Mark Driscoll, the 'larger-than-life' Evangelical pastor and best-selling author who has been charged of bullying, plagiarism, and an unhealthy ego that set against his devoted followers, resigned from his Seattle Mars Hill Church Tuesday, Oct. 14.
The 44-year old Mars Hill Church founder stepped down from his place as the chief leader and pastor following investigation accusations pressed against him. Acts 29, a network of 500 churches that Driscoll founded has removed the Seattle pastor and his Mars Hill church from membership in August.
The pastor leader has been charged of plagiarism and condemned for his position against female preachers and homosexuality.
However, the church's board of overseers made it clear that they didn't ask the megachurch pastor to quit his position. Driscoll, who took a leave of almost two months voluntarily resigned.
The group of seven elders and one member of the Board of Overseers made a conclusion through their long research and investigation based on Driscoll's support and cooperation and church Bylaws.
Driscoll had "been guilty of arrogance, responding to conflict with a quick temper and harsh speech, and leading the staff and elders in a domineering manner, but had never been charged with any immorality, illegality or heresy. Most of the charges involved attitudes and behaviors reflected by a domineering style of leadership," Elders of the Seattle Mars Hill Church concluded.
The investigating team also concluded that not all of the allegations pointed to Driscoll were untrue and unfair. The team continues, the megachurch pastor had confessed and made public apologies for different contentions against him, which some happened 14 years ago.
According to Mars Hill Church official website, Pastor Dave Bruskas will be serving as chief teaching pastor as they make the most significant transition in the their history.
Driscoll is an Evangelical pastor, successful author, one of the most celebrated preachers in the world and founding pastor of Mars Hill church in 1996. The Seattle megachurch had grown a total of 14, 000 members spanning in five states and 15 branches.
