Mark Driscoll, controversial founder of Mars Hill Church, today told his flock he is stepping away from the pulpit for six weeks, and will consult a group of advisors about what to do next.
Driscoll made the announcement near the end of the church’s 8:30 a.m. service at the church’s main location in Bellevue, said Kevin Potts, a former church member and a critic of Driscoll who attended today’s service.  A short article on the announcement was also posted today on the Religion News Service web site.
Potts said there was a round of applause in the church after Driscoll’s announcement.
Driscoll has been the subject of mounting criticism amid allegations that he bullied or shunned churchgoers and spent church funds inappropriately.
Earlier this month, the Act 29 Network, a nationwide group of churches Driscoll had helped organize, removed Mars Hill Church and Driscoll from its network.