As many of you reading may already know, Pastor Mark Driscoll, lead pastor of mega-church Mars Hill in Seattle, had recently resigned from his position as lead pastor. Prior to his resignation, Driscoll was suspended from ministry duties, asked to step down from a church planting network/organization that he had founded, and subject to an investigation of misuse of church funds (this is not an exhaustive list but only some of the things he is going through). Let me say that I am not a fan of Driscoll nor do I fall in the camp of people who want to publically humiliate and discredit his ministry. I have listened to several of his sermons and have been incredibly blessed and at the same time have been appalled at some things he’s said. However, as I reflect and pray about this situation, a few things come to mind and heart that I believe presents a far deeper issue for everyone.
First, to those who have been hurt by the lack of wisdom of church leaders, whether it be misuse of finances, sexual misconduct, or a heartless power-trip, I pray and humbly ask for your forgiveness. Pastors are indeed imperfect people. But I also pray that through these situations, you become aware of the depth of fallen-ness of all man but at the same time the heights of love, mercy, and grace in which Jesus delivers all of us from that fallen nature. Pastors are called to a higher standard, as those called to shepherd, teach and equip the congregation. The church is called to be a community of grace and forgiveness in which a pastor is a part of. Both must happen simultaneously.
Second, we all as individuals need a deep-rooted faith, built on the cornerstone Who is Christ. I’m reminded time and time again of my years of campus ministry as a college student, specifically remembering those whom I served with to make Christ known but who have fallen away after college as a result of a lack of deep roots. Maybe it was because they relied heavily on a single leader, or organization. Maybe it was because the worries of this world “choked” them up to prevent growth. Whatever the reason may be, through prayer, reading of scripture, corporate worship, fasting, among many other spiritual disciples, we must individually and corporately find our joy of salvation and eternal destiny and purpose in Jesus and Him alone.
Lastly, as Paul admonishes the church in Ephesus, we must strive to be a body that speaks truth in love to one another. This is not simply an accountability call, but as the verse continues, we speak truth in love to one another that we may “mature” as the body whose head is Christ. One telltale sign of a church that is mature is one that speaks truth in love. It’s not truth AND love, but the speaking truth in the position and posture of love, which is relationship and Christ-like perspective of one another. I think of Driscoll and though I don’t know the details of his situation, perhaps he did not have spiritual friends to speak freely, truthfully, and lovingly into his life. And it goes both ways. As we speak truth in love, we must be gracious RECEIVERS of truth in love as well. Believers must be ready in all seasons to hear the tough stuff with an unoffendable heart. Friends, practice this. God does not speak through His Word for nothing. He KNOWS the BEST for us.
It’s been incredibly difficult for me to hear stories like this, especially as a pastor. I have heard and personally experienced way too many stories where leaders in the church have fallen and been asked to step down from their positions for various reasons. But I remind myself of several things that brings me back to my feet - there are sheep looking to me to point them to Jesus, there’s a world out there that needs to know Jesus (and I get to be a part of that!), and most importantly, Christ has already defeated sin and death on the cross and walks, leads, and fights with us to the way of hope and life. And that is the best thing of all, that “God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God bless you and keep you.
From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
October 26, 2014