Mars Hill Church In Phoenix

[bluebell]

I wonder how Five Solas is doing with this?  It would be interesting to hear the perspective of a member of the church.

[Vance]

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

[jwhitlock]

Thought that perhaps an update on Mars Hill and Driscoll's continued issues would be appropriate to add here.  Here's a link to a further article about the situation. Quite a case study in pastoral malfeasance.

[Tacenda]

Thought that perhaps an update on Mars Hill and Driscoll's continued issues would be appropriate to add here.  Here's a link to a further article about the situation. Quite a case study in pastoral malfeasance.

Yeah, and our church and past leaders never have any controversy.

[rodheadlee]

Yeah, and our church and past leaders never have any controversy.

No but can you  see the reason Jesus Christ runs His Church the way He does?

 

P.S. I hope 5 Solas is doing ok, come back bro we miss you.

Edited June 1, 2015 by rodheadlee

[jwhitlock]

Yeah, and our church and past leaders never have any controversy.

 

Not anything that faithful members see a need to fetish over,

[jwhitlock]

No but can you  see the reason Jesus Christ runs His Church the way He does?

 

P.S. I hope 5 Solas is doing ok, come back bro we miss you.

 

Yep, he was quite the supporter of Driscoll. Would be interesting to get his take on things now.

[bluebell]

 

 

P.S. I hope 5 Solas is doing ok, come back bro we miss you.

 

Me too.  That was the tone my previous question was asked in-i wonder if he's doing o.k. and how he and the other members are processing the turn of events.

Edited June 1, 2015 by bluebell

[Avatar4321]

I hope and pray for the people of that church.

[Five Solas]

appreciate the resurrection of the thread and the concern expressed. 

 

regarding Mars Hill, I and my family left last July and now attend Downtown Cornerstone Church.  and while the dissolution of Mars Hill was enormously disappointing for a lot of us, I'll share two observations looking back.  first, God used Mars Hill to accomplish a lot of good for a time (many people, myself included, became Christians at Mars Hill and continue in the Faith, despite what Mark Driscoll did to himself).  second, the Christian Church doesn't depend on any prophet, president, pope or preacher.  it depends on the Bible, and its teachings as confirmed by the Holy Spirit.  what God achieved in Seattle and elsewhere through Mars Hill continues--and I get to be a part of it, in my home and in my community.  and I love it!

 

for those interested in a former MHC member's perspective, I'll give it my best shot to answer specific questions, as time permits. 

 

--Erik

 

[Avatar4321]

I have to say this discussion is reminding me a lot about 3 Nephi 27:9-12 :

Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;

10 And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

11 But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.

[Avatar4321]

appreciate the resurrection of the thread and the concern expressed. 

 

regarding Mars Hill, I and my family left last July and now attend Downtown Cornerstone Church.  and while the dissolution of Mars Hill was enormously disappointing for a lot of us, I'll share two observations looking back.  first, God used Mars Hill to accomplish a lot of good for a time (many people, myself included, became Christians at Mars Hill and continue in the Faith, despite what Mark Driscoll did to himself).  second, the Christian Church doesn't depend on any prophet, president, pope or preacher.  it depends on the Bible, and its teachings as confirmed by the Holy Spirit.  what God achieved in Seattle and elsewhere through Mars Hill continues--and I get to be a part of it, in my home and in my community.  and I love it!

 

for those interested in a former MHC member's perspective, I'll give it my best shot to answer specific questions, as time permits. 

 

--Erik

I'm very glad you came to Christ and I hope many others did as well. God can use anyone to bring to others to Him. Even those who aren't close to Him. While I have no doubt that the Lord used this church to accomplish positive things, I also have little confidence that the church was doing his work. Because His work doesn't fail. Only man's does.

I also don't see how you can claim that the church does not depend on prophets or preachers. The Bible clearly says otherwise.

First, in Ephesians 2:19-20 Paul states the following:

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"

If prophets and apostles are the foundation of the Church, how can the church not depend on them? How do you build without a foundation? Or how can the foundation be unnecessary?

Second, Paul pointed out that prophets and apostles, as well as the other offices of the Church were given to until we come to a unity of faith. And they are given to perfect the saints and teach us pure doctrine. If God promises to give us prophets until we are unified in our faith, how can they be unnecessary?And how do we not depend on them to fulfill their assignment as a church? Ephesians 4:11-14

Third, you say the church does not depend on the preacher and yet once again Paul says otherwise.

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)

If a preacher is necessary for belief to occur, how can the Christian church not depend on a preacher?

Fourth, prophets are those who have the Spirit of Prophesy. The scriptures define the Spirit of Prophecy as a testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev 19:10). If the Spirit of prophecy is a testimony of Christ, how then can the Church not depend on prophets? If no one has a testimony of Christ, how can anyone advance in their faith? Or to put it another way:

"have men authority to administer in the name of Christ, who deny revelations, when His testimony is no less than the spirit of prophecy, and His religion based, built, and sustained by immediate revelations, in all ages of the world when He has had a people on earth?" (Oliver Cowdery)

Finally, how can you claim the Christian church does not depend on prophet and yet depends on the Bible, a collection of books written by, wait for it, prophets.

This concept completely undermines what Christ is teaching us in the Bible. The Bible teaches us to ask God. It teaches us that certain offices are given to us to lead us. It teaches us the important of the SPirit of prophecy and preachers.

[bluebell]

appreciate the resurrection of the thread and the concern expressed. 

 

regarding Mars Hill, I and my family left last July and now attend Downtown Cornerstone Church.  and while the dissolution of Mars Hill was enormously disappointing for a lot of us, I'll share two observations looking back.  first, God used Mars Hill to accomplish a lot of good for a time (many people, myself included, became Christians at Mars Hill and continue in the Faith, despite what Mark Driscoll did to himself).  second, the Christian Church doesn't depend on any prophet, president, pope or preacher.  it depends on the Bible, and its teachings as confirmed by the Holy Spirit.  what God achieved in Seattle and elsewhere through Mars Hill continues--and I get to be a part of it, in my home and in my community.  and I love it!

 

for those interested in a former MHC member's perspective, I'll give it my best shot to answer specific questions, as time permits. 

 

--Erik

 

Glad you are doing good and you and your family were able to move on to a new church.  

[Damien the Leper]

Glad you are well, Erik. I hope your journey continues to be positive.

[Damien the Leper]

Thought that perhaps an update on Mars Hill and Driscoll's continued issues would be appropriate to add here.  Here's a link to a further article about the situation. Quite a case study in pastoral malfeasance.

Sutton Turner and Mark Driscoll destroyed that church. It is likely that the remaining campuses, under new names, will fail also.

[halconero]

I'm glad you were able to find a new church in which are comfortable and active in worshipping Heavenly Father and Christ.

[Five Solas]

Sutton Turner and Mark Driscoll destroyed that church. It is likely that the remaining campuses, under new names, will fail also.

ST & MD certainly had ample opportunity to own up and seek reconciliation with those they'd wronged--I won't argue with you there.   

 

As for the now independent local churches, some may merge, change again or close altogether--and some may grow stronger.  You risk setting yourself up as a false prophet with an across-the-board prediction of failure, Valentinus. 

;0)

 

And anyhow, the Church (defined as the New Testament would have it - the "body of Christ") doesn't hinge on the outcome of former MH campuses.  And I think we'd both agree--it's a very good thing it doesn't. 

 

--Erik

[Damien the Leper]

Apologies, Erik. My assumption was due to trend. Mars Hill is a thing of the past and I hope the remaining autonomous churches can sever ties with it and truly begin anew out of MH shadow.

[Damien the Leper]

I would also recommend they stay far away from the Acts 29 Network as Matt Chandler is causing problems as well. No need to be associated with something in hot water.

[Five Solas]

I would also recommend they stay far away from the Acts 29 Network as Matt Chandler is causing problems as well. No need to be associated with something in hot water.

Well, at least Matt Chandler had the discernment to show MD the door (better late than never, some might say).  Downtown Cornerstone Church is a member of the Acts 29 Network.  For those interested/unfamiliar, see Wikipedia "acts 29" for a brief history, its values and some criticisms.  You can also find something of a horror story on the "Daily Beast" (figured I better have a quick look at any late-breaking headlines before I posted)--but using that to broadly indict the network or Matt Chandler feels like a stretch. 

 

As we're already at 10 pages, I ask we keep this thread to the late Mars Hill and its legacy churches and open a new thread if you wish to discuss the merits (or lack thereof) of the Acts 29 Network.  I'll endeavor to contribute. 

 

Thanks Valentinus,

 

--Erik