Seattle’s Own Megachurch Is Failing
News sources report that Mark Driscoll, controversial founder of Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, has resigned his pastor position. He took a leave of absence several weeks ago to think over his future, after public controversy erupted over his authoritarian management style. By then, a third of the church’s membership had left, and declining donations compelled staff layoffs and branch closures.
Driscoll wasn’t fired, and the church board’s statement suggests he could’ve stayed. While he had personal imperfections, they said, he hadn’t done anything to disqualify him from ministry. Driscoll’s resignation letter, by and large, wasn’t a mea culpa. In it, he mostly talked about what was best for his family. On the surface that rings true; it’s a natural motivation and commonly used explanation for leaving a stressful job, position, or career. But it’s sometimes used to mask real reasons and/or put a happy face on a troubled departure.
I think money had something to do with it. The church’s finances were imploding. Driscoll’s style was driving people away, staff and members alike. Had he stayed, Mars Hill’s downward spiral likely would have continued. Quitting gives his creation and life’s work a chance to survive.
This happens in business, too. Founders can’t always manage what they create. Launching an idea or enterprise and managing it are different skill sets, infrequently found in the same person. If the people who will now comprise the leadership of Mars Hill Church want its mission carried on, they now need to identify and empower the person or group of persons whose skills are a good fit with the church’s evolving leadership needs.
Their associate pastors, people who were attracted to the church because they believe in it and thought themselves compatible with its theology and vision, and the logical place to start looking; although the elders should not discount the possibility of bringing in a strong leader from outside recruited from the broad evangelical community.
Some readers of this blog may be atheists, non-Christians, or traditional Christians unattuned to, or perhaps even put off by, a church like Mars Hill. I personally don’t, and wouldn’t, belong to such a church. It’s not my cup of tea. But that misses the point. Mars Hill appeals to some people because it provides something they’re looking for. Maybe you could say it fills a gap in their lives. I won’t knock that. It’s not my place to say what anyone should seek for their soul; I’ll simply say I think it’s important for humanity to have a soul, and I’m not real fussy about where it comes from.
I don’t know whether a God (or gods) exists. Sometimes, I think if a universe with humans were to exist without a God they’d have to invent one, simply because of how humans are bolted together. If nothing else, belief in a divine being provides an excuse to have some morals. Humanity in general needs more, not less, of that.
(Sources: Seattle Times, The Stranger)
