Mark Driscoll Kicked off the stage at Men’s Conference

Mark Driscoll, an American pastor and author, was kicked off the stage at a Men’s Conference over the weekend. Driscoll was kicked off the stage for his comments over a controversial performance that opened the conference. 

CBN News reported that Mark Driscoll  deviated from the message to chastise what he called the “Jezebel Spirit.” His comments followed a performance by a sword swallower who performed at the beginning of the conference.

Why Did Driscoll Make His Comments?

The famous guest minister gave his remarks after he had seen a performance by a sword swallower known as Alex Magala. During his performance, which opened the conference, Magala climbed a pole before swallowing a sword on stage.

When Driscoll came up, he made a detour from his message to rebuke Magala’s performance. In his words, “This is a rebuke and a correction of no one. This is an observation. Before the Word of God was open, there was a platform; it was a high place. On it was a pole, an Asherah, the same thing that’s used in a strip club for women who have the Jezebel Spirit to seduce men.”

He continued by saying, “In front of that was a man, who ripped his shirt off like a woman does in front of a pole at a strip club.” By this time, the whole arena was quiet in rapt attention.

This was when Pastor Lindell interrupted and told him he was out of line. In his words, “You’re done!”

Driscoll, who had been on one knee, replied, “OK, Pastor John, I’ll receive that. The Scottsdale-based preacher then stood up, collected his things from the pulpit, and left the stage.

Lindell’s Response

Following Driscoll’s exit from the pulpit, Lindell stood to speak while the previously quiet crowd had responded in a calamitous uproar. Chants of “Bring him back” could be heard from the men in the audience, referring to Driscoll.

Lindell was unmoved by their uproar and was quite upset. He said, “Mark is out of line. If Mark wanted to say that, he should have said it to me first; he didn’t.”

Following this, he tried to explain how Christ required believers to address sin issues with other Christians. His basis was Matthew 18:15-17.

The Aftermath

In an interesting turn of events, Pastor Mark Driscoll returned to the platform after being asked to leave earlier for rebuking what he called the “Jezebel Spirit.” According to CBN News, Pastors Lindell and Driscoll shared the stage again after the former asked the latter to leave at the Stronger Men’s Conference last weekend.

Lindell said, “I love this guy; l believe in this guy,” as both men sat on stage together. He continued by saying, “Let me tell you what I said to my sons as we were sitting over there as Mark was talking: ‘You want to know what John the Baptist was like?’ Mark’s a prophetic voice to our generation. Nothing about what was said changes that.”

Lindell affirmed that Driscoll had spoken privately with him after the earlier incident, and they both reaffirmed their friendship. Driscoll thanked Lindell for his great heart and acknowledged his spiritual authority at the men’s conference. He went further to admit that he should have addressed his concerns better. 

In his words, Driscoll said, “I believe what I should have done, since I had another session, I was thinking about it. It wasn’t in my notes; I didn’t intend to go there. I was up late praying for the men. I just kept seeing it [Magala’s performance].”

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