Some feedback received from the event…
Thank you for all the work and prayer you put into organising the leaders gathering in Dublin last week. This was a whole new experience for me having a renowned leader like Bill Hybels , with his wealth of experience just making himself available to us to ask him questions on whatsoever was on our hearts. This was truly a unique opportunity to learn and to grow.
I’m so grateful to God for the leading of His Spirit in my Church and in my ministry. That said I have much to learn and I found that I was challenged in many areas. For example I was found his 4 circles from the explorers on the one side of the cross to the mature Christians and those in between on the other side, really challenged me. Having a good age and gender mix at every meeting was also highlighted. This may seem obvious but I saw how we have failed in some of these areas and sadly have lost some members especially our young ones.
I was personally encouraged in many areas also and I know what I have learned will return to me over the coming years.
I found Bill to be a gentle, wise and humble servant of God. I would like to encourage him with this. (I don’t have his personal email address).
I was sad to see that at one stage he was spoken to in an unloving way by one of the women present. He handled this with dignity and love. This too was a credit to him. I am proud of him in our wonderful Lord and I pray that God will continue and richly bless him in the days and years ahead.
Jeanne Whelan, Evangelical Alliance Ireland
The Bill Hybel’s workshop for leaders was an excellent experience. Concepts previously learnt from Bill and others were reinforced, and new concepts were introduced. Bill’s approach was stimulating and forced me to think and reconsider some of long-held opinions. He handled the questions well and in particular the way he dealt with an awkward contribution from the floor was full of humility, graciousness and integrity.
Kieran Taylor, Hope Centre
“Once again Bill’s experience was of incalculable value. His heart was exposed and we saw the man behind the ‘machine’ – aching for those far from God – and we cheer him on in his pursuit of God’s purposes, for as he does so, we know that we all benefit.”
Chris Hollies
Really enjoyed the day with Bill. Very inspirational and thought provoking….
He is so humble and ready to share from his wealth of experience. I’m so glad I was there.
There was 1 long negative comment in Dublin that I and I’m sure the whole room was cringing over but Bill was so gracious about it and really earned even more of our already enormous respect. I fail to understand her.
Really appreciate the time given so generously and all the years of experience and wealth of knowledge gained shared so openly and simply…a very encouraging day
Thanks so much
Karen Farrar, Crinken Church
As a Dubliner born and raised and with a desire to see Gods Kingdom come in Ireland, receiving input from leaders like Bill is invaluable. The harvest is truly plentiful here and God is raising leaders and labourers but we need help and it was a delight for us to have Bill take the time to visit with and impart his experience and wisdom with us.
Steve Gilmore, Every Nation Dublin
“Thank you Bill for your candid “warts and all” sharing of the highs and lows of your incredible experience of the phenomenal growth and influence of your own local church which you have led and pastored so effectively since its inception.”
Peter Thompson, Edenderry Methodist Church, Portadown
I went to the Leaders Gathering with a group of our senior leaders and as always Pastor Bill excelled in his major skill…communication. Bill has a way of telling you a story over and over and captivating you every time. We all found the conference rewarding, enlightening and extremely beneficial. I pulled our staff in next day over lunch to share some of Bill insights.
Philip Emerson, Emmanuel Church, Lurgan
For the record, I would not be part of the slightly unique crowd of pastors if it was not for people like Bill who talks the dominant world language of business. I am grateful for his passion and the way he says what he means in a way that normal people can understand and employ in Kingdom business. Please add my name to the list of thanks!
Sorry, one extra thought – Bill said he was not expecting a reward the size of other church leaders who face pain and hardship for the King – you needed to have been there for this bit – but it was one of those hear my heart beat moments – humility beyond expectations.
For Jesus’ fame
Tim Silk, Kill of the Grange Church, Co Dublin
Just returned from a “Leaders Gathering” with Bill Hybels in Dublin. Really good day. I am very thankful for a guy like Bill, honest and sincere and humble to the core, and very inspiring. His passion for seing the church prevail and lost people come to know Christ is absolutely contagious.
Blessings,
Erich Fischer, Nazarene Community Church, Greystones, Co Wicklow
I regularly thank God for Bill Hybels, his leadership experience and his willingness to share it. I was especially glad that we had 4 of our leadership team there in Dublin. Each of us thought it a worthwhile day, and lamented that a few other leaders weren’t able to make it. It was just another WCA event that feeds our souls and calls us to be the best that we can be!
Bill was excellent in content and delivery, and as always he commands my respect and admiration, not to mention gratitude, for his willingness to serve churches and leaders.
I can only PRAY that some day I might have his kind of leadership prowess. Until then, both he and Willow Creek continue to be an inspiration to me and to our church.
Thanks WCA. Thanks Bill – The Lord bless you and keep you throughout these coming days in Europe!!
Blessings!
Gareth Mills, Thriving Life Church, Bangor
The highlights for me were learning from Bill’s considerable leadership wisdom and gift and the tenderness of his heart toward the unsaved neighbour he spoke about who came to Christ. I also felt that the uneasy moment when Bill had to respond to a comment of negative feedback from one young lady was important. There has been so much party politicing in church circles that there has seldom been room for anyone to raise their head above the parapet and express their opinion even if it differs from the majority. I am grateful for that young lady expressing her view and am concerned that many in the meeting may have dismissed this as disrespectful too quickly. We need the zeal of youth as well as the wisdom of experience and the seasoning of time and I want to applaud Bill and the team for allowing questions and answers that give people room to ask questions and express an opinion. This is much more compelling. I also want to applaud Bill for the humility that he showed in dealing with this young woman and the fire in her eyes. He did not dismiss her out of hand and for me that was the moment when he grew in my eyes.
Bill’s leadership gift, his heart of love for Christ and people, open platforms for discussion and honest questions are what made this day most worthwhile.
Jason Shiels, South City Church, Dublin
The Leaders Gathering was a great experience for myself and the team I brought with me.
The location was ideal, the venue brilliant, the food good, and the room was ideal.
But what made it really special was Bill and just who he is.
He gave of himself, and showed us his heart.
Brilliant!
I hope he comes back again soon.
John White, St John’s Church, Lurgan
I really enjoyed the conference and appreciated that it was in Dublin…
One of the quotes that impacted me and was applicable to my life immediately was “Fuzziness is the arch-enemy of Leadership.” I can see many areas in my leadership and even my personal life that are fuzzy. Having the courage to make these tough decisions that can bring clarity into situations is very valuable and needed for leading people.
Noel Cammack, Portlaoise Family Worship Centre, Co Kilkenny
I was truly blessed and enjoyed the time we had at the conference. It seems in this day and age, so many are in pursuit of increasing Church attendance and trying to mimic models in hope of gaining the success of others, but besides some great practical teaching and good Q & A, I feel that we saw something of the “person” that is required to be used by God. Bill modeled a longing for God to impact the lives of individuals and a true humility and understanding of our fragile condition and uttermost need for dependance on God. It is no wonder God has used him the way He has.
Thanks again,
James Krechnyak, Portlaoise Family Worship Centre, Co Kilkenny
