Seattle’s Mars Hill Church announced yesterday that the embattled megachurch would disband by the end of 2014. Interim preaching pastor Dave Bruskas told the congregation that the church leaders had decided that “the best future for each of our existing local churches is for them to become autonomous, self-governed entities.”
The dramatic move comes just over two weeks after the church’s co-founder and lead preaching pastor Mark Driscoll resigned his position. Prior to his resignation, Driscoll had been on leave pending an investigation of charges against him lodged by 21 former Mars Hill Church pastors and other unnamed witnesses. Just days before his resignation, Driscoll had been confronted with the results of the investigation by church elders. As a result of numerous interviews with aggrieved parties, the elders found that Driscoll had engaged in “persistent sin” relating to arrogance and a harsh, domineering style of leadership. The elders recommended that Driscoll step down as preaching pastor and only return when the elders believed he was ready. In the face of those conditions, Driscoll resigned.
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