Reformed Churchmen

We are Confessional Calvinists and a Prayer Book Church-people. In 2012, we remembered the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer; also, we remembered the 450th anniversary of John Jewel's sober, scholarly, and Reformed "An Apology of the Church of England." In 2013, we remembered the publication of the "Heidelberg Catechism" and the influence of Reformed theologians in England, including Heinrich Bullinger's Decades. For 2014: Tyndale's NT translation. For 2015, John Roger, Rowland Taylor and Bishop John Hooper's martyrdom, burned at the stakes. Books of the month. December 2014: Alan Jacob's "Book of Common Prayer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Biography-Religious/dp/0691154813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417814005&sr=8-1&keywords=jacobs+book+of+common+prayer. January 2015: A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation: 1489-1556" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-English-Reformation-1489-1556/dp/1592448658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420055574&sr=8-1&keywords=A.F.+Pollard+Cranmer. February 2015: Jaspar Ridley's "Thomas Cranmer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-Jasper-Ridley/dp/0198212879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422892154&sr=8-1&keywords=jasper+ridley+cranmer&pebp=1422892151110&peasin=198212879

Monday, December 29, 2014

29 December 2014 A.D. Hippy-Yippie Rick Warren Eulogizes for Mark Driscoll’s Ministerial Funeral & End of Mars Hill Ministry After Repetitive Allegations of Malpractice & Abusiveness


29 December 2014 A.D.  Hippy-Yippie-Happy-Clappy Rick Warren Eulogizes for Mark Driscoll’s Ministerial Funeral & End of Mars Hill Ministry After Repetitive Allegations of Malpractice & Abusiveness

 

Before we cite the article, a little background music from Beethoven’s 9th befits the occasion.


 


 

Murashko, Alex. “Rick Warren to Deliver Mars Hill Church's Final Sermon via Video; Seattle-based Megachurch Closes its Doors at Year's End.”  Christian Post. 29 Dec 2014. http://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-to-deliver-mars-hill-churchs-final-sermon-via-video-seattle-based-megachurch-closes-its-doors-at-years-end-131628/.  Accessed 29 Dec 2014.  

 

By Alex Murashko , Christian Post Reporter

December 29, 2014|4:46 am

 

(Photo: Resurgence 2013 Conference)

Pastor Rick Warren (R) prays with Pastor Mark Driscoll on stage during Resurgence conference at Mars Hill Downtown Church in Seattle, Nov. 6, 2013.

Saddleback Church's Pastor Rick Warren is scheduled to give the congregation at the Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, hosted at a dozen regional locations, its last sermon via video this Sunday, as the megachurch, founded and once led by Pastor Mark Driscoll, officially dissolves.

"As we reflect on over eighteen years of ministry, and ultimately close the doors on Mars Hill Church, we are thankful that many of our churches will continue as new independent, autonomous churches," officials stated Tuesday on the church's website. "While Mars Hill Church will cease to exist, God's work through his people will continue."

As Mars Hill staff were busy closing the final chapter on the church that once rocked the Seattle area and beyond with its edgy, strict orthodox preacher who had his share of leadership problems that led to his resignation in October, there were no official reaction statements coming from the church other than an announcement on its website. Both Driscoll and Warren declined to comment, according to their respective media representatives at press time.

(Image: Mars Hill Church)

 

"Our dear friend Pastor Rick Warren from Saddleback Church has graciously offered to preach the final sermon for us. Each of our churches will be showing a special message from Pastor Rick, based on John 12:24. 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit,' stated officials in the church posting.

They concluded, "Our hope is that this timely message will be an encouragement for the people that have called Mars Hill Church their home, as we reflect on the great impact our church has had on the kingdom of God, as well as an encouragement for the new churches emerging out of Mars Hill, and the potential they have to continue bearing much fruit."

Related


Former Mars Hill Church Deacon Reflects on Early Members Wanting to 'Change the World,' Why He Preferred Driscoll Would Have Submit to Authority Than Resign



Mark Driscoll's Resignation Set Mars Hill Church 'On a Different Trajectory,' Says Elder; Local Congregations Look to the Future After Decision to Dissolve



Seattle-Based Megachurch Mars Hill Plans to Dissolve; Elders Suggest for 13 Regional Congregations to Either Go Independent, Merge or Disband



Reaction to Pastor Mark Driscoll's Resignation Includes Sadness, Gratitude From Mars Hill Church Community



Mark Driscoll's 'Empire' Is Imploding, Says NYT; Megachurch Pastor to Make Special Announcement Sunday



Mark Driscoll Admits He Should Have 'Acted With More Love and Pastoral Affection' During Leadership Changes at Mars Hill



Tyndale House Publishers Affirms Support for Mark Driscoll, Slams 'Erroneous' Reports That It Severed Ties With Mars Hill Church Pastor



Mars Hill Church: Video Editing of Mark Driscoll's Sermons Not Unusual; Uncut Version of Recent Message Stolen



Charges Against Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church Executive Elders 'Non-Disqualifying,' Says Advisory Board



Mark Driscoll Takes Apologetic Tone During Sermon; Mars Hill Church Board Addresses Latest Controversy



Mark Driscoll Fires Up His Detractors, Social Media-Minded Christians With 'Going to Hell' Tweet



Tyndale House Publishers Defend Mark Driscoll; Seattle-based Megachurch Pastor Apologizes for Mistakes



Mark Driscoll Remains Silent as Circle of Plagiarism Accusations Now Includes Questions on Ghostwriting; John Piper Chimes In on Twitter



Fallout From Radio Show Host's Allegations That Pastor Mark Driscoll Plagiarized Includes Deletion, Apology and Producer's Resignation



Mark Driscoll Stokes John MacArthur's Strange Fire Conference With Impromptu Book Signing


Warren's message will be given to Mars Hill in video form and distributed to all its campuses to be shown at each location.

Driscoll's association and friendship with Warren goes back many years, including giving sermons at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, on several occasions. He visited the church to deliver a weekend worship message while Warren was grieving the loss of his son, Matthew.

Driscoll has received friendly counsel from Warren, according to a Christian Post source, over the last year, during which he was accused of plagiarism, using book promoters that manipulated book rankings, and inappropriate leadership to which he confessed.

Reaction to the dissolving of Mars Hill Church called for by its elders two weeks after the resignation of its founding pastor has been varied, including high praise for the controversial pastor's impact on the lives of people who attended his church, a letter of repentance to two former pastors signed by 18 former elders, and fond memories of an edgy congregation meeting in the Seattle area and taking on the world around them.

"Eleven years ago, I walked into a dimly lit former warehouse with crazy art hung up everywhere, tattooed and pierced guys and girls handing out pamphlets, hard rock reverberating through the dark-painted walls, and a short, kinda thick guy up on stage yelling at everyone," wrote Seth MacGillivray, a former long-time member and deacon at Mars Hill, in a post on his Facebook page early last month.

"The place was called Mars Hill Church. I was a new Christian, and had a view of most Jesus-followers as a cross between Ned Flanders and high school girls who listened to DC Talk. Here was something new: an ultra-orthodox view of the Bible combined with a liberal view of the world," he continued.

MacGillivray, who was at Mars Hill from 2003 to 2011 and later co-pastored a church in the Washington area and is now running a business while on break from official ministry, told The Christian Post that he purposefully left out specific criticism of Driscoll in his post, since he was "publically critical in the past."

The move to have Warren closeout Mars Hill by preaching its last sermon came with some controversy, at least in the Facebook comments section under the church's announcement.

One Facebook commentator asked about Warren: "Doesn't he teach New Age?"

"I don't know what's worse Mark leaving or Rick preaching at Mars Hill, it's a sad end of year for Mars Hill. I use to love Marks teaching, one of best preachers alive for manly Christianity," another person comments.

Still, many on Facebook praised both Driscoll and Warren.

"Pastor Mark, I absolutely love you and your entire family," writes Nicole. "Your preaching saved my life. God bless you for sharing the gospel of Christ online for all these years. Wherever you and Grace and the kids are, I'm praying for you. Thank you for everything and please preach again soon."

Facebook user Karen writes, "Pastor Rick Warren is an incredible man of God and though the end (to Mars Hill) is grievous it is an honor and privilege to have him preach at the last sermon. I, for one, am grateful for his kindness. Thank you Pastor Rick!!"

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