April 18, 2024 – Pastor John Lindell of James River Church is under the spotlight following a public letter from Sutton Turner, a former executive elder at the now-defunct Mars Hill Church. Turner’s letter, originally published by The Roys Report, addresses Lindell’s long-standing support of controversial pastor Mark Driscoll, despite Driscoll’s troubled history and subsequent disqualification from ministry by Mars Hill elders in 2014. This open confrontation sheds light on the ongoing debate within evangelical circles regarding accountability, platforming of leaders with questionable pasts, and the impact on individuals affected by church leadership decisions.
Turner, in his letter, expresses empathy for Pastor John Lindell amidst recent challenges at James River Church, but quickly pivots to the core issue: Lindell’s consistent platforming of Mark Driscoll. He reminds Lindell of the extensive investigation conducted by Mars Hill elders, which led to Driscoll’s resignation due to concerns about his behavior and leadership style. Despite these well-documented issues and warnings from former Mars Hill leaders, John Lindell has been a prominent figure in providing Driscoll with a platform to rebuild his ministry over the past decade.
Turner directly references a statement issued in July 2021 by 41 former Mars Hill elders, explicitly warning churches like James River and Trinity Church about Driscoll’s pattern of behavior. This warning, however, was allegedly ignored by John Lindell, along with other prominent pastors like Jimmy Evans and Robert Morris. Turner asserts that this lack of engagement with the former Mars Hill elders allowed Mark Driscoll to exploit their platforms, furthering a ministry that has caused considerable harm to individuals over the years.
Turner highlights that numerous influential leaders, including Brian Houston, Carey Nieuwhof, Randy Robison, and Robert Morris, have played a role in rehabilitating Mark Driscoll’s public image. He points to his own writings and the release of investigation transcripts from Mars Hill Church in January 2022 as attempts to counter what he describes as a “new narrative” being built around Driscoll. Turner emphasizes the gravity of the Mars Hill elders’ findings, underscoring that these were not casual accusations but the result of thorough interviews and prayerful deliberation by godly men.
The formal charges against Mark Driscoll, which led to his disqualification, are reiterated in Turner’s letter to John Lindell:
- Quick-tempered, including harsh speech.
- Arrogant
- Domineering in his leadership of the elders and staff
Turner, now outside of the mega-church sphere, emphasizes his empathy for John Lindell’s current situation, drawing a parallel to the tumultuous period at Mars Hill. His letter serves as a stark reminder of the warnings issued by Mars Hill elders years ago, warnings that John Lindell and others seemingly disregarded. Turner stresses the lasting impact of Driscoll’s actions, recalling the numerous individuals in multiple states who have been wounded by his “unrepentant behavior.” He urges Pastor John Lindell to acknowledge the harm caused and to consider offering an apology from his platform to those affected.
Sutton Turner’s letter is a direct and public appeal to John Lindell, urging him to reconsider his association with Mark Driscoll and to acknowledge the pain experienced by those impacted by Driscoll’s past leadership. It raises critical questions about the responsibility of church leaders in platforming individuals with documented histories of harmful behavior and the importance of heeding warnings from those who have witnessed such behavior firsthand. The unfolding situation between John Lindell and Sutton Turner is being closely watched within the Christian community as it touches upon vital issues of leadership, accountability, and reconciliation.
Podcast cover image featuring Mark Driscoll. The image promotes a podcast episode titled “Mark Driscoll: The Trap, The Truth” on The Roys Report, relevant to the article’s discussion of Driscoll’s controversies and John Lindell’s association with him.
Sutton Turner speaking about Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church
Image of a podcast episode cover featuring Sutton Turner, Mark Driscoll, and “Mars Hill”. This visual element represents the second part of a podcast series where Sutton Turner discusses Mark Driscoll and the Mars Hill Church saga, providing context to his open letter to John Lindell.
Sutton Turner’s extensive experience as a leader within Mars Hill Church and in the corporate world lends credibility to his perspective. His willingness to publicly address John Lindell underscores the seriousness of his concerns regarding the platforming of Mark Driscoll and the broader implications for church leadership and accountability.
This letter, reprinted with permission from Sutton Turner and originally published by The Roys Report, is a significant development in the ongoing narrative surrounding Mark Driscoll and those who have supported his ministry resurgence. It remains to be seen how John Lindell will respond to this public challenge and the call for accountability.
