Robert Morris, the pastor of the Gateway Church in Texas, has challenged congregants at Willow Creek Church to a money-back guarantee if they tithe for a year, yet see no change in their finances.
The megachurch pastor, who is known as ‘prosperity preacher’, was visiting Willow Creek church when he delivered his offer. He states that he has offered the same thing in his church for 22 years, and no one has taken up his offer.
According to the Roys Report, he was invited to Willow Creek after the church’s tithes have dropped significantly after the sacking of their high profile pastor, Bill Hybels.
“Thousands and thousands” had seen their lives changed after starting to give 10% of their income regularly, Morris said. “I’ve done this with our church. I’ve told our church on multiple occasions, I’ve said to them, if you’ll try it for one year, if you are not fully satisfied at the end of that year, I’ll give you your money back. In 22 years of church no one’s ever asked for money (back).”
Morris preached Sunday on “The Principle of First” as part of Willow Creek’s five-part sermon series “More Than Money.” The series coincides with a major giving campaign underway now at Willow Creek.
Willow Creek responded to reports of Morris’s message. When asked about Morris’ money-back guarantee, Willow Creek Executive Pastor Tim Stevens said Willow is spreading the word about God’s miraculous provision — not a prosperity gospel.
Willow Creek was once one of the country’s most powerful and successful churches. Its Willow Creek Leadership Summit was a globally recognized event, and Pastor Hybels was a celebrity speaker sought all over the world. His sacking has had a devastating affect on the church.
Pastor Morris is the senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multicampus church based in Dallas-Fort Worth. Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 100,000 active attendees. His television program airs in over 190 countries, and his radio program, Worship & the Word with Pastor Robert, airs in more than 2,800 radio markets across America.
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