When you have 15 minutes, watch the video below. It’s a conversation where Mark Driscoll and Josh Harris, who both pastor fairly large churches, ask Francis Chan why he left his large church in order to pursue something else.
He’s not sure what it really is yet, but he expresses a desire to live sacrifically, to make disciples, to be generous with his money, etc. It’s interesting how the first “concern” the other two pastors have is that he is trying to “earn” his salvation somehow. Chan responds well, saying he’s not trying to prove himself to God, but simply motivated by love.
It’s telling that when someone starts living sacrifically/radically, often the first response is an accusation of legalism. Methinks thou protesteth too much.
What’s Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.
I was struck by this conversation. I really don't know anything about any of them (except Mark Driscoll, by reputation). But I was encouraged by Francis Chan's "I gotta go for this" attitude, and saddened by the maintain-the-status-quo reaction from the other two.
Yes, my reaction, too.
I might be way off, but why does Mark Driscoll have the idea that it's his place to even question Francis Chan? I guess I don't understand why Mark even thinks he can throw this whole interview off to ask these questions. Even if someone needs to confront Francis on this issue; is it Mark's place and is this the right venue? Something about this really troubles me. Thanks for posting.
I loved this video when i saw it. A couple of things really struck me:
1) Driscoll and Harris honestly seem…I don't know what the right word is…baffled???…by the decision that Francis made. Like somehow it just doesn't compute.
2) The humility that Francis Chan has is tremendous. I love that he says he is responding to something that's been in him since he was a teenager but is only now having the cojones to respond to.
3) I really like the direction of thinking he is taking the idea of suffering vs. the American conception of Christianity.
4) You really can't overemphasize the juxtaposition of faith, personality and practice between Francis Chan and the other two. So interesting.
Gut reaction: really upset with the interviewers, especially Mark. They're looking at him with such a critical eye; it's like their fear of him going off in some other direction makes it hard form them to understand where he's coming from. He couched (most) comments in niceties, but basically was analyzing him and questioning his motives. Give the guy a break, man. How many pastors in America of sizeable congregations would voluntarily and of their choosing kiss it goodbye and step out of the light? Not enough.
I thought it was telling that one of the first questions he asked was, "What about your church?" I get his point, kind of, but I immediately thought, isn't it God's church? and not all about the one guy? At the end of his life Smith Wigglesworth was devestated at the number of requests he was getting for him to come speak. "They're all focused on me, Lord, on me. Wigglesworth you're a failure." Too extreme? I don't know. But again, how many guys would willingly step back from being at the center and allow others to carry on, while they go pursue holiness and figure out their next step?
Pretty sure they know people are watching the interview, and I would guess they aren't actually being critical, but rather trying to draw Chan out to explain himself and process through his decision for us to see. I don't think they disagree with him at all.
I don't think they agree with Chan. I think it flies in the face of their assumptions about ministry. I also think on a deeper level it challenges them in ways that are uncomfortable.
I definitely feel uncomfortably challenged by his decision.
Francis is a true disciple of Christ. Reflect on Jesus' words here.
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 3:8"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
I love Francis Chan. He is a man of God.
I wonder how many churches have come to the point where they have grown very comfortable, so much so that when someone steps out of the mold and says I want to experience what it means to truly die to self, people question their motives. Could it be that Chan is onto something and it makes everyone else too uncomfortable? He raises the question – just how far are WE willing to go, how much are WE willing to sacrafice for the Lord. Have we fully surrendered everything to Him or are we secretly holding back what we have convinced ourselves we cannot completely give to Him.
I admit… That is something I myself am working on, and I appreciate someone like Chan who isn't afraid to step out of the mold and admit he's not always right…but that he's chosen to give it to God and let him control the out come.
Not everything God asks of us is going to make sense to everyone else, but then what's more important…God's opinion or mans?