Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue shares Mars Hill Church experience

Dustin Kensrue talks about his Mars Hill Church experience. (Twitter/Dustin Kensrue)

Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue became a worship pastor of Mars Hill Church's Bellevue campus when the band took a hiatus, but after a year or so, he stepped down from his position and switched to a smaller church in California following the Mark Driscoll scandal.

He opened up about his experience during a talk with Toby Morrell and Matt Carter of Bad Christian Podcast, since both of them also served at Mars Hill Church at different times.

"I learned a ton from being in Mars Hill. I'm kind of taking that with me," said Kensrue. "Something that Mars Hill did really well was having an eye for detail."

The flipside to that, according to the singer, was that everything was a performance and expectations for excellence were set at an all time high in the church, he says.

All three men agreed that the Mark Driscoll controversy continues to hound the Mars Hill Church, since they are constantly being asked about it. But Kensrue said that "most people are careful not to dig in and be nosey."

Driscoll was the founder of Mars Hill Church but he came under fire in 2014 for using questionable marketing strategies to promote his book, and using vulgar words and intimidation tactics.

Since Kensrue left, he has tried not to dwell on past negativity since it only "overshadows all the good." The singer has instead been focusing on his music and worship services. "I don't want to bring all of my Mars Hill brokenness with me," he explained.

Kensrue also talked about his band Thrice and confirmed that they will be doing several shows this year, including Canadian Amnesia Rock Fest from June 18 to 21 and Hevy Fest 2015 in the UK on August.

"I love making music with those guys, playing tours with those guys," said Kensrue, who keep insisting that Thrice never disbanded.

Other members of Thrice include Teppei Teranishi for guitars, Ed Breckenridge on bass, and Riley Breckenridge on drums.

In the meantime, Kensrue will be releasing his solo album Carry the Fire on April 21, which will be a follow up to his 2007 release Please Come Home.

related articles
Seismic shift in Mars Hill leadership as three more pastors step down
Seismic shift in Mars Hill leadership as three more pastors step down

Seismic shift in Mars Hill leadership as three more pastors step down

Mass exodus of Mars Hill pastors who criticised Mark Driscoll\'s leadership
Mass exodus of Mars Hill pastors who criticised Mark Driscoll's leadership

Mass exodus of Mars Hill pastors who criticised Mark Driscoll's leadership

News
How going to prison for a crime I didn’t commit changed my life – for the better
How going to prison for a crime I didn’t commit changed my life – for the better

In 2008, Wilson Femayi was wrongly convicted and sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He had just graduated from Bible college. His arrest — the result of a personal vendetta — was a devastating moment. But even in that dark place, God was at work. Today, Wilson is the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Zimbabwe, leading programmes that are restoring prisoners and reuniting families across the country.

Christians in Africa face worsening violence, report finds
Christians in Africa face worsening violence, report finds

A new report from International Christian Concern (ICC) has revealed a disturbing rise in violence against Christians across parts of Africa, with Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Kenya experiencing a surge in attacks, abductions, massacres and forced displacements.

Peace in turbulent times: 12 Bible verses to anchor your soul
Peace in turbulent times: 12 Bible verses to anchor your soul

It's easy to feel overwhelmed, helpless, or even afraid when the world seems to spin out of control. But as believers in Christ, we are not left to face these storms alone.

Nicaragua crackdown on Christianity deepens amid political power grab
Nicaragua crackdown on Christianity deepens amid political power grab

A new policy brief released by Open Doors has exposed as a systematic campaign of repression against Christian communities in Nicaragua.