learning from the Driscoll saga *updated*

*updated* Yesterday, embattled Seattle mega-church pastor Mark Driscoll “stepped down” for a minimum 6 weeks. CT has a thorough summary here, be sure to watch the video at the end. Then pray for that local church, for him his family, and for the Church.

This saga – far from over- could be, if studied carefully, an incredible teaching tool for young pastors. Most look to guys like Driscoll as models for the way they do ministry. Seeing the incredible “success” of Mars Hill, they say “I can learn from this example.” Maybe.

There is no doubt that we can learn from the success of others. But we better be sure to learn from their failure too.

Driscoll is getting the counsel of a group of wise people. I wish that would include guys like J. R. Briggs who have walked through failure and been “real” about it. See my post on his book Fail back in July. At the very least someone should send Mr. Driscoll a copy.

Let us learn from this that our priorities need to include biblical accountability steeped in loving counsel which often means listening to hard voices that don’t tell us what we want to hear.

Without such, we too will increase our failure.

We should all be saddened by Driscoll’s saga. Any thoughts of “he’s getting what he deserved” should be rebuked as not from a God of grace and mercy.

Learn from this saga* that we don’t repeat it.

(the original post was titled “Driscoll sage continues” – what sort of autocorrect Freudian thing was that?)

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Uh oh, e-readers beware

Some interesting research comparing books to e-readers creates big questions for education. Read the Post article here.

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Humanitarian aid? Nyiet.

For a while there was a drama about a Russian military convoy camouflaged in white to look like humanitarian aid.

The drama was a mystery since journalists in Russia showed that many of the trucks were less than half full, some nearly empty.

Today the mystery was solved. They were going to a Luhansk munitions factory to pick up military equipment. Humanitarian aid? Nyiet.

Watch EuroNews Here

Read Washington Post Here

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fascinating but sad story

This is one of the most interesting stories you will read this week, about a hermit no less… Click here.
Talk about Solitude.

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addicted to praise?

“Without solitude, we cannot fathom just how enslaved we are. So many of us are chained to the opinion of others. We’re addicted to praise and affirmation and eviscerated by criticism. Vainly, we busy ourselves in managing the impressions others have of us. We exhaust ourselves in trying to become somebody in their eyes.”

Just read this HERE in a book excerpt in Christianity Today. Like me, you may have to wade through the beginning to get to the meat but once you’re there, it really is a thought provoking read.

Extroverts beware.

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Christ Follower? Discouraged? Read:

Beware of allowing the influence of your friends or your circumstances to divide your life. More…

Aim at heaven… – C.S.Lewis

Behold the Lamb! – John the Baptist

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Filed under being a disciple, disciple making, experience, seeking understanding, spiritual questions/musings/wonderings, the self