Mark Driscoll introduced Beth Moore as the new junior teaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington

Driscoll Announces Beth Moore as New Teaching PastorDriscoll, whose church has traditionally been somewhat rigid on the role of women in higher level positions in the church, explained, “This is okay, because she’s not the senior pastor. We’ve been very clear about it. She’s just the junior teaching pastor, so there’s really nothing to worry about.” As he spoke, many present reported gasps in the audience. Somewhere between 30% and 50% of the congregation marched out of the auditorium before he could even complete his announcement.According to reports, Driscoll made the hire unilaterally because he knew if he involved the church board in the decision, “I wouldn’t have stood a chance at getting approval. But since I’m the senior pastor, I had the right to make the hire.”