John Pavlovitz, " Stuff That Needs To Be Said” Blog When Your Pastor Is Bigger Than Jesus!

John Pavlovitz, " Stuff That Needs To Be Said” Blog

When Your Pastor Is Bigger Than Jesus!

“We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first — rock and roll or Christianity.”

These words were spoken in 1966, by Beatles member John Lennon. (Blogger’s note: For those under 30, please see here before proceeding)

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Many Christians at the time were outraged, perfectly illustrating how to completely miss a point, as the singer/pop star/activist wasn’t claiming that his band was better than Jesus, but bigger; having a higher profile and greater influence in popular culture. (For those who were alive at the time, and whose hearing was permanently damaged by the ear-severing shrieks of young girls watching them, his statement only seems slightly like hyperbole).

Lennon certainly didn’t believe his popularity actually eclipsed Jesus’, but even if he did, the crazy thing, is just how many could say the same thing today, and put up a pretty good argument; singers, politicians, Reality TV stars; all hovering the rarefied air of demigods.

With technology allowing everyone to have their own Public Relations department, and with our seemingly insatiable desire to consume content of any quality, we see megasuperstars being manufactured every day. They acquire massive Twitter followers, generate the incomes of small countries, and impact fashion, politics and social justice causes with ease.

There are lots of these “little Gods” in our midst as believers; cultural idols who threaten to steal our attentions and affections, who campaign to take up our faith-space. That’s really nothing new, as the Bible warns against this continually and clearly.

But most alarming of all, is that there is a new breed of worldwide pop star, whose power and influence daily competes for the hearts and devotion of Jesus followers throughout the world: The Celebrity Pastor.

The rise of massive megachurches, and the influence of religious multimedia organizations, have made modern Christian Church culture the newest star machine; churning out a seemingly endlessly supply of overstyled, attractive, charismatic men and women of God, who are perfectly bred for mass consumption. They seem totally fine with soaking up the spotlight and getting the lion’s share of the glory; leaving Jesus as only a quiet, gracious runner-up.

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Mark Driscoll Steps Down From Mars Hill Pulpit

Mark Driscoll Steps Down From Mars Hill Pulpit

Controversial Seattle megachurch founder Mark Driscoll will step down for at least six weeks while church leaders review formal charges lodged by a group of pastors that he abused his power.

The 43-year-old pastor has been under fire in recent months for plagiarism, inappropriate use of church funds and improper behavior toward subordinates.

Returning from vacation Sunday, Driscoll addressed Mars Hill worship services through a pre-recorded message.

"I want to say to my Mars Hill family, past and present, I'm very sorry. I genuinely mean it," Driscoll said in his address. "I'm very sorry for the times I've been angry, short or insensitive. I'm very sorry for anything I've done to distract from our mission by inviting criticism, controversy or negative media attention."

Driscoll said he will not do any outside speaking for the foreseeable future and postpone the publication of his next book.

"I have begun meeting with a professional team of mature Christians who provide wise counsel to help further my personal development and maturity before God and men," Driscoll told the congregation.

Mark DeMoss, an Atlanta public-relations consultant and former adviser to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, has been brought in to work with the congregation.

DeMoss, who represented the late Jerry Falwell Sr. and now Franklin Graham, said he attended the services in Seattle today on his own expense as Driscoll's friend.

So What Do We Do Now With Mark Driscoll? Charisma Magazine, J Lee Grady Fire in My Bones

Seattle megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll has thrived on controversy since he began Mars Hill Church in 1996. His tough-guy image, in-your-face style and distressed jeans made him the ultimate Cool Preacher Dude, especially for young men who regularly enjoyed his non-religious gospel on YouTube. Driscoll became an evangelical celebrity, and his congregation—which is reaching one of the most unchurched regions of the country—quickly grew to 14,000 members among 15 locations.

But Driscoll's ministry hit hard times last week when leaders of Acts 29, a church network Driscoll founded, broke ties with him and charged him with "ungodly and disqualifying behaviour." Acts 29 leader Matt Chandler said Driscoll doesn't show signs of repentance. As a result, LifeWay Stores, a large network of Christian retail outlets in the country, pulled Driscoll's books from its shelves and website.

This is a good time to remind people of the warning signs of an unhealthy church:

1. Little or no accountability. When celebrity preachers seem eager to tell everyone else what to do but aren't willing to hear correction from others, prepare for a train wreck. There is safety in the multitude of counsellors (see Prov. 11:14). There is much less safety—even danger—when a leader does not seek counsel from a diverse group of his peers.

2. Spiritual elitism. If there is a spirit of control in a church, people are usually told their group is superior. If people choose to leave, they are shunned or branded as renegades. Sometimes, in extreme cases, people are even cursed if they leave. This cultic behaviour inflicts unimaginable emotional suffering and also divides families

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Comment:

I have read a number of Mark Driscoll books over the last few years,   I was shocked why someone in his position of influence and to certain degree of authority in the transatlantic evangelical sphere  would say the things he said it seems to me that an in-mature believer was pushed into Christian leadership/ministry through situations, circumstances and self-promotion and because of this error, Mark Driscoll lacks/lacked the strength of character to be a leader in His Church.

Mark Driscoll's Books Yanked From Baptist's LifeWay Stores, Charisma Magazine

The nation's second-largest Christian book retailer has pulled megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll's books from its website and 186 stores.

Leaders at the Southern Baptist Convention's LifeWay Christian Resources informed stores on Friday to stop selling books by the Seattle pastor who has been in hot water.

Last week, leaders of the church-planting network Acts 29 removed Driscoll and his churches from the group he helped found and asked that he "step down from ministry for an extended time and seek help."

Driscoll has been an influential but edgy pastor within conservative evangelical circles for several years. His Mars Hill Church, based in Seattle, attracts some 14,000 people at 15 locations across five states. He has been provocative, occasionally profane and has faced allegations of plagiarism and inflating book sales.

The mushrooming set of allegations led the publishing arm to suspend sales while it "monitors the developments of his ministry," said LifeWay media-relations manager Marty King.

"It was a cumulative effect," King said. "The Acts 29 leadership asking him to step down was certainly a part of that."

At the time of the decision, LifeWay's stores were selling just one of Driscoll's titles, A Call to Resurgence, King said.

A spokesperson for Mars Hill did not respond to LifeWay's decision

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