FOR (Page 4)
Trinity: God as three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Biblical Inerrancy: Scripture is without error
Virgin Birth: Jesus born of virgin Mary
Exclusive Salvation: Salvation only through Christ
Hell: Literal eternal judgment
Physical Resurrection: Bodily resurrection of Christ
Deity of Christ: Jesus is fully God
QUICK FACTS
DENOMINATION
PRIMARY BIBLE TRANSLATION
NIV
+
TYPICAL SERMON LENGTH
35
MINUTES
+
POLITICAL ALIGNMENT
MODERATE
COVID RESPONSE
EXTENDED CLOSURE
-
• Mask mandates
• Preregistration required
BLM SUPPORT
YES -
COORDINATES
42.0853,
-88.1445
SOCIAL MEDIA ANALYSIS
(1
RED FLAG)
Per Pages 6-7 - Check Social Media
SOCIAL ACCOUNTS
X/TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/willowcreek
FACEBOOK:
https://facebook.com/willowcreek
INSTAGRAM:
https://instagram.com/willowcreekchurch
+
Rainbow flag
+
Pride month
+
Endorsed Dems
-
Woke indicators
Per "How to Find a Courageous Church" pages 6-7: Churches
displaying rainbow flags, celebrating Pride Month, or endorsing
political candidates have compromised their witness.
LEADERSHIP COMPOSITION
Per Pages 4, 6 - Leadership Team
Not Assessed
Leadership composition not yet assessed.
TREND TRACKING
Doctrinal drift & change history
DECLINING
10 events
CRITICAL
5
WARNING
0
TOTAL
10
RECENT CHANGES
W
Woke Status Changed
Nov 30, 2025
Woke status
unknown → soft_woke
S
Stance on Key Issue Changed
Nov 30, 2025
Uses virtue signaling language
N/A → true
S
Stance on Key Issue Changed
Nov 30, 2025
Social media woke indicators
N/A → true
S
Stance on Key Issue Changed
Nov 30, 2025
Endorsed democratic candidates
N/A → false
S
Stance on Key Issue Changed
Nov 30, 2025
Posted rainbow flag
N/A → false
DRIFT DETECTED
This church has shown concerning changes in doctrinal positions or stance on key issues.
Critical drift indicators present.
COURAGE RATING HISTORY
Nov 2025
48.0 → 42.0
(-6.0)
NET CHANGE:
-6.0
Tracking since Nov 2025
VIEW FULL TIMELINE ->
EVIDENCE GALLERY
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USER TESTIMONIES
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VISIT REPORTS
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SERMON ARCHIVE
Per Page 11 - Track Sermon Length
No Sermon Archive
avg 35 min
No sermons have been archived yet.
REPORTED LENGTH:
35 minutes
DRIVE TESTIMONIALS (0)
Per Page 11 - People Who Drive Here
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