A few days ago, I posted a video of Mark Driscoll encouraging Christians who say that their church doesn’t feel like family.
Paul Adams has responded to this post by pointing out that when church doesn’t feel like family, leadership may need to take responsibility as well. In other words, don’t just blame those who aren’t getting connected.
While I wouldn’t be as hard on Driscoll as Paul is, it’s good for pastors like me to hear Paul’s challenge.
Paul Adams:
In a previous post I addressed the often one-sided application of Hebrews 10:24-25 toward those who leave a church with no seeming regard for how the passage equally applies to those who remain in a church. I asked “Are leaders merely pointing the Hebrews 10:24-25 finger at those who are departing or is the finger pointing inward and outward as well?”
I just learned of another similar and sad illustration of this one-sidedness. Much to my disappointment it comes from Mark Driscoll who points the finger in one direction only. He rightly claims that church should feel like a family but short-sightedly insists that if it does not, then it’s the fault of those who are not serving in the church.
Hi Chris:
As always, I sincerely appreciate your charitable thoughts. They mean a great deal to me. Perhaps I did come off a bit hard on Driscoll with my “How dare you…” questions. Though they are rhetorical in some sense since they’re not intended to apply directly to Driscoll. In another sense they are generally directed at all (leader and lay alike). As members Christ’s Body we all have to take responsibility for our family members. After all, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Cor 12:26).
May the Lord have his way with us all!
Paul, I agree. Your post was helpful to me personally. It is good for pastors like me to hear.