Suspends Speaking, Publication After Charges Filed

Controversial Mars Hill Church Pastor Mark Driscoll announced Sunday he will step down from the pulpit for at least six weeks while church leadership examines formal charges filed with the church last week by 21 former pastors.

Reading from a prepared statement, Driscoll delivered an eight-point action plan to Mars Hill’s Bellevue, Wash., congregation. It was shown on video at other Mars Hill campuses.

“I have requested a break for processing, healing and growth for a minimum of six weeks while the leadership assigned by our bylaws conduct a thorough examination of accusations against me,” Driscoll said. (The entire video and transcript are posted on the Mars Hill website.) “I believe their review can best be performed without me being in the pulpit or the office, and they have agreed to this arrangement.”

Driscoll said that he is submitting “to the process prescribed by our church Bylaws as overwhelmingly approved by our entire Eldership for addressing accusations against me” and says he “invites” the examination, promising a report on the outcome after the process is completed.

Driscoll also stated he will not do any outside speaking “for the foreseeable future” and will postpone publication of his next book “until a future season, to be determined.” Tyndale House, publishing home to Mars Hill’s Resurgence imprint, had already announced it would delay the original September publication date of Driscoll’s newest book, The Problem With Christianity, stating that the company will consider “the best season in which to publish it.”

Charges filed in the 11-page complaint against Driscoll include verbal abuse and workplace bullying of church leaders, staff and members. While no specific instances were cited, Driscoll told the congregation, “I want to say to our Mars Hill family—past and present, I’m very sorry. I’m sorry for the times I have been angry, short or insensitive. I’m sorry for anything I’ve done to distract from our mission by inviting criticism, controversy or negative media attention.”

During Driscoll’s absence, other Mars Hill lead pastors will share the preaching responsibilities while he focuses on “processing, healing and growing,” Driscoll said, adding that he has begun meeting with a “professional team of mature Christians” for counsel. 

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