Mark Driscoll - The verdict should be thrown out. #1

Mark Driscoll, talking about Church Discipline at an Acts 29 boot camp, stresses that as many witnesses as possible be sought. However, when he fired two beloved pastors http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004020898_webmarshill18m.html the elders refused to allow witnesses at the "trials" of these men. They did allow hearsay, however. In fact, most of the trial consisted of hearsay. This meant that the testimony could not be cross-examined or questioned. Mars Hill own discipline document states "Hearsay or second-hand reports from one person do not qualify as a credible charge (Deut. 19:15; 1 Tim. 5:19)". Page 11)

It further states....8. For the truth to emerge, the elders must hear first-hand reports from both sides of a dispute before a decision is reached (Prov. 18:17). 9. When at all possible, multiple witnesses should be required (Deut. 19:15; 2 Cor. 13:1).

The elders listened to exclusively second hand information refusing to bring in or allow first hand testimony to be heard or cross examined.

This meant that the deliberating elders only heard the perspective of the accusing elders and nothing from the defense. It is no wonder that the elders came up with a guilty verdict as they had not heard all the evidence. Mars Hill's own documents do not allow this and Mark Driscoll himself knows the folly of a trial without witnesses. Yet it served his purpose to allow such to occur.

The trial should be declared sinful and unfair and the resultant verdicts be overturned and the pastors be justly exonerated and compensated for their lost reputations and income.

More coming....

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