Church, which has been called “the definitive study of the most influential church in North America.”30 His aim, of course, is to be scholarly and objective. So in as neutral a stance as possible, he presents his work in two self-explanatory halves: “Understanding the Willow Creek way of doing church” and “Evaluating the Willow Creek way of doing church.” It is in the second half where both affirmations and critical evaluations are made. Two of his criticisms seem intensely significant for our discussion.