Driscoll in The Seattle Times

This is Mark Driscoll, senior pastor of Mars Hill Church.  He's a strong "D" personality with a somewhat cocky demeanor.  Fruit just seems to fall effortlessly wherever this guy focuses his attention.  In 9 years his church has grown from a small bible study to a thriving mega-church of over 4000.    

But it hasn't been easy.  Pastors go through a tremendous amount of pruning if they are honestly pursuing the call of God on their life.  Especially the hard headed ones.  Driscoll writes openly about the painful experiences he and some of his members have undergone recently in an encouraging Seattle Times article. 

Comments

[deeapaulitan]

Funny to read a Seattlite just coming across the principle of pruning because of ONE lone apple tree!
One thing that I love about Mark is his in-your-face reality that for some reason feels like getting a good massage. I have loved curling up next to you in the evenings with Mark telling us that because of God's common grace toward us that life is "Better than Hell". I find it hard to argue with his insights, when I'm crying and laughing at the same time.
When trees are purposely trimmed back, lateral roots respond by producing more roots, thereby increasing the size and encouraging growth of smaller branches. The benefit is an increase in the integrity and volume of both the Roots and Fruit.
Other pruning points to remember:
* A tree that is trimmed properly when young will be less of a problem in the future. Large, healthy limbs seldom need removal if properly pruned during the formative stage.
* Pruning is wounding, and if wounded too deeply, even a healthy plant doesn't always recover. Prune carefully and ONLY when needed.
and finally:
* "Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn."
Walter Scott

And if I may be so bold... I like your fruits ;)

[Marcguyver]

Wow, absolutely terrific article!!
Isn't funny how God seems to value the 'saints' who have suffered the most? The 'Hebrews Hall of Fame' as it is sometimes called, is filled with nothing but story after story of saints who held on to their faith during the times when it made the least sense to do so! The bible even says that the world wasn't worthy of them!
Wouldn't it be nice to have your name added to that list? Well, then of course the path you'd have to travel to get there would be something a bit disconcerting now wouldn't it? Definitely don't find to many preachers or pastors teaching their saints how to become apart of the 'fellowship of his sufferings' now-a-days do we?
Just goes to show that suffering and tribulation are typically seen by other Christians as some sort of outward sign of an inward sin or sinful walk. However, scripture seems to point to the opposite. God seems to be completely and wholeheartedly interested in how his 'sheep' respond to the 'shearing' that often takes place.
Gives new meaning to the term FIDELITY. That 'hold on at all costs' kind of faith that God seems to be the most interested in. Unfortunately, you don't know if you have it until you have to hold on for dear life and, it's all you have left to hold onto because everything else has either been ripped from you or abandoned you.

Excellent post Jim, definitely provacative!