will separate them from one another

I've said kind things about Mars Hill Church in Seattle, and its Sr Pastor Marc Driscoll before. But I have to take a sec to be critical of a recent blog post from Driscoll about this past weekend. WA state was hit by a winter snow storm. The threat for ice and snow and sleet and high winds was clear, and state emergency officials encouraged everyone to stay off the roads and stay indoors. Businesses and the airport and many roads were shut down. Churches had to make the tough call on whether or not to cancel their services. Mars Hill chose not to. And Driscoll decides to take those concerned for their safety to task.

* First, he criticizes those who serve at the church and divides them between those with a calling to those who simply do a job -- and he bases it all on their attendance on one day. Never mind that he ignores public official encouragement to stay home, but it is ignorant to use any single day as the one that determines the diligent from the not. If a volunteer had devoted the rest of his year and served his heart out but missed the one Sunday, he is somehow a jobber rather than a faithful servant? Ridiculous.

People that stick their neck out the farthest are the risk-takers, not the most faithful. I imagine that from a probability standpoint, for example, the young adults are far more likely to venture out in bad weather out of sheer youthful energy and boldness. I suppose our elderly saints who have supported the church for years but whose infirmities and frailties must keep them home during a blizzard, those guys are faithless, right? Awful reasoning.

* Secondly, Driscoll dares to read people's heart based on their choice to stay home. I pondered my heart on staying home, sure, and ended up doing a house church lesson with the whole family. And it was an amazing experience. But apparently that isn't good enough. Apparently I have to be at the church facility to actually see God. Apparently God only lives in a holy temple rather than in our hearts and with us always. Driscoll's insistence on attendance is no different than fundamentalist preachers' insistence on dressing the right way or not dancing or not drinking or not smoking or not cursing as symbols of faith. That is pure and unadulterated pharisaic zeal, not reflections on some deeper faith.

* Lastly, he bases a person's love for their church on whether or not they can drive in snow and ice. Never mind the elder who teaches Sunday school, makes tough decisions, prays regularly for his flock, shepherds people on his leisure time, and gives generously of his resources. If he doesn't have snow chains, he hates his flock. He's not one of the "hardcore of the hardcore".

We'll find out at the throne, Driscoll, not on your blog.