Mark Driscoll, a recent interview

As I have said may times before, Mark Driscoll, Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, is one of my favorite preachers (I catch his sermons on Podcasts).

He isn’t a slick personality, but he captures your attention. He doesn’t horse around on stage, but he can be humorous. And more than anything, he consistently preaches God honoring Biblical truth with love.

He has caused quite a bit of controversy because of his straightforward approach, and he has learned a lot in recent years about being more humble and graceful. He has been called the 'swearing' pastor, not sure of that is fair or not, but he can be really blunt. He is well known for his in-depth exegesis, and sometime preaches well over an hour. Yet, in one of the most un-churched and liberal cities in the country, God is growing his church.

I am crushed that he is speaking at this years' C3 conference at Fellowship Church and I will not see it live (I will be in Cabo for a much needed vacation). Below is short, recent interview from The Monday Morning Insight with Todd Rhodes ...

Mark Driscoll: Our Goal is More People Worshiping Jesus

I had the opportunity to hear Mark Driscoll speak at the Coast to Coast Multi-site Church Conference yesterday in San Diego. I was really looking forward to hearing Mark speak in person; and it was worth the wait. Whatever you think of Driscoll (and his mouth that sometimes gets him in trouble), you have to admire his passion. He did a great talk on how Mars Hill is doing multi-site; and some of their plans for the future. They are growing wildly fast (they grew a thousand in attendance last month!). But the one big take-away that I got from Mark was his mission statement...

Mark said his goal comes straight out of I Corinthians 9:

“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
Mark said that his goal is to have ‘as many people worshiping Jesus as possible’.

Now that’s a simple, yet demanding goal.

Mark said that everything he does in ministry answers this question: Will what we are doing allow more people to worship Jesus? If so, they do it.

If it means changing musical styles, they do it. Open another location? Do it. Different speaking style? Sure. Different technology? Yep. Everything revolves around that question… will it help more people worship Jesus.

It seems strikingly simple. But what a powerful concept?

What part of your work today is helping ‘more people worship Jesus’? It’s a good reality check to make sure we’re making a difference.

Thanks, Mark, for your passion. It’s that passion that many times gets you in trouble (with other pastors and Christians), but after seeing you first hand; I find it much harder to condemn.

HT: Monday Morning Insight

Mark Driscoll's blog

I like to think of myself as a person who, though I take God seriously, I don't take myself too seriously. Mark Driscoll's style reminds me of the same, and it is inspiring to see God using him.

Grace and peace,