Mark Driscoll - The Best Man For The Job
Mark Driscoll claims that some of our churches are led by men who are not the best men for the job – and should not be guaranteed continuing on in ministry just because they have a degree from seminary. As uncomfortable this might make us feel – I think that Driscoll is on to something. What do you think?
Toward the end of my seminary training my mission's professor, Richard De Ridder, lamented how one of our graduates had lost his passion for the lost. While at seminary he had a deep desire to follow the great commission, reach the lost, disciple the found, and be part of a growing church. Some years after graduation this man had settled into a church which was in maintenance mode. And he was satisfied with that. Ministry had become comfortable. But the lost were not being reached and hence no conversion growth. Even the found were not being discipled. And the church was in decline.
This reality is multiplied in many of our Australian churches. What if we take Driscoll's advice and merit ministers based upon their ministry performance? How many of us are willing to be evaluated on the basis of our fruitfulness in ministry? And what if our tenure in a church is dependent upon the outcome of our evaluations? Is this too radical? How does this fit into our understanding of ordination? What about the sovereignty of God? Let me know what you think?
About the author
Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant: New Life Community Church, Pickering, Ontario(1987-95), and Bethel CRC, Listowel, Ontario (1995-2007). Jack is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity - 1983) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry - 2003) Jack and his wife Jeannie currently live in Petrie, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. They attend and are members of Bray Park Community Church. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren living in the USA and Canada.
In Isaiah 58:11 we read: "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Australia has seen times of drought and floods. There is another type of drought in Australia; there is a spiritual drought. But God promises to provide refreshing rain, a never ending supply of refreshing water. The water he provides will satisfy the needs of all Australians. As we take up the missional vision God has given us we extend the life changing invitation of Jesus: "Come! Whoever is thirsty, come, and take the free gift of the water of life!" (Revelation 22:17)
