Thursday, October 16, 2025

Church Growth Super-flop Still in the News -
WELS Ate It Up. LCMS Too!

Fired Mars Hill Church Elder Breaks Silence : MATTHEW PAUL TURNER ✪ Believing.Doubting.Writing.Parenting.Laughing.Thinking.Creating.Hoping.Living.:

Tim Glende told his congregation they were going to a "pastor conference,"
but there was no WELS or ELS conference at the time
the trio went to Seattle and took this photo (minus Mark).

Recent article about Mark Driscoll -

The star of Church Growth - like many other flops.

FIRED MARS HILL CHURCH ELDER BREAKS SILENCE

Posted by Matthew on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 · 42 Comments

Bent Meyer was fired by Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church in 2007. He spoke up on Sunday here. Bent’s backstory is offered here.

It’s not a long comment, but what he says is quite eye-opening and telling about the intentional narrow ministry mindedness of Mark.

I hope more people like Bent will speak up. Their stories are priceless to those who are suffering Mark’s consequences now.

I’ve heard from two Seattle journalists over the last couple days. Both said that former Mars Hill members are coming out of the wordwork to share their abuse stories.

It’s sad. And it keeps getting sadder.

I am one of the men fired the day of Mark’s rant about two elders he felt needed broken noses. Someone asked what has happened since that day.
I am happy to say, the next Sunday my wife and I attended another Church with far better expository teaching and a community that authentically and generously helps the marginalized.

I also finished my master program and have a private mental health practice serving the Seattle and Eastside area. This was a very good and satisfying result.

Regarding whether I spoke up or not. I have not been silenced by any direct or implied threats of retaliation. It is clear that the one who possess the air waves controls the content and spin of a story, so there was not much to be done.

I thought a lot about how I would response and just what my motives would be. I chose not to be lured into a public argument through the Seattle Times asking me for a blow by blow description of the events I have documented. I have a tendency to keep material for years and years.

I did prepare my narrative, including supporting documents, for members only to read who came to me for explanation. They had to agree never to disclose any of it to the media. These people have been honorable. As best I know, none have. By doing this I opened up myself to their scrutiny and possible rebuke. I have received nothing but kindness and support.

As to my motives, I want Mark’s best. In my opinion he is a very troubled man. He is caught in his own hell. The consequence, of course, is the influence he has on others, which is mixed.

He, Lief Moi, and Mike Gunn, together the founders of Mars Hill Church, sent out to focus on those that were young, upwardly mobile and future leaders. They wanted to position themselves to influence their faith decisions and their life choices. This is a lesson for many church leaders to learn from and choose for themselves.

The downside is Mark’s pathology shows up in ways that are impulsive, aggressive, irascible, shut off from effective relational influence, and most apparent not respectful and submissive to anyone, though he claims otherwise.

I have hoped and still hope for something short of him destroying himself that would bring about substantial change for this ever increasing population of worshiper. Some have fretted there will be a great loss of Christians with the demise of Mark and/or the Church. I don’t think so. The church that comprises all of us will survive. The chaff will be blown away, but the church will remain.

I would speak a caution to all of us. There is much to be learn for the Mars Hill phenomena. Don’t dismiss the hunger and openness to be influenced represented in those ages 18 through 30. Invent content that is useful and distribute it freely on the web. Always incorporate creatively some explanation of the gospel at the end of every teaching session with an invitation to do business with Jesus.

Even though Mark’s portrayal of masculinity is more like a comic book superhero and women needing to be protected and rescued is his focus, young men coming into manhood is richly important. Absent fathers is epidemic. Think about what it is that has caused them not to attach to their families. Mark comes at it from the standpoint of duty and responsibility, which is mechanical, missing other primary questions. Why do so many men not attach to their families? Why do they abandon family so easily? Mark uses shame and intimidation as the means of gaining compliance, which has the appearance of working, but is not transformational in the long run, or creates other issues of abusive relationships related to power and control. In many men, the tendency is understood in the short saying, “Monkey see monkey do.” Don’t over react, young men need to mature.

I feel like I need to give attention to the needs of women with equal if not more space since women are marginalized and silenced in so many ways. But, I will leave that for another time.

I hope this will satisfy the primary curiosity of those who wonder what has happened to me. I will say, the other elder fired at the same times is a good friend and is doing well.

Thankful that Bent shared.

I found this here.

ieatschwaemerei (http://ieatschwaemerei.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Investigating Universal Objective Justification":

This article will be interesting to you: http://matthewpaulturner.net/jesus-needs-new-pr/fired-mars-hill-church-elder-breaks-silence/

From Tom Fisher - Farmer

Dear Pastor Jackson,

I hope you are doing good, but I am concerned. I pray for you every day!

Thank you for your prayers, and faithful preaching and teaching of God's Word as clearly taught by Christ and Dr. Martin Luther. Luther literally saved me from a wrong understanding of God's Word. In 1977 my mom and dad and two brothers joined LCMS. I had to really read and study Luther's Works extensively to fully grasp the correct understanding of God's Word and Sacraments. I even read Luther's Bondage of the Will at least 7 times. Luther was a literary scholar and word smith. He used this skill to correctly explain the true meaning of God's Word and Sacraments.

Luther's understanding and teaching of God's Word and Sacraments is the ONLY true Christian doctrine and faith. It alone teaches justification by faith without works. All other religions ADD works to justification, but they are not recognized as being works righteousness. The Baptists, Calvinists, Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Reformed, Pentecostals, Jews, Turks, Islamic, Greek Orthodox, Mormons, Jehovah Witness, Objective Justification Cultists etc. ALL ADD works to justification by faith.

My younger brother Mark visited me today on his way to Harrison Arkansas. His wife Jean has liver cancer. She does not want to die. She reads God's Word in the King James Bible, especially the Psalms. I asked my brother if Jean was baptized. He said yes. I said Baptism makes her a Christian and an heir of eternal life. She needs to hold onto her Baptism into Christ not her works. God in His mercy is keeping her alive for my sake. What would I say to her sons Jesse and Josh? Jean never went to church, but she is BAPTIZED in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. BAPTISM is church membership. This is clearly evident in the early church. Notice the URGENCY to IMMEDIATELY Baptize all who gladly receive God's Word. Ananias urged Saul to IMMEDIATELY be Baptized and wash away his sins. The Ethiopian Eunuch was IMMEDIATELY Baptized by Philip. Philip did not allow the fall of Simon the Sorcerer who was Baptized to STOP the Ethiopian Eunuch from being Baptized. Phillip did not REQUIRE a 6 week 'church membership course' BEFORE Baptism. No! Baptism FIRST then the six-week study of Luther's Catechism and the King James Bible. That means that I will encourage my two nephews to be baptized as soon as they want to. No delay! Either I will do it or my brother will do it as they completely reject mainline religion. I just pray someone will Baptize Jesse and Josh in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Where are the faithful Lutheran pastors? It seems you are the ONLY faithful Lutheran Pastor in the United States and world. The apostasy and blindness among Lutheran Pastors is frightening!

The church needs faithful Lutheran Pastors. Laymen like myself are distracted from the Word of God by our vocations. I feel bad you are being burdened with the email problem. I pray someone will help quickly resolve the problem.

Pastor Jackson your work is not in vain. I pray God will help you and strengthen you in every way.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

Reformation Seminar, Revelation Chapters 15 and 16

15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Boss Charlie Sue - Always in Charge, Even When Faking Her Timidity

Today a church member was talking about Charlie's companionship and her help in many forms. She is a passionate entertainer, getting the postal worker to laugh at her antics on the cul de sac.

The two of us go to the PARK! three times a day. A hint of her rotating tail gets going fast when anyone hints at that grassy field.

Tomorrow's Revelation Chapters - 15 and 16.

Chapter 15 is short and fits closely with Chapter16. Throughout this often neglected book is a familiar theme or puzzle.

How Do We Wake-up with Such Nightmares

How have we found our nation and most others in collapse? Japan, India, and China, Russia withering away, and Europe another region of doom.

The nations of the world - such leaders! - remind me of the 50th anniversary of my high school. The alumni wanted to get together for the big banquet. However, one person wanted to show off her favorite no-talent, loud band. Everyone got up and left in one silent mass. The 60th anniversary is not planned - no surprise - and many alumni have passed away.

That is very much like America, following the crowd without genuine leadership.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

21st Century Communication

The Internet gave me a mild shock when someone from Moline, Illinois posted that Moliners did not know where I was or maybe I was hiding or withdrawn on purpose.

I am the sole author of the blog Moline Memories - for over 15 years. I did not know I was so easily hidden away near WalMart headquarters and Tyson Foods headquarters. Hint - both are in Northwest Arkansas.

Moline Memories 1966

I continue posting almost daily on Ichabod the Glory Has Departed.

9 AM Tuesday - Reformation Seminary - Revelation Chapter 14

Three Visions for Chapter 14

1) The Lamb on Mount Zion

6) The angel with eternal glory

14) The Son of Man on the cloud, the sickle

1) The Lamb on Mount Zion

14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

6) The angel with the everlasting gospel

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

14) The Son of Man on the cloud, the sickle

14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Monday, October 13, 2025

Various Lutheran Books Are Available Through Amazon

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