Gateway church had a leadership conference this week and while not a speaker there, Pastor Morris spoke briefly about Mark Driscoll who was in attendance in the audience. For a few brief moments, Driscoll was handed the mic and he expressed gratitude for support as he worked through his issues, asked for prayer and sat down. Ive only known of his ministry over the last few days and did not know that he had been intended to speak at this conference until a short time ago. We are Gateway members. We were between churches and initially went there one Sunday because we had friends there. Mainly, when people would say, have you tried Gateway?, I just wanted to say we had to avoid the pitch. Not too holy. But thats what it was. Im a bit of a theology nut and certain things are critically important to me so when Morris chimed in about the trinity that morning, I was intrigued. A charismatic church that dealt with the trinity? But we had checked the went to Gateway box and moved on. A few weeks later, running late, we went because it was convenient and close. Working through the Lords Prayer, Morris explained his quest to find the three in one in that prayer. He didnt just teach that doctrine; he was looking for it. So, we tried for a while and found that the sermons were serious about the bible and consistently good teaching. So we stayed in this charismatic church that we didnt have to check intellect at the door. Weve been in lots of churches with great preaching. Morris preaches about 70% of the time I think. Weve heard Jack Hayford, politician Rick Santorum, Ravi Zacharias (awesome), comedian Michael Junior, Max Lucado there as well. Doctrinally, Morris is the broadest and most useful week-to-week preacher Ive heard on a consistent basis. Every week brings a challenge and a renewal. The brouhaha over Driscolls presence at Gateway in print and social media tonight drew me in. What started as an investigation into what hes done and what was wrong ended with an observation. I dont know all this guy did that was wrong. I read a little that was vulgar and crude that he wrote on some blog 15 years ago and I guess there is more in a book more recently. His accusers, holy cow! They dont use vulgar language but theyre worse. Theyre experts. And the direct accusations against him and anyone whod be seen with him caught my attention. It was bitter. Ive been there. Ive been the accused. To my shame, Ive been the accuser. Ive been around rough people in church who try harder than anyone to get ahold of Christ. Ive been involved with people in ministry who dont use vulgar language but are weak, insecure and manipulate everyone in their sphere. I prefer the former. Mostly, I think the church needs to be robust and strong. I believe in strong arguments and stronger forgiveness. And when I think of the church, Im amazed. Its always been full of sin, error, pride and all of the things that grieve the Holy Spirit. Its the most dysfunctional group. We are the most dysfunctional group. And somehow people come to Christ for forgiveness, they learn to walk with God and the fundamental truth of the gospel just keeps being protected and renewed and the church of the Lord, his called out ones, just keeps shooting through history as straight as an arrow somehow. Its amazing. There will be no boasting in heaven. In the church, the world outside sees a lot to criticize and theyre often right. Theyre probably no better really but they have some valid points. The work the church accomplishes wont be because its members, us, are so great and wonderful. We all know better deep down. Were individually and collectively a mess if were honest about it. It will be obvious, if it isnt already, that it couldnt be because of this dysfunctional group of people. It will be because Jesus is so great and wonderful. May God protect his church and use it. May the Holy Spirit be present with us and may we act and speak in a manner worthy of His Holy presence.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:58:38 +0000
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