Hey guys.

I have gone to Mars Hill for about three years. This article really saddens me, but only because it's a gross misrepresentation of my church. It seems one of the most hotly debated issues here is the role of women in the church as breeding door-mats. I beg to differ. The couples at Mars Hill are the strongest, most respecting and loving people I have ever met. Mars Hill offers marriage classes to ensure healthy, godly marriages. If you come to Mars Hill on any given Sunday and ask a member their position on the topics you fume over in these blogs, they would convince you that the writer of this piece is severely biased and misinformed.

Furthermore, I am deeply saddened to read comments posted by infuriated Christians who have been hurt by Christians at some point, either at Mars Hill or another church. Guys, is it really beneficial to rant about this stuff so carelessly? I thinks such measures to discredit, and slander other Christians are utterly foolish, immature and (since you like to talk about how "unbiblical Mars Hill is) unbiblical. If we have a disagreement, lets talk about it after praying to God about it, and come to the discussion with a level head. I challenge you to examine yourselves find the real root of your anger and to stop blaming the Church. Our fiery arrows are from the evil one and Jesus takes the hits, not Mark Driscoll.

Eph 3:18-21

Plus, I forgot to mention that THEY ARE GOING TO PUBLICLY "OUT" MEMBERS WHO DO NOT TITHE OR WHO GIVE VERY SMALL AMOUNTS. They are making up a list of members who either they do not have on record as giving or who haven't given much in order for them to be PUBLICLY REBUKED. So, for people like me, and I know a lot of students, who give in cash, we will be on that list.

Here is a post on the member's forum from Pastor Paul Petry:

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We are in the process of compiling a list of members in community groups who are either not giving at all or whose giving is pitifully low. Of course, there can be several reasons, perhaps they may be experiencing some severe family or financial crisis. Whatever the reason, we need to know. As for those who have been attending your group for awhile who are not yet members, find out why. Lovingly encourage them to take the gospel class and become committed members: "fish or cut bait."

__________________

I am watching the member's forum, and one by one, so many people are coming forward and confessing to not tithing. I know it is because they will show up on the LIST. So they are trying to smooth it over and repent now or whatever. It's wrong. Myself and also my friends most of us tithe in cash because we don't want to get any credit for what we are giving. If someone else doesn't give that week, then mine can cover them. If I don't give next week then theirs can cover mine. When it's in cash, no one gets credit and it stays between you and God, as it should.

The saddest part is that so many of these members coming forward put in HOURS of service at the church. I myself did that when I didn't have a job. I had no money to give, so I gave in service. But I guess that doesn't count when there are BUYOUTS AND ACQUISITIONS to be had. It just seems like the almighty dollar is all that counts. I know every church struggles with money, but this seems really inappropriate, especially the way they have been spending. Why buy out other churches for any reason other than pure HUBRIS? Hubris is, as we all know, Mark's middle name. The location in Ballard could have church all day if there were other pastors who preached. But Mark has made clear that there are no other pastors like him that he would trust to preach. Shocking! I feel like Mars Hill wants to be the only church organization in Seattle, like Starbucks wants to be the only coffee company, like Mark wants to be the pied piper of all of Christendom.

It should be an interesting Sunday at church, I almost feel like going but I know it will only upset me. Last time something like this happened at Mars Hill, several years ago when they were smaller, they were about to buy the old Paradox theater, but fell short some on funds, and Mark made the whole church NOT TAKE COMMUNION because the congregation had to REPENT for not tithing. Even though I wasn't a member yet, I remember thinking this doesn't seem right, even cultish. But he has a way of making it all seem holy that really gets you. I feel differently about it now of course. But he will probably do the same thing this today. Maybe not, he could probably get into more hot water for something like that now.

Mars Hill church mismanaging funds and donations, in their own words:

http://www.marshillchurch.org/Notes/finances2006.pdf

This is infuriating. They are reckless with their budget and now are firing people and blaming it on a "sinful" congregation who "doesn't share the vision"??

They have been buying up expensive real estate, for instance they bought out Doxa church in West Seattle like they are Starbucks buying out Seattle's Best Coffee.

I have been a member at Mars Hill since I have been a student at a local Christian university: almost 3 years, but attending here and there for many more years than that. I am never going back to this legalistic church. I realized that I leave there every Sunday, deaf from the loud music and Mark's screaming, feeling like a loser who is not worthy of God's love because I still have sin in my life. The more I realize my sin, and the more I listen to Mark, the less I feel that Jesus loves me. I CAN'T EVEN READ MY BIBLE ANYMORE because: 1. I have felt like I can't understand it properly without Mark's interpretations and 2. Because I am terrified of and shamed to the core by the Jesus I now see there. Mark would say that's a good thing or that it could mean that I am just not one of the Elect.

Now this budget thing. Is it really all about money? I give every week in CASH from the $8 an hour I make at my 10 hour a week job. I guess it doesn't add up and I don't get credit for it because I give in cash. I would pay by check except that I DISAGREE ON PRINCIPLE WITH "GETTING CREDIT" FOR MY TITHE. So in their records I appear as a member who does not give. THIS IS NOT BIBLICAL. THIS IS NOT CHRISTIAN.

Also, if only 3 people donate one third of your entire budget ($700,000), your organization is sure to crumble if you spend first then live from month to month - don't blame the congregation for your reckless spending! I can't believe they essentially have no savings as a backup, then say they have been "good stewards" and the congregation hasn't? I'm sorry but I really hope this is the end of this sick church that eats its young.

I know there is no sense being a voice of reason at Mars Hill. Take it from a member, anyone who speaks against the church or Mark gets instantly FRIED TO A PULP for "causing division." The members are terrified to speak up about anything. Anyone who has access to the members forum can see that. NO ONE CROSSES MARK, and we all know this.

I am tired of us all being indoctrinated by this church that we are losers and unworthy of Christ's love in every way possible. Our congregation do not have to stand for this, especially now in the face of their reckless spending. It's not our fault and we should not be blamed!