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
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.
"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!!"
Contact: alex.murashko@christianpost.com;
@AlexMurashko
(Twitter); Alex
Wire (Blog)
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