- THE GOLDEN RULE: Love must always trump your theology. All commenters must acknowledge the pain some people have experienced. While we are open to disagreements on theology, please treat others with respect.
- We exist to share our experiences at Mars Hill to help others make their exodus and find healing in telling their stories. While we are not a watchdog site, we will occasionally post links and stories about Mars Hill that we feel our readers would find interesting or important.
- We seek to glorify God in our words and actions (though I am sure we will stumble). All stories should be told respectfully (no foul language, no sharing names of people involved, etc.).
- All comments in response to people's stories will be moderated. People who are brave enough to share their stories have already been hurt. We will not post comments that are profane or abusive. Each person's story is theirs to tell, and we want to be a place of encouragement. Refer back to THE GOLDEN RULE.
- We are just regular people. We are not mental health professionals, pastors, theologians, or the like. Any advice or scripture we may offer is solely our opinion or understanding of scripture.
- The rules are subject to change if we find they are not working (we have never done this before).
WHAT THE WORLD IS SAYING ABOUT US:
PRO:
PRO:
- Brave
- Bold
- A Blessing
- Courageous
- Timely
- Safe Haven
- Oasis in the midst of the postevangelical desert
- Feminists
- Feminists
- Satan
- Bitter
- Unforgiving
- Imprisoned
- Consumer Christians
- Stupid and Petty People
- Losers
- Lightening rods for complaint, anxiety, frustration
- Unhelpful
- Imperfect
- Repulsive
- Pathetic
I find this repulsive coming from Christian believers. I have left two churches over serious disagreements as to what we felt to be biblically errant behavior that was not corrected or acknowledged, and I would NEVER do this to a Bible believing church. You have the freedom to leave, but you do not glorify God with this pathetic behavior. He is not mocked, do NOT be fooled...
ReplyDeletei find Mark Driscoll's behavior to be biblically errant that is neither acknowledged or corrected as well so at least we have that in common.
DeleteI am sure it is not your intent to judge my heart or attempt to threaten me that God is going to punish me for speaking about my experience, but that is how you come across. i have a healthy fear of my God but I am not terrified of Him because the last time I checked, He LOVES me and extends GRACE.
thanks for stopping by!
Your words are haughty and cowardly "anonymous." Why don't you, if YOU are a bible believing person, search the scripture and point out exactly what this site is doing wrong and list out those "wrongs" pointing to scripture?
DeleteHow exactly is this site not glorifying God? Give scriptural examples, not opinions.
Do you go to Mars Hill and know first hand that they are a bible believing church? Does being a bible believing church mean they are never wrong and are above reproach? As a bible believing church have they never wronged people?
If you haven't done ALL of these things you really have nothing but empty accusations.
How is this site "mocking" God?
Can you find any examples in the bible where groups were publicly called out for their actions/behavior?
How is the behavior pathetic? Again, scriptural examples please.
Anonymous, I pray God's blessing on you. I implore you to read your comment over. Though you may not agree with the purpose of this blog, does that justify hateful speech? Please search your heart and turn the matter over to God. If you come back with the same answer, then so be it.
ReplyDeleteSophia, I appreciate your boldness to speak the truth.
ReplyDeleteWhen I shared my painful story I was told I was "making evil statements as if I had first hand experience." But my statements were verifiable facts, as well as my first hand experiences.
I think many feel very threatened if their particular church and/or movement has a blemish exposed. I suppose it's pride that wins over loving others ... even if the "others" have been beaten up by their church/movement.
I'm sad to see you've had the "bitter" card (amongst others) played on you for telling things as you see them.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a huge difference between working things out that cannot be reconciled and keeping a record of wrongs. Sometimes things that have been forgiven still need to be aired for closure, especially if there is one-sided forgiveness and repentance.
David Augsburger in "Caring Enough to Confront" (a really old book now, but still great) made the statement that "God loves whole persons," negative emotions included. Jesus got angry over injustice and evil in the Temple. Don't let anyone guilt, shame, or blame you as you work things out and keep speaking against injustice.
Perhaps someday there will be a true reconciliation, but until then, don't let anyone silence the truth. It is not love to enable manipulation.
I think you should add "Feminists" to the 'Pro' column as well. :-)
ReplyDelete~Anna Rebecca
Done :)
DeleteAwesome!!
Delete~AR
"Love must always trump your theology. "
ReplyDeletebeautiful quote.
"True theology is Love." - Anonymous <3
DeleteWhat is the scriptural basis for this blog..?
ReplyDeleteLiam,
DeleteI am Sophia's husband and couldn't help but notice your comment.
Most of the people who frequent this blog are people who have been shunned, excommunicated or badgered by "Christians" at Mars Hill for asking questions about the wisdom of decisions made by leaders, certain theological positions or a dozen other issues within the church that deserve a robust discussion. They had their life turned upside down because they actually had the guile to ask a question when something grieved them in their heart... Some after spending years entrenched in ministry were met with complete and total silence from groups of people they had spent years getting to know. Typically the switch happens over a matter of days after asking a question or raising a concern that causes them to fall out of favor with a leader.
This blog is here to help them make sense of it, understand that they are not alone and find commonality with a body of believers after losing theirs.
I honestly hope you never experience that... But throwing quip little barbed questions out is... pretty much useless.
Don't minimize the experiences of the people who spend time here... That sheds a poor light on your character... Love must trump theology son. If you've got an itch for an argument. Take it somewhere else.
Liam, What Unreformed said, and:
DeletePsalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Since we are the hands and feet of Jesus, we are the ones who are to carry out the ministry of healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds.
The Driscoll machine steamrolls over anyone that doesn't snap to with Third Reich devotion to the machine.
There are a lot, a lot of walking wounded that the Driscoll machine creates and then throws away and shuns.
This blog is carrying out the ministry of Jesus to heal those wounded by young bulls who never learned how to be lambs.
the things i'm reading here about mars hill proves again what i've always believed is that christians shoot their wounded. i came to this site after reading the mars hills web site rules to become a member and became very concerned because i have a family member attending the portland church. i'm sorry to say that if you blindly follow rules and sign a contract the cool aid will follow, not if but when.
ReplyDelete