Well, there is a new row in the mega-church community, and it involves two heavyweight titans, Mark Driscoll, and John Lindell.

Chances are good you may not know either man, but the ripple effect of their brouhaha may soon enter your church community.

On April 11th, the James River Church in Springfield, Missouri, held The Stronger Men’s Conference at their campus. This event draws a large audience of Christian men with the design of making them better actors in their homes, communities, and in their faith expression. Many see the value in such training and fellowship.

However, guest speaker, Mark Driscoll, began his discourse disparaging the opening act that involved a man, Alex Magala. Magala, using a pole that resembled a stripper’s pole and dressed in a partially clad outfit, dangerously swallowed a sword as he descended toward the ground on the pole.

On its face, the act would likely have been more appropriate for a talent show or magic act. Nevertheless, Driscoll immediately took umbrage saying the demonstration was not only misplaced, but demonically motivated. 

Then the gloves came off.

In short order, Pastor Lindell, voicing loudly from the front row, stated that Driscoll was out of order and demanded that he leave the stage immediately. Driscoll gathered his belongings, and quietly left the stage as boos erupted in apparent displeasure at Lindell’s actions.

It was the religious equivalent of Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards Ceremony.

What happened next was damage control and a loss of credibility for the entire event as Lindell attempted to explain his decision.

Yada, yada, yada, another high-profile church mess-up.

When are we going to learn?

On the one hand, there is a place for calling something out publicly. Driscoll felt the need to be that voice. To be the one who drew a line regarding what is holy, acceptable, and honorable. Okay.

Still, there is etiquette associated with being a guest at any event. Sure, he may have been called to be provocative, but perhaps he could have had better manners.

On the other hand, Lindell should have known better. Is a man working the pole the best example of a strong man? Surely not. Perhaps a montage of men doing the right things in public and private would have made for a more compelling opener. Maybe a series of women describing the change a strong man of character had made in their homes and marriages would have tugged at the heart strings and prepped the men for an exciting journey. Who knows? But I understand Driscoll’s astonishment.

The point is, neither “man of God” behaved well. And these are the best of the best? As the wisdom of the NFL announcers from a few years back groused, “Come on man!”

Look, we must get our act together. Sword swallowing half naked men hardly represent the serious nature of masculinity and its responsibilities. We can do better.

But what is worse is the tarnish Christianity receives from the public at large for yet another example of religious infighting and hypocrisy. 

Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.