Our board's decision is final regarding these charges, although will no doubt continue to be played out in the courts of public opinion. Again, I am deeply saddened that the A29 board would make such a decisive and divisive conclusion without speaking directly to the board or Mark prior to their public announcement.
The Mars Hill church is crumbling around them and they play fiddle. They insist they have the final say and their decision to exonerate someone so obviously compromised proves that they do not have the interest of Jesus Christ in the forefront of their thinking. Then to try and turn it around and blame the Acts 29 Network. Like this is somehow all their fault. Yeah, King Saul tried that too:
Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?" And Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal." - 1Samuel 15: 19-21 (ESV)
It wasn't me! It was the people that took the spoil! It wasn't me! It was those Acts 29 people! We should not be surprised because this is Driscoll's MO. He did the same thing when the allegations about the best seller list first came to light. Not only did he scoff at the charges but then he used the pulpit of God to make himself the victim during a sermon called, "Equipped by the Holy Spirit to Face Wolves." How transparently sad. The letter concludes:
My counsel to you is to not become bitter or angry. Continue to pray for all involved. Continue to love and lead the people God has brought to your churches. They need a pastor right now and God has given them you!
We do need to pray for all involved. Pray that everyone operates in the best interest of the kingdom of God not their own little kingdom. My counsel however for this sham of an Accountability Board and for Pastor Driscoll is simple. There is still a chance to repent. There is still a chance to get off of the King Saul path. There is probably not much more time left but there is some. Before you issue another video or silly letter...please take the advice of the Prophet Samuel and - stop!
Reverend Anthony Wade - August 11, 2014
