He diverts attention from the real purpose, the Gospel, to himself. This weekend GW is also doing Steven Furtick spontaneous baptism which are executed to the letter like Elevation. Acts 6:15, they were enraged. sam wrote: (we want to prop mark up so he can do it himself), Mark says: I also have recently spoken to another ministry leader involved in orphan care in Africa. Because cheap grace for Christians who are not decent people is all the rage now. . Yes, Lord, he answered. I hope I am wrong. On the other hand though a lot of people obviously like the guy enormously and his business model for his church is pretty successful. Actually are pews still in general use? But MD has been a jerk as far as Ive read, not a criminal or anything. 21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. Remember how everyone always tells Muslims to denounce terrorism and extremism? was paul asking for forgiveness? I simply offer another perspective. But one morning as I sat at my desk in y basement office, I looked up at my little bulletin board. The financial aspects. https://www.youtube.com/watchv=i7lv9oMjv_0&sns=em&app=desktop. His messages change in content, but not in root meaning. Which is all to say that if he was a wanted man back in Jerusalem and the believers did not trust him, then some of the credit for his going away for a few years goes to those who did not let him just keep on keeping on, despite some abrupt lateral entry into proto-christianity. I noted in my comments on the petition that Driscoll still hasnt repented before all and specifically to the people whose lives he damaged, such as former Mars Hill elder/attorney Paul Petry, a godly, decent man. @ Bob M: Im fairly certain MD would enjoy being categorized with a so called revolutionary. ATB i would rather be in fellowship with people that realise they still have sin but instead of rationalizing or blameshifting, show fruit of the Spirit in overcoming it. Mark Driscoll was totally missing those things. pic.twitter.com/FwaVnYEZIi. (he is still famous and worthy of famous people helping him) things you have heard about mark are not even close to true, what you read on the internet isn't true. Im not invested in liking or disliking Che so I truly welcome your comments. Maybe that offends me and not you because I believe he lied all along about Jesus Christ and I am hoping to convince people of that? Having heard MDs messages for several years now, I believe he is trying to lead people into thinking its about him. @ Gus: In a statement to the Ozarks Independent, James River Church said it has taken temperatures at the door, sanitized its children's areas and common areas multiple times per day, provided masks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karpman_drama_triangle, https://musingsfromunderthebus.wordpress.com/, https://musingsfromunderthebus.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/mars-hill-church-true-religion-does-not-abandon-orphans-and-widows-in-their-distress/, http://jewsforjudaism.org/knowledge/articles/answers/jewish-polemics/texts/christian-proof-texting/, http://godsbreath.net/2007/11/07/qualifications-for-pastors/, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1989926/posts, http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/oct/07/hillsong-pastor-brian-houston-found-fathers-sex-abuse-confession-agonising, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-07/royal-commission-child-sexual-abuse-investigates-hillsong/5795308, http://www.nancyalcorn.com/search?updated-min=2008-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2009-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=21, http://nativenewsonline.net/currents/the-dilemma-of-the-fourth-of-july/, http://www.smh.com.au/national/hillsong-conference-shows-interview-with-controversial-us-pastor-mark-driscoll-20150630-gi1y6d.html, http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/june/distraction-down-under-hillsong-mark-driscoll-conference.html, In reply to forgiven-to-be-forgiving . Mark also provided the all important yet elusive authentic community so long as you bow to him and stay on his good size. I suspect that process would take a bit longer with Driscoll hes a bigger mess. If there is one thing I know it is that those around Acts 29 circles are now in Mark who? i think He has some Jesus in him, it just gets mixed up with other stuff. I asked the mayor, specifically, how he will vote on the matter April 7. Missouri church service Saturday evening. I had been a pastor and fell horribly due to pride, arrogance, self centeredness, fear of man, desire for fame, etc. Even a brief check on MD online will turn up 67 billion pages with examples of his vulgar or obnoxious and bullying behavior, including several blogs by ex Mars Hill members. Even in the Roman Catholic Church, the obvious structure does not prevent sin or other problems, so I dont think it is a matter either of too much or not enough structure making us fall short of perfection. I would think that rehabilitation for him would be finding a job where he was not the boss and not the teacher. But if I had trusted my gut at the time I would have admitted that staff viewing the members as guests is so far outside Body of Christ thinking it should not require an explanation. You can learn a lot about someones character from how they treat those who are below them in status. However, you are on to something with the radical chic concept. He was the vulgar shock jock of American Christianity. love to hear that sermon. For mr. driscoll to change the whole meaning of this into the sponge was probably really used as toilet paper because he did some study in some far away country is to bring doubt to Gods prophecies and the fulfilment of them. Association of Related Churches If the congregation, the pew sitter as you say, cannot do it what does that leave? his heart is revealed by the countenance of his face. (I guess angles smile a lot) . Wow! What am I saying? I also find him vulgar and misogynistic, so I dont see him as ever having been qualified to start with. @ sam: I think Christians make a huge mistake when looking at patterns of spiritual abuse, deception and tyranny as whether or not they are criminal according to our laws. Sopy Like God might show up. Mr. Petry was fired and ordered to be excommunicated and shunned for his opposing Driscolls move to consolidate power in the church and not have Biblical accountability before the elders. Many others voiced their concerns about the images coming out of the church over the weekend, including Springfield-Greene County Health Director Clay Goddard, who said he was shocked by what he saw considering Missouri currently has more than 328,000 cases of the virus and no less than 4,358 deaths since the pandemic began. We know that Driscoll should never have been a pastor: lack of formal qualifications, lack of maturity in the faith (too young, and never been a member of a church before he started his own), lack of maturity in general; Whats worse, total lack of good character. perhaps, assuming cunning strategy on the part of MD and Mark Demoss: *this sector of christainworld is the path of least resistance (especially since from others comments the YRR/reformed world has disowned him). Are we really talking about clerical influence/position/authority and money? These leaders are lacking even a basic level of discernment or judgement. "We all have desires that are warped as a result of our fallen nature: pride, selfishness, greed, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, lust, envy, covetousness, chemical addiction," Lindell said. He explained that wide is the path refers mainly to churches posing as Christian churches (mostly for millions in profit like GW) not the fringe Christian-like churches or belief systems (like LDS). Join us LIVE every Sunday at 9am, 10:45am, 12:30pm and 7pm! http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/oct/07/hillsong-pastor-brian-houston-found-fathers-sex-abuse-confession-agonising Its appalling that through your words and actions you are able to re-injure the real victims with such ease all while smiling and chuckling on your stage. James River Church, a multi-campus, 17,000-member megachurch in Missouri, is now fending off strong criticism from the public and health officials after pictures posted on social media showed what appear to be hundreds of unmasked people, practicing very little social distancing packed inside their Springfield location to participate in Christmas Or that they were called to be what they are. I hope you encourage them to visit TWW. I could not exactly put my finger on what was wrong. AFter the persecution and time in Antioch, Barnabus seems to make a decision on his own to go to Tarsus to find Paul. I find it telling that it contains 41 mentions of "sin," "sinners" and "sinfulness.". Im not saying that I don't believe anyone, I really just want to learn the other side of this argument. The true character of a man shows when you see how he treats those with less power who depend on him for his income. Posted by NancyAlcorn at 1:06 PM 2 comments. I think that explains a lot of it. He is young and using Jesus is all he knows. I want to know what is so bad about the church and why people dislike it. some things i noticed are in (parenthesis) So as long as Driscoll can provide entertainment and ratings, Pentecostals will continue to book him. They secretly instigated men who said here come the false charges. ( As with the dituation with John Mark mentioned in Acts, and the conflict with Peter mentioned in Galatians. Pastor Lindell invited disgraced misogynistic megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll to speak at James River Assembly while Driscoll was in the midst of a sexual harassment and bullying scandal in his home church. 99,693 were here. If so associating with Driscoll they can get the thug part down. Trump: If you put me back in the White House, 'America will be a free nation once again', The Gospel Coalition takes down 'Sex Won't Save You' article; Rick Warren calls for apology, Wife of pastor killed by reckless driver breaks down in testimony, CPAC: Vivek Ramaswamy warns of 3 secular religions, proposes 'national revival' not separation, From a progressive Christian antagonist to an orthodox Christian advocate, In Haiti, big money for orphanages can endanger children, 7 signs of failed Christian leadership in business, My agonizing question after Nigeria's presidential election, Ukraine war exposes weaknesses in Russia and the West, LA County clears John MacArthurs megachurch in COVID-19 outbreak probe, Calling it persecution by public policy, hundreds of Oregon Christians protest COVID-19 restrictions, 'Churches should suspend services during pandemic.' Paul spent three years in the desert to become reprogrammed by God. Pastor John Lindell mentioned that Mark and Grace founded Mars Hill Church eighteen years ago. Dont get Left Behind. How about when people stone you for your faith? Are you not reporting instant healing to keep the confirmed miracle count up? everything that happened at the cross was prophesied about long before Jesus was crucified, one propesy: Psalm 69:20-21 @ LT: Just some thoughts to consider. It is possible for somebody who has a cutting tongue and a big mouth to stop. What I dont get is why Hillsong and Assemblies of God (James River Church), who have extremely different views on women in the church would even consider someone like Mark Driscoll as a special speaker. Hi Nancy, I am a graduate from Sydney and I just want to say thank you so very much for making Mercy a possibility for girls like myself to be able to go to here in Australia, it has truly saved my life and given me a future. I can appreciate that sentiment Gram3 and I applaud it. I hope you dont write off church altogether. As Gram wrote above these are relationships (if you can call it that) built on trust. Sincerely want to know what the alternative is. I did disagree, however, with this one sentence. Like the guy who was in charge of SGM, he got away scot-free and is doing well for himself despite the outcry against him. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.. Dont miss the title of Lindells May 16, 2014 blog entry: Pouring? May the Lord bless our search for da truth, and grant us mucho wisdom. James River Church's 2020 Christmas service. They sing and wave their arms and hug and praise other givers. I respectfully dissent, Evangelical NIH director Francis Collins says 'most churches' should be remote until public is vaccinated. Something has gone seriously wrong in Mega-Land and it aint just thinking about having MD speak at one of their conferences. And yes, Baptists and other evangelicals have evolved to believing similar using other methods of mediation for people. There was no light show. Christian institutions are trying to express an organic Jesus in non-organic structures. People think that Christians want filled pews and big churches, most do, i strongly disagree with that. I hope others will join in at places like this blog and help shed light on local megas in their area. Driscoll was never really qualified to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the first place he proved that time and time again by his un-Christlike behavior in word and action. I dont see how or why the Jerusalem church could have trusted him at that point, even though they might (or some of them might) have believed his vision and repentance were real. I dont believe the above because I am wondering how many more similar stories no matter how benign, there are. I knew I was being set up when I watched MDs embedded church video posted here at TWW. I find that when the Lord is using my mouth it is never vulgar or rude. But. The best thing about it is one young woman had incredible courage. This has nothing to do with the recent downfall of Mark and demise of Mars Hill. I cannot respect or support these men knowing that they revere such a man as a pastor. The text is not prescriptive. He was not participating in stonings. I am sorry if anything I wrote about Che offended you. He dropped the moral bar for both pulpit and pew that has far reaching consequences on the way we do church. I fully understand the depression and near paralysis that comes after leaving a cult. Im guessing Driscolls trying to resurrect his career by going into Charismatic type denominations or churches. He doesnt come near to meeting basic societal criteria for a decent person. Did you miss a tithe payment? You want to go all Colonel Jessup and rant about the truth? I want to have the heart for the women in the future who will allow me to be their pastor that I have for my daughters, he said, and that is if they have spiritual gifts, and are called by God, and are godly, I want to help them achieve that intentionally and encourage that and be a support for that.. But we rarely hear about that. It was especially appropriate to hear last night since our current sermon series is on the topic of Worship. The mighty Kari Jobe is featured in some of the faking it videos they play in the classes. Very simple. actually Jesus spoke to people He had healed early in His ministry and told them not to tell everyone, they did anyway and He spent the rest of His ministry having crowds pressing against Him and having to go hide sometimes. So grateful others are addressing these serious problems that plague Christendom. The church, according to the web site, was founded by three individuals, Mark Driscoll, Leif Moi and Mike Gunn. ( a stage really ) Same old spin .different tune. well i cant finish watching the whole thing. So, where are the reasonable people? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And I saw it. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name., I dont think God has sent any dreams or visions to anyone vouching for Mark Driscoll? He screamed and swore. We have been led by God to support another ministry. Almost all of them pointed to Gods leading. It certainly looked like they had been coached on what to say. These Pentecostals keep insisting that almost everything written on the internet about Mark Driscoll isnt even close to the truth. "It is possible for someone who has been a life-long alcoholic to stop. from dictionary: Really? "We cannot endorse a candidate and we cannot endorse a party," he said. BTW they didnt have a head worship pastor. Rejection by churches or others in christian authority has actually resulted in the Lord comforting and building me up (in spite of my flaws) instead of causing me to doubt my salvation, He has used these things to show me how much He loves me, personally. Now the floodgates will open wide now that his massive deception becomes public knowledge in Australia and the UK. He was an abusing thug. The issue, however, is character, evidenced by a pattern of behavior reported with regard to bullying behavior, narcissitic traits, etc. Could Driscoll really appeal to people now using his Macho Man shtick? I started to ask myself, If Christ is present in someones life, and therefore the Spirit, will not God, in his infinite power, begin to produce those things in that person? And I began to wonder if Mark Driscoll even possessed the Spirit of God. John Lindell, pastor of James River Church, represents a new breed of reformed Assembly of God pastors yes Calvinism in the Assembly of God! Also, there is a difference, IMO, between forgiveness and trust restoration. Video comes off to me as MD justifying his return to the pulpit. I mean this only works in some venues. I am thinking that is no doubt true, but Saul/Paul was also a religious activist who had double crossed his former sponsors in Jerusalem who had given him credentials to go seek out believers for persecution. They may have been totally shocked when Mark began to spew his rude, humiliating, oppressive descriptions and warped perceptions of scripture and men and women. So, if he became a member of a church, attended that for a while, accepting to do all kinds of unglamorous jobs that church members often do for their church, apprenticed with a pastor in a mainline church, where the position of pastor has a lot less power, tried to reconcile with the people he treated the worst well, maybe. Also it is not where you sit in rows and hear a weekly lecture. You have a holy responsibility to lead your flock in truth and light yet you are deliberately misleading them. If the denominational system is rejected on doctrinal grounds, that only leaves the congregation. Excellent comment! https://musingsfromunderthebus.wordpress.com/. But I never want to deliberately post any false information so I do appreciate any corrections you can add. Years ago, he spoke from the pulpit against the expansion of casino gambling in Missouri. vinegar is disinfectant for wiping yourself. Bob, I loved your comment. :o) I would view it like this: If there are reports of a scandal or problems at a church, they are worth investigating with openess and transparancy. As the one did previously now the other is going thru the hoops of treatment and being checked on by outside agencies because being around the child is worth it. The SGM defenders used the no criminal charges aspect of innocence, too, when it came to CJ. Ive seen desensitizing have the desired effect and its not pretty. It is the normalization of sociopathy. saul walks onto the stage of history. Sorry, I dont know why I wrote that, Ive always thought of you as a him. I need to talk to the president, he may be unaware what some of his professors are teaching. God,I am running for your heart until my soul is on fire?