Editor’s Note: The following article is based on a letter from Sutton Turner, a former Executive Elder at Mars Hill Church, to John Lindell, the Pastor of James River Church. This letter is republished with permission and brings to light the ongoing controversy surrounding Mark Driscoll and Pastor Lindell’s support for him.
In a significant development highlighting the lingering impact of past controversies, Sutton Turner, a former Executive Elder from the now-defunct Mars Hill Church, has directly addressed James River Church Pastor John Lindell in a formal letter. The crux of Turner’s message is to confront Lindell regarding his continued platforming of Mark Driscoll, a pastor previously deemed unfit for ministry by Mars Hill Church elders. This move comes after a public dispute between Lindell and Driscoll, marking a potential turning point in their long-standing association.
Turner’s letter, dated April 18, 2024, expresses empathy for Pastor John Lindell and his family, acknowledging the difficulties they’ve recently faced. Drawing from his own experience witnessing Mark Driscoll’s “duplicity” during his time at Mars Hill, Turner underscores the potential trauma associated with Driscoll’s actions. He urges Lindell to consider the broader context of Mars Hill’s collapse and the reasons behind Driscoll’s resignation amidst allegations of bullying and arrogance.
The letter explicitly references the decision made by Mars Hill elders in 2014 to disqualify Mark Driscoll from ministry. Despite this, Pastor John Lindell was among the first to offer Driscoll a platform shortly after his resignation and has consistently supported him over the last decade. This support continued despite a public statement from 41 former Mars Hill elders in July 2021, reiterating their stance that Driscoll remains “unfit” for ministry and warning against his pattern of behavior. Turner points out that Lindell, along with other prominent pastors like Jimmy Evans and Robert Morris, seemingly disregarded these warnings and did not engage with the former Mars Hill elders to understand their concerns.
Turner argues that by providing a platform, Pastor John Lindell and others have inadvertently aided Mark Driscoll in rebuilding his brand and reshaping the narrative surrounding his departure from Mars Hill. He references his own efforts to publish transcripts from the Mars Hill investigation into Driscoll in January 2022, an action he felt necessary due to the continued support Driscoll received from influential pastors. These transcripts detail the findings of Mars Hill elders, who, after interviewing over 40 individuals, concluded that Mark Driscoll was disqualified from ministry due to:
- Quick-tempered nature and harsh speech.
- Arrogance.
- Domineering leadership style over elders and staff.
Turner’s letter serves as a stark reminder of the past decisions and warnings issued by Mars Hill Church leadership. He emphasizes the lasting impact of Driscoll’s actions, noting the thousands of individuals across multiple states who have been wounded by his “unrepentant behavior.” Turner implores Pastor John Lindell to acknowledge the pain inflicted upon these individuals and consider using his platform to offer an apology to those affected by Driscoll’s ministry.
The situation underscores the complex dynamics within evangelical circles regarding accountability and restoration. While Pastor John Lindell initially championed Mark Driscoll’s return to ministry, the recent public fallout and Sutton Turner’s direct confrontation raise critical questions about the wisdom of platforming leaders with documented patterns of harmful behavior. The letter from Turner is not just a personal appeal but a public document intended to encourage reflection and potentially action from Pastor John Lindell and other leaders within the Christian community.
Image alt text: Podcast cover image featuring Mark Driscoll, relevant to discussions about his ministry and controversies.
Mars Hill, Mark Driscoll, Sutton Turner
Image alt text: Podcast visual with text “Mars Hill, Mark Driscoll, Sutton Turner” indicating a discussion involving these key figures in the Mars Hill Church narrative.
Sutton Turner’s letter to Pastor John Lindell is a significant development in the ongoing conversation surrounding Mark Driscoll’s role in ministry and the responsibility of church leaders in addressing past harms.
This letter has been reprinted with permission.
Sutton Turner served as Executive Pastor, Executive Elder, and Board Member of Mars Hill Church from 2011 to 2014.
