Pastor Mark Driscoll is something else. CT titled their Sept.2007 article, Pastor Provocateur, about how polarizing he is. Nothing short of “genius”: controversy sells and generates buzz, he attracts and repels, often even the same group.
Now he’s going Web 2.0 to generate a sermon series. Not the kind of preach through a book of the Bible, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse. Over at askanything.marshillchurch.org, they’re collecting questions Twitter-style until November 1st, and then inviting you to vote on the favorite questions until December 14th. The top 9 questions with the most votes will become a sermon series beginning January 2008. (yes, the full 9-yards Web 2.0 with RSS feeds, comment threads, recent questions, blog..)
The top 3 favorite questions at the moment are:
- Do you believe that the Scripture not only regulates our theology but also our methodology? In other words, do you believe in the regulative principle? If so, to what degree? If not, why not?
- Pastor Mark, you have stated that you do not believe in “the rapture”. What are your beliefs surrounding issues of eschatology and the current, christian infatuation with the apocalypse?
- Why is Mars Hill Church considering opening campuses in other states and countries instead of planting churches at those locations?
Too many pastor-types posting questions and/or voting. I’d like to see more normal people chime in with their questions!
What do you want to ask Mark Driscoll? Don’t just comment here, go over there and ask away!
I dunno about this… I kind of want to throw up. My cynicism kicked in when he mentioned publishing a book by *echo* CROSSWAY *echo*. Marketing ploy.
I think I like it…tho it might have had a better start if this got advertised to a broader audience first (especially college students!)
DJ — I guess I shouldn’t be surprised any longer, but it never ceases to amaze me how much Mark seems to enjoy pushing people’s buttons. I mean, within the first twenty seconds he has written off his critics as weirdos, losers and still-lives-with-mom types. I often hear his fans & supporters say, “Well, that’s just how he is. Look at how much his church has grown. If you can get past the vitriol, he has lots of other good stuff to say.” But, even if he is “just joking around” when he makes these comments, the unspoken message is: if you disagree with us, not only is your opinion wrong but something is wrong with you (and we have every right to insult, mock and belittle you).
You’re right, though. This man knows how to keep his name at the top of the blogosphere. And, by stirring up controversy at public speeches and through new media, he practically guarantees that his sales will go through the roof.
Maybe that’s just how some people joke around, but to me, smirking condescension and name-calling don’t really have a place in the lives of Christ-followers (let alone nationally recognized pastors who write books). For me, at least, the worthwhile things he might have to say get lost in the midst of his taunting and button-pushing.
Good question, Daniel.. you forgot to mention the 2 insults against bloggers in the 1st 20 seconds
here’s what you can do — the hoi polloi can rally the masses to stack the vote (everyone gets 10 votes a day) and push up the question about Driscoll’s name-calling tactics; the closest one I found is: http://askanything.marshillchurch.org/alphas/412-why-do-you-tend-to-imply-insult-to-people-who-are-different-than-you
yea, the first clue might have been the theologically heavy wording of some of the questions at the top of the list. i’ve heard that certain pastors are encouraging their congregations to stuff the ballot box.
No offense but you guys seem to focus on the wrong things. It is fine if you do not appreciate his humor but you would have a hard time not being appreciative of his theology or the heart he has for God. Of course this blog entry is a bit of old news.