The only thing I found offensive was the “banging their girlfriends” reference. I won’t read into that but it just seemed rude.

Good thoughts. My contacts at the event wondered why they couldn’t have been given out in advance? Many times at events like these, they put them in the seats, under the seats, etc…while you are away for a lunch break, etc..

My main concern is the comment made by Hybels occurred right AFTER Driscoll’s video and the blogosphere is now running around with sexist criticism of him and the video of the women with the quotes in it serves no purpose for the body of Christ except to tear down men. It’s not a good thing from my perspective.

I’d be willing to accept your friends’ comments as valid and say they just didn’t plan logistically. Bad planning on their part. They need to fix that and clarify their mistake so there’s no hard feelings.

Thanks for coming by Eric!
Be blessed
Scott

“Let me set the record straight about this once and for all. I was a volunteer at the conference and worked with Scott from Acts 29 all week on the logistics of handling the video out. We also had 1800 Acts 29 brochures that did not arrive in time to be put in the bags at the beginning of the conference. As the conference was winding down we made a decision to hand the videos and brochures out via tables and volunteers at the 3 main doors and not each door to the sanctuary. We just did not have the people to do this nor was it feasible due to exit strategy. In no way, and I know first hand as I was in on the conversation, was their EVER any discussion by anyone associated with the conference that I know of NOT to hand out the video due to Bill Hybels remarks. What was quoted above IS THE QUOTE he said. You will be able to see for yourself when the main session videos are available on the conference website.
These rumors about the video being pulled from being given out are just NOT true. I know first hand what happened and now the record should be straight.”

Just thought you might like to know. Of course I wasn’t there either…so who knows.

Thanks so much for dropping in and adding your thoughts. I appreciate it. Jess, from what I understood from some who attended the event, the plan was to give Driscoll’s video away and that was the agreement the conference had made with Driscoll and Acts 29. They had approached him some time ago and he was unable to attend so an agreement was made (at Driscoll’s expense) for him to produce something that could be shown and then given away as a perk for attending the conference. That was a business transaction in my opinion and while a formal agreement may or may not have been signed, the NHCC should feel obligated to compensate Driscoll for his basic expense since they did not fulfill terms of the agreement. I can see clearly where you might have taken my statement about a lawsuit to be non-Christian. Perhaps “sue” is too strong a word but I tire of the endless attacks by those who espouse one view over those who have another. This was not a doctrinal issue that could/should divide our fellowship.

Again, thanks for dropping in
Be blessed!

That being said, I think that Mark’s general attitude, because of his strong calling to reach men, tends to overemphasize men, which comes across as undervaluing women in the church. (And I hold this opinion not just from this video, but other stuff I’ve heard from him as well). This was, according to every account I’ve read, all that Hybels addressed. I think he was not disagreeing with Mark so much as just valuing women.

It’s also my understanding that Mark’s in Resurgence is what has sparked much of this swirl. He’s the one that’s started all the ‘banned video’ talk, which, even from his own people that were there was not accurate. From what I’ve read from people who actually were there is that there ended up being an altar-call and many church planters were at the altar weeping and praying, and that according to the atmosphere, it wasn’t appropriate to hand out the videos as originally planned. From what I’ve read from those who were there, the videos were made available, just not personally handed out. It seems like there wouldn’t have been attacks if Driscoll wouldn’t have started it… I think his message can be powerful, but his ‘rawness’ also can tend to make him seemingly a loose cannon that can be hurtful if not reigned in on occasion.

As for your comment about showing some Christian grace and love…I agree. Although I really don’t understand how your statement about how Driscoll should sue for his expenses really fits with that. Did he do this video as an act of service for fellow ministers in the Body, or was it all about him?? That’s a big question in all this I think. If he shared what he felt God wanted him to, then it’s really not his to own, so he too, should be willing to let it go. Hybels didn’t take any personal shots, he just added a note of gratitude for women serving alongside men, as their ‘helpmates’ (like myself, who happen to be married to a church planter and do my fair share of hauling the load in this deal). I really don’t see how that was a personal attack or offensive in any way either, if we want to look at this whole thing rationally.

I hope that conversations like your post and my comment aren’t just more fodder to keep something go that should be looked at rationally with love and grace and learned from by all.