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Mark Driscoll Resigns from Mars Hill Church

By Sarah Pulliam Bailey
Controversial megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll. Photo courtesy of Mars Hill Church/RNS.
Oct 15, 2014
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Mark Driscoll, the larger-than-life megachurch pastor who had been accused of plagiarism, bullying and an unhealthy ego, resigned from his Seattle church Oct. 15, according to a document obtained by Religion News Service.

The divisive Seattle pastor had announced his plan to step aside for at least six weeks in August while his church investigated the charges against him. Driscoll’s resignation came shortly after the church concluded its investigation.

“Recent months have proven unhealthy for our family—even physically unsafe at times—and we believe the time has now come for the elders to choose new pastoral leadership for Mars Hill,” Driscoll wrote in his resignation letter.

Driscoll was not asked to resign, according to a letter from the church’s board of overseers. “Indeed, we were surprised to receive his resignation letter,” the overseers wrote.

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Controversial megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll. Photo courtesy of Mars Hill Church/RNS.
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