Private - Ballard 1998-2007

Gender

Prefer not to say

Which describes your role at Mars Hill?

I was one of the above but prefer not to specify.

What Mars Hill location(s) did you attend?

Ballard

What years were you involved / attending?

1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

How did you first hear about Mars Hill?

We received a postcard from the Push Turbocat Lounge advertising something related to MH.

What was the circumstance of your first time attending Mars HIll?

We came on a Sunday evening to services.

What were your first impressions?

Eclectic mix of semi-liturgical feel with a more modern touch.

Why was Mars Hill your church home?

We believed that the core values of Meaning, Truth, Beauty, and Community were important. We thought that MH was the best mix of conservative values theologically with liberal allowances artistically.

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a positive impact on you?

MH loved kids in a way I had never seen before. Initially there was no Children's church or youth group, and I appreciated that.

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a negative impact on you?

The attitude of superiority that members (and later ex-members) had. The general attitude is that either you are for us or against us.

What would you like to have changed about Mars Hill?

I think that none of the people in positions of ministry were qualified to be in those positions. Mark Driscoll was not a great pastor, but plenty of the other elders (even pre-bylaws fiasco) were simply horrible pastors. In fact, I can honestly say that Mark Driscoll wasn't even close to the worst of the pastors at MH.

Which describes you?

I left Mars Hill prior to closure.

Please describe why you left Mars Hill and what that experience was like.

We left when the cult of MH-theology was too strong. The elders were unqualified, and they did little to help with issues.

How would you describe the reason for Mars Hill's closure to an outsider.

It is sad that MH closed on the one hand, but on another hand it was inevitable. The Mark Driscoll detractors seemed to think that MH could exist without Driscoll in authority, and that simply wasn't possible. Driscoll had no reason to stay the moment that he was placed under church discipline. The entire movement against MH looked (and continues to look) like bitterness and anger. Sure, people that left almost a decade ago likely left under unfortunate circumstances; but after a certain point you can't blame all your problems on someone else. Furthermore, having Rob Smith, Paul Petry, and Bent Meyer as the poster children of Driscoll abuse was unwise. All three men have a history of being abusive when they have been in positions of power. All three men were unqualified to be pastors. All three men grievously sinned against members of MH, and placing them in the position of perfection lost makes it impossible for those that left MH due to their abuses to speak up for healing.

What's changed for you since your time at Mars Hill came to an end?

I am no longer a Protestant Christian.

Regular Attender - Ballard 2008-2013

Your Name

D

Gender

Prefer not to say

Which describes your role at Mars Hill?

Regular Attender

What Mars Hill location(s) did you attend?

Ballard

What years were you involved / attending?

2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

How did you first hear about Mars Hill?

My spouse attended

What was the circumstance of your first time attending Mars HIll?

Spouse was happy to take me to this awesome church

What were your first impressions?

Wow.  Very different from Methodist upbringing.

Why was Mars Hill your church home?

Because Mark Driscoll preached the Word of God like I'd never heard it preached.

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a positive impact on you?

I still hear some of the songs in my head and miss singing them with the congregation. I loved worshipping with others like me.  People who wore jeans.  Peasant Princess taught me about marriage.  I learned to be strong in my convictions even though the whole country is moving in an opposite direction what my beliefs are.  I won't give in to popular opinion even if it costs me my job.  

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a negative impact on you?

Seeing how people jumped on the bandwagon when the negative stories were being fed to the newspapers.  Even "friends" who we knew were lying or embellishing their stories so they could be a part of the "hate Driscoll" trend.  

What would you like to have changed about Mars Hill?

The whole book thing left a bad taste in my mouth.  Other than that I never had a problem with Mars Hill.

Which describes you?

I left Mars Hill prior to closure.

Please describe why you left Mars Hill and what that experience was like.

I left because I could no longer worship with the wolves.  Felt great to be away from them.

How would you describe the reason for Mars Hill's closure to an outsider.

The Devil won this round.

What's changed for you since your time at Mars Hill came to an end?

I no longer believe in an organized religion.  I do believe that the Devil is very pervasive in the hearts of good people.  I am sickened by the people who have sold their souls to see their names in print.  

I absolutely believe the things Driscoll has repented for actually happened.  So I am heartened to see a man who was so visible go out and tell people that he sinned and then publicly repent for that sin.  Since nobody else can forgive him, I do.

Please write anything else you'd like to add.

I am left with a lot of anger at the people who have gone on a witch hunt for Driscoll, and driven him out of Seattle with their hatred disguised as compassion.  Yet.  I know someone who was hurt when he left and I know she wan't hateful, and she was genuinely bewildered when he stepped down.  So, there were some good people caught in the crossfire.  Hope all the anti-Driscoll people are so very happy now.

Private - 2006-13

Gender

Prefer not to say

Which describes your role at Mars Hill?

Regular Attender, Member, Group Leader (any leadership role)

What Mars Hill location(s) did you attend?

Prefer not to specify

What years were you involved / attending?

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

How did you first hear about Mars Hill?

A friend told me about the church.

What was the circumstance of your first time attending Mars HIll?

A friend invited me.

What were your first impressions?

I was inspired to serve the city of Seattle.

Why was Mars Hill your church home?

I enjoyed the preaching.

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a positive impact on you?

I met my spouse there.

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a negative impact on you?

Mars Hill doctrine that was drilled into my head.

What would you like to have changed about Mars Hill?

There was an "obey your leadership and don't question the authority" attitude that was not cool. Arrogant leadership.

Which describes you?

I left Mars Hill prior to closure.

Please describe why you left Mars Hill and what that experience was like.

The preaching got very political and seemed to be more about Mark's personal views than the Bible.

How would you describe the reason for Mars Hill's closure to an outsider.

Lots of bad judgement and pride.

What's changed for you since your time at Mars Hill came to an end?

Focus more on Jesus and don't rely so much on church leadership for guidance.

Please write anything else you'd like to add.

I'm not exactly sure why these stories are being collected and why people are still talking about Mars Hill. For me it was a chapter in my life and now it's over. It feels like people (including the designers of this survey) are hanging onto the past and I don't understand why. Also, how will these stories be used? Is this someone's attempt to collect stories for a book or script or something like that? This feels like an exploitation that is very Mars Hill like. Sad irony. :(  

(Editors note: There was no way to respond to this person directly, but the hope is these stories will serve to add nuance and personalize this situation for future readers. This is the extent of planned usage of these stories)

Private - Ballard 2005+

Gender

Prefer not to say

Which describes your role at Mars Hill?

I was one of the above but prefer not to specify.

What Mars Hill location(s) did you attend?

Ballard

What years were you involved / attending?

2005

How did you first hear about Mars Hill?

friends said it was a really great church and invited me

What was the circumstance of your first time attending Mars HIll?

all of my 2 friends were part of the Mars Hill craze so i came to check it out

What were your first impressions?

it was making cookie cutters out of people and it made me uncomfortable right away

Why was Mars Hill your church home?

cause i was trying to fit in

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a positive impact on you?

they made me so afraid to be myself that by the time i left i did not even care what the consequences would be and finally started following my heart

What about your time at Mars Hill has had a negative impact on you?

Mars Hill enhanced the fear i already had & encouraged it along with self hatred, religiosity and self punishing. They taught me to take salvation into my own hands instead of God's natural plan for me. i feel like it was microwave salvation with a theory and a plan on how to be convicted repent etc. they taught how friendships should be and everything was control disguised as purpose and vision. they gave a promise that if you can follow protocol... but you can't. you can't force conviction. My life is on a different track than they said it was. i am feeling more me and more free. this reminds me of how the Israelites wanted a king. it's hard to choose wilderness but that is what i need now. although i am encompassed by fear i am choosing the wilderness. they made it sound like the promised land was the end goal. there is nothing i can do to get myself to the land where milk and honey flows. it will just be my love for God and his ways of working it out that will get me there.   

What would you like to have changed about Mars Hill?

i did not like their regiment. they had a system for everything, for how to do friendship how to wake up in the morning etc. i want to just get a beer or have a coffee, not root for sin or try to save someone  etc. i wasn't just loving people for people. it would have been way more helpful if they just listened and loved people for where they are at- to trust God will take care of people instead & just be a friend. nobody has the power to fix people and i didn't feel supported or loved for who i am.

Which describes you?

I stayed at Mars Hill through closure.

Please describe why you stayed at Mars Hill and what that experience was like.

because i was trying to marry somebody and it turned out really bad so i left, you were supposed to be making him into a man

How would you describe the reason for Mars Hill's closure to an outsider.

they were unable to make people men. especially the women. they had no idea what to do with them at all.
their willingness to control. they refused to accept people's individuality and that there is no way to funnel all people into a right way of doing things. they interpreted the bible to become a christian book for dummies and i believe that to force yourself to be something you are not is suffocating. the sacrifice to make my church happy and keep my salvation on lockdown put me out. everybody gave their right arm to be a part of it and that's what is so fucked up.

What's changed for you since your time at Mars Hill came to an end?

i have learned to cope with my fear of living outside of the box. everyone is different and God loves all of them so i am learning though it's hard to break out of my bubble and believe in God's love. being a slave to the church is just as bad as being a slave to the world. Slaves to God are the happiest slaves. It’s scary but i think it’s true.

Please write anything else you'd like to add.

even though it was a rigorous and hurtful process, with all the expectations from my family the world and pleasing people, Mars Hill was the straw that broke the camel's back. everybody wants me to be something but i am not going to do that. God is always going to be faithful and he will ultimately make me the person i am designed to be. not a system, not a theology. I am just happy that wherever i end up i am going to be me.