Mars Hill Pastor Who Called for Driscoll's suspension terminated/video

[BlackPlatypus]

[h=1]Mars Hill pastor terminated from position[/h]On August 22, nine current Mars Hill pastors submitted an accusatory letter to church leadership demanding Mark Driscoll step down from his role as lead pastor.


The letter describes a "lack of transparency" and creating a "culture of fear." It also accuses Mark Driscoll of misrepresenting the condition of the church and his leadership.


One of the pastors who signed the letter, Pastor Mark Dunford, was terminated on August 27, five days after the letter was submitted, sources tell KING 5. Dunford was an unpaid lay pastor at Mars Hill Portland.
Sources tell KING 5 the reason for his termination was "rebellion against the church."
The other pastors who signed the letter were called into a meeting Thursday with Mars Hill leadership. (Full Article)


Mars hill is in such chaos now. Lets surround them in our prayers so the good people of the congregation can find peace in the midst of all this.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

Christian Post Report:
[h=1]Mars Hill Pastor Who Called for Mark Driscoll's Suspension Terminated for 'Rebellion Against the Church'[/h]

 

[Desdichado]

Perhaps it is best for his mega church to collapse into several smaller units.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

It looks like that may be what's going to happen. One of the controversy's that surrounded Mark Driscoll while he was still pastor at Mars Hill was his relieving other pastors of their posts.

[video=youtube;5Iz5nDJy1FA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Iz5nDJy1FA[/video]

Now he's behind the bus. Sadly, it seems like there is so much strife at this church that the sheep and the goats are being weeded out.

 

[breno785au]

This all just sounds like gossip to me.

 

[Allin]

I heard some negative things about Driscoll before this. They say he is abusive. He says that America is full of "pussified" males, and they say he created a "culture of fear" in his church. Driscoll's book and teachings on marriage tend to mention and focus on issues that are controversial or just improper. He's said a lot of prideful and arrogant things. What is actually going on?

 

[Agricola]

power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely!

 

[gb9]

I have listened to him online for years and have enjoyed and been blessed by him. but here lately, it is hard for even someone like myself to defend him.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

I heard some negative things about Driscoll before this. They say he is abusive. He says that America is full of "pussified" males, and they say he created a "culture of fear" in his church. Driscoll's book and teachings on marriage tend to mention and focus on issues that are controversial or just improper. He's said a lot of prideful and arrogant things. What is actually going on?

He's used a pseudonym in order to speak wrongly on the website:

Mark Driscoll Addresses Crude Comments Made Trolling as 'William Wallace II'

Mars Hill pastor says 14-year-old posts were 'plain wrong' and he 'remain embarrassed,' but 'I have changed.'

Ruth Moon
[ posted 8/1/2014 05:08PM ]



Sometimes the Devil finds an inroad into the heart of God's people. They're bolstered by success thinking they're delivering God's word in such a way as to be given bounty and fame by God himself. And while that could be true in that God is blessing the delivery of their ministry and for the souls that are resonating to the word of truth, it can be instead a whisper of the adversary disguised. Because while Satan can quote scripture and appear as an angel of light, being he was the light bringer, the glare can get into the eyes of those who are still clinging to their carnal side.

And because that is Satan's hunting ground, he sees that opening, that little spark of the old self. Because the new one is but a false cloak donned as a means and method for obtaining riches and glory. Sometimes the Devil coats his disciples in gold so that we are distracted by the glimmer of sparkly things that speak of Heaven, while Hell churns inside them.

 

[Allin]

Sometimes the Devil finds an inroad into the heart of God's people. They're bolstered by success thinking they're delivering God's word in such a way as to be given bounty and fame by God himself. And while that could be true in that God is blessing the delivery of their ministry and for the souls that are resonating to the word of truth, it can be instead a whisper of the adversary disguised. Because while Satan can quote scripture and appear as an angel of light, being he was the light bringer, the glare can get into the eyes of those who are still clinging to their carnal side.

And because that is Satan's hunting ground, he sees that opening, that little spark of the old self. Because the new one is but a false cloak donned as a means and method for obtaining riches and glory. Sometimes the Devil coats his disciples in gold so that we are distracted by the glimmer of sparkly things that speak of Heaven, while Hell churns inside them.

The best advice I have found in the Bible on making a final decision or final judgment on a matter is 1Cor. 4:5 where Paul says unequivocally, "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart. Then each one's praise will come from God." "Judge nothing before the time" means "hold off judgement" until the Lord gives full clarity on everything about the issue. He alone knows "the hidden things of darkness" (anything that we haven't or can't experience with our natural senses fit here) and "the counsels of the heart" which is a person's motivation and intentions.

The only thing I find wrong with what Driscoll said above is the fact he said it as a pastor. Except for his frustrated tone and words, what he says at least above is basically true. I have listened to James Dobson (and Christian radio in general), and it just seems like the men who talk on these shows use tampons or pads. If you saw it from this side, you might see the same thing. I don't know about Promise Keepers, but males in America-- especially Christian ones (God bless those men who avoid Christianity just to save their male hormones)-- tend to be 'milky' (weak, effeminate), overly nice, feminized, self-centered, etc., no matter how hard they try to appear to the contrary (which is why so many men try so hard to appear masculine; they feel emasculated and feminized). So, if even a pastor speaks facts in a rude, accusatory, or condemning way, still "judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes" and makes the full story clear. A pastor, not speaking in love, may be speaking the truth nevertheless. However, churches like Driscoll's naturally attract the kind of men he seems to be talking about in that post of his, so I wonder why he is suddenly frustrated after seeing them year in and year out.

 

[BlackPlatypus]

If one wishes to quote Paul in this circumstance I think we should remember this, his letter to the Romans.
Romans 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

When we judge we should be aware of the speck in our own eye first. And yet, once we recognize that and do something about it we are able to see the speck in our brothers eye.

The Mars Hill elders would be aware of that passage in Matthew. And I believe they saw clearly the plank in Driscoll's eye that blocked his vision of himself. Which is why he elected to take a 6 week leave as that council of elders review his case.

Those who sin and are rebuked are to repent and confess their sin. In other words they're to recognize they erred and correct the problem. Ideally. But we're talking human ego here and all of us have that. Driscoll however is one who has that in abundance, as he demonstrates himself. And yet, his contriteness is hardly as forthcoming.
These are issues that no doubt the elders are concerned with.

[video=youtube;ji15dUsCAbo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji15dUsCAbo[/video]

 

[Stephen63]

Here's something I found online I totally agree with that I think will help this subject:

Our Lord gave us the test for false teachers to help his disciples identify them and avoid their teaching. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7.15-20).

Here we should note that a false teacher is to be judged by his fruits, not by his words. This is the crucial point. Our Lord explains: “Not everyone who says Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in your name?” (Matthew 7.21-22). So we see that the false prophet is one who speaks about the things of God in Christ’s name. But his fruit is corrupt.

​Amen to that.

 

[Billyd]

I caution all of you who are leading congregations or other ministries to beware of success. The last thing that Satan wants to see is a successful ministry. He will work on the weaknesses of everyone in your program, including yourself, to destroy the program. It happens in small groups and large groups everyday. It looks like Satan did a pretty good job on this man's ministry. I pray that God will cleanse this ministry and bring back to Him