SEATTLE (AP) β As 2014 comes to an end, so will Mars Hill Church, whose founding pastor Mark Driscoll resigned two months ago amid controversy over his leadership.
The final sermon to the Seattle-based church and its branches in four states was preached Sunday by the Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of California’s Saddleback Church.
In recorded remarks, Warren urged Mars Hill members to trust God as their congregations disband or reorganize as independent churches. He also urged them not to be bitter about the conflicts that led to Driscoll’s resignation.
The church said it found Driscoll had a domineering style with a quick temper and harsh speech, but noted that he was never charged with immorality or heresy.
Attendance at Mars Hill branches had fallen sharply from 12,000 a year ago, but Warren compared Mars Hill Church to a mighty tree that dies and gives birth to new life.
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%@AP Links
187-a-13-(The Reverend Rick Warren, pastor of California’s Saddleback Church, in recorded Sunday sermon to Mars Hill churches)-“in the future”-Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren says God has a future for members of Mars Hill churches. (29 Dec 2014)
< 189-a-06-(The Reverend Rick Warren, pastor of California’s Saddleback Church, in recorded Sunday sermon to Mars Hill churches)-“out of it”-Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren says Mars Hill was like a mighty tree. (29 Dec 2014) < 190-a-06-(The Reverend Rick Warren, pastor of California’s Saddleback Church, in recorded Sunday sermon to Mars Hill churches)-“gossip, don’t judge”-Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren says Mars Hill members shouldn’t dwell on the events of the past year. (29 Dec 2014) < 188-a-15-(The Reverend Rick Warren, pastor of California’s Saddleback Church, in recorded Sunday sermon to Mars Hill churches)-“challenges and creativity”-Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren says this has been a difficult year for Mars Hill members. (29 Dec 2014) < 191-a-08-(The Reverend Rick Warren, pastor of California’s Saddleback Church, in recorded Sunday sermon to Mars Hill churches)-“used Mark Driscoll”-Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren says Mars Hill members shouldn’t be bitter as their congregations move ahead independently. (29 Dec 2014) <
