Willow Creek pastor clarifies stance on gays

Statement follows cancellation of Starbucks CEO speech at conferenceBy Manya A. Brachear
 August 11, 2011


Amid accusations that Willow Creek Community Church promotes an “anti-gay agenda,” the Rev. Bill Hybels today tried to clear the air by clarifying the church’s views on homosexuality.

“We challenge homosexuals and heterosexuals to live out the sexual ethics taught in Scriptures, which encourage sexual expression between a man and a woman in the context of marriage,” said Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek. He added that the Bible prescribes “sexual abstinence and purity for everyone else.”

This week, Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks Coffee Co., canceled his scheduled appearance after a petition posted at change.org asked him to denounce Willow’s views about homosexuality before speaking there.

Earlier this summer, the coffee company clarified that it had “zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind” after an openly gay East Coast barista said he was berated and fired for discussing his personal life.  the rest