The Cussing Pastor Coming to the Coast
“We’re married in God’s eyes.” No, God’s eyes are blazing fire… you’re not married in his eyes, your kindling.”
If you haven’t been offended by him, you probably haven’t heard of him. Mark Driscoll, who used to be nicknamed ‘The Cussing Pastor’, lives by this philosophy:
‘If Jesus says it, I’m gonna stick it in your face. Get used to it,’
He’s definitely not your traditional pastor. He preaches unshaven, wearing jeans and a t-shirt that says ‘Jesus watches you smoke weed’.
“I like having a beard — ’cause I grow one every 37 seconds. … I’m like a freaking chia pet.”
His church, Mars Hill Church, has just begun services in a nightclub. The music takes an indie-rock flavor. Two bouncers flank the stage. With tight, black T-shirts and folded arms that accentuate their biceps, they stare down the congregation. Not everyone likes him. Mark has occasionally preached in a bulletproof vest following death threats. Once a man wielding a knife stormed the stage.
“Go home! Enjoy yourselves! Eat good food, but don’t be a glutton. Drink good wine, but don’t get drunk. Chase your spouse around, but don’t be perverted… unless they like it.
…
uh, that was probably too much. I’m going to pray now before I get myself fired.”
Despite living in the ’second most unchurched city in America’ where there are more dogs than Christians, despite his offensive jokes, despite the disapproval of more traditional church leaders, it seems people are flocking to hear Mark Driscoll. People arrive early to save seats for their friends. At the Good Friday services, hundreds who couldn’t get seats stood in the carpark and listened on speakers. Why do they come?
“Jesus’ mom was a poor, unwed teenage girl who was mocked for claiming she conceived via the Holy Spirit. Most people thought she concocted a crazy story to cover the ‘fact’ she was knocking boots with some guy in the backseat of a car at the prom”
One reason is that he’s damn funny. Critics have said he could have been a stand-up comedian.
“You grow up in the church, and for years and years you hear that SEX is dirty, SEX is wrong, SEX is nasty, SEX is evil, SEX is inappropriate … so save it for your WIFE.”
He isn’t afraid to tackle the tough issues head on, stick to the hard truths, and he doesn’t care who he offends in the process.
And he’s coming to the Central Coast. Stay tuned.
March 29th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
April 1st, 2008 at 10:20 pm
April 9th, 2008 at 9:07 am
May 28th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
June 18th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
July 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
July 12th, 2008 at 4:32 am
July 25th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Comments
March 30th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Critics have said he could have been a stand-up comedian.
He’s mentioned a couple of times that he’s a fan of Chris Rock – undoubtedly it shows in his effective use of humour. When a clip of him was shown up at Mens Convention, the laughter from the thousands of men nearly drowned out what Driscoll was actually saying.
Humour aside, God’s working powerfully through him. Can’t wait to regiter for Engage.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
its gonna be madd. im pumped. wat a great blog this site is indeed.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:54 pm
yeah I’m pretty excited!
Thanks for the comment Kristian, you’re right – I’ve heard him say that too.
And praise God for what He is doing through him!
July 14th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
God works “IN SPITE” of him, not through him. And if you don’t like that, tough!
July 15th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Thanks for your comment, Tom. I have no doubt that what is happening at Mars Hill is a great working of God, and Him alone.
But this is true for everybody. Thank God that He does work in spite of us! Not only that, but He works in spite of us by using us. What a privelige!
Not everyone likes Driscoll, thats fine. I find most of them have never listened to him, but thats fine as well. You should know, however, that in writing this post I have selected the most controversial things he has said in order to raise interest in him. This post would not be a fair one on which to judge him.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I heard Mark Driscoll preach, I won’t say people are not saved through this ministry, my feelings are mixed. I agree one can use humor (sarcastic ones especially) to make a point but one must tread carefully especially when your preaching to a congregation. He is no George Whitfield, John Wesley or Charles Spurgeon. One must watch their words very carefully, God is holy and just as well as loving. He deserves no less respect than the one we give to our parents. Foul language and crude jokes has no place in the church nor in the believer’s mouth
July 17th, 2008 at 2:33 am
That’s fine but I’m not judging Driscoll, I’m just saying God works in spite of him. But there is the respect thing as the last commenter posted. We are called to be holy because He is holy. Too many so called pastors do not have a sense of respect and reverence from the pulpit. We are all to be holy, but in my opinion men who are pastors and shepherds really need to exemplify this.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am
That’s an interesting point to me, Tom, because “holy” can mean a few different things. Are you saying that besides trying to be Christ-like, Christians and especially preachers should aspire to be God-like?
July 17th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I’m not saying anything. The Word of God says to be Holy because I am Holy.
We are also to be set apart from the world. Look into the word and check the greek to see what that means.
Tom
July 18th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Tom, Mark agrees with you and has confessed and repented – listen to his sermon from Philippeans on humility.
He isn’t perfect, true, but then nobody is. God does work in spite of him, true, but I think you are on dangerous ground if you are suggesting that God works in spite
of him moreso than he works in spite of, say, yourself or favourite preacher.
I think God because people are being saved, because Jesus’ name is being proclaimed and magnified, because Mark is reaching demographics untouched by most other efforts, because he is bold in viciously defending core truths with one hand. I thank God because in Mark, Christian men see an example of a father who loves Jesus, loves his wife, loves his children, and loves his congregation; without becoming more effeminate than the lady who runs Sunday School.
Yes, Mark is still being sanctified. I thank God for that too, and for his example of willing and quick repentance.
SmartLX, there is only one option in your question:
Are you saying that besides trying to be Christ-like, Christians and especially preachers should aspire to be God-like?
To be Christ-like is to be God-like (“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” John 14:9).
July 21st, 2008 at 9:15 am
Talk about cutting someone down, what’s this about becoming effeminate? Can you explain where you’re going with that or where he’s going with that?
July 21st, 2008 at 9:37 am
Not aimed at any particular person. Perhaps the culture is different where you are from, but around here many ministers are not very masculine.
Church attendence is much higher among women than men, generally and locally.
My comment was mainly that its great to see someone showing that you can be a Christian man.
One example I could find:
Linda Kelso, who attends the Wedgwood campus, found the church’s insistence that men “step up” refreshing. “I have seen all my life very passive men, and I think the men at Mars Hill have a focus and are pursuing something,”
I should also say that at times he can take it too far.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:00 am
Hey Tom before you start taking the speck out of Mark Driscoll’s eye you might want to check for whatever logs you have in yours first.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
thank you for coming to sydney on the 27/08/08 and speking for us it was so cool to hear what you had to say about sydney mate love it so much if you have time come and talk at my church at campbelltown city baptist church it will be lovely to hear from you
thank you for the best night of my life
August 29th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Wow, that must’ve been some talk you gave TCA…
August 30th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
BO Justin, thanks for your comment. Glad you enjoyed it! I’ll pass your feedback along to Mark.
Luke – I’ve been practising
October 17th, 2008 at 12:16 am
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Why does the revival tarry? It is because God’s
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As in the days of Lot, it is now. Lot was not interested
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God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
because their preachers have rejected knowledge.
Hosea 4:6-11. Instead to preaching the truth of the
Assembly of God, they have preached lies about the
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The coming revival, a nameless revival
http://www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/POWERFUL.HTM
Why was the Pentecostal Revival stopped?
http://www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/CRISIS.HTM
October 17th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Blimey, someone came here to proselytise to you? Could be an interesting exchange if it’s more than just a hit-and-run.
October 18th, 2008 at 6:50 am
haha somehow I don’t think he’ll be back (try this search).