Mark Driscoll, the controversial and charismatic founder of Mars Hill Church, has resigned as lead pastor of the megachurch. Mars Hill, which recently announced closures of some of its churches, has a branch in downtown Everett.
According to the announcement posted on the Mars Hill website Wednesday, Driscoll submitted his resignation Tuesday. He resigned as both lead pastor and an elder of the church he founded in his Seattle home in the 1990s.
The church’s services feature rock music, drawing young worshippers to more than a dozen branches in four states.
The announcement said the church’s Board of Overseers accepted the resignation and “is moving forward with planning for pastoral transition.” It said that Pastor Dave Bruskas, one of the church’s executive elders, has been asked to serve as the primary teaching pastor “while we work on long-term plans and decisions.”
Ryan Williams, the leader of Mars Hill Everett, said last month that the church was seeing about 500 worshippers at services on Sundays. Mars Hill bought the old Everett Armory at 2730 Oakes Ave. in late 2012.
Driscoll, whose strong-minded sermons in Bellevue were relayed by video to all Mars Hill churches, announced Aug. 24 that he would step down as leader for at least six weeks. Known for Bible-based views and brash comments regarding women and homosexuality, Driscoll had been the subject of an investigation by a group of Mars Hill elders looking into formal charges against him.
Seven elders plus one member of the Board of Overseers were conducting the investigation, according to the announcement, and the full board is charged with reaching conclusions.
In Wednesday’s announcement, the group made five points:
- “Pastor Mark has, at times, been guilty of arrogance,” but it said they did not believe him to be disqualified for ministry.
- Driscoll has never been charged with immorality, illegality or heresy.
- Some allegations were found to be unfair or untrue.
- Some charges had already been addressed by Driscoll, some as long as 14 years ago, and that he had apologized.
- “We commend Mark for acting upon the vision God gave him to start Mars Hill Church and for his ministry of faithfully teaching the Word of God for the past 18 years.”
The announcement also said that Driscoll was not asked to resign, and that investigators were surprised by his letter Tuesday.
In his letter, according to the announcement, Driscoll said “it would be best for the health of our family, and for the Mars Hill family, that we step aside from further ministry at the church.” And he conveyed “to the wonderful members of the Mars Hill family, how deeply my family and I love them, thank them, and point them to their Senior Pastor, Jesus Christ, who has always been only good to us.”
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
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