A local church needs a body of Spirit-filled, godly, qualified, humble, penitent, and united men to be examples of godliness for their people. This means they are ever aware of their sin and need of Christ, the abundant grace of God in Christ, and God’s call upon their lives to live and lead in gratitude.

Years ago, Christianity Today released an intriguing podcast titled The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. I found it to be insightful, compelling, and really well done. It’s also concerning, painful, and tragic. As I listened, the podcast humbled me and taught me some valuable lessons.

Mark Driscoll was someone I looked up to. I listened to some of his sermons, read some of his writings, and listened to some worship songs from his church. I didn’t agree with everything Mark taught or how he taught it but much resonated with me. Mark was direct, confrontational, and in many ways helpful to me. Mark’s way of saying things was different than other pastors, and that drew me in.

Mark Driscoll pastored Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. It was attended every weekend by thousands of people in multiple services across multiple campuses. The quality of Marsh Hill Church’s marketing was excellent and not hokey like most church marketing. They had much going for them. Then one day, the church collapsed. It collapsed hard. It collapsed fast. It collapsed with great pain.

If you want to know the details of the saga, tune into Christianity Today’s podcast; I won’t retell the story. But the saga confirms an important Biblical truth: the plurality of Spirit-filled and qualified male elders is vital for a local church. I am so thankful that Jerusalem Church has a plurality of elders.

One of the things that got Mark Driscoll in trouble is that, over time, he increasingly isolated himself from the elders in his church. At least that’s how the story is told. Mark fostered a hostile environment of distrust among the elders, which killed mutual accountability. Again, from a distance, Mark didn’t seem to invite rebuke, admonition, and accountability from his elders, nor did he receive it well. It was as if he saw his fellow elders as a threat to him instead of as a gracious protection and aid to foster sanctification. How can a church survive without a plurality of elders submitting to Christ and each other? How can a pastor?

As the minister of Jerusalem Church in the small town of Manheim, I can honestly say, and with a great level of conviction, that I am thankful for the plurality of elders. If I had unchecked power, it would be a temptation too great for me to handle and a pressure too great for me to bear.

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