The relationship between prominent pastors John Lindell of James River Church and Mark Driscoll, formerly of Mars Hill Church, has recently become a focal point of discussion within Christian circles. This renewed scrutiny arises from a public feud and a revealing open letter penned by Sutton Turner, a former Executive Elder at Mars Hill Church. Turner’s letter, originally published by The Roys Report, directly confronts Lindell’s continued platforming of Mark Driscoll despite Driscoll’s controversial history and subsequent disqualification from ministry by Mars Hill elders. This article delves into the core of Turner’s message, the history between John Lindell, Mark Driscoll, and Mars Hill Church, and the broader implications for church leadership and accountability.
Turner’s letter emerges from a place of deep concern and personal experience. As a leader within Mars Hill Church during Mark Driscoll’s tenure, Sutton Turner witnessed firsthand the events that led to Driscoll’s abrupt resignation in 2014 amidst accusations of bullying and arrogance. Despite this tumultuous exit and the formal declaration by Mars Hill elders that Mark Driscoll was “unfit” for ministry, John Lindell was among the first to offer Driscoll a platform for ministry re-establishment as early as 2014. This support has continued for a decade, a point of significant contention for Turner and many others familiar with the Mars Hill saga.
In his letter dated April 18, 2024, Turner addresses Pastor John Lindell directly, expressing empathy for the challenges Lindell and his family have recently faced. However, the core of Turner’s communication is a “grave matter” rooted in Matthew 18 principles, focusing on Lindell’s persistent support of Mark Driscoll. Turner reminds Lindell of the 2014 disqualification of Mark Driscoll by the Mars Hill elders, highlighting that Lindell, along with other prominent pastors like Jimmy Evans and Robert Morris, disregarded warnings from 41 former Mars Hill elders in July 2021. These warnings specifically cautioned against Mark Driscoll repeating past detrimental behaviors as he rebuilt his ministry.
Turner emphasizes that these influential leaders, including John Lindell, seemingly ignored these warnings and failed to reach out to any former Mars Hill elders to understand the complexities of the situation. According to Turner, this lack of due diligence allowed Mark Driscoll to leverage platforms like James River Church to “continue to build a church and a ministry that has hurt people.” He points out that over the past decade, figures such as Brian Houston, Carey Nieuwhof, Randy Robison, and Robert Morris have also played a role in platforming Mark Driscoll, contributing to the reconstruction of Driscoll’s public image and the reshaping of the narrative surrounding his departure from Mars Hill.
To further substantiate his claims, Sutton Turner publicly released transcripts from the Mars Hill Church elders’ investigation into Mark Driscoll in January 2022. This action was a direct response to the continued platforming of Driscoll by churches like James River, aiming to provide undeniable evidence of the reasons behind Driscoll’s disqualification. Turner underscores the integrity of the Mars Hill elders involved in the investigation, many of whom were volunteer leaders who dedicated themselves to a thorough and prayerful process, interviewing over 40 individuals to gather direct testimonies.
The Mars Hill elders’ investigation concluded that Mark Driscoll was disqualified from ministry based on three critical points:
- Quick-tempered, including harsh speech.
- Arrogant.
- Domineering in his leadership of the elders and staff.
These points, detailed in a document from Christianity Today, paint a picture of a leader whose behavior was deemed detrimental to ministry and the well-being of the church community. Turner’s letter serves as a stark reminder of these findings and the subsequent warnings issued by those deeply familiar with Mark Driscoll’s leadership style at Mars Hill Church.
Turner, now removed from the mega-church sphere, expresses empathy for John Lindell’s current situation but stresses the importance of acknowledging the past and the warnings that were ignored. He urges Lindell to remember the thousands of individuals impacted by Mark Driscoll’s “unrepentant behavior” across multiple states, people who “sacrificed for the church, and who carry deep wounds because of it.” Turner concludes his letter with a direct call to action, urging John Lindell to use his platform to acknowledge these individuals and offer a direct apology for the harm caused.
Mars Hill, Mark Driscoll, Sutton Turner
Sutton Turner’s letter to John Lindell is more than a personal communication; it is a public reckoning with the ongoing ramifications of Mark Driscoll’s ministry legacy and the accountability of church leaders who provide platforms without due consideration of past harms. The controversy surrounding John Lindell and Mark Driscoll highlights critical questions about leadership, forgiveness, and the responsibility of Christian leaders to protect their congregations from potential spiritual abuse and harm. As the situation continues to unfold, the dialogue initiated by Sutton Turner’s letter remains vital for fostering a healthier and more accountable environment within the broader Christian community.
