Lynne Hybels started Willow Creek Community Church in a rented movie theatre in 1974 with a young youth pastor named Bill. Despite intending to become a social worker, Lynne was pleased to start a church instead, convinced that God has given the local church a clear mandate to address the needs of "the whole person in the whole world." For years she has been involved with Willow's ministry partnerships in under-resourced communities in Latin America and in Africa. She is also an author, recently of Hope and Action and Nice Girls Don't Change the World.
Go to the Summit Next Steps website and click on Session 2 to find photos, videos, relevant links, session Q&A, and many more resources.
Session 2:
A few months ago I read an advance copy of Gary Haugen's latest book, Just Courage. I read it during a long flight; when I finished I wanted to run up and down the aisles and scream, "People! Do you realize what's going on in the world? Do you realize we have to do something?" I was angry, sad, grieving, yet hopeful-and so energized I could hardly sit still. I felt the same way after Gary's session at the Summit. I was literally vibrating with that same "I gotta' do something" energy.
I am haunted by Gary's question regarding people who suffer from violent oppression: How are they supposed to believe that God is good? Yes, how? I'm pretty sure that if I were a young woman trapped in the horror of a brothel I would not think God was good. But what if someone rescued me? And showered me with loving care? And told me they did it because the God who created me wants me to be free? I get chills just thinking about that. Don't you?
After reading Gary's book I contacted an artist friend to see if we could come up with a fundraising project for IJM. Thanks to my friend's creativity and the cooperation of IJM we were able to create a beautiful portrait series of three women whose lives have been transformed through the work of IJM. We scrambled to get the portraits done in time for the Summit, so if you're in South Barrington you can purchase them by the IJM booth in the lobby or upstairs in Seeds. 100% of the suggested $25 donation for each portrait will go directly to IJM. If you're at a satellite site, you can find out how to order them on my website: http://www.lynnehybels.com/ijm.asp
I know how easy it is to be deeply moved by some need or cause, but then in the rush and chaos of everyday life, you forget about it. You don't intend to, but it happens. That's why I wanted to create a visual image that would keep the needs of oppressed people "in my face"-on the desk in my office and in my living room at home-and that would also be a conversation-starter, a beautiful yet haunting image that would compel people to ask me about it, giving me the opportunity to share what I've learned about injustice.
I also need to continually ground my lifestyle and calling in scripture. Several years ago a friend challenged me to read Isaiah 58 every day for 30 days. Through the prophet God asks: "Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free?" The entire chapter-which I did read for 30 days in a row-is a passionate call to fight for justice. I believe it's also a mandate for any church that is serious about pursuing God's purpose of redeeming and restoring all things in this broken world. "Fight for justice," God says, and "your light will rise in the darkness...you will be like a well-watered garden...you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings...you will find your joy in the Lord...you will ride on the heights of the land." I'm not a theologian or a church-expert, but that sounds like a prevailing church to me! (I wonder what would happen during the next year if every pastor and church leader attending the Summit would read Isaiah 58 every day for 30 days. If you decide to give it a try, I'd love to hear about the impact it has in your life and church.)
I am so thankful for organizations like IJM that give ordinary Christians like me a way to respond to the call of Isaiah 58. Bill and I have been praying that Gary's session would inspire thousands of church leaders to DO SOMETHING to fight the evil of injustice.
* We can all do that by learning more about the ministry of IJM and financially supporting their ministry.
* We also need to become intentional about understanding and fighting injustice in our own communities.
The combination of Gary's talk and Wendy Kopp's interview led Bill and me into a lengthy discussion about the horrible injustice in the Chicago public school system. Less than an hour from our top-notch Barrington schools, students in Chicago sit in dilapidated classrooms with outdated textbooks and empty computer labs. And 99% of the people in our congregation aren't even aware of that! God seriously chastised us last night as we talked about this, and we need to figure out how to respond. Did he similarly chastise you?
Here's the truth for all of us attending the Summit: We have been blessed so we can be a blessing! We have been given freedom so we can help to free others! We have been called to move beyond triviality and fear and be brave for Jesus! (Thank you, Gary, for saying that. I will definitely write that sentence on a note card and tape it on the mirror in my bathroom.) Let's not waste the incredible opportunities we have to make a difference in the world. Let's not be content with opening jelly jars when we can open doors to freedom and hope.
