Willow Creek finds limits to its model

The Christian Century

This is somewhat old news, but a question (I think) all churches face. Please review the link for background.

Having read Diana Butler Bass's books on "practicing congregations," it was no surprise to me to hear of these findings from Willow Creek. Kudos to them for being flexible. Just a thought--how DO we get out of the mindset that if one checks off certain markers (such as program attendance) of institutional fidelity that spiritual growth will be the result? And how DO we establish the mindset that actually exploring and doing the spiritual disciplines individually and in community are instead the pathways for growth? In the words of Michael Foss's book, how do we shift from member to disciple?

Thoughts?