Pastors’ letter on Mark Driscoll: Step down from all aspects of ministry and leadership

[hrmjustin]

Sarah Pulliam Bailey

(RNS) A letter from nine Mars Hill Church pastors to their fellow elders offers the most trenchant criticism yet of controversial megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll, who recently stepped down for at least six weeks amid a series of accusations.

The pastors did not mince words in their lengthy, Aug. 22 letter [full text] concerning Driscoll who has been caught up in allegations, including plagiarism, inappropriate use of church funds and abuse of power:

[W]e direct that he steps down from ministry, submitting himself under the authority of the elders of the church, who will oversee the details of his restoration plan.
He must step down not only from the pulpit, but from all aspects of ministry and leadership.
He will continue to receive his salary so long as he continues to cooperate with the restoration plan set before him by the elders of Mars Hill Church.

http://www.religionnews.com/2014/08/28/mars-hill-pastors-letter-mark-driscoll-step-down-ministry-leadership/

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

1. I'd be very leery of a Church or any other organization

Whose by-laws are kept secret. I realize that the vast majority of members would have no interest, but if someone accuses the pastor of breaking the by-laws, then the obvious question "What do the by-laws say?" would be asked. If you say, "We won't tell you", then I would immediately be thinking of Star Chamber proceedings and Kafka's The Trial.

[cbayer]

2. I don't think they have any choice at this point.

He wil resurface somewhere, sometime. They always do.

I can't believe they are going to continue to pay him though.