Accountability and Pastoral Leadership: Mars Hill's Challenges

Mars Hill's Tacoma campus, just across the street from my former church.

Photo (c) Tacoma News Tribune/Dean Koepfler -  thenewstribune.com

My wife and I began our life together in her homeland - the Pacific Northwest.  It's a beautiful part of the world, and through a variety of factors, most sociologists agree that it is the least "churched" region of the United States.  That's not to say that there aren't some wonderful churches in the Northwest; it's just that most people you meet at work, at school, or at the grocery store probably are not connected to any church.  Some sociologists go so far as to say that the Northwest is the "none-zone," which means that given the opportunity to respond to a survey questions about religious preferences, most people would respond with "none."

I moved to the "none-zone" in 2005 to do youth ministry at a wonderful church, which just so happened to be located in Jill's hometown.  Almost immediately upon my arrival, I began to hear about some of the so-called "mega-churches" in the region.  (Side note: we need a less fearful and more helpful moniker than "mega-church.")  One of these churches is known as Mars Hill Church (marshill.com), based in Seattle but housed in more than a dozen campuses across the region.  The founding pastor of Mars Hill is a man named Mark Driscoll.

At the time, Mars Hill was on my radar screen for being big, but not for much else.  I learned more about Mars Hill from some of my friends who attended the church, and then later from my seminary professors and colleagues.  Like any church, plenty of criticisms and discussions abound, but for many, Mars Hill (and Driscoll's) hard-line stance on forbidding women in leadership was the most top-level issue.  Other criticisms - such as lack of accountability among church leaders and a highly-elevated senior leader/communicator - weren't as high-profile at the time, but are now surfacing as major cracks in Mars Hill's foundation.  Two articles published just this week tell a sad story of the church and its founding pastor:

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/23/us/mark-driscoll-is-being-urged-to-leave-mars-hill-church.html?_r=0

The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024380355_marshillxml.html

Even though I have my points of departure from Mars Hill and other churches like it, I've been encouraged by friends and mentors to try to maintain an attitude of humility about their ministry.  Regardless of theological differences, the ministry of this church has helped expose thousands of men, women, and children to the gospel of Christ.  For that, I'm grateful for Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll.

No leader should ever be put in a position of infallibility, and no pastor should live without clear boundaries for accountability.  I meet with three other men my age every week to share, pray, and keep each other accountable.  I have several mentors who ask me difficult questions about my heart and my love for Christ.  My senior pastor and I are held to high accountability by our elders, and one of the biggest reasons I chose to be a Presbyterian pastor is our systematic emphasis on accountability within our leadership.

I'm not saying Mark Driscoll should become Presbyterian.  I'm not saying that I'm perfect in my life and ministry, or in my commitment to accountability.  I'm saying that being above-board and transparent is crucial for any leader, and if these reports are true, accountability has become a major issue at an important church in an environment surrounded by people who are far away from God.  This should grieve us within the body of Christ.

We should never rejoice when any Christian leader stumbles or falls.  We should never cheer when people with whom we have serious disagreements suffer.  As a leader of a church, I can guarantee you that Mark Driscoll is hurting right now, and we need to be praying for him, his family, and their church's witness in the Northwest and around the world.

Solo Dei gloria,

Travis

The Story Small Groups: An Invitation

In two weeks, we will begin to journey together through The Story and discover the continuous thread of “God’s upper story” of grace and redemption.  The Story will best be experienced through participation in small groups.  Participating in small group discussion around Scripture allows our minds and hearts to be transformed which leads to a change in our actions, attitudes and eventually transformation of our lives.  Relationships in a church are an opportunity to love and be loved.

On Sunday, September 7th at the end of the 9:15 service, those individuals that have the desire (and courage) to want to be a part of the small group discussions will be encouraged to take a RIGHT out of the sanctuary and go immediately into the Youth Room (keep going right and the Youth Room is the last room on the right).  There will be fresh coffee/ tea and treats there and most of all people who are eager to interact with all who come.   After about 10 minutes of having coffee and chatting, we will begin to get into our small discussion groups which will meet in spaces in our office area as well as in the education wing.  Our children will also be participating in The Story and their leaders will be ready to welcome them by 10:45.  The adult groups will have the option of watching a different 10 minute video (different from what we watched in Worship together) which will help focus our attention.  We’ll discuss a couple of questions that Tom and Travis would like for us to ponder based on their sermons.  There will also be additional questions to pursue that are different from questions in the back of The Story book.

Our small discussion groups will be a safe place for questioning and doubts.  We know that questioning, doubting, and wrestling with scripture helps us grow more than just being fed “the right answers.”  No prior knowledge is needed to participate in a small group.

Looking forward to this journey together.

Belinda Russell and the Discipleship Team

Beginning "The Story"

"What's the goal?  Why are we reading The Story for the next nine months?"

I love it when really good questions like this are presented to me on Sunday mornings.  Really and truly - it's always great to hear what people are thinking, and sometimes, standing in the doorway of the church after worship is just where these things come rolling out.

Responding to the question above: when we read The Story, we experience the Bible.  That's one of the best ways to summarize this journey we're taking together starting this fall (which you can read about at thestory.com).  I can certainly say that I have experienced the Bible as I've read The Story throughout the summer.  I've been able to hear the messages of the Bible again with fresh eyes and ears.  The way that the book keeps the Bible narrative moving through creative editing, summaries, and the always-helpful timeline is a completely new and exciting way to read through the Scriptures.  I feel like I can actually grasp some of the bigger themes, especially when it comes to the Old Testament, prophets, and key leaders in the history of Israel.

We've got copies of The Story available at the church office, and we'll be offering them in-between our worship services starting this week.  I hope you'll pick up a copy and take part in this great journey together.

Travis

PS - I can't imagine a better way to read through The Story than in a small group.  Starting Sept. 7, we'll have a number of discussion groups which will be meeting on Sunday mornings.  Coffee, snacks, and group facilitators will all be provided!  Stay tuned for more details.

Derek Jeter and Respect

(c) sikids.com

"Is it possible to despise the Yankees and love Derek Jeter?"

It was 2009.  I was in the middle of seminary, and I had just read the Sports Illustrated article naming Jeter - the Yankee captain, shortstop, and sure-fire Hall-of-Famer - the 2009 Sportsman of the Year.  The article - one of the best pieces of long-form journalism I've ever read - highlighted Jeter's amazing career, his commitment to his family and philanthropy, plus his deep love and respect for the game of baseball.

After reading the article, I called my friend Todd, a lifelong Red Sox fan and a leading authority on Yankee-loathing.  "So what do you think?" I asked, "Isn't that a philosophical impossibility?  To love and respect an amazing player but to detest the team he's served so faithfully for his entire career?"

"No way," said my friend.  "Pretty much every true Red Sox fan I know loves Jeter.  He's played the game the right way, giving 100% every night, always keeping his nose clean, for almost 20 years.  The guy is a living legend.  As a Red Sox fan, I love Jeter.  I want his team to crash and burn, but I love the guy for what he's done for baseball."

Jeter's final season is underway.  He's playing the majors for one last ride, giving 100% every night.  If you watched the All-Star Game last week, you saw just how much other players hold Jeter in the highest regard.  And he's earned it.

I wish I had the chance to see him play one last time.  I've seen him take the field a few times in Seattle and once at Old Yankee Stadium in New York.  Watching him play is truly an electrifying sports experience - not because of his flashiness, but much like Tim Duncan for the San Antonio Spurs, because of his devotion to fundamentals and playing the game with excellence in every way.

Even though it's an advertisement for a shoe company, the video linked below perfectly summarizes what I'm talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03_bNuihLU

Enjoy the final games, Jeter.  Thanks for being the guy every baseball fan can all hold in the highest regard.

Travis

Total Identification

[The hope and the end-goal of the Christian life:] the person and gospel of Jesus Christ, living here and how, in people who are by his total identification found through the spiritual disciplines.

– Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines, p. 237

Willard’s quote about the spiritual disciplines highlights what I consider to be the key for any role in any life.  In my case, the only way I can be effective in pastoral leadership is through the spiritual disciplines – practices which connect me to Christ.  The less effective I am on a weekly or even daily basis, the more time I need to spend away from doing ministry tasks and more time alone with the Lord.  When I’m feeling lost or tired as a spouse and father, the same reaction needs to happen – back off and be with God.  And there's no way I'll ever be perfect at any discipline - perfection isn't the point.  Pursuing the One behind the discipline is the point.

I want to be someone who is constantly shaped and formed by time alone with the Father.  Jesus modeled this for all of his disciples, which includes me.  I want to totally identify with who Jesus is, what he loves, and what he desires for the world.  I’ll never be able to simply will myself into that, just like I’ll never be able to work hard enough or long enough at being a good dad and husband.  All of those roles are long-term projects under the supervision of the Holy Spirit.

This morning, I went for an early run as the sun was coming up.  It’s been a packed week already, and I know that if I don’t take time to be alone and exercise, the wheels will start to come off.  I ran through the city, remembering why exercising at 4,600 feet is so challenging.  While I ran, I listened to music, prayed, and asked God to open up my heart and mind to better hear His desires for the day. 

After my run, I came home to stretch and eat breakfast.  I tried to get into my devotional routine – reading through The Story and journaling – but I was utterly frustrated and distracted in my mind.  I just couldn’t focus on the disciplines.  Then I remembered an important lesson: you can’t force intimacy.  Spending time with Jesus wasn’t going to happen with my mind being in a hundred places, so I got up, carried out the trash right before the dump truck rolled down our alleyway, and took a shower.

Some mornings are just like that – full of distractions.  Getting up and using my body to do other things (besides trying to sit and concentrate) helped a ton.  I’ll keep in touch with Christ throughout the day through prayer, and I’ll meet with him again tomorrow morning.  He’ll be there, I’m sure.

Shalom,

Travis

Uganda: Finding Family

There’s a couple of ways – many ways, actually – to talk about the conclusion of a trip like this.  The side of me that’s been trained to proclaim (maybe the lawyer/argumentative family background poking its head up?) wants to make a clear case for why nearly everyone should come to Uganda someday.  The theologian wants to make a case for seeing things apparent in the Kingdom through an experience like this.  My role as a father, husband, and friend leads me to emphasize the depth of need and the real opportunities to bring Christ-centered hope to the people of Uganda.

But, of course, it’s so much bigger than that.  I wholeheartedly believe that most people (good health and a reasonable amount of mobility/stamina are requirements for any kind of travel in the developing world) can and should make this trip a priority.  I also believe that, like a friend of mine told me before I went, you will see the hand of God in Uganda in clear, life-changing ways.  Just like seeing God’s handiwork is a privilege of this trip, so is the transformation of a team into a family.

When you visit Jinja and meet the people who lovingly serve Christ at the Amani Baby Cottage, you encounter people who are already serving together as a family.  Varied gifts, backgrounds, and passions abound, just like any family.  The mission of Christ unites such a disparate group of people in ways that none of us could have imagined.  And we’re certainly formed by the people whom we meet as we serve together - and thus become a family.

So let’s see if I can create a case for Uganda: you will find a family.  Your love for Christ and compassion for others will grow.  You’ll see people you’ve never met doing work that will shake the foundations of your heart.  Some of the most beautiful landscapes on God’s earth will unfold before you.  People from across the globe will embrace you, affirm your giftedness, and give you the role and the tools you need to serve children.  And your heart just might break for people you don’t even know but whom God loves dearly.

St. Augustine once wrote that a community is a group of people knit together by common objects of love.  For our team, Uganda was a tremendous experience of Christian community, knit together by love for Christ and his children.  I hope you’ll be a part of it someday.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support.  Look for more thoughts and reflections on Uganda at this blog in the months to come.

Blessings,

Travis

Uganda Team - Travel days

Hi everyone,

We're hitting the road back to Grand Junction today.  Leaving Jinja isn't easy, but it is time to come home.  

Pray for us as we drive to Entebbe, fly to Doha, then fly again through the night back to the US.  If we find ourselves near WiFi on the way, I'll update the blog again.

Blessings,

Travis