Updated 12:47 pm.EST, Sun November 22, 2009

Church|Wed, Feb. 18 2009 02:10 PM EST

Willow Creek Chicago Pastor Admits to 'Sexual Impurity'

By Audrey Barrick|Christian Post Reporter

A pastor at one of the largest and most influential megachurches in the country resigned from his leadership position after admitting to "sexual impurity," according to a statement Tuesday by church officials.

The Rev. Steve Wu, who led Willow Creek Community Church's regional campus in Chicago, left his post last month. The congregation was informed of Wu's resignation during service on Jan. 25, according to the Chicago Tribune.

No specifics have been revealed about what actually took place but church officials stated that Wu has "taken full responsibility for his sin."

The former campus pastor has also "expressed a desire to participate in a restoration process," as reported by the local newspaper.

"We would ask you to pray diligently for Steve in these difficult days," according to Tuesday's statement, reported the Tribune.

Wu, 43, began pastoring Willow Chicago in 2006. It was the fifth campus of Willow Creek Community Church – the fourth largest megachurch in the country with 22,500 attendees, according to Outreach magazine's 2008 list. The megachurch, founded by the Rev. Bill Hybels, currently has six locations throughout Illinois.

Before his move to Chicago, Wu served as a pastor at Crosswinds Church in the San Francisco Bay Area and also provided leadership at Genesis Technology, Inc. and Twin Peaks Software.

While Willow Chicago searches for a new campus pastor, Todd Katter will be serving as interim campus pastor, according to the Tribune. Meanwhile, Wu has been removed from the church's web page.

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  • Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:50 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    No Way oldstudent » I never make mistakes NEVER (**chuckle chuckle yuck yuck**)

  • Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:37 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

    Sawnay-Rah,

    After looking at my post, I see that I missed a couple of words and changed the entire meaning. I was thinking faster than typing and missed some wording. You are correct. I meant to say that it is the love of money that is A root of all evil but I was completely unclear in my posting. Thank you for the correction.

    I am sure you have never done something like that have you? ;-)

    wrhalver,

    The better translations are truer to the Greek which say "a root" and "all" as in all kinds but not all individuals of all kinds. If money is the root of all evils, then all evil acts would be traced back to the love of money which all evils aren't traced back to the love of money.

    Cain hated and killed Abel not for money or the love of it but because his pride was hurt and he thought that God wasn't being fair so he took it out on his brother. Cain's hatred wasn't over money. Cain's murder of his brother wasn't over money either.
    The Israelis wanted to go back to Egypt while on the 40 year funeral march and that was evil. They thought they deserved better than what God gave them, it wasn't about money.
    David's lust of Bathsheeba, his having sex with her and his killing of her husband Uriah was evil but not motivated by love of money but desiring what he thought he should have because he knew better than God did (pride).

    The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil for sure but it isn't said to be the root of all evil in the Greek or most good translations of the Greek.

    "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
    The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Ti 6:10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

    Grace and Peace,
    Jim

  • Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:09 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    oldstudent » if you're going to use Scripture - please use it correctly. It is not Money that is the root it is the Love of Money - 1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

    If money itself was evil then most churches are evil - oh yeah in either cases it would apply since churches LOVE money so bad example LOL - I just noticed someone else said same thing so I will just post this anyway as a reminder LOL

  • Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:45 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Remember that, according to scripture, the love of money is the root of all evil.

    OldStudent
    1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

    Evil or Evils are worldly and not from the Father above. No arguement there. Lust and Pride are among the greatest of snares.

    The root cause, according to Timothy, is in the love of money.

    To cheerish Earthly treasures over Heavenly treasures.

  • Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:52 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    wrhalver,

    Money is not the root of evil, it is A root of all KINDS of evil.." (1 Tim 6.10). Big difference. Pride is the root of all evil really because we think we should have or do or whatever what we desire. We make ourselves an idol and try to replace God.

    forsalt,

    If he is truly repentent then yes, the hardest part is over (no un intended). It is a long road though when dealing with sexual sins for us guys. We are so...visual and our imagination requires no help from anybody else to kick into overdrive. We should certainly pray for him and all invloved (family, friends, congregants, etc.)

    Looking at the original newspaper article comments last ight...this sin has sulied His name, His church and people react quite rightly that we as a church (obviously not all believers but a very large majority of us) don't walk the walk but too many of us can certainly talk.

    Grace and Peace,
    Jim

  • Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:15 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Fullgospel - you said: I also believe that the devil wants to destroy Christianity any way he can. He'll attack any and all of us any way he can.

    When are we going to stop blaming the devil for the sins of man? Yes I know the devil will always try to trip someone up yes yes yes I agree. However the devil is just using bait that a person desires already. Let me explain if I may so you don't think I am against ya my friend. When you go bass fishing you don't use a hot dog to lure the bass to bite - right? Of course not - WHY? Because the bass has NO interest in hot dogs. His - the bass - desire is for worms or something shinny that looks like a hurt minnow right? YES! WHY? because that is what he wants. Likewise the only reason that Pastor got tripped up is because he still had lust in his heart. Look here to show forth my reasoning in this manner. Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

    I am not throwing this Pastor under the bus - I am however holding him accountable. Too many say 'The devil made me do it' instead of being accountable for their own actions. Restoration can only come when the man admits his responsibility for that action. Do you understand? I hope so.

  • Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:51 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 3

    I am deeply saddened by Wu's failure. Having been a pastor I feel deep pain for the church and the Church the Bride of Christ. I am deeply ashamed of WU.

    These moral failures with men in ministry happen so often, and the news carries this to the front page. Is it any wonder the world sees pastors in a bad weak light?

    These men who fall need to remove thenselves from ministry altogether forever. Restoration is to restore one back to Christ, and eventually into a church as a member, NOT TO MINISTRY!!!!!!!!

    When such sexual moral failures happens that disqualifies that person from positions of leadership. What is wrong with the churches that bring these men back to being a pastor? The position of pastor and ministeral leadership is a high calling. At some point these men made a very destructive choice. The responce of the church members should be forgiveness, but just a s person who committs a crime there is a price to pay for crime, there is a price for sexual moral failings, that cost is removal from church leadership for the rest of these sexual immoral men. I think it is time pastors are held to a higher moral standard. Beinf restored to a church is one thing that must always be the goal.

    This brakes my heart, I feel so sad for Willow Creek.


    farout63

  • Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:27 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 3

    Unless one attends this church and is affected by this incident what exactly is the reason for this article?

  • Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:59 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    AS Mathew

    Remember that, according to scripture, the love of money is the root of all evil.

    Personal responsibility begins with the Ten Commandments.

  • Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:57 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    We should pray for the reconciliation and restoration of this elder. There are many big issues with Willow Creek (partnering with the Emergents is a big one!) but my prayer is that this man will be reconciled and this will help to draw WC and the people leading WC to the Savior and not to apostasy with Emergent-like attitudes and doctrines. May restoration be complete and God to use this man after that restoration.

    Grace and Peace,
    Jim

  • Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:55 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

    I also believe that the devil wants to destroy Christianity any way he can. He'll attack any and all of us any way he can. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered; he knows it's true. We do need to lift each other up in prayer.

  • Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:01 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    It is very sad to hear that the Ministers of the gospel
    are trapped by the devil, and failed. The three
    traps are; women, money and fame. If the Minister
    has passed the first test, the devil will trap with the
    second test of money, and if there is no failure, then
    finally attacked with the last one called "fame". Only
    very few are passed through all the three testing.
    We all need to pray for the Christian leaders and Pastors
    to be victorious.

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