Seeker Sensitive Origin

Hi Researchers,

I'm trying to figure out where the origin of the term "seeker-sensitive" came from. I did a library search and came up with an entry in Religions A to Z which claims it's Bill Hybels, but I have found no hard evidence. The term is in a book I'm in the middle of reading, and I'm wondering who coined it. Google is not helping me either.

I promise I'm not trying to start a flame war about this topic. But if anyone is determined to go that way, at least give me the courtesy of a heads up so I can get the popcorn ready.

Thanks, Bill

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David Paul

I don't know that he is the first person to have that phrase pass through his lips, but he is the one with whom the phrase is associated and who popularized it.

Kent

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/592253#Comment_592253

From D. A. Carson, "Probably the best known and most widely imitated “seeker-sensitive” church is Willow Creek. A couple of decades ago, Hybels set out to discover why people in his area did not attend church. The music was too old-fashioned; the services were too boring; the language was old-fashioned and irrelevant; and so forth. Out of concern to evangelize, Hybels established “seeker services” on Sunday that dispense with creeds and hymnals and most corporate singing, but hum with drama, music groups at a professional quality, and a message that aims to address people where they are. Somewhat more traditional services, for the committed Christians who attend, are held midweek, and hundreds of small groups provide Bible studies, prayer times, help to particular groups (e.g., divorced persons, the mentally handicapped). Three times a year Willow Creek sponsors a conference to explain to the five hundred or so church leaders who attend just how it is done. There is now an association of over seven hundred Willow Creek-style churches."

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism, Fifteenth Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 474.

abondservant

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/592258#Comment_592258

Part of the "Church growth movement". IIRC

Mark Smith

Lots of quotes here. Hybels was considered seeker-driven but I don't know whether he coined the term. Warren specifically identified himself as seeker-sensitive in contrast to Hyblel's approach. Who invented the terms??? No idea.

William Gabriel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/592268#Comment_592268

Part of the "Church growth movement". IIRC

Yeah, from what I can tell, the Church Growth Movement started in the ~60s [Wikipedia has a little info, or Logos:EDT, Logos:ECV123] by McGavran. When I think of it, I think of Peter Wagner and Robert Schuller.

From there, it appears the Seeker Sensitive movement began in ~80s as the second generation of the Church Growth Movement, with guys like Hybels and Warren studying CGM and adapting it to their methods.

But the term is so pervasive now that it's hard to find its root. And I wanted to try and get my facts straight as I think through what I'm reading.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/592362#Comment_592362

I guess we can safely assume we're talking humans. Although Robert Schuller sure brings back memories. Was it the 'Hour of Power' or maybe someone else.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/592387#Comment_592387

"Seeker-sensitive", are we talking predator drones? [;)]

Brother Mark

The concept of Seeker services is an old one that goes back to at least the Great Awakening in the U.S., and more recently was in wide use by D.L. Moody (google "D.L. Moody seeker" for some germane hits).

David P. Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/592292#Comment_592292

Hybels was considered seeker-driven but I don't know whether he coined the term.

The earliest mention I found of the phrase in reference to church growth is this article from the Baltimore Sun in 1991:

But Hybels is not mentioned. And in 1993 Edward G. Dobson published a book through Zondervan on the topic. Articles about it picked up through the mid-to late 90's. Before 1991, the phrase was used on occasion to describe missile behavior.

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/592834#Comment_592834

The concept of Seeker services is an old one that goes back to at least the Great Awakening in the U.S.,

Well if one considers catechumenates as seekers, seeker services go back to the early church when the catechumenates were dismissed before the eucharist/Lord's Supper.