Mark Driscoll and the church he pastors, Mars Hill Church, have been officially removed from the church planting network he co-founded, the Acts 29 Network.

The church I pastor does not have any formal association with Mars Hill, Acts 29, or Mark Driscoll, but I have been personally influenced by his ministry since the first message I heard from him at the Desiring God National Conference in 2006 and the first time I met Driscoll at the pastor's colloquium at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School hosted by the Gospel Coalition in 2008.

During a time like this, the simple (and sinful) thing to do for those not directly involved in Driscoll's life and ministry is to pile on - to renounce a fallen brother and highlight the transgressions that led to this action in a less than sophisticated game of "I told you so." If you don't know the public reasons that led to this action, simply google Driscoll's name. But, in doing so, guard your soul. Staring at a car accident too long without lending help is sick.

That, however, is not the reason for this post.

I am confident in the Lord's severe mercy to deal with Driscoll as he sees fit. Those closest to the situation, men like Matt Chandler, Darrin Patrick, and others appear to be dealing with him or appealing for him to be dealt with in a manner that is worthy of the gospel and I pray that the remaining elders of Mars Hill do so as well. It would be hard to call myself reformed without trusting in God's uncompromising sovereignty over the discipline of his children.

In this post, I'd simply like to highlight reasons for my continued love for Mark Driscoll.

1. Driscoll is a sinner and God loves sinners.

In Matthew 18, the process for church discipline concludes with treating the fallen person as a Gentile or tax collector. How did Jesus treat tax collectors and Gentiles? One doesn't need to look too far to see that Christ's transforming love in the gospel is not limited to the righteous. Treating a person as a tax collector or Gentile means treating them as one who desperately needs the gospel. While this process takes place, I hope that the reformed community that he has influenced so heavily can engage him with the same gospel that reformed community preaches - unmerited grace for repentant sinners. This does not soften the process of discipline, it gives it the sharp teeth of grace.

2. Driscoll's soul is more important than his ministry.

While I can't remember the last sermon of his I listened to, I do know that he has had a profound impact upon my ministry and calling. My wife will tell you that I am a better husband, father, and pastor because of the words that Driscoll spoke during some of the early years of my spiritual and ministerial formation. Yet, I will not be disappointed if he never publishes another book, preaches another sermon, organizes another conference, or offers any other leadership training. To be a brother in Christ means that a commitment to one's character comes before the joy of receiving the benefit from one's spiritual gifts. Let us care for Mark's soul more than his influence. As we should know, what does it profit a pastor to have the most influential ministry in the world, yet forfeit one's very own soul?

3. It's difficult to be angry with someone who you have prayed for diligently.

I still love Rob Bell. He is an engaging speaker with a cool style. Yet, when he began drifting theologically, I began praying for him more consistently. When I read Love Wins, it was a difficult pill to swallow. What kept me from outrage was knowing that Bell was a human and God is sovereign. Since Driscoll resigned from the Gospel Coalition, I have made it a point to pray for him and his family more regularly. As a pastor, I know the temptations and trials of ministry and the constant feeling that I live in a glass house. Prayer has given me the confidence to know that Mark Driscoll's antics are not final, his sins are not outside the scope of grace, and his life is not one that should be beyond my intercession.

While he doesn't hold the same influence in my life as he once did, for the reasons stated above, I can confidently say, "I still love Mark Driscoll."

By God's grace, I hope you can too.