Sunday, February 1, 2009

Mars Hill Church Pastor, Mark Discoll As Presented by NightLine and The New York Times Magazine: Mars Hill vs. Other Megachurches

What does Mars Hill have in common with other megachurches such as Joe Oesteen's Lakewood church in Houston, Bill Hybel's Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois, T.D. Jakes's Potter's House in Dallas, Texas and Rev. Robert H. Schuller's California's Crystal Cathedral, Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church?

They all have members in the thousands. And their ministers are very influential people leading the flock. They are respected and are not afraid of taking a stance against popular secular issues. They are willing to stand on the Word of God.

One of these pastors has been featured on Nightline and The New York Magazine lately for his position on various issues and his way of tackling various issues such as masturbation and sex. He is causing some grief to various Christian conservatives who are calling him, "the foul mouth minister or the cussing pastor." Because of his hellfire theology, a large group of critics are staying away from his sermons. Yet, they are very popular on Youtube, Godtube and elsewhere on the Internet.

Pastor Driscoll preaches that women should submit to their husband as found in the Bible. He allows his members to watch "Fight Club" movies, but not the Chronicles of Narnia. The church has worship warms up for about 1 hour of popular hymns by Bruce Springsteen's song, "Born to Run." He may preach for more than 1 hour. That is longer than most pastors do these days.

When he appeared on Nightline, the reporter asked him about masturbation. Once again, he gave an answer that made everybody laugh. "Whatever your hands find to do, use them with all your might..."