Blog review: Reforming the Feminine
Some of you have picked up on Matt’s appreciation lately for Mark Driscoll’s teaching from Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I often end up adopting Matt’s preferences, so I, too, have been enjoying some of Driscoll’s books (Confessions of a Reformission Rev.: Hard Lessons from an Emerging Missional Church and The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out). His up front-and-honest teaching and communication style is very refreshing for me.
Recently, I have been reading one of the blogs on the Mars Hill website: Reforming the Feminine. I definitely can’t claim to have a wide, wide knowledge of women’s resources online, but in my opinion, these women have done an incredible job of tackling some of the tougher women’s issues. During the past month or so, there have been posts on unplanned pregnancy, sexual sin, stereotypes of Christian women, gluttony, fashion, marriage, and children. I have been greatly encouraged and challenged by these writers and wanted to make sure that all ya’ll out there have an opportunity to check out this resource.
Nancy, thank you for your kind review. We are excited and overwhelmed at the prospect of boldly bringing the gospel to women on issues that have been hush-hush in the church, or just never discussed. I so earnestly wish that I had heard teaching on these subjects years ago but am, with shaking hands and heart, thrilled at being part of making it a reality now.
I can’t speak to this blog, but I want to encourage anyone who is mildly interested in church-planting to read “Confessions of a Reformission Rev.” And probably the rest of Driscoll’s books, too. He is frank and hysterical, you will probably disagree with at least something he says, and you will almost certainly think about things in a new way. Quick read, great book.
I’m glad you found us, Adriel! Thanks so much for your contributions to ReFem. It’s really exciting to read about what’s going on with women’s ministry at Mars Hill.
Pat, I agree :)
I heard Driscoll preach at a church planter’s conference last year. Using Revelation 19 as his text, he spoke on the need to preach the whole Jesus — not just the Gaililean “hippie” but the “tatted up ultimate fighting Jesus” in Rev. 19 — to reach young men. He brought down the house. I’ve also downloaded some of his sermons and regularly read his blog — http://theresurgence.com/?q=blog/2. There’s an interesting book out called “Righteous” written by an unbeliever that takes some shots at him. It’s actually pretty encouraging. I’ve yet to read Reformission Rev but intend to.
By the way, I have a new blog. Check it out.
You know, I’ve heard much about Driscoll’s pugnacious style and it brought a question to mind:
Why is it that Driscoll’s style is considered to be “up front and honest” while if your home church pastor were to speak as directly and courageously he is inconsiderate or insensitive or unwise? Just kinda wondering out loud… kinda off topic, I know.
Tim, I’ve often wondered how those who have been in Driscoll’s church for years see him.
To answer your question, I think it has a lot to do with his delivery and persona. His Ethos, if you will.
Interesting that you chose the word pugnacious.
Also, he has a lion’s share of critics from within Christianity and without.
Hi Nancy - I don’t know if you still check out the Reforming the Feminine blog, but wanted to let you know we just posted a lot of links to teachings relevant to women here: http://voxpopnetwork.com/reformingthefeminine/teaching-links/
Enjoy!