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This is my last blog post about Mark Driscoll…

By August 29, 2014May 22nd, 2016Blog, Featured

Nine current Mars Hill pastors have signed a letter to Mark Driscoll, requesting their leader to resign from his job as pastor and all other ministry responsibilities. And then, former Mars Hill pastor, Bent Meyer, released this.

According to Seattle news, one of those pastors was terminated yesterday for being “rebellious.”

I cannot imagine what mental, spiritual, and emotional hoops those nine men had to jump/crawl over and/or through in order to muster up the courage to send that letter. I commend those brave souls for taking that risk and standing up for the health and well-being of the members of Mars Hill Church.

While the letter is worth reading in its entirety, the paragraph that stood out to me was this one:

Where there is nothing to hide, there is no fear of being exposed. But, rather than seeking clarity, we have cloaked ourselves in non-disclosure agreements. We have become masters of spin in how we communicate the transition of a high volume of people off staff. We have taken refuge behind official statements that might not technically be lies on the surface, but in truth are deeply misleading.

The pastors’s letter as well as a multitude of other recent stories, testimonies, and letters from countless former Mars Hill staff members offer such vivid and personal proof of what a handful of bloggers (me included) have been saying and writing for years: Mark Driscoll should not be a pastor. Mark Driscoll should not being doing ministry. Mark Driscoll should be fired immediately!

May God give the people who are making those decisions wisdom.

***

Yesterday, I received two emails regarding my blog coverage of Mark Driscoll. In one of those emails, the writer called me a “viper.” He went on to say that I “was only using Driscoll to sell books.” His email was rather tame compared to some of the other emails, comments, and messages I’ve received from Driscoll apologists. Recently, many of Mark’s supporters has started adding one phrase at the beginning of their defenses: I’m no Mark Driscoll fan but… Or I think Mark Driscoll is a terrible pastor but… Or I believe Mark Driscoll has made some awful mistakes but… After the “buts” they write long paragraphs about how I’m worse than Mark or just like him or how I’ll one day be judged for “shaming a man of God.”

While that kind of criticism never feels good, I’ve learned not take it to heart. I’ve learned from those harsh critiques. Sometimes I’ve prayed for them. And sometimes their letters have caused me to pray about my own heart, motives, etc. And in a way, I understand why they’re angry. It’s hard reading stories of ugly and abusive behavior about somebody you admire.

Several of the harshest critics have sent me second letters, messages of apology for lashing out at me.

But I get why people get angry and emotional. Because there’s nothing fun or pretty about what’s happened and still happening at Mars Hill.

The other message I received yesterday said this: MPT, as I read the letter from the 9 current pastors today I wept with a renewed belief in God’s sovereignty. You are a part of that and I am thankful to God for you. Had you not broke the story of Andrew last year, I doubt things could have reached the tipping point where we are today. Thank you.

While the notes of gratitude haven’t shown up nearly as often as the angry emails have, every “Thank You” spoke to me, encouraged me, and challenged me.

This is my last blog post about Mark Driscoll.

Why? Because I no longer need to blog about Mark. People far better fit to tell the story are now doing just that–they’re speaking up! And thank God they are. May they be heard.

Three years ago, only a small number of us were willing to tell the story. But that’s no longer the case.

I don’t know what will happen to Mars Hill. And I don’t know what Mark will decide to do. I hope he humbly resigns. I think that’s the best possible scenario for Mars Hill’s people/members.

But most of all, I hope we The Church learn from this experience. I hope that we learn to listen to the stories of those who cry out for help! I hope we stop ignoring the voices of victims in effort to cover up the sins of a pastor. I hope we learn to put truth before celebrity, power, and money. I hope what’s happening at Mars Hill will teach all of us what can happen when the story of God is misused, abused, and used for our own glory.

If we learn anything from this mess, may we learn that! God is not a manipulating device. God is not a platform for powerful men to use for their own good and others bad. God is not a shield for abusers to hide behind.

Let’s be wise in how we share God’s story. Let’s be humble. Let’s blanket our words and actions with love and mercy. But in our pursuit of grace, let’s not destroy the lives of victims and ignore their stories in order to protect the careers/stories of powerful men.

***

May God have mercy on Mark Driscoll. May God surround his wife, Grace, and their kids with love and mercy.

May God show grace and give wisdom to those who are making the decisions at Mars Hill.

May God elevate the stories of the victims, the broken, and heal their lives/souls with hope.

And may God help the rest of us learn from this narrative.

May God use this as a mirror for us to examine our own stories/actions.

 

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Matthew Paul Turner

Author Matthew Paul Turner

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Join the discussion 17 Comments

  • PatrickOlp says:

    I’ve found that the people who are defending him the most are the ones who have the most to lose, i.e. jobs, security, identity, etc. Understanding peoples’ motivations for defending someone who is clearly unfit to lead makes it a little easier to have compassion for them, even if their defense of said unfit leader is hurtful. Thanks for not being afraid to speak up MPT.

  • PatrickOlp says:

    I’ve found that the people who are defending him the most are the ones who have the most to lose, i.e. jobs, security, identity, etc. Understanding peoples’ motivations for defending someone who is clearly unfit to lead makes it a little easier to have compassion for them, even if their defense of said unfit leader is hurtful. Thanks for not being afraid to speak up MPT.

  • adamrshields says:

    A lot of people defending him also have no idea what is going on.  I keep hearing people say, ‘I really don’t understand what the complaints are, but…” and then villainize someone as a gossip or tool of satan or something like that.

    I do wonder about people that feel free to defend (or complain because I assume there are some on both sides) but don’t have any desire to actually understand.

  • adamrshields says:

    A lot of people defending him also have no idea what is going on.  I keep hearing people say, ‘I really don’t understand what the complaints are, but…” and then villainize someone as a gossip or tool of satan or something like that.

    I do wonder about people that feel free to defend (or complain because I assume there are some on both sides) but don’t have any desire to actually understand.

  • ChaseAndre says:

    Well said, Matthew. Thank you for “speaking truth to power,” as Jesus did. Thank you for taking the barrage of hate mail for the sake of the voiceless for whom you spoke. And thank you for gracefully knowing when your work is done. The letters from current pastors feel like validation in our best moments; vindication, possibly, in our worst. But, your willingness to walk away shows, maybe moreso, that your pursuit and your intent was good, and right. Grateful for your courage, and perseverance. And I join you in your prayers for Mark, his family, and the MH community.

  • Ray S McKinnon says:

    So good, MTP! Appreciate your heart and these incredible words!

  • LisaAlan says:

    !!! How Dr.Ukaka Restore My Broken  Marriage And Bring Back My Lover !!!

    An amazing testimony on a spell caster who brought my wife back to me.. My name is Jessica Krall ,i live in United Kngdom,and I’m happily married to a lovely and caring wife,with two kids.A very big problem occurred in my family seven months ago,between me and my wife.so terrible that she took the case to court for a divorce.she said that she never wanted to stay with me again,and that she didn’t love me anymore.So she packed out of my house and made me and my children passed through severe pain. I tried all my possible means to get her back,after much begging,but all to no avail.and she confirmed it that she has made her decision,and she never wanted to see me again. So on one evening,as i was coming back from work,i met an old friend of mine who asked of my wife.So i explained every thing to her,so she told me that the only way i can get my wife back,is to visit a spell caster,because it has really worked for her too.So i never believed in spell,but i had no other choice,than to follow her advice. Then she gave me the email address of the spell caster whom she visited.{freedomlovespel@gmail.com}. So the next morning,i sent a mail to the address she gave to me,and the spell caster assured me that i will get my wife back the next day.What an amazing statement!! I never believed,so he spoke with me,and told me everything that i need to do. Then the next morning, So surprisingly, my wife who didn’t call me for the past seven {7}months,gave me a call to inform me that she was coming back.So Amazing!! So that was how she came back that same day,with lots of love and joy,and she apologized for her mistake,and for the pain she caused me and my children. Then from that day,our relationship was now stronger than how it were before,by the help of a spell caster. So, i will advice you out there to kindly visit the same website {freedomlovespel@gmail.com},if”>{freedomlovespel@gmail.com},if you are in any condition like this,or you have any problem related to “bringing your ex back. So thanks to the Dr Ukaka for bringing back my wife,and brought great joy to my family once again. {freedomlovespel@gmail.com}, Thanks.. also contact him on his web site: http://freedomlovespel.yolasite.com

  • LisaAlan says:

    ChaseAndre

    !!! How Dr.Ukaka Restore My Broken  Marriage And Bring Back My Lover !!!

    An amazing testimony on a spell caster who brought my wife back to me.. My name is Jessica Krall ,i live in United Kngdom,and I’m happily married to a lovely and caring wife,with two kids.A very big problem occurred in my family seven months ago,between me and my wife.so terrible that she took the case to court for a divorce.she said that she never wanted to stay with me again,and that she didn’t love me anymore.So she packed out of my house and made me and my children passed through severe pain. I tried all my possible means to get her back,after much begging,but all to no avail.and she confirmed it that she has made her decision,and she never wanted to see me again. So on one evening,as i was coming back from work,i met an old friend of mine who asked of my wife.So i explained every thing to her,so she told me that the only way i can get my wife back,is to visit a spell caster,because it has really worked for her too.So i never believed in spell,but i had no other choice,than to follow her advice. Then she gave me the email address of the spell caster whom she visited.{freedomlovespel@gmail.com}. So the next morning,i sent a mail to the address she gave to me,and the spell caster assured me that i will get my wife back the next day.What an amazing statement!! I never believed,so he spoke with me,and told me everything that i need to do. Then the next morning, So surprisingly, my wife who didn’t call me for the past seven {7}months,gave me a call to inform me that she was coming back.So Amazing!! So that was how she came back that same day,with lots of love and joy,and she apologized for her mistake,and for the pain she caused me and my children. Then from that day,our relationship was now stronger than how it were before,by the help of a spell caster. So, i will advice you out there to kindly visit the same website {freedomlovespel@gmail.com},if”>{freedomlovespel@gmail.com},if you are in any condition like this,or you have any problem related to “bringing your ex back. So thanks to the Dr Ukaka for bringing back my wife,and brought great joy to my family once again. {freedomlovespel@gmail.com}, Thanks.. also contact him on his web site: http://freedomlovespel.yolasite.com

  • LisaAlan says:

    PatrickOlp

    !!! How Dr.Ukaka Restore My Broken  Marriage And Bring Back My Lover !!!

    An amazing testimony on a spell caster who brought my wife back to me.. My name is Jessica Krall ,i live in United Kngdom,and I’m happily married to a lovely and caring wife,with two kids.A very big problem occurred in my family seven months ago,between me and my wife.so terrible that she took the case to court for a divorce.she said that she never wanted to stay with me again,and that she didn’t love me anymore.So she packed out of my house and made me and my children passed through severe pain. I tried all my possible means to get her back,after much begging,but all to no avail.and she confirmed it that she has made her decision,and she never wanted to see me again. So on one evening,as i was coming back from work,i met an old friend of mine who asked of my wife.So i explained every thing to her,so she told me that the only way i can get my wife back,is to visit a spell caster,because it has really worked for her too.So i never believed in spell,but i had no other choice,than to follow her advice. Then she gave me the email address of the spell caster whom she visited.{freedomlovespel@gmail.com}. So the next morning,i sent a mail to the address she gave to me,and the spell caster assured me that i will get my wife back the next day.What an amazing statement!! I never believed,so he spoke with me,and told me everything that i need to do. Then the next morning, So surprisingly, my wife who didn’t call me for the past seven {7}months,gave me a call to inform me that she was coming back.So Amazing!! So that was how she came back that same day,with lots of love and joy,and she apologized for her mistake,and for the pain she caused me and my children. Then from that day,our relationship was now stronger than how it were before,by the help of a spell caster. So, i will advice you out there to kindly visit the same website {freedomlovespel@gmail.com},if”>{freedomlovespel@gmail.com},if you are in any condition like this,or you have any problem related to “bringing your ex back. So thanks to the Dr Ukaka for bringing back my wife,and brought great joy to my family once again. {freedomlovespel@gmail.com}, Thanks.. also contact him on his web site: http://freedomlovespel.yolasite.com

  • AdamLehman says:

    Well said. Thanks for this.

  • AdamLehman says:

    Well said. Thanks for this.

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  • DebbieNewman says:

    Thank you for your blog. Thank you for not backing down. From here, as a non-member of MH, I will be praying for protection for his five children. I hope Driscoll and Grace put their children first from now on. This is an opportunity for them to learn how true repentance works. I hope Driscoll makes the right choice.

  • evans says:

    I was married to my husband for 8years and we were both bless with three children, living together as one love, until this year when things was no longer the way the was [when he lost his job]. But when he later gets a new job 6 months after, he stated sleeping outside our matrimonial home. Only for me to find out that he was having an affair with the lady that gave him the job. since that day, when i called him, he don’t longer pick up my calls and nothing since to come out good. Yet my husbands just still keep on seeing the new girl friend till Dr.peters cast a spell for me, now he is with me and my kids only. And i am happy with my family. he now loves me and treat me well his email. drpeters067@gmail.com