Two publishers have suspended publication or reprinting of books by Christian author Bill Hybels, following allegations of misconduct against the US pastor.
Hybels resigned from his position as senior pastor at Willow Creek Community Church an April 10 following ongoing allegations of inappropriate conduct with women there. He has denied the allegations of unwanted advances against women but the church, which he founded, is now investigating the matter further.
Tyndale House Publishers has now suspended the publication of Hybel's forthcoming title with the publisher, Everyone Wins When a Leader Gets Better, originally due for release in August, according to Publishers Weekly.
'We will make a final decision regarding potential publication after we absorb the facts and implications related to these allegations,' Tyndale House said. 'We take allegations of misconduct seriously, and we are deeply concerned for all involved, both those who have brought forth these allegations, as well as the Hybels family.'
IntervarsityPress (IVP) said that after consultation with Hybels it was now not reprinting his 1987 book Who You Are When No One's Looking or its companion study guide, though already existing copies will remain on sale. The future of books such as Too Busy Not to Pray (IVP), which has sold more than a million copies, is unknown.
A spokesman for Zondervan, which has also published several of Hybels' books, said: 'Though we do not have any projects currently in the pipeline for Mr Hybels, we take these allegations seriously and we continue to sort through the information as it is presented'.
