I don’t know Mark Driscoll and have never had anything to do with him, but lately my Facebook news feed has been buzzing with people’s assessments of his failures in ministry and the possible out-workings of it all.
I confess I have read many of these out of curiosity, but honestly I feel pretty dirty afterwards. I think the feeling is a reminder that I have nothing to contribute other than my voyeurism and while it may be entertaining and somewhat smugly satisfying to watch a high profile, heavy hitter take a fall, it is hardly worthy of the time that is currently being spent analysing and critiquing. It could even be wrong…
So while I understand (and support) the arguments for transparency and accountability and how in the absence of social media Driscoll may never have been ‘outed’ and challenged, I am not seeing a campaign to ‘stop the hurt’ and ‘get Driscoll help’, but rather just a whole heap of angry tirades that aren’t helping anyone.
So – you won’t read anything here. Not because I don’t think its a juicy, salacious issue and the demise of a celebrity pastor isn’t interesting to speculate about, but just because it has been making me ill. And I don’t mean the issue so much as the way it has lured so many into unhelpful and destructive criticism.
And I should probably stop there.
Yes, I stopped reading them quickly, too. I’m not even sure what he’s accused of. I’m not sure why people – especially Christians – feel like we need to analyze, critique, and determine guilt – or not – in situations like this. At best, it’s a reminder of our need for grace – to give it and receive it – and our need to look at our own hearts and issues and ask what God needs to work on in us, and we need to apologize for to others… just not on social media. Good word, Hamo.
Thanks Hamo, agreed. May peace, contentment and healing happen for all involved.
who? what?! WHERE!!! um, nah – back to fishing.