meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill

Bonus Episode: A Conversation with Dan Allender

The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill

Christianity Today

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, True Crime

4.813K Ratings

🗓️ 26 August 2022

⏱️ 50 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When author and therapist Dan Allender met Mark Driscoll in 1998, he hoped the two might share building space for their respective ministries. While conversations remained cordial, it didn't take long for Allender to realize he and Mark aimed to build entirely different institutions -- Allender, a school for healing and trauma care, and Mark, a faith community with the aspirations of Babel. Narcissism would keep the two from building on a common foundation. Thirty years later, Allender joins host Mike Cosper for an honest conversation about where that narcissism led and how Mars Hill Church and the city of Seattle suffered under its dogmatism. With incisive yet gentle wisdom, Allender opens the aperture beyond Mars Hill to discuss how trauma creates wounds on which narcissism thrives, how the numbness of anger can lead to isolation, and how the very real joy of spiritual connection can leave hurting people confused and ashamed after the structures they've trusted crumble. If you've experienced spiritual abuse or you desire deeper honesty and humility in ministry, this bonus episode offers a foundational conversation about how to face trauma, how to identify unhealthy leadership patterns, and how to resist the siren call of sin that lures Christians to greatness without cost. For more information about Dan Allender’s work, visit theallendercenter.org “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Producer, Writer, Host, and Mix Engineer: Mike Cosper Editor: Mark Owens Associate Producers: Joy Beth Smith and Azurae Phelps Music and Sound Design: Kate Siefker Graphic Design: Bryan Todd Social Media: Kate Lucky Editor in Chief: Timothy Dalrymple Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is brought to you in part by Pod for Israel.

0:05.5

Gain insights to Scripture from ancient sources, discover the roots of your faith on Pod

0:11.0

for Israel.

0:12.4

This podcast hosted at our Bible Seminary brings the Jewish context and history to your

0:17.2

study of the Scriptures.

0:19.1

Learn more at podforIsrael.com

0:34.0

We arrived in Seattle June of 1998.

0:37.8

This is Dan Allender.

0:39.3

Dr. Allender is a widely known and respected Christian therapist with expertise in the

0:43.8

issues like trauma and abuse.

0:46.3

He's also the author and co-author of a number of books on healing, marriage, intimacy,

0:51.5

spiritual formation, leadership.

0:54.2

A number of us left a school in Colorado and had the opportunity to start Western Seminary

1:03.0

in Seattle.

1:04.6

And that beginning point was a great privilege, but also an entry into a world that we were

1:12.8

much unfamiliar with.

1:15.2

As you might have already guessed, being in Seattle meant being in proximity to Marsville

1:19.2

Church.

1:20.6

The school he started was actually called Mars Hill Graduate School, a name that led

1:24.7

to no small amount of confusion over the years, given the different values of their organizations.

1:30.2

They eventually changed their name in 2011.

1:34.5

So their path is intersected quite a few times, starting when he first came to the city,

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Christianity Today, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Christianity Today and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.