Comments on: Is Mars Hill Church “Toxic” or “Healthy” Under Mark Driscoll’s Leadership? http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:17:11 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Eudoia http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-612 Eudoia Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:32:21 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-612 ((There is no workplace abuse that affects one so profoundly as that perpetrated by those who we have also entrusted our spiritual shepherding.)) Absolutely. We are still trying to recover from a toxic church. The pain is beyond words. ((There is no workplace abuse that affects one so profoundly as that perpetrated by those who we have also entrusted our spiritual shepherding.))

Absolutely. We are still trying to recover from a toxic church. The pain is beyond words.

]]> By: Crazy Seraph http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-544 Crazy Seraph Sat, 09 May 2009 11:41:53 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-544 I cant tell you folks how much your stories move me. It all sounds so familiar. Thanks for sharing, it really encourages me to continue with my online ministry to the church exiles I cant tell you folks how much your stories move me. It all sounds so familiar. Thanks for sharing, it really encourages me to continue with my online ministry to the church exiles

]]> By: Michael http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-539 Michael Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:58:46 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-539 While I believe you may be absolutely right that your home church is toxic under Driscoll's leadership (as I believe my current home church is), you are being a force of division within God's body by publicly airing your discontent. Scripturally when someone is out of alignment with God's will we are to try and restore them gently. If that doesn't work, we are to "hold on to what is good" and "flee from evil." Check out Romans 16:17-19. You are right, you are righteous, and God is on your side if you are seeking him. Once you've confessed your heart and fears to church leadership, you have done your part and you are released if they ask you to leave. Trust God that others will come to the same revelations you have and trust that God will not continue to bless a broken ministry that is out of His will. But just as the broken pastor should not be placing himself in God's position, neither should you. May you find peace and clarity about what actions you must take during this difficult time. I Thessalonians 5:21-22 While I believe you may be absolutely right that your home church is toxic under Driscoll’s leadership (as I believe my current home church is), you are being a force of division within God’s body by publicly airing your discontent. Scripturally when someone is out of alignment with God’s will we are to try and restore them gently. If that doesn’t work, we are to “hold on to what is good” and “flee from evil.” Check out Romans 16:17-19. You are right, you are righteous, and God is on your side if you are seeking him. Once you’ve confessed your heart and fears to church leadership, you have done your part and you are released if they ask you to leave. Trust God that others will come to the same revelations you have and trust that God will not continue to bless a broken ministry that is out of His will. But just as the broken pastor should not be placing himself in God’s position, neither should you. May you find peace and clarity about what actions you must take during this difficult time.
I Thessalonians 5:21-22

]]> By: Bart Breen http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-538 Bart Breen Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:11:11 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-538 Keep sorting that dirty laundry out John! These are organizational dynamics that are cutting edge and need to be sorted out with the light of truth shone on them to bring change and healing, not just for individuals but for organizations as well! It's the culture of privacy and secret keeping that gives toxic systems life. Blessings! bart Keep sorting that dirty laundry out John! These are organizational dynamics that are cutting edge and need to be sorted out with the light of truth shone on them to bring change and healing, not just for individuals but for organizations as well!

It’s the culture of privacy and secret keeping that gives toxic systems life.

Blessings!

bart

]]> By: sh http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-532 sh Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:18:17 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-532 it is a shame you hang your dirty washing out for all to see. sort it out privately it is a shame you hang your dirty washing out for all to see. sort it out privately

]]> By: Danny http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-526 Danny Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:43:44 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-526 Excellent article. I've seen this pattern occur many times in my 25+ years as a Christian. Excellent article. I’ve seen this pattern occur many times in my 25+ years as a Christian.

]]> By: clamhead2003 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-458 clamhead2003 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:09:27 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-458 I just left a church after allowing myself to be "volunteered" on staff. The first few months was a honey moon period. Then things started getting rolled over onto me as others left etc. Another means of control is placing people on staff then making them feel guilty if they object. Another thing that I see is Spiritual Witchcraft; prophesy has become a real loose cannon in the church. It is used to get peoples' hopes up that they are "finally in the right place" where their gifts and abilities will be recognized. My pastor's wife kept calling me and telling me how I was called to this church and she knew when I first walked in the door. When I told her I that God was moving me on and had in truth opened another door, all of a sudden it was "God tld me you were leaving." Now it was sour grapes; I toled her I felt bad, like I felt like I was church hopping, my other church folded up after I had beed there 7 years, she grabbed onto that and actually said "that's it, that's it, you have a spirit of church hopping!" When you ask the Lord to show you what's going on, he will show you; I was exposed to lies, gossip, manipulation like I couldn't believe. These folks are all about a new building which they believe that someone will just come along and fund it for them and the building will magically appear. The church is busting out at the seams in the rented facility that they are in now, but the pastor won't entertain an interim facility. Sad. I just left a church after allowing myself to be “volunteered” on staff. The first few months was a honey moon period. Then things started getting rolled over onto me as others left etc. Another means of control is placing people on staff then making them feel guilty if they object. Another thing that I see is Spiritual Witchcraft; prophesy has become a real loose cannon in the church. It is used to get peoples’ hopes up that they are “finally in the right place” where their gifts and abilities will be recognized. My pastor’s wife kept calling me and telling me how I was called to this church and she knew when I first walked in the door. When I told her I that God was moving me on and had in truth opened another door, all of a sudden it was “God tld me you were leaving.” Now it was sour grapes; I toled her I felt bad, like I felt like I was church hopping, my other church folded up after I had beed there 7 years, she grabbed onto that and actually said “that’s it, that’s it, you have a spirit of church hopping!”

When you ask the Lord to show you what’s going on, he will show you; I was exposed to lies, gossip, manipulation like I couldn’t believe. These folks are all about a new building which they believe that someone will just come along and fund it for them and the building will magically appear. The church is busting out at the seams in the rented facility that they are in now, but the pastor won’t entertain an interim facility. Sad.

]]> By: Nic nakis http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-417 Nic nakis Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:31:46 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-417 I think it's toxic and unhealthy ANY time you put your name on the official membership list, when you put your trust in and subvert your existence to any earthly organization. Since the church councils of the first centuries, Christian religion has been perverted by formalized doctrines and memberships: in Constantinople, in Rome, in London, in Seattle. EVERY leader of a rigid religious hierarchy has abused and disenfranchised some members and constituents. It is the worst of human vanities to place belief in OUR politics, OUR organizations, OUR buildings. The true church is in the fellowship of the almighty, not in the constitutions and membership-rolls of humanity's vain abominations. I think it’s toxic and unhealthy ANY time you put your name on the official membership list, when you put your trust in and subvert your existence to any earthly organization. Since the church councils of the first centuries, Christian religion has been perverted by formalized doctrines and memberships: in Constantinople, in Rome, in London, in Seattle. EVERY leader of a rigid religious hierarchy has abused and disenfranchised some members and constituents. It is the worst of human vanities to place belief in OUR politics, OUR organizations, OUR buildings. The true church is in the fellowship of the almighty, not in the constitutions and membership-rolls of humanity’s vain abominations.

]]> By: prayingheart http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-324 prayingheart Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:45:01 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-324 Dr. Setser is very happy to send a free copy of his book. Just email him at johnsetser@hotmail.com and ask. He is the founder of Baranbas Ministries: www.shatteredtrust.com . There is no workplace abuse that affects one so profoundly as that perpetrated by those who we have also entrusted our spiritual shepherding. Please do ask Dr. Setser for a copy. Dr. Setser is very happy to send a free copy of his book. Just email him at johnsetser@hotmail.com and ask. He is the founder of Baranbas Ministries: http://www.shatteredtrust.com .

There is no workplace abuse that affects one so profoundly as that perpetrated by those who we have also entrusted our spiritual shepherding. Please do ask Dr. Setser for a copy.

]]> By: Louie http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/is-mars-hill-church-toxic-or-healthy-under-mark-driscolls-leadership/#comment-322 Louie Sun, 02 Mar 2008 02:50:42 +0000 http://prayingheart.wordpress.com/?p=57#comment-322 I have been in my church for 13 years and I have seen this exact same progression take place. In fact I was on staff part time so I saw the changes happen and even then was powerless to make a change. I would love to have a copy of the book mentioned in this article. I have been in my church for 13 years and I have seen this exact same progression take place. In fact I was on staff part time so I saw the changes happen and even then was powerless to make a change. I would love to have a copy of the book mentioned in this article.

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