5 Reminders For Those Listening to “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”

I told myself I would not write a blog regarding this podcast series.

But here’s why I’ve changed my mind: More and more church members (not just church leaders) are listening in.

People in my own congregation are listening to this podcast. So out of the burden of what God’s people are hearing, I wanted to share a few words of encouragement.

Here are 5 reminders for those listening to this podcast series: 

[And if you’re wondering what this podcast is about, you can check out the series homepage which has a description of its content.]

1. Remember, these are real people.

The reason why the Mars Hill story matters is because real people are involved. Image-bearers who were in leadership were hurt and also hurt others. Image-bearers who considered Mars Hill to be their spiritual home were devastated by the wake of its collapse. Yes, Mark Driscoll is an image-bearer who is loved by Jesus.

We love to watch and discuss a collapse, but can too quickly bypass real people in the process. This is more personal than simply a "cautionary tale.” It’s still more than a diagnosis of what we believe to be an “underlying issue of evangelicalism.” This story is etched into the lives of many personal stories. We should listen and discuss with sober-mindedness. 

2. Resist the urge to quickly label things into simplistic categories.

The Mars Hill story is more complex than a simple tale of the “megachurch” or “celebrity Christianity.” So why are we tempted to label things into simplistic categories? I believe we do this because it gives us a sense of control as we try to make sense of things. This is emotionally understandable. But I wonder if it’s unwise for living.

The reality is that most situations in life are complex and multi-layered. There are small churches with a cult-like devotion to pastors. There are big churches with humble pastors. Church issues (like life issues) are complex. The faster we can affirm this, the better we will be able to process difficult things (even if it’s emotionally unsatisfying). 

3. Tease out the meat from the bones and the baby from the bathwater. 

We should do the hard work of accepting the good while rejecting the bad. For example, Driscoll’s teachings on men stepping up and taking responsibility should not be rejected because of the bullying culture which was also fostered alongside it. Instead, we should receive what’s commendable and reject that which is unprofitable.

Isn’t this a sign of maturity? We know one has grown out of infancy when one is able to eat the meat and spit out the bones. We can eat the meat of giftedness and spit out the bone of pride. We can keep the baby of strong leadership and throw out the bathwater of brashness. Wisdom receives what ought to be received while rejecting that which ought to be rejected.

4. See the story in view of Biblical history.

Christians should be the most saddened and angered by the destruction in the Mars Hill story. But in another sense, Christians should be the least surprised. This is because we know we live in the ultimate paradox: Jesus transforms us and fills us with the Spirit. Yet, we wrestle daily from the fallenness of sin.

This paradox of God’s people is made clear when we open our Bible and see the two sides on display throughout the Biblical narrative. God does mighty and amazing things. There are times when God’s leaders respond with remarkable courage and humility. And yet, those same leaders can also be fragile, sinful, and (at times) downright evil. To truly understand the Mars Hill story, we have to set it on the backdrop of the entire Bible story. In so doing, we can be saddened (and angered) and unsurprised. 

5. Don't be more passionate about the headlines than your closest realities.

Sometimes, I see Christians get so caught up in the broader conversations of Christian culture, I wonder if their primary lens for processing life and theology occurs through what’s trending on Twitter or through Facebook conversations than actual embodied relationships that occur in one’s own life in real-time.

But there is nothing more exciting than seeing the gospel of Jesus play out in your local church. Something amazing and beautiful happens when Christians engage in the glorious mess of community. God’s Spirit moves when Christians take the leap to go on mission and love and serve the community. It’s not a bad thing to discuss the headlines. But not at the expense of embodied local church life. 

Conclusion 

The Church is not perfect.

But the Church is being perfected by a perfect Savior who loves her and gave his life for her. And Jesus is building the Church today.

The Mars Hill story is remarkable and tragic. But behind it is an unsurprised God who was and is still working behind the scenes. I don’t know why he let it all happen, but I choose to believe what was meant for evil will be worked out for good.

I chose to believe this. Even if I can’t fully understand it all right now.