I wanted to comment on this article
I read the following headline on matthewpaulturner.net
MARK DRISCOLL’S ‘GOSPEL SHAME’: THE TRUTH ABOUT DISCIPLINE, EXCOMMUNICATION, AND CULT-LIKE CONTROL AT MARS HILL
Btw. That is the title of the article I read. I in no way endorse the headline. But I wanted to comment on the content of the article. Continue reading to learn what my view are on this subject.
It is my general “policy” to walk in perfect love towards all. This includes Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll. I also try to accept the fact that in the body of Christ, we are bound to disagree with some ministers and ministries on some issues. And some will disagree with us. For example, Mars Hill do not favor women in ministry whereas we do. Does that mean that I do not respect their ministry or Mark Driscoll? No. Everything is not black and white. We do not have to agree on everything to walk together. Disagreements do not make us weaker. Only if we let it. Disagreements can be a testimony to the variety within the Body of Christ.
I disagree with Mars Hill’s views on women. I disagree with their harsh criticism of other ministries and ministers. I disagree with their authoritarian style of disciplining members publicly. And a variety of other topics. BUT you know what, I respect them on a host of other issues. They love Jesus. They make His gospel known. And obviously thousands of people love Mars Hill, and I respect that.
On the specific issue of public disciplining members of the Church. No, I would never do that. We lead by example, by vision, by sharing the Word. But, imho the Church should not seek to control how its members live their lives. Does that mean I approve of sin in the Church? Certainly in extreme cases Churches are justified in acting. However, I also judge that there should be room for sinners in the Church, yes. In fact, I don’t believe the Church should view people in light of being “sinners” or “righteous”. A person is not a sinner or a saint, he is simply a wonderfully made person, made in the image of God. We should treat all people with respect, and not try to shape them into our own image. If a person seeks pastoral counsel, this is done in confidence, which means that the pastor should not take it public. Period. A member should be able to trust that what a person says to a pastor does not leave the room. Too many pastors try to help where help was never asked for. We have to respect people’s privacy and right to choose their own life’s decisions.
Shouldn’t pastors teach what is right and wrong? Sure. From the pulpit, or when asked. But imho we do not have the right to try to control our Church members. We are here to serve. Not to control. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know. Otherwise, I will let you be. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict of sin, not mine. If you feel convicted of sin, let us pray together. We all need His help in our weaknesses. We can all use a helping hand. Pastors too. We are not the elite. We are people too. Any attempt to raise Pastors on a pedestal, to make us out to be something that we aren’t is futile. Jesus advocated leadership through service. Being a pastor is simply a function. A function of direction, vision, inspiration, teaching, prayer, counsel, etc. We are in this together. In the Body of Christ. Peace.
As far as women in ministry goes, I believe in women’s equal worth and calling to be anything from pastors to business leaders to presidents. Period. Women are not secondary to men. They are marvelously made in the image of God, with equal divine purposes and destiny as men. God created us different, yes. With different sets of skills and talents, yes. This way we compliment each other and can contribute uniquely in the body of Christ. But I reject that men are in any fashion of greater importance than women. So if you are a woman and feel the calling of God on your life, and if your Church won’t let you minister, do not despair. Come work with us! (Partly kidding) What I am really saying is, let no man hinder you from fulfilling God’s calling on your life. I know of a wonderful 26 year old woman who planted over a hundred Churches for Christ in China. I know of another woman who planted over a hundred Churches in Africa. Praise the Lord! I look forward to when God will raise up women like that in the USA. Maybe it’s you!!
Finally, let me emphasize that this is not really a criticism of Mars Hill and Marc Driscoll, as much as it is a clarification of where we view certain issues differently. I wish the best for their ministry and pray that God continues to bless, increase and guide Mars Hill and Marc Driscoll. We are the body of Christ, baptized into one body. Though we are many, we are one.
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1 comment(s) left
Thanks for your declaration that God’s love should be the primary message from the pulpit–or the counseling chair. Your own ministry [in Sweden], as shown in your publications, is laced with compassion, empathy, and humility. It may be difficult for you to recon with a West Coast ministry that derides its congregants, is vindictive in its application of the Word, and dominates its members. I won’t even go into Driscoll’s ideology concerning woman, as his attitude is so common here it is thought to be Christian theological truth.
I find myself concerned about the burgeoning ideology of Mars Hill, having heard from one brother who left that church, as well as my stepson, a counselor in the Seattle area, who’s had several of Driscoll’s spiritual “rejects” come to his door. Shunned, unable to make amends in the unforgiving atmosphere of Driscoll’s church, these people need counsel not only for their sins of commission, but the terrible emotional toll of being rejected by an entire community of believers for having committed that sin.
We are easily led astray, easily enticed. No wonder we’re often compared to sheep. Religion carries both the way to Christ, as well as the potential for error and loss of that Way. I cannot say enough about this subject having spent a lifetime skirting the blackened and twisted roots on which so many stumble and fall.