BREAKING: Mark Driscoll Resigns From Mars Hill Church, Elders Surprised to Receive Resignation

According to the Religion News Service, Mars Hill pastor Mark Driscoll has resigned, much to the surprise of the remaining Mars Hill elders:

“Recent months have proven unhealthy for our family—even physically unsafe at times—and we believe the time has now come for the elders to choose new pastoral leadership for Mars Hill,” Driscoll wrote in his resignation letter.

Driscoll was not asked to resign, according to a letter from the church’s board of overseers. “Indeed, we were surprised to receive his resignation letter,” the overseers wrote.

It is surely a positive that Mark is putting his family first. This probably should have been the priority a long time ago. And it is better for the congregation to have closure and be able to heal and look ahead to what’s next. That may mean the end of Mars Hill (if indeed Mark Driscoll was “the brand” as he claimed) – and it may not.

One thing is for certain: this is not the end of Mark Driscoll’s ministry:

In his resignation letter, Driscoll noted that he was not being disqualified from future ministry.

“You have also shared with me that many of those making charges against me declined to meet with you or participate in the review process at all,” Driscoll wrote. “Consequently, those conducting the review of charges against me began to interview people who had not even been a party to the charges.”

Driscoll hinted, though, that his continued presence would be a distraction.

“Prior to and during this process there have been no charges of criminal activity, immorality or heresy, any of which could clearly be grounds for disqualification from pastoral ministry,” Driscoll wrote.

“Other issues, such as aspects of my personality and leadership style, have proven to be divisive within the Mars Hill context, and I do not want to be the source of anything that might detract from our church’s mission to lead people to a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Still, as I’ve said before, this is the end of an era. 

Grace and peace to all at Mars Hill Church: there are better things ahead.

—

Update: Read Mark’s full resignation letter here.

Also, this is not satire.