The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill

 

I have listened to only the first episode so I cannot comment further but this series of podcast has been recommended to me.

Mars Hill was a phenomenon. In 1996, Mark Driscoll planted the church. By 2014 it had grown to include 15,000 people, in 15 location, in 4 states. But by January 1, 2015, it had spectacularly, and publicly, collapsed.

This series of podcasts investigates what went wrong. And a lot went wrong. It emphasises that the blame is not all laid at the feet of Mark Driscoll. It explores also the culture of churches, and the external criticism and negativity. There has been something of an epidemic of ministries failing to the point of the the pastor being dismissed. What is behind that? It also asks why WE keep letting these things happen. What is OUR responsibility?

We could listen as people finding pleasure in someone else's (another church's) downfall. It would be a lot more valuable listening as people willing to learn and, where necessary, repent.

This is long-form journalism. There are 12 episodes, most of between 50 and 60 minutes although the last two are 2.5 hours long. It is a serious investigation and worth listening to if we seek to learn lessons that might apply even in much smaller churches. Character flaws and bad culture can occur anywhere.

The podcast series has been produced by Christianity Today. Here's a couple of trailers

• First Look: The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill
• Full-Length trailer

The series can be found on the Christianity site of wherever you prefer to get your podcasts.

Please add your comments, extending grace and courtesy.