Although it is a very sad situation, is so refreshing to see the way a Christian handles this sin. Accepting it, blaming no one but himself, and asking for forgiveness. The devil will always prey on the church, and we need to pray for strength in our Christian leaders to withstand his temptations,and asking for double portion of God's almighty power and wisdom.

Sad story. Yet the good news he took responsibility for his actions and hopes for restoration. Maybe it is none of our business to know the exact nature of the 'sexual impurity' even though it could mean a great number of things.

What's sad is that this is a national news story. I hope a pastor is caring for him right now.

If every Christian minister guilty of "sexual impurity" publicly confessed it and resigned, we'd have an even more serious dearth of leadership than we currently do. It's a big and widespread problem, and no one seems to know what exactly to do about it. I pray for the Lord's mercies for Pastor Wu.

In reference to Matt's posted comment above, top Christian leadership in our country is very aware of this widespread issue of pastoral care involved with "sexual impurity." Go to www.awakeningamerica.us to learn more about a non-partisan, broad coalition of denominations, nationally prominent Christian leaders, churches, ministries, parachurchministries, and men and women of God from every walk of life who are taking decisive action to increase awareness of the deep spiritual need in our nation and who are PRAYING for our country and our brothers and sisters in ministry.

The reason this sort of thing is 'big news' is because megachurch leaders hold such 'big' power. It is very much in vogue right now in the evangelical church of America to place a charismatic person in the limelight and give them much adulation. Of course this sort of thing (a fall) is bound to happen at times. What ever happened to the idea of elevating the quiet life of christian servitude instead of lauding individuals? Exalting men and women, however spiritual they may be, obscures our view of the real deal, the Suffering Servant who gave His life for us all. True leaders are those simple people who simply serve Jesus on a daily basis, and I do not think there is a dearth of such leaders in our country today. God has a way of keeping His Church protected and intact.

Christian leaders have a greater responsibility to keep themselves pure. They are given that when they are called by God to be leaders. "Avoid all appearances of evil". Leaders must recognize that they are going to be tried and tempted daily because Satan and the world want them to sin and fall. This is part of life as a pastoral leader.

These are the last days. The enemy is against the frontline soldiers. We need more prayer for each other in ministry instead of envy and division. God forgives repentance. Man takes a lifetime to forgive considering his daily attitude and psychological construct. Let's follow Gal.6:1-2..if a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness,considering thyself,lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill ye the law of Christ.Jesus is coming..we cannot afford to lose one soul to Satan

This matter of pastoral/ministerial involvement in intimate impurity is not only a USA problem, it is roaming the christian world. The Prince of Darkness succeeds on weak ministers only. Pastors who wake up with Christ and go back to bed at night with the Lord, are hardly ever tempted to go astray on sexual violations and adventures. However, nobody is excempt from falling. That's why when the spiritual going gets tough, only the spiritually tough get going. May the Lord help and guide our ministers. God bless and guard the Church.

"If every Christian minister guilty of "sexual impurity" publicly confessed it and resigned, we'd have an even more serious dearth of leadership than we currently do". So says a post, which was quickly followed by this response: "True leaders are those simple people who simply serve Jesus on a daily basis, and I do not think there is a dearth of such leaders in our country today".

If you are the pastor of a "mega-Church" then you and your members should expect "mega fall-out" when your "sin" is discovered and hits the media. "What great men do the least will prattle of". "Mega-Church" leaders with mega-salaries, and mega-egos must expect mega-coverage and exposure when something goes wrong in their lives. And it makes little sense blaming the media.

The people in our churches who are living the way they should seldom seek, or receive media attention. How is it that these saints never get the opportunity to pastor "mega-churches"?

In the recent past too many mega-church pastors have been "falling" after being accused of everything from adultery to homosexuality and drug use. Could it be that mega-churches are elevating the wrong persons to leadership based on the wrong criteria? Or that charisma has replaced character as the main qualification for (mega)church leadership? If so, we will have more humiliating "falls" followed by the embarassing and depressing media fallout.

As a long standing member of the Willow Creek Community Church (Barrington campus) and an infequent visitor to the Chicago campus...I offer my prayers for all leaders in all Churches leading their respective communties through so much uncertainties in these troubling times....I also offer my prayers to the Leaders of this country...this state...and the cities and towns we reside in.

Willow Creek is not an overnight megachurch...it began 33 years ago in a movie theater in Palatine, Illinois and has grown over these years under the leadership of the visionary who was called by God to lead. Pastor Hybels is a very humble servant who loves the people in his Church and I can speak with authority...the Church loves him right back because of that. God Bless Pastor Wu for handling his weakness in the proper manner. We are praying for you and love you Pastor Wu.

The comment above (marianne at February 20, 2009) is full of wisdom, and I too fear anytime a human is elevated and lauded. However, I have visited Willow several times, and have a relative that is a full member there, and it appears to me that compared with other "large" churches, this one does a good job of keeping their adoration of the ministers quite low, and the emphasis is on community and service by all and to all. I just agonize with them with this news. We are all human, and will fall often - Even Peter could hardly refrain from his pride in being Jewish and his elevation of himself over those he saw as less than he. We all fall - what we must have is a community of Christians who can absorb that reality and help each other as we do fall - and of course, refrain from the temptation to elevate any person above others, because - we all fall.

Speaking as someone who's sexuality has been a life-long hindrance, I have yet to understand how being a pastor in the second largest church in the country within the third largest city in the country wasn't enough of an incentive to stay clear of sexual opportunity.

When I first entered Willow (Barrington) I had an urge to kick over the coffee kiosks, the "restaurant" that via big screen, allows familys to view the ongoing service, from the comfort of thier breakfast table. I was apalled. Out of respect to my mother's vanity, I DID NOT react as I felt I should. I joined the 'herd'. I vollunteered to work with A/V, and was promptly placed on a broadcast camera. I learned a lot about equipment, and broadcast, using advanced equipment that the local affiliates of broadcast did not have yet. I served with men who worked for the major networks for the same reasons...we could not find this 'training' at any school or studio. MY FIRST involvement with Bill Hybels, was to try to shake his hand, as we exited a service, and he 'greeted the congregation'. I simply stated, "NICE JOB WITH ENTRAINMENT". Hybels let go of my hand as if I had given him an electrical shock, said nothing, and promtly left the area, leaving over a hundred people still waiting to shake his hand. Since I have been 'called in' by church staff, and warned NOT TO TALK SUCH CRAZY TALK". I have psychology text books that instruct how to use lights, and sound to stimulate the brain. The high powered 'concert lights' actually flashed into the eyes of the congregation. The music contains hidden messages such as "I'm so cold, I'm all alone, and more'.The video contains messages that are not illegal, as they skirt the methods of the law. Since...I have been removed from the main stage, and relagated to taping "classes" offered at Willow. I have searched the church, and there is only One Cross. It is displayed during mass Baptisms only. Then put away. I KNOW this is not what Christ wanted. There is no room to kneel if we were asked. But we are encouraged to raise our hands to the LORD. I have NEVER participated in a service that asked the believers to kneel and pray at Willow. The applause that is offered, is for well done music, or 'sermons'. The praise is for the performers, with GOD as an afterthought. I have found that when I discuss these issues with other participants, I gather a large crowd. There are CHRISTIANS that thirst for the truth of CHRIST. Yet, cannot find a church that does not employ Willow's methods. If there are no pews, there is no cross on the altar, and the music is not what your grandparents sang, you are in the wrong place. Kneel at home, where no-one can see or hear, and repent.Then make atonement where you can. Above all, search for GOD, the creator....HE who is "I AM THAT I AM" Serving in a church like this, is in my opinion, a sacrilage if you are satisfied with the "show". CHRIST is coming, and HE is not happy. We may all burn. But try to find the one true GOD that your lineage worshiped.We've used up all of our mercy. Now, only the grace of CHRIST can save us now. You'll know you've found the one true GOD, when you have fear of HIS wrath, yet fear nothing else, as HE is with you in everything. CHRIST made it real simple for our work here. As HE rose to heaven, He gave us one commandment. "Love one another". The next begger you see may be CHRIST. Will you avoid HIM?

The above is my opinion of what I know. Remember, even the devil can preach for CHRIST....if it serves him. I continue to attend, not for the worship offered, but for the worship I recieve and know to be true.If you are gay, GOD still loves you. HE loves all sinners. Yet, HE has given us 'free will' while on earth. Even at Willow, a Christian can worship GOD. It's all what is in your heart. In a way, WCCC type churches, DO bring CHRIST across the world. Just remember who you came to honor. The musician? The speaker? ....I go to worship GOD. There are still churches that serve Christ, but they are small, and hard to find.Even in a small, humble church, the devil does his work. Gossipers, and those who 'pretend to know more about GOD than you. Personnaly, I don't know anyone who heard GOD speak to him/her. It's only in your heart. With each action we make while alive, we add another brushstroke to our self portrait. Good works, and the like will not save you. Have faith in the GOD of all creation. Bill Hybels will be judged by his self portrait. There is no 'evasion of thought' there. We will be judged on our faith, and by free will effort of having searched out the one true GOD. Attending Willow will not damn you. Joining the herd will. The comment above, was not to slander Hybel's efforts, it was to give my opinion of how we need to begin our search fot our salvation.

Steve, I wish to speak to you directly here. I hear what you are saying and one of the reasons I believe that you gather crowds when expressing your doubts about Willow is that we are all struggling to follow Christ's way. I was raised a Catholic and when my marriage began to fall apart I went to Willow to see what the Christians were saying about divorce. Was I going to burn in hell or not became a growing concern. What I have learned through Willow is that I am not going to burn in hell Thank God. And I have learned from my slap in the face to the Catholic Church and my family for leaving their faith is that we are here to follow Christ not the Church. So attend where you attend like you said and worship the living God. Unfortunately, I have moved from the Willow area and am still struggling to find a new church. May God Bless You in your journey.