Here is a copy of the resignation letter Mark Driscoll sent to his elders yesterday.
October 14, 2014
Michael Van Skaik
Chairman, Board of Advisors and Accountability
Mars Hill Church
Dear Michael:
By God’s grace I have pastored Mars Hill Church for 18 years. Today, also by God’s grace, and with the full support of my wife Grace, I resign my position as a pastor and elder of Mars Hill. I do so with profound sadness, but also with complete peace.
On August 24th I announced to our Mars Hill family of churches that I had requested a leave of absence from the pulpit and the office for a minimum of six weeks while a committee of elders conducted a formal review of charges made against me by various people in recent times. Last week our Board of Overseers met for an extended period of time with Grace and me, thereby concluding the formal review of charges against me. I want to thank you for assuring Grace and me that last Saturday that I had not disqualified myself from ministry.
You have shared with us that this committee spent more than 1,000 hours reviewing documents and interviewing some of those who had presented charges against me. You have also shared with me that many of those making charges against me declined to meet with you or participate in the review process at all. Consequently, those conducting the review of charges against me began to interview people who had not even been a party to the charges.
I readily acknowledge I am an imperfect messenger of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many things I have confessed and repented of, privately and publicly, as you are well aware. Specifically, I have confessed to past pride, anger and a domineering spirit. As I shared with our church in August, “God has broken me many times in recent years by showing me where I have fallen short, and while my journey, at age 43, is far from over, I believe He has brought me a long way from some days I am not very proud of, and is making me more like Him every day.”
Prior to and during this process there have been no charges of criminal activity, immorality or heresy, any of which could clearly be grounds for disqualification from pastoral ministry. Other issues, such as aspects of my personality and leadership style, have proven to be divisive within the Mars Hill context, and I do not want to be the source of anything that might detract from our church’s mission to lead people to a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
That is why, after seeking the face and will of God, and seeking godly counsel from men and women across the country, we have concluded it would be best for the health of our family, and for the Mars Hill family, that we step aside from further ministry at the church we helped launch in 1996. I will gladly work with you in the coming days on any details related to our separation.
Recent months have proven unhealthy for our family—even physically unsafe at times—and we believe the time has now come for the elders to choose new pastoral leadership for Mars Hill. Grace and I pledge our full support in this process and will join you in praying for God’s best for this, His church, in the days and years ahead. Grace and I would also covet your prayers for us as we seek God’s will for the next chapter of our lives. Therefore, consider this written notice of my voluntary termination of employment.
Finally, it would be my hope to convey to the wonderful members of the Mars Hill family how deeply my family and I love them, thank them, and point them to their Senior Pastor Jesus Christ who has always been only good to us.
Sincerely,
Pastor Mark Driscoll
I’ve never been either a devotee of Driscoll, nor one of his detractors, but this is a sad story.
I just thought this was significant news.
Comments are open for the time, depending on how people behave.
Although Pastor Driscolls offenses are egregious I hope a story of redemption is told by the end of this
I should probably close comments now, Nick. I’m not sure anyone can say it any better than that.
Yes nick well said
AMEN!!!
“I’ve never been either a devotee of Driscoll, nor one of his detractors, but this is a sad story.”
That is exactly how I feel as well.
Sad for all involved. I pray that this next season of his life proves a source of continued personal repentance, rejuvenation, refocusing on ministry…I also pray for his family, I pray for Mars Hill.
Most importantly that God will be glorified even in the midst of what seems like an impossible and difficult situation to say the least.
Thankfully, God is in the restoration business.
The mega church environment is far and away our of my sphere of relationships. However as a DOM for the past 21 years I have worked with many churches (all small in number) as the church and pastor separated in less that desirable circumstances. It is always sad and heart wrenching for both pastor and church even when it does not make the news.
Several years ago LifeWay used the term “epidemic” when referring to forced terminations. This is heartbreaking.
For clarity, this was a voluntary, not forced, termination. At least that is what it appears to be.
Dave
thanks for that clarification. I should have been more careful. My comment was not related to MD, it was more general. My experience has been that when a person “resigns” under fire he is simply beating the gun. Of course this is not aways the case, and in the case of MD we should take it at face value.
Those are spot on comments by both of you. I am not a fan of his style but I certainly want and hope to see the Lord use him in the future.
My question is how about SBTS almost invading the Great White North? I hope to see some thoughts on their new campus but I like it.
I also will agree here that putting Russell Moore in charge of the ERLC was a great move. I sure like his leadership there.
At the risk of starting a rabbit trail I’ll regret we walk down, what on earth are you talking about with SBTS invading the Great White North?
Maybe this? Not sure.
http://news.sbts.edu/2014/10/15/southern-seminary-trustees-accept-gift-of-wisconsin-university-campus/
Wow. I feel special. I apparently knew something before Dave did. 😀
The Internet runs slow through the corn fields of Iowa, so Dave tends to be behind the curve.
I hope and pray that the additional campus for SBTS will help in spreading the gospel. Who would of thought that Houston would be going after pastors while Wisconsin welcomes one of our SBC Seminaries?
Not knowing the individual or the charges No comment
Bob, I don’t want to nit pick but I think your “no comment” was a comment 🙂