On Mark Driscoll and the SBC
June 25th, 2009
Though not in attendance at this year’s annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Ky. (for he’s not even a Southern Baptist), Mark Driscoll seemed to be omnipresent at the proceedings.
Judging by many of the motions made from the floor of the convention, a lot of Southern Baptist folks apparently don’t care too much for Driscoll, the edgy pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. One motion wanted LifeWay Christian Stores to expunge Driscoll’s books from their shelves. One motion sought to keep those who associate with Driscoll from speaking at the annual SBC Pastors’ Conference. One motion wanted such associates of Driscoll to be investigated.
The hating on Driscoll by a vocal minority was loud and obvious. They don’t like him because he is too sexually suggestive. They don’t like him because he drinks alcohol. They don’t like him because he’s been known to use some off-color language.
Fortunately, the SBC committee assigned to handle all the motions had the sense to toss these motions out, and to gently rebuke those who offered such slanderous measures.
I’ll be the first to admit that I think Driscoll sometimes goes too far when it comes to the language he employs. Sometimes he is too crude and suggestive. Sometimes his humor is inappropriate. (As an aside, the condemnation of Driscoll for his cussing is especially despicable. Driscoll has publicly repented of his former propensity to use vulgar language. If God can cast those transgressions as far as the east is from the west and remember them no more, what does it say about us when we insist on taking sins for which Christ died and of which Driscoll has repented and keep throwing them in his face?)
But I also know that Mark Driscoll faithfully and powerfully preaches the gospel, and he is committed to planting gospel-centered churches around the world. So I’m willing to put up with what I consider to be some of his shortcomings to embrace him as a brother and to applaud him for keeping primary in his ministry the message that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried and raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
I fear that far too many Southern Baptist churches have all but abandoned that message entirely. I hear about too many sermons dealing with matters of secondary importance – like how to handle your finances, how to be a good dad, how to eliminate stress, how to be a strong leader and lots of other trivialities that don’t amount to much in the eternal scheme of things.
We have lots of churches where nobody could possibly be saved because they’re not hearing the message of salvation, and yet we have messengers at the SBC annual meeting who want to launch a personal crusade against Driscoll because they’re uncomfortable with his language.
Give me the choice between Driscoll and his emphasis on the gospel (despite his faults) and many Southern Baptist churches where the language is perfectly appropriate and pristine and yet devoid of the gospel’s wonderful words of life, and I’ll take Driscoll every time.
I don’t have much knowledge of Mark Driscoll, but back in April, my Reformed University Fellowship at Kennesaw State University minister referred some of the guys to two sermons he gave on relationships and marriage.
The sermon on men and marriage: http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/trial/marriage-and-men
The sermon on women and marriage: http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/trial/marriage-and-women
I thought his straight-to-the-point attitude on Godly relationships was a refreshing view, especially when compared to other messages given on relationships and marriage in the modern world.
I honestly think there are a lot of Southern Baptists who care more about stylistic conformity than they do about genuine ministry. I agree that sometimes Mr. Driscoll goes too far with his language, but he communicates the gospel and genuine truth to people I could never reach.
I think the criticisms are often petty and silly.
My hero is a Mark Driscoll from another generation. His name was Rolfe Barnard. His preaching, like Driscoll’s, was sometimes crude, but when he was finished sinners knew that they must repent or perish. There is a great deal of pleasant preaching today which builds churches, but what we need is more men who speak plainly, and grow the Kingdom.
Is Driscoll vulgar or edifying? You say edifying. Fair enough. Some say vulgar. Fair enough. What does God say? Reach the nations with the Gospel. Fair enough.
Mark Driscoll is revolutionary. He is able to reach a generation that the old guard of the SBC has no clue how to reach. He does this with great innovation and a solid doctrinal Gospel message. While many of the complainers are just playing politics, Driscoll is drawing thousands of young people in one of the most irreligious areas of the country. SBC leaders need to stop playing games and see how God is using this “rough around the edges” pastor who is making a huge impact on a generation that the SBC has lost touch with.
Richard.
Amen, amen, amen.
Very fair treatment, Tim. I appreciate your words here.
Good write up Tim.
Richard,
Some good points, but I hope you agree that there is “a line”. And crossing that line will compromise anyone’s ministry. Congregational numbers don’t amount to anything of importance if the ministry is compromised. I’m not familiar enough with Driscoll’s preaching to say whether or not that he does cross that line, but I can think of many fathers of the faith who didn’t need to stoop to suggestive sexual discussions or services featuring text messaging to attract listeners. The word of God is revolutionary enough (especially in our culture), IMHO.
“Give me the choice between Driscoll and his emphasis on the gospel (despite his faults) and many Southern Baptist churches where the language is perfectly appropriate and pristine and yet devoid of the gospel’s wonderful words of life, and I’ll take Driscoll every time.”
My response is this:
“When choosing between tow evils, choose none.” - CH Spurgeon.
Oops! I meant to say “two” evils. Darn typos.
Most Southern Baptists either know nothing or very little about Mark Driscoll. But a growing number of pastors, seminary strudents and others who do know of Driscoll, Mars Hill and of ACTS29 are intrigued and often impressed with what they see. The few who voiced opposition to Driscoll at the Convention realize this and want to provoke animosity toward Driscoll. We certainly cannot draw the conclusion that Southern Baptists are hostile to Driscoll based on such motions brought from the floor at the Convention. Meanwhile, in light of Driscoll’s orthodox and reformed theology and his successfull ministry at Mars Hill and the growing influence of ACTS29, increasing numbers of Southern Baptist pastors and church planters will continue to be influenced by Driscoll.
That’s my take.
Thanks for posting this, Tim. I find it fascinating that so much time and attention and energy is devoted to castigating someone who is not even one of their own. Driscoll has been anathematized from the Emergent (TM) crowd for being too conservative and has taken hits from the SBC for being too liberal with his language. Seems to me that is a good place to be in if he his despised and rejected by the religious of all stripes. If unpopularity is any guide to one’s commitment to the cause of Christ, then it would appear Driscoll can play neither funeral dirges or joyful music to the children in the marketplace who refuse to cry to the sad songs or dance to the happy tunes.