Driscoll/NNCC Video

UPDATE:  Driscoll blogs about the banned video.

Mark Driscoll is the founder & president of the Acts 29 Network - a highly-respected international missional church planting movement of which Catalyst is a proud member.  This video of Driscoll was specifically filmed for the National New Church Conference held this past week in Orlando.  I wanted to share it here with 3 thoughts:

1)  If you want to understand Catalyst's heart, vision, and passion for saturating and dominating the Kent metro-area with the message of Jesus, this video sums up what we're about.

2)  I know a high number of church planters read this blog - this video was part of what became a controversy at NNCC this week when a national Christian leader (who curiously is not part of any church planting movements) ripped into the video's message immediately after it was aired at the conference.  This made me sad and reminded me both of why I didn't go back to NNCC after last year's experience and also that we all need to preach the Gospel to ourselves everyday.

3)  We are unapologetically committed to raising up strong, godly men at Catalyst.  This video accurately represents why.

Comments

[emily]

I don't know anything about the controversy, but I'm so flippin' tired of disunity amongst Christian leaders. Jealousy, bitterness, plain 'ol "I'm bored and don't have anything better to do,"--whatever the reason--YOU leaders of the church are responsible for many of the let-down who have left the church for good. STOP arguing amongst yourselves and wasting your time fighting over stupid stuff and START caring for the lost, the let down and the looking. STOKE the fires of the passionate. Pretty much ANYTHING is better than fighting and making the church look weak and petty.

(Jon, thanks for letting me rant on your blog.)

[dan]

I can't see what Hybels could possibly see wrong with this vid for church planters. Driscoll speaks very clearly over three topics and then gets specific. He hits these loaded topics very quickly and highlight women. 60% of women are encouraged in the faith. I wasn't at the conference but if this conference agrees to work with many networks than they need to let the networks pass out the information rather than censor what is given out by a supported group.

I like how Mark pointed out that a launch pastor is not over a church yet but over a church plant and can not put time towards things that will take the man away from that goal. I liked the video in whole and how he awakens the call to men, but disagree that this vid hinders women in any way. In fact it actually gives a glimpse in how women can support men.

[Chris Elrod]

I was there...I didn't think Hybels "ripped" into the video. He made one simple comment about women being important to church planting..that was pretty much it.

I really don't understand the controversy over the whole thing. The video is just classic Driscoll. Hybels' statements were just classic Hybels. Both are totally different...and needed in the Kingdom of God.

I think I'm most amazed because it was the final main session of the NNCC and the least attended. There didn't seem to be much buzz about the video or Bill's statements after the session...most folks just wanted to hit Disney World, lunch or the hotel pool. :-)

[Clayton Bell]

It's unfortunate that this might turn into a bit of controversy, because both of these guys are so incredible. I loved the video, and love the fact Driscoll isn't afraid to call out for male leaders. The type of guys he's after, which are the type of guys missing from the church, are the ones who'd never be offended by what he said. Jonathan, I hope you keep up the great work, and keep doing all you can to reach those men in your community.

[Chris Elrod]

One other thing...contrary to Driscoll's blog posting...the video was not banned. I received two copies as I headed out the door.

[Jonathan Herron]

Chris -

I have it on authority that the videos were specifically withheld by NNCC, contrary to bad info out in the blogosphere. You got a rare copy. Sell it on eBay.

[Sam]

I agree that a church is built on men, but I think the Drsicoll's view of the men a church should be built upon is off.

What happened to men in their 40s and 50s? Stable men who have proved their faithfulness over many years. I am in my mid-twenties, a youth minister, I have a wife, a child, a business... in other words, I believe (I cringe when I say this) that I am about as stable as a mid-twenties guy can be... but I would not be a part of a church that was built on men like me.

I don't have the knowledge, experience, work ethic, and wisdom -among a million other things- to build a church upon. Maybe the reason Driscoll is seeing church plants die is because the ones he is looking at are focused on unstable, immature men.

Plus, might I add, I don't want to be thrown in the scrap heap when I'm 60 because I'm not useful anymore. I think 50-60 are prime years for a Christian.

Summary: I agree that 20 something men are not being reached effectively. I don't agree that any church should be built on men in their twenties.

[Jonathan Herron]

Hi Sam -

Thanks for the comments. 4 thoughts in response for you to chew on:

1) I don't see Driscoll knocking older men. Could you help me see where this thought is coming from?

2) Where does Scripture teach us that physical age = spiritual maturity?

3) What do you do with pastors such as Timothy, Titus, John, etc. All men in their twenties who were raised up by God to lead churches (not to mention other godly leaders from the Old Testament who became prophets & kings at early ages)?

4) Would I be disqualified from leading our church plant based on my age?

Thanks Sam!