Mars Hill’s leader looks back at Hallelujahpalooza

Actually, in his latest blog post, Mark Driscoll calls the September 14th Alki event “baptismalooza,” while also giving a nod to “pajama blogger jihadists” whom he believes are posting from “the comfy confines of their mom’s house.” (We own this ourselves, thank you very much.) His retelling of the seal incident is pretty close to other accounts except for two things: we don’t remember “animal-rights activists” showing up unless he means the Seal Sitters, and his crowd estimate of 3,000 is about 4 times what we got at the scene. SUNDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: MH’s WS pastor Adam Sinnett estimates that same crowd at 2,000 in his latest blog post, which also touts the congregation’s growth, mentions they are moving from “live” to “video” preaching (does that mean MD via video to all campuses? we can’t sneak in to see for ourselves, we’re way out of their demographics), and says they’re having a big bash this Wednesday 9/26 (neighbors take note).

Jan September 22, 2007 (7:14 pm)

makes one wonder what else he’s being “dishonest” or “fudging” about. I never will trust people like that, whether they’re “pro-God” or ant-God”.

Jan September 22, 2007 (7:38 pm)

ant-God? nooo…anti-God :)

flipjack September 22, 2007 (7:48 pm)

from the page “This has been a packed week with some interesting potential fodder for the pajama blogger jihadists who make declarations about how the world should be from the comfy confines of their momÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s house.”

I was going to write something clever, but the sentence really speaks for itself. All I can do is shake my head and laugh under my breath.

3000 people….yeah right Mark.

NsSw September 22, 2007 (7:54 pm)

Who bankrolls this circus?

Erik September 22, 2007 (8:11 pm)

I’d say 500 – 1000 at 6:45. Parking round the hood was similar to 4th of July…so most drove.

French Soldier: You don’t frighten us with your silly knees-bent running around advancing behavior!
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Radley September 22, 2007 (9:12 pm)

I am sorry, these people creep me out. I tried to take a Sunday morning run at the SWAC track a few weeks ago, and they kept acosting me to take the bus to the Mars Hill service. No thanks, please let me commune with my ipod and sneakers in peace.

Jumbojim September 22, 2007 (9:16 pm)

I like the way he labels people so casually as well. “Animal Rights Activist” – seems some people want to equate it with “terrorist”. Does being a person who goes down to the beach to help guard a baby seal make you an Animal Rights Activist, even if you’ve never joined any related groups or done anything like that before?

I doubt that this pastor would care to be so casually and dismissively labeled.

Do unto others dude…

JT September 22, 2007 (9:40 pm)

Seems like the almighty was using one of her creatures to send a message to pastor Mark. Your public display is not wanted here.

Pelicans September 22, 2007 (11:01 pm)

Bravo, Jumbo Jim and think about it, JT.

Wanting to help doesn’t make you a liberal/conservative, radical or any other convenient label.

JJ-Man is part of nature, and the good Reverend needs to realize this.

JT-Those seal pups and their parents’ rearing habits have been taking place on our beaches for quite a while (millenia?) before that planned event. To say the pup’s presence was a sign that the church’s people and activities are not wanted on Alki is self-serving and un-verifiable. That statement is as self-righteous as the reverend’s.

Just chalk it up to ‘Timing is everything’, dude.

beach September 23, 2007 (2:02 am)

relax, Pelicans. you’re taking JT’s comments much too seriously.

Amy September 23, 2007 (5:45 am)

Driscoll seems so annoyed by the baby seal. Complaining they couldn’t set up in their planned spot, complaining about the sound limit.

Dude, it’s a helpless baby animal. And aren’t seals God’s creatures, too?

DJ September 23, 2007 (5:53 am)

Please don’t judge everyone of a christian faith persuasion by those who are loudest and most noticeable. There are many of us living it out behind the scenes, loving people and creation, seeking to serve without limits and without strings attached

Kayleigh September 23, 2007 (7:01 am)

Here’s hoping Mr. Driscoll finds compassion for animals in particular–but also for people who he apparently disagrees with, like bloggers and animal rights activitists.

GenHillOne September 23, 2007 (7:56 am)

“and baptized over 220 people (we lost count) that included some folks who gave their life to Jesus on the spot” – LOL, I just bit my tongue when our teen neighbor told us about how he was down at Alki with friends and joined in because they thought it looked fun – jumping into Puget Sound with all of your clothes on? What a blast! There were no lives given to anyone in that group of kids (smart, caring, responsible kids I might add). Whatever boosts your numbers Pastor Mark.

k September 23, 2007 (9:50 am)

i have always felt like religion is a personal choice. i cannot understand religions that “prey” on people to get more members. it baffles me. let people QUIETLY practice and believe in what they choose. do not recruit and judge. i truly believe that money is the basis for mars hill. it is about getting more financial support, not faith.

JE September 23, 2007 (11:46 am)

“So, our set up crew prayed for a bit that the seal would leave, and when it did not…”

So God ignored the prayers of his devotees that he indulge their convenience, in favor of an insignificant (and doubtless non-Christian) baby seal?

I also find the notion that no volume limit should be set on worship rather disturbing. It should be okay to annoy innocent bystanders with your noise, as long as it’s worship?

LS September 23, 2007 (11:55 am)

What a tool.

Keith September 23, 2007 (12:33 pm)

Oh my God. I have seen The Light from The Words of Pastor Mark. The next time The Mars Hill Circus comes to Alki, I shall lay down my laptop and cease my Blogging Jihad. Instead, I will go to where the Attention-Seeking Masses have assembled, and bring my Trusty Airhorn to raise some Holy Hell. Praise be to loud and obnoxious disturbances!

Unless, of course, there happens to be a baby seal sleeping nearby.

Ron Burgundy September 23, 2007 (1:58 pm)

There’s a passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you. I been sayin’ that sh*t for years. And if you ever heard it, it meant your ass. I never really questioned what it meant. I thought it was just a cold-blooded thing to say to a mother*****r before you popped a cap in his ass. But I saw some sh*t this mornin’ made me think twice. Now I’m thinkin’: it could mean you’re the evil man. And I’m the righteous man. And Mr. 9mm here, he’s the shepherd protecting my righteous ass in the valley of darkness. Or it could be you’re the righteous man and I’m the shepherd and it’s the world that’s evil and selfish. I’d like that. But that sh*t ain’t the truth. The truth is you’re the weak. And I’m the tyranny of evil men. But I’m tryin’, Ringo. I’m tryin’ real hard to be a shepherd.

beach September 23, 2007 (5:00 pm)

sounds like the burgundy is overflowing….

Luckie September 24, 2007 (7:56 am)

Pssst…Beach…it’s from “Pulp Fiction”…

coffee geek September 24, 2007 (11:11 am)

Pastor Mark? More like Pastor Dick. Pretentious little misogynist. I give Pastor Mark less than 5 years ’til a scandal hits, followed by the tearful “Bakker-esque” apology (blaming Satan, of course). Keep your damned deisel buses out of my neighborhood…try walking your lazy butts 2 blocks for Jesus. Yeah, I’m fired up…wearing my camo jammies and mom just baked cookies.

sunny at the junction October 9, 2007 (10:51 pm)

Wow.. new to West Seattle, this HAD been one of my favrite sources of information. Unbeleivable to see the cold and judgemental rantings of people, that are just “off”.

Simple truths in life ( and yes in West Seattle)
1. God is good.

that’s it.

I have spend several months visiting 9 churches in the area, just to get to know the community, to find out where to take my family giving a informed, Jesus based,communty active church.

So far/ by far Mars Hill has been the only one that has had the willingness to discuss their place in the community, their focus is simple,
Jesus (period)
They actually let you look at the $$ numbers, what is spent in the communties, the millions they give to other churches, etc…now go ask any other church up here and you will find the door quickly closed….very strange.

All I wanted to find here is a good, strong, politically active, education focused, kid friendly, socail community.

Sadly,picking on people who love God, somehow make some of you feel bigger.

Bummer.

Here are the simple facts:
about 2000 people did show up.
240 people signed up prior to get baptised and a few more people jumped in , ( after on-site registration)
The baby seal, just came up for a little nap, yes seal sitters were there but so was the ativist group from the UW,it was not a hug deal for Mars Hill…just the parks department that had the permit in one place and not the other.
Parking…gee whiz people…Mars Hill has tried so hard to be a good neighboor, the purchased buses and encourage everyone to carpool to be good neighboors to residents around the church and at events at the beach or the schools…because they care:) Gee I wish people cared that much when I cant even have my family come and visit me on a Sunday because everyone that goes to the farmers market parks in front of my home, and I have to drag my groceries two blocks.
PHEW…

Okay rant over.
God Bless

Sorry, comment time is over.