Mark Driscoll, JRC’s John Lindell, and Our Response
The unfortunate situation that unfolded this past weekend in our community saddens me. The end result of James River’s Stronger Men’s Conference at Great Southern Bank’s Arena in Springfield, MO turned into a real circus online as news broke all over America about the scuffle between James River’s John Lindell and Mark Driscoll. The question is, What should be our response?
Here’s What Happened
During the first Saturday morning talk of Mark Driscoll, he referred to the Friday evening opening act of the Stronger Men’s Conference as an example of a Jezebel spirit, against which he had specifically preached. He began to dissect the sword-swallowing act where a shirtless Las Vegas artist Alex Magala climbed and quickly descended a pole as part of his act, along with accompanying fire and music. Driscoll compared the opening act to a strip club, which he referred to as the Jezebel spirit.
Pastor John Lindell came out of the crowd hollering at Driscoll telling him to stop speaking. that what he said was enough, and ordered him off stage. After Driscoll left the stage, Lindell insisted, based upon his understanding of Matthew 18, that Driscoll should have discussed this issue privately rather than calling him and the church out in public.
Later, the two appeared again together on stage and said they had talked, reconciled backstage, and then spent an hour in dialog before the crowd. That was Saturday, April 13th.
Today, April 15th, the news story broke and people are talking about it everywhere. Our community is abuzz. National news media of every sort is covering it. Further, people are discussing the happening on X, Facebook, and other internet sites.
Here is the question though for those who say they follow Jesus, what should be our response?
What has been the response?
As mentioned, since Saturday, people are discussing this all over. Everywhere I went today in our community, it was the discussion. Those who love Jesus Christ and care about the glory of God, the reputation of the church, and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are talking about it. Further, those who ridicule Jesus Christ, misunderstand His followers, make fun of the church of Jesus Christ, and could care less about the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are talking about it as well. Believers in Jesus and unbelievers in Jesus – all talking about the same event which happened between two nationally-known megachurch pastors. Some support Driscoll. Others support Lindell. Many others either criticize or ridicule both.
What should be our response?
For those who love and follow Jesus, this entire spectacle should burden us. None of us should gleefully tell this story to another as part of the latest gossip. We should not search for the latest scoop, make sure others around us have heard about it, or eagerly engage in the conversation. Instead, we should pray and ask God to help us control our tongue, help us walk in the Spirit, and then pray diligently for God’s glory out of this unfortunate and unnecessary public spectacle. Although Lindell said over 500 chose to follow Christ on Friday night, thousands and thousands of people have been encouraged today to gossip, backbite, devour, and criticize.
Each and every Christian who were not at the event or is not part of the church should have the following five responses:
- We should and must maintain walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26). Regardless of what we think about any player or circumstance associated with this story, we are responsible to walk in the Spirit. If we are walking in the Spirit, then we can evaluate our thoughts, attitude, emotions, words, and actions by the fruit of the Spirit. If those things do not represent the fruit of the Spirit, then they represent the works of the flesh. Further, if we are in the flesh, then we need to repent of our response and prayerfully move forward in the Spirit.
- We should and must control our tongues by choosing not to gossip as part of God’s wisdom (James 3:1-18). The tongue is like a spark which sets an entire forest on fire. The fire of the tongue represents a world of iniquity. The inability to control what is said, praised, laughed at, ridiculed, or shared demonstrates lack of control over the heart and defiles the whole body. Instead of representing God’s wisdom from above which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, full of mercy, and full of good fruits, an uncontrolled tongue represents wisdom from below that is earthly, sensual, and demonic. This kind of tongue does not produce the fruit of righteousness, but instead confusion and every evil thing.
- We should and must speak words which promote grace in the lives of those who hear us (Ephesians 4:29-30). As we use our words to interact with those around us, our words should impart grace to the hearers and promote necessary edification, instead of corrupt words that are foul and distasteful. Our words we use should honor the Lord and not grieve the Holy Spirit. As people listen to us, our words reflect our inner man, which, if we are followers of Jesus Christ, flow from our new man created in Christ. Our words then should demonstrate true righteousness and holiness. Words that reflect Christ promote grace, understanding, and a renewed spirit.
- We should and must choose to represent Jesus Christ as faithful ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). As those who were not at the event, who did not experience it in real time, who are not members of the church, nor who are responsible for what the church does next, what should dominate our thoughts, motives, words, and actions? We should remember and maintain our role as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. Whatever it is we say must reflect the character, convictions, and conduct of Jesus Christ. If we are compelled to say anything in this instance, meaning we are part of the solution and not part of the problem, then we must say it as Christ. Peter reminds us as good stewards of the manifold grace of God to speak as careful representatives of God and use our energy in ways that honor Him (1 Peter 4:10-11).
- We should and must follow Jesus’ commands to love and remain unified in an effort to glorify God (John 13:34-35; 17:20-23). As those who follow Jesus, our priorities must include the command to love one another and demonstrate unity with the hope of living out the glory of God. You do not have to agree with Driscoll, Lindell, JRC, or anyone associated with them to maintain a spirit of love and unity in this entire matter. You can respectfully disagree; however, in your disagreement, you also must maintain your greater love and unity.
Each of us must consider our response in our own hearts, attitudes, conversations, and actions in light of these five principles. Have you lived consistent with what the Bible demands?
Again, you do not have to agree with any person in this matter. However, if you are not a member of JRC who is working toward a solution, why go online to tell everyone else your opinion, your hot take, or your position? Why not refer to this situation online in ways that are consistent with these five principles? If someone asks you at work or church or wherever about it, why not simply respond in ways that reflect these five truths? Answer the inquiring person in humility and grace as you protect the love and unity of the body of Christ.
And, why not?
Why do you believe that others need to hear your opinion of James River, John Lindell, Alex Magala, or Mark Driscoll? Why is it necessary to post online that you are for Mark or for John? Why use this regrettable circumstance to throw shade at megachurches, seeker events, Driscoll, or Lindell?
As I have listened to some, they shared this story almost gleefully. “Another megachurch bites the dust.” “Look how stupid they look!” “What’s going on over there?” “What’s wrong with those people?” Let’s be honest, there is plenty to criticize, and it is easy to do it.
The sad reality, though, is this: many of those people follow Christ. This very public event encourages those not just in our community but around the world to criticize the church. Our response, if we are not careful, provides further opportunities to keep things stirred up and fan the flames of destruction. Regardless of your personal opinions of Driscoll, Lindell, James River, Magala, or the event itself, unless we choose to respond in ways that honor the Lord, then we become part of the problem, not part of the solution. God help us honor Him, maintain self-control over our spirit and tongue, and respond in grace to this most disappointing event.
How does your personal opinion and reaction glorify God? …promote the Gospel? or, …minister grace?
This public event as it has caught wind and become even much more public should drive each of us to our knees in humility. In sadness and with the burden of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we should ask God to grant each of us His mercy, compassion, and forbearance. Possibly, not one other person reading this blog would do as JRC did, as Lindell did, or Driscoll did. However, we are responsible for our response to what happened. Whether in our thoughts, motivations, attitude, words, posts, or actions, may God be glorified. May God grant us the wisdom to speak and the wisdom not to speak. In the process, may the Gospel be magnified and the people around us served well as representatives of Christ.
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KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
I agree with a lot of what you said. And I felt sad about the event and sad about the confusion it caused.
I guess my one question would be…is there ever an appropriate time to call out a church?
Because I know division is bad…but isn’t there sometimes a necessity for a distinction between what is of God and what may not be?
It’s just getting harder and harder to tell where JRC’s focus is.
Great question, and I agree with you about being saddened. There is a time to publicly disagree with someone. Yet, in this instance, if we are going to disagree, it must be in consistency with those five biblical principles. Most of what I’ve read and seen isn’t even close. It seems to me that most were just taking sides, taking the opportunity to be critical, or just stirring up trouble since this is the perfect opportunity to do so. It seems as if people are sharing and commenting without any concern for Christ, the Gospel, or others affected – in my opinion. So, yes, criticize where and when necessary, but only when wise. For instance, if someone asks you about it, you can say you disagree and why; however, it should be encased in a word of concern, sadness, and disappointment, not in condemnation or judgment or, even worse, glee that you have the opportunity to criticize. Hope that helps make it clearer; again, great question.
So well said, thank you!
My Friend and Brother Kevin,
Thank you for being a voice of calm and reason in times like these. This should be the approach to every scandal in the Church world. May God be glorified as he sovereignly deals with His children.
Rod Kesselring
I’m a little suspicious about whether this series of events was really unplanned. Pastor Driscoll has a history of publicity stunts and this certainly created publicity. Both pastors walked away in a mutual admiration club. I do not see Pastor Lindell’s endorsement of, “You want to know what John the Baptist was like? ‘ Mark’s a prophetic voice to our generation”, as being appropriate. Mark has delivered some extremely errant messages that were clearly not from God. That is not close to the standard of a prophet. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
This was a lot of chaos at an event that maybe wasn’t a worship service, but it contained worship and teachings. It seems like sword swallowers on a pole and monster trucks aren’t exactly in the spirit of how Christ ministered and taught. I’m don’t see a New Testament parallel. As Pastor Driscoll mentioned, this kind of entertainment (sans the monster trucks) existed and Jesus did not appropriate it. He didn’t warm up the crowd like this before the sermon on the mount.