- All Things Catholic
- American Buddhist Perspective
- Bible Belt Blogger
- Bill’s “Faith Matters” Weblog
- Blogging Religiously
- Bold Faith Type
- Christianity Today
- Civil Religion
- CNN’s Belief Blog
- Episcopal Café
- Faith & Reason
- FaithWorld
- GetReligion
- HuffPost Religion
- Muslimah Media Watch
- MuslimMatters
- On Faith
- Religion Blog
- Religion Clause
- RNS Blog
- The God Blog
- The Seeker
- Whispers in the Loggia
John Piper, a prolific evangelical Christian author and founder of Desiring God Ministries, is taking an 8-month leave of absence from public life, including his role as pastor at Bethlethem Baptist Church in Minnesota.
It’s not an April Fools’ Day joke — Piper, 64, announced his decision earlier this week, in a letter to his congregation. His leave will start May 1.
Religion News Service notes that Piper (whose books include “Spectacular Sins” and “Don’t Waste Your Life“) says he wants to focus on his 41-year marriage to his wife Noël, including unspecified “sins” that have “taken a toll” on their relationship, yet he states that there has not been any infidelity. An excerpt:
I see several species of pride in my soul that, even though they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with Noël and others who are dear to me. Noël and I are rock solid in our commitment to each other, and there is no whiff of unfaithfulness on either side. But, as I told the elders, “rock solid” is not always an emotionally satisfying metaphor, especially to a woman. A rock is not the best image of a woman’s tender companion.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
*Click here to subscribe to Belief Beat and click here to follow Belief Beat on Twitter.
posted April 1, 2010 at 11:47 am
I think it’s a fine thing John is doing. We all need to take more time to take stock once in a while, especially when the ministry takes on the semblance of a rollercoaster. None of us is indispensable. The only indispensable one is God. And i don’t care how successful one has been in ministry, we are all well served by humility, reflection and introspection to further purify ourselves.
Kudos for John, and may he reap many fruitful spiritual gleanings that will enlighten his and our lives !
posted April 1, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Nicole,
John is taking a break to work on issues having to do with “pride” (not infidelity), which has taken a toll on his relationship with his wife and close friends. He doesn’t use the term “sins”, nor is he unspecific. Spotting pride is something we all having difficulty doing. If you were familiar with Piper, you would know that if he was straying, he would have said so and left the ministery. He is not a “Mega Church” pastor. His church has a large membership because he is a verse by verse, theologically sound preacher, not a seeker sensitive Willow Creek/Saddleback cafeteria MC. Things that Piper would see as pastorial issues, would go unchecked in 99.9% of the church pastors in the U.S.
posted April 2, 2010 at 1:18 pm
We will see why the ‘church’ attends, for fellowship or for the teaching of one man? If it’s ‘John Piper’s church’ it won’t make it. If it is the Lord’s church (called out ones) then they will continue to fellowship and one man will have less ‘preeminence’ in the congregation and others will begin to mature instead of passivly watching and listening like most ‘churches’ in America.
Remember… there are no ‘Senior Pastors’ in the Bible, period.
It’s about time every ‘Senior Pastor’ steps down for ‘pride’ issues and follow the New Testament idea of each ‘church’ (called out one)in an orderly fashion edify the ‘church’.
posted April 2, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Here is a very insightful perspective on Piper’s leave…
http://ow.ly/1u8q1
posted April 3, 2010 at 12:57 pm
After reading some, not all, of the above that Who Me? posted; He and Noel need to be an “Island Unto Themselves” for at least eight months before they go back to what they came to do.
posted April 5, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Good perspective BF
posted April 6, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Dear Bloggers,
I do not know John or Nivole well; except from our visit to BBC, and the times that I have poured over the books by Dr. Piper. But I have been a pastor for 22 years, and can tell you that a lot of things can take a toll on your faith, marriage, and family! The fact that John has made a public decision, which he didn’t really have to, is huge. And before some of you begin trying to take the sawdust out of John’s eye, look at the plank in yours; and, before you go saying what is means to be a Pastor, which is as Biblical as, “The Called Out Ones”, then walk in John’s shoes for a bit.
As a fellow pastor, I want to extend prayers and blessings to a man that I have trusted in writings and teaching the Word of GOD!
Sincerely,
Craig Hunnel,
Ceres First Southern Baptist Church
Ceres, CA
Romans 12:1-2
posted April 7, 2010 at 8:08 am
I agree with the previous poster that ALL pastors need to step down from their lofty position (reserved for Christ) due to pride issues. I left the fraud church because of this elevated man position. Im glad JP stepped down and I hope he stays down and humbled. If your fellowship has an elevated man, get out and tell them why. We are ALL to minister to one another not one pig monopolizing all the gifts.
posted April 8, 2010 at 6:05 am
Good on you Piper. I think you have just stated more of your faithfulness to Jesus, by loving your wife in a way the Bible says to. Praise God.
posted April 28, 2010 at 2:51 am
I think the title of your post is misleading and your plea for comments is shameless self-promotion on the back of the reputation of a strong man of God. Be careful, ‘Nicole.’
posted May 4, 2010 at 3:16 pm
That was a good decision made by Pastor John Piper.everybody needs a break, including pastors.It should not be made speculative, but rather to let JP have his rest to be with his love ones.We love you pastor, and we will pray for you and your family.
posted May 16, 2010 at 11:45 am
Pastor John, may I give you a passage of scripture to encourage you which is found in Psalms 131:1-3. By your willingness to step down for a period of time have already shown your humility. Many Man of God would not be able to do what you have done. I salute and respect you for that. I believe that a time of refreshing would come from His Spirit even as you began to seek the Father Heart of God. God is not angry with you but is pleased at your humility and truly a humble man will be exalted to a higher and greater level of ministry to God’s people. May the Lord bless you and your family.