Update -- September 25, 4:54 p.m.
After the original article was posted on September 16, the Ballard New-Tribune did a follow-up story with details that were revealed by commenters on BNT website: http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2014/09/23/news/bnt-readers-respond-m…
One of the commenters responded to Justin Dean's statement (Mars Hill spokesperson): "The Ballard church has been growing and is in a strong position to support those coming in from other churches.”
The commenter wrote," Ballard has been growing? That's not true. In fact when I attended there a couple of weeks ago the entire back half of the auditorium was curtained off. There might be an attendance decline at the university campus but that campus has always had a small and fluctuating attendance due to the majority of attendees are students. When school is out attendance is down when school is in session attendance is up. The reason they are consolidating is to give them a reason to pull Drew Hensley (lead pastor of the u-district campus) out or the lead pastor role because he was one of the nine signers of the charges submitted against Driscoll."
Dean contacted the BNT today to clarify what he meant in his statement he emailed to the BNT on September 10.
"As there has been some confusion around my statement I'd like to provide some clarification. ... While our Ballard church has seen recent growth, particularly as families return to church while being absent over summer months, the reality is the Ballard church is currently much smaller than it was a year ago. We do believe Mars Hill Ballard is in a solid financial position and has a great leadership team in place to effectively care for the additional people they will take in from U-District and Downtown Seattle," wrote Dean.
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Original story
Starting October 12, much of the Mars Hill Church congregation in Seattle will be meeting in Ballard at 1401 NW Leary Way.
The University District and Downtown Seattle locations are closing and congregations will meet in Ballard on Sundays.
The move comes after the church announced last week that the churches would be closing because of a decline in financial “giving” after “negative media attention.”
“Some of our churches can no longer support the ongoing costs associated with their buildings and paid staff. We acknowledge that the reason for much of the decrease in attendance and giving falls to us, the leadership of Mars Hill,” said spokesperson for Mars Hill, Justin Dean.
“The Ballard church has been growing and is in a strong position to support those coming in from other churches.”
Because Ballard is relatively close to the U-District and Downtown locations, Mars Hill hopes that the change in venue will not negatively affect the number of attendees.
“Our Ballard church has plenty of room to accommodate people coming from these other churches, and we can increase the number of services as needed. … Some will be traveling farther than others, but our Downtown Seattle and U-District churches are fairly close to the Ballard church location. Our hope is that everyone will make the transition to the Ballard church, or another nearby Mars Hill church. If they are not able to make it then we know there are many great Bible-believing churches in the area, and if they choose to attend them instead then we hope they are a blessing to those churches.”
Dean reported that leasing arrangements influenced the decisions to move the Downtown congregation.
“We recently received notice from the Daniels Company that they are exercising an option in our lease for the Downtown Seattle location that would force us to move out of the current building within 12 months. Because they are enabling this option earlier than we expected, this results in a significant cost savings and payout to Mars Hill. We have been discussing what the best option would be for this church, whether we find a new location or consolidate the church with Ballard. Ultimately due to our current financial position, we believe the best option is to consolidate with Mars Hill Ballard.
However, the decision for University District location was not based on leasing issues.
“Attendance at Mars Hill U-District has declined significantly in recent months, and the cost of operating the church compared to giving that is received makes keeping this location open untenable. We feel the people of U-District would be better served by joining the family at Mars Hill Church Ballard. ... This decision was made carefully and prayerfully by our Executive Elders with consultation from Lead Pastors and approved by our Board of Advisors and Accountability.”
Dean told the Seattle Times last week that at the beginning of the year they had close to 13,000 members in Seattle and that number has shrunk to around 8,000.
Much of the decline in attendance is attributed to the negative attention arising from church pastors and congregation members allegations of founder Mark Driscoll’s "abuse of power" and "lack of transparency" in church action. Currently Driscoll is on a six week sabbatical.
Since Driscoll does most of the preaching in Bellevue and sermons are played to congregations the following week, Dean said that Pastor Dave Bruskas would be doing sermons for Ballard while Driscoll is away.
Dean said “We find ourselves in a serious financial situation that has caused us to consolidate some churches and close others, as well as implement some significant staff reductions.”
The congregation, which is “planted” in five other states, plans to cut 30 to 40 percent of its staff.
“Church budgeting is really a simple process in one respect: we are able to provide the level of staff and ministry programs that those who attend our church provide the resources for. In other words, it is ultimately our people, not our leaders, who determine how much “church” we are able to provide. … with a drop in attendance comes a corresponding drop in financial giving. We simply cannot spend money we do not have,” Mars Hill reported on their blog.
The Ballard News Tribune reached out to Pastor Sutton Turner, an Executive Elder and Pastor. According to the Mars Hill website, Turner “oversees Mars Hill’s support staff and business functions, including finance, property, communications, technology, and media. His kingly leadership helps keep church operations above reproach and on mission.” Turner has not responded for comment.
On September 8 Mars Hill wrote a blog post that announced their “financial challenges.” After the post there was a barrage of Congregation members, sympathizers and malcontents commenting on Facebook.
On commenter wrote, “I stopped tithing to Mars Hill Global and won't resume until there is a complete overhaul of leadership at Mars Hill and REAL transparency.”
Another individual posted, “So incredibly disappointed, saddened, angered, confused...with the events at Mars Hill Church. The continual lack of transparency and accountability in leadership, obvious pride, and apparent disregard for the congregation is incredible. The protection of a brand has become more important than shepherding the flock, the flock who now is being blamed for shut downs and layoffs.”
Others had a different sentiment.
“Mark Driscoll has had good intentions despite some of his methods... He is aggressive and we appreciate his advocacy for the Word of God,” wrote a supporter.
There was also overwhelming support from followers advocating to “Bring Mark back!” Commenters from Washington and other states said they are praying for the congregation and for the all male group of executive elders and pastors.
However, other commenters used the bible to convey their idea of Mars Hill.
Shaun Smith wrote, “Real leadership from the apostle Paul: ‘I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:33-35)”
Dean commented on how they are moving forward with the issues.
“We acknowledge that the reason for much of the decrease in attendance and giving – as well as the negative media attention - falls to us, the leadership of Mars Hill. We shoulder the responsibility for our past sins and mistakes—which has caused many to leave. As we continue to repent, learn, and grow in this season, we also bear the responsibility to lead differently as we move forward—for God’s glory and the good of his church."
