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Driscoll Protest Called Off

Orginally published on Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 9:07 AM
by Todd Rhoades

The protest against Mark Driscoll for Sunday has been/was called off. Here are the statements from both Mark and the group that was organizing the protest...

First, the statement from People Against Fundamentalism (the group organizing the protest)…

Thursday night a handful of people met with Mark Driscoll for an open dialogue. The conversation was very frank but also respectful and gracious.

My intent going in, as the tipping point that created the possibility of conversation, was to represent those outside of the power structures, to be a voice calling for the cessation of pejorative language about women.

In the meeting I and those I was with made clear that our interest was not in destroying Mars Hill Church or in arguing Mark out of his theological convictions even though we strongly disagree with that theology. Our common intent was to explain the hurt his language had caused, why such rhetoric is hurtful, and to seek an apology for that language.

As Rose related on her blog, there was a very meaningful exchange with Mark that brought us to understanding our words as harmful and in need for an apology for inflammatory rhetoric.

In that meeting and in his blog post on Friday, Mark has repented of his history of using feminine language as a pejoratives. As Mark expressed Thursday night and has written in his post, “I was also sad and sorry to hear that various things I have said over the years have been received very personally by some people who felt personally attacked.”
And just as importantly, Mark pledged Thursday night and again in his public apology to change his behavior and stop his use of feminine language (e.g., “chickified”) as pejoratives. He wrote: “But I also learned that … inflammatory language and such need to be scaled back.” We will look forward to watching Mark live out his repentance in the coming days and years.
After Rose helped Mark understand that he is pastoring a second, broader church, Mark related how he has come to realize his isolation from people’s perception of his words. Because of the outrage over his pejorative remarks about women, Mark said that his female research assistant had approached him to be a reviewer of his writing to help him clearly articulate without offense; he has wisely welcomed that offer.
Finally, Lief Moi and Mark both expressed the pain that the label of ‘misogynist’ had caused them. As my injury was public, I believe that a public apology is necessary. So, Mark: I do regret and am sorry for applying the over-the-top and hurtful label of ‘misogynist’ to you while making this stand against using feminine language in hurtful ways. I am sorry for using pejorative language in denouncing pejorative language.

Will there be a protest on Sunday, Dec 3?

People Against Fundamentalism set out three goals for the protest, clearly stating that if these goals were met, we would call off the protest:

To alert the city of Seattle to Mark’s pejorative language.
To see Mark removed as a religion columnist for The Seattle Times.
To see a sincere apology from Mark for his comments and a pledge to cease demeaning women in the future.
We believe that these three objectives have been met.

With the national media attention focused on Mark’s words over the last few weeks that objective #1 has been reached.
As I learned on Wednesday, and Mark confirmed Thursday night, The Seattle Times has removed Mark as a columnist, so objective #2 has also been reached.
With the apologies and commitments during the discussion Thursday night and with Mark’s blog post expressing sorrow for his language and pledging to change his rhetoric in the future, the third objective has been reached as well.
People Against Fundamentalism is hereby calling off the protest of Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church’s Ballard campus on Sunday, Dec. 3. We will be issuing a press release as soon as possible on Saturday morning and contacting the media with this important information.

However, it is likely that not everyone will hear that the protest has been cancelled.

So, I will reach a hand of reconciliation across the plate to Mark on Sunday in order to get the word out to the city and protesters that Mark has repented of his inflammatory rhetoric. I will be there on Sunday—not in protest, but as a witness of Mark’s repentence—holding a sign saying, “Thank You Mark For Apologizing.”

Shalom,

-Paul

SOURCE:  http://www.endfundamentalism.org/blog/20061202/mark-driscoll-apologizes-the-protest-is-off/#more-16

Now, Mark Driscoll’s blog entry on the subject:

Count It All Joy
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2–4, ESV

I have spent quite a bit of time pondering the words of Jesus’ brother James in recent weeks. He says that in the midst of trials we are given an opportunity to have joy if we trust that God is using our circumstances to make us increasingly mature. To be honest, there are days when I wish there was a route to maturity other than trials. Nonetheless, James seems to be teaching that when trials do come, we must receive them as gifts of God for His glory and our joy if we hope to benefit from them. The past few weeks have provided an opportunity for me to learn this truth, though I confess I have not mastered it.

A few weeks back, in the wake of the Ted Haggard fall, I posted a blog that I hoped would help young pastors to diminish some of their vulnerability to disqualifying sin. At first, I had joy because many pastors notified me of how helpful they found my comments. But my joy soon faded; one of the quotes in particular that was intended as a general principle was applied specifically to Mrs. Haggard, which I did not intend to have happen in any way.

Around this time an online group also arose, combing through seemingly anything and everything that I have ever written or said, seeking statements to fan a fire of protest against me and the church that I pastor. As is often the case, the blogosphere erupted. Eventually some of the mainstream media also started calling me, hoping to find a story. So, I posted a clarifying blog. Things escalated and a protest, primarily against me, was scheduled for December 3rd at our church.

Considerable time was then spent with our church staff determining how to make sure that both our people and our protestors could be kept safe and cared for on December 3rd, which meant increased security and police presence. We spent time issuing a statement instructing our people to be kind and not say or do anything that could be deemed as unloving to even our most vocal critics. Additionally, families, including my own, began discussing if they wanted to avoid church altogether on the 3rd because the thought of taking one’s children through a group of protestors was uncomfortable. In addition, as much as we could tell from the online discussions, many who were leading the protest claimed to be Christians, and some even Christian pastors. Joining in the fray seemed to be an eclectic mix of non-Christians and anti-Christians who supported nearly every form of alternative lifestyle.

At this point I was having a hard time finding the joy that James speaks of. Sleep was hard to come by; I continually thought about how to communicate (to one of America’s least churched cities) the loving unity and new life that Jesus gives, while Christians were joining with non-Christians and anti-Christians to picket other Christians.

But then three things happened that God used to bring me a great deal of joy.

First, I began reading a lot of biographies, hoping to learn from proven mentors. I learned about how Billy Graham grew in his wisdom in dealing with Christians from so many divergent tribes. I was most encouraged to see that he turned his most vocal critics into coaches; he sought to learn what God had to speak to him through them. I also learned about my hero Charles Haddon Spurgeon and how he was often criticized, misquoted, and opposed, and, as a result, suffered ongoing bouts with severe depression and physical ailment. While I would in no way say that I am even worthy of shining the boots of Graham or Spurgeon, I did find their transitions from young brash preacher to mature Christian leader very helpful.

Second, I was contacted by Carolyn Haggard, the neice of Ted Haggard. She said that she had been tracking some of the furor in bloggerdom. She wanted to let me know that her family was praying for me, they appreciated the first blog that caused some people to be upset, and they did not interpret it as personally directed at anyone. At the church Ted Haggard pastored, Carolyn oversees, of all things, media relations. As we have exchanged some emails, God used her as both an encouragement and an instructor. She handles all of the media requests at the church, deals with various protestors, and helps to love the critics of the church. She seems like a wonderful woman whom I look forward to meeting. Through her, God convicted me that I need to hire someone to do what she does. Most helpful would be someone who could keep up with the blogging and media worlds and let me know what is going on so that my critics can be my coaches and help me do a better job of serving Jesus and people. One of the problems in the age of the internet is that I find myself simply unable to keep up and still have time to be a husband, father, and pastor. But if someone is not paying attention to the effects of what I am saying then I can quickly get isolated, which is not good.

Third, I was also contacted by some local pastors and Christian leaders, including the man leading the protest, to sit down and discuss their frustrations with me. The tone of the invitation letter was very kind and so I accepted their offer to sit down together as a small group on the evening of Thursday, November 30th. We met in someone’s home and in the room were a variety of ages, theological backgrounds, and church traditions. We had mainline and independent churches, megachurches and house churches, male pastors and female pastors, Reformed and Emergent all represented by someone in the room. Our few hours together were honest, respectful, and helpful.

I came to the meeting expecting God would speak to me through fellow Christians and had much joy because He did. I learned that my theological convictions, even the most controversial ones, are as unwavering as ever. But I also learned that as my platform has grown, so has my responsibility to speak about my convictions in a way that invites other people to experience charity from me, which means inflammatory language and such need to be scaled back. I was also sad and sorry to hear that various things I have said over the years have been received very personally by some people who felt personally attacked. A female pastor had a very good insight: as my platform has grown, so has my audience, and that in some sense I need to consider myself the pastor of two churches. In Mars Hill where I labor as a pastor who deeply loves his people, they are gracious with my faults and flaws because they know me and they know of my love for them. But outside of Mars Hill, for those who do not know me or my pastoral affection for people, the perception of me can be very different. Therefore, I need to learn how to function most effectively in a new role as someone given a broader voice to speak for Jesus. There is much to learn. To be honest, this is all new to me and comes quicker than I would have hoped for; I wish I was at this place in my fifties or sixties, following a longer period of maturing. However, Jesus obviously has something different planned for me.

Whether or not a protest against me occurs on Sunday I am unsure. But I am sure that by God’s grace the words of James are true. Through the various experiences and people God has kindly brought into my life in recent weeks, I have been made aware of where God is inviting me to work with Him for maturity. In that, I am finding a new kind of joy that oddly enough is due in part to my critics, for whom I am grateful.

SOURCE:  http://www.theresurgence.com/mark_driscoll_2006-12-01_count_it_all_joy

FOR DISCUSSION: Any thoughts on this new turn of events?


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  There are 20 Comments:

  • Posted by

    MD’s grace-filled response and humble tone have increased my respect for him.  I pray for blessings on him in this journey.

  • Posted by Carole Turner

    I am glad he met with the protestors and glad he humbly addressed what he said that hurt them. Now I will forgive him too.

  • Posted by

    It looks like the Holy Spirit has been working in the hearts of all involved.  I will pray that the genuineness of the reconciliation and restoration is obvious to all who observe this Sunday.  Mark’s words restore my respect for him.  I am sorry that he’s lost the editorial role in the Seattle Times because I think such roles enable Jesus to be reflected to people who would not otherwise interact with biblical thinking.  Perhaps it is temporary, but seems to be a consequence of his carelessness, and perhaps sinfulness. 

    My only further comment is that I wish he would choose as a “reviewer” someone who is less part of his inside circle than his current female research assistant.  Last week on a different MMI thread there was a discussion about having outsiders check us on the things we write and say so that our words can be considered by people who have different lenses.  I fear that someone who is fully sold out to the Mars Hill philosophy and methodology and who has become accustomed to Mark’s rhetoric is going to have difficulty being objective enough for this job, and perhaps will feel some discomfort challenging Mark if (or when) a challenge is in order.  I wish he’d asked the female pastor who gave offered him the advice about his new and broader pastoral role. 

    Wendi

  • Posted by bobby

    Okay, maybe it’s just me, but to tell you the truth, Driscoll’s opposition didn’t sound very gracious or humble at all in their response and calling off of the protest.  Their writing made it seem to me at first as if Driscoll had completely cowered and just given in to all that they desired.

    Perhaps the most disappointing part to me is their hapiness over his writing being removed from the Seattle times after supposedly accepting his apology.

    I’m also not sure I understand the need to share their concerns with the whole city and excitement about reching that goal.  Congratulations on yet again showing the rest of the world how well we can sling mud at each other, fitting in great with the rest of them.

  • Posted by Josh R

    It is a very big loss that Mark has been removed from the Seattle Times.  I doubt anything that they would publish would be very controversial, and Mark has a very good at communicating the Gospel.

    I hope that they hire one of the other Mars Hill pastors to take his place..  It would be crazy to leave the Mars Hill perspective out of the conversation of religion in Seattle.

    Driscoll is the real deal.  This reconciliation is a good example of the grace and humility that we are called to share as Christians.

  • Posted by

    Bobby - Neither did I find the words from the folks at POF all that grace-filled or repentant.  However, we should remember that this group does not purport to be a Christian group, but rather a social justice group that includes, as MD pointed out himself, some Christians, some non-Christians and some anti-Christians. 

    For words absolutely grace-filled and redemptive, read Rose Madrid-Swetman’s open letter to Mark on her own blog:

    http://rosemswetman.blogspot.com/2006/11/open-letter-to-mark-driscoll_14.html

    Rose is the co-pastor of Vineyard Community Church in Shoreline, WA. She was never supportive of the protest.  Her letter is long and she perhaps explains her theology a bit more than is necessary.  Nevertheless, I can’t help but believe that this letter (and Rose herself) were instrumental in getting the meeting to happen on Thursday and the protest to be called off.  MD could learn so much from her about doing ministry lovingly and respectfully and in unity, as part of a community where people who love Jesus differ theologically. I hope he would make himself her student.

    JoshR – I too think it is sad that MD has been pulled as a religion contributor for the Seattle Times.  But . . . I don’t fault the POF for this, I fault Mark himself, for refusing to listen to the many people who tried to offer him counsel.  It is a consequence of his actions and I hope he will own the consequence and learn from it.  He seems to be doing so.

    Wendi

  • Posted by

    Driscoll didn’t apologize at all. He sounded defensive and honestly seemed like he was sorry people stood up to him for once but not at all about what he actually said, just how he said it. Mark is an embarrassment to the Christian Church. He uses sarcasm to teach scripture, something the scripture clearly says is wrong to do.  The things he has said about anyone who disagrees with him are foul. I am glad he lost his column in the Times so non-Christians do not think this man is held as an example of how Christian leaders should behave.

  • Posted by Josh R

    Well, I am getting a little tired of defending Driscoll, but here I go again.

    As far as the sarcasm goes, there is an important distinction that needs to be made.  He uses sarcasm to teach us about our fallen condition.  I don’t think that he uses sarcasm to teach scripture.  He teaches the scripture reverently, then he makes fun at our sarcastic and irreverent relationship with God.  Sometimes he does use sarcasm against mis-interpretations of scripture, but usually it is directed at people who are subordinating God’s word to something else that they value.  If you look at the list of complaints against him, Most of them are of this nature.

    When take out of context of the Sermon, often Mark’s comments which are intended for a small ludicrously rebellious straw man , come across as if they where intended for everyone who may disagree with him.

    I think we are fair game for sarcasm.  Jesus wasn’t really all that gentle in a lot of cases when he rebuked his opponents.  By being sarcastic, Mark is actually gentler that he would be if he where to come out and call us sons of Satan or the like.

    All of this really doesn’t matter, as he said he was going to stop, and as a brother in Christ, he deserves the charity of at least waiting until he messes up again before we start attacking him.

  • Posted by

    I’m an MD fan.  But I must admit his use of sarcasm has grieved my heart on several occasions.  It’s very possible to be prophetic and cutting edge without harsh sarcasm - just read the Bible.

    MD didn’t recant his theological convictions, but did humbly repent of communicating in offensive (perjorative) ways.  And seeing the response of his foes (in calling a stop to the protest), that honestly seems to be what they wanted. 

    Mark admits his convictions today are the same but that his loose cannon communication style needs to be “reformed” and considered from other’s viewpoints.

    I still greatly respect him.

    I think each of us should learn from this.  I hope

  • Posted by

    Warning:  don’t read this entry is you are a highly sensitive male or a militant female. 

    Somebody help me understand why it’s okay for liberal, anti-Christian, anti-traditional value organizations to say whatever and require that others accept their “fundamental” beliefs, while it’s wrong for MD or anyone else to have a different opinion.  Why is okay for outside groups to strong-arm a church that they don’t support with an organized protest. 

    I would not consider myself a supporter of MD.  In fact, if I lived in the area I wouldn’t attend Mars Hill.  That being said, I do recognize the benefit of his niche ministry and support his right to speak freely.  Is it possible that the strong reaction against his sarcasim comes from groups that are offended by the elements of truth which are cloaked in dry humor and sarcasim?

    Today, we live in a culture that appreciates the sensitive nature of a boy who would rather play house and label a boy as aggressive, or even barbaric, who would rather play as an Army Ranger tracking down terrorists at the local park.  Somehow we have forgotten that scripture does place certain responsibilites on a husband and a wife, why is accepting and flourishing in these roles so evil. 

    Before you label me a ........., understand I am not saying men are smarter, better, or more valuable than women.  However, just as it is wrong to deny young women the opportunity to maximize their potential, it is wrong to deny others to right to challenge men to embrace their masculinity.  You and I may not have chosen to use the words of MD, but there is nothing wrong with the intent and principles behind his communication.

  • Posted by

    Where is freedom of speech in all of this? Though I don’t agree with all of MD’s verbiage, I believe he has the right to say whatever he wants to say.

  • Posted by Daniel

    W.A. Moore--One need not be overly sensitive to dislike broad categorizations like “liberal, anti-Christian, anti-traditional value organizations.” The organization which staged the protest fits none of these descriptors.
    Second, as pointed out by ‘anonymous’, freedom of speech allows Rev. Driscoll to say whatever he wants to say, and it also allows whoever to say whatever they want to say--including protesting what Driscoll says.  You ask why it’s “okay” for outside groups to protest Driscoll.  If by “okay” you mean ‘legal’, then it’s legal because this is the U.S.  If you mean ‘morally acceptable’ or ‘morally commendable’, then that’s precisely what’s under discussion here, so there’s no need to jump the gun and assume that everyone here has a certain opinion.
    Third, you say that “there is nothing wrong with the intent and principles behind his communication.” By and large, I think you’ll find most people here agree with you (or at least allow that Christians can be complementarians).  The very question under consideration is the communication itself (the language, the humor, etc.) rather than the “intent and principles behind his communication” (none of us doubt that Driscoll is a God-fearing, God-serving man).
    Rather than ranting about how boys aren’t allowed to be boys anymore (who was that directed at, btw?), perhaps you could interact with the question of how this series of events can teach us how to do or not to do ministry in our U.S. context.
    Personally, I find that Driscoll suffers from being generally misquoted, or at least misunderstood.  His vocabulary of “chickification” and his constant denigration of gays does make it hard to to understand him correctly however…
    My two cents.
    -Daniel-

  • Posted by

    you may also want to check out this post from anothe local pastor in seattle:

    http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2006/12/01/in-defense-of-mark-driscoll/

    it’s worth reading fwiw.

  • Posted by

    Personally, I’m finding MD’s actions and conduct instructive because I am just as guilty and in need of correction.  That he’s having his life and ministry played out on the public stage is more amazing because everyone has an opinion.  I don’t think I could handle the spotlight as well as he has.

    In reference to CTurner’s post, would any of us have forgiven MD if he hadn’t taken this course of action?  From what I understand, forgiveness isn’t contingent on the person who caused offense seeking forgiveness or repenting.  If that were the case, we’d be in quite a bind, according to Paul (Ro 5:8).  I’m thankful God provided forgiveness BEFORE we asked for it.

  • Posted by Danny

    Ho hum.  Mark would make a very good politician.  It seems that he worked very hard to say exactly what needed to be said in order to make nice with his critics.  To do otherwise would have created even more headaches for him.  I don’t envy him at all during this whole situation. 
    I couldn’t help but think that if he were on the outside looking in on this whether or not he would consider his response to all of this a bit “chickified”. His tough, macho vocabulary seems to have morphed in a more neutered political correctness. 

    Again, I don’t envy him.

  • Posted by

    I think some of us have misunderstood what a “fundamentalist” is for the sake of this discussion.  I don’t believe anyone ("liberal" or “conservative” - although I hate stereotyping and using words like that) would argue against someone having a set of basic “fundamentals” or “beliefs” that they hold to.  I think the DANGER many of us are speaking out against, is when one group is bent on imposing their set of religioius beliefs and/or interpretations on others, in order to “protect the faith” against the rest of us, and then subsequently go around attacking everyone who doesn’t accept their idea of what “true” Christianity is.  Unfortunately, there are those who enjoy attacking others who don’t share their legalistic interpretations of scripture, and I think this is exactly what some of the protesters (the Christians in the group, anyway) are wanting to speak out against.  They wouldn’t be against tolerating a fundamentalist’s belief system, they just don’t want to be attacked for holding to a different Christian interpretation of scripture.

  • Posted by

    Mark Driscoll has the right to says whatever he wants.  He also has the responsibility, as a Christian leader, NOT to say some of the things he says in the way he says them. 

    What’s the difference between Arnold “the Terminator” Schwarzeneger calling someone a girly-man and MD calling Christian men “chickified church boys”?  The difference is Arnold is a steroid-fueled, testosterone pumping body builder trying to capitalize on his fame and Mark Driscoll should be better than that.

  • Posted by Leonard

    Might I suggest a couple actions for us here in this little blog community?

    Let’s withhold judgment on MD and pray for him.  It is one thing to be challenged by a board member or church member for our behavior or words, but to have them publicly in many circles brought to light.  This is difficult emotionally, spiritually and for our families.  Right now MD has said he learned some important lessons; lets pray for him more than we blog about him, suspect him, judge him or criticize him. 

    Let’s sort out the theology from the rhetoric.  MD believes some things that are biblical and solid.  Some of the things he believes were arrived at biblically even if we disagree.  His words have fueled the outrage or at least frustration.  Let’s not attach to him beliefs he more than likely does not possess (misogynistic is a word that was used, chauvinist was another) because he has a set of beliefs that differ from the ones some of us possess.  Let’s respect that he arrived there honestly and holds these beliefs because of how he understands scripture, just as you do. 

    To posture ourselves in a “we’ll see” position or to intone his response was merely political is not biblical or gracious.  Let’s count on the fact he will mess up again and in knowing this ahead of time afford him the same grace given to us by countless others, especially Christ.  Let’s love him like family because love covers a multitude of sins.  (we should put that last line in the Bible)

    Finally, does it bother anyone else at the potential of our words or theology being held hostage to protests if someone does not agree with it?  Is this the sign of things to come?

  • Posted by

    Leonard,

    I think your suggestions are great.  Your comments on this thread and others re: Mark Driscoll have been instructive and personally challenging to me.  This is a great comment: [Some of the things he believes were arrived at biblically even if we disagree.] Today I was talking with a pastor from a church that is VERY intentional about empowering women in ministry leadership and what he calls “gender reconciliation.” He made a comment (more a personal perception) about other pastors not being as committed (in his opinion) to gender reconciliation.  Largely because of MMI discussions the past few weeks, my response was in defense of these pastors.  I felt (and feel), that most of the pastors I know who hold to a “Mars Hill-ish” position on women, do so because of their honest interpretation of scripture.  For them it is not about reconciliation, and its not fair to accuse them of being less so.

    Which leads me to another comment Leonard made: [Right now MD has said he learned some important lessons; let’s pray for him more than we blog about him, suspect him, judge him or criticize him.] I agree that we should resist suspecting or judging.  But I think that the blogging and even criticism (of his actions but not his motives or character) is actually helpful.  Personally I commented frequently that I found his crass pejorative sarcasm was (is) a harmful way to express what he believes to be biblical.  But in commenting I submit myself to the standard I’m suggesting for MD.  I’m “going public” if you will, and requiring that my own actions reflect the standard I’m suggesting for MD.  I think that is the value of such blogging and even comments that are critical.  For such blogging to be personally instructive however, we must hold one another accountable . . . be willing to say “Wendi, you stepped over the line, were divisive or mean spirited or assuming motive, which you have no way of knowing.” Todd works hard at helping us make our comments helpful . . . which is part of why this forum is so valuable.

    Wendi

  • Posted by Leonard

    Wendi,
    I agree with you, I think that I was referring to the temptation to pile on at this moment.  I also think that I more than likely should at least click the SUBMIT to God button in prayer before I click submit to MMI my thinking or feelings about MD or any other subject.  Whether I like it or not, my words here are public and permanent.

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