Mark Driscoll Accuses 'Cowardly' British Christians Of Going Soft On Men

American mega church pastor Mark Driscoll has called British Christians cowardly, and claimed that they are too soft to preach the gospel to men.

The Seattle based church leader, whose outspoken nature has attracted both praise and criticism, says that men will not go to churches where the priests are wearing dresses, and ‘preaching to their grandmas’.

Driscoll, 41, whose Seattle based Church ‘Mars Hill’ has been recognised as among the largest and fastest growing in the United States, has previously hit out at Christians who portray an ‘effeminate’ image of Christ.

In a blog post about the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, Driscoll blasted ‘theological pacifists’ for painting a picture of Jesus as ‘a guy in a dress with fabulous long hair, drinking decaf and in touch with his feelings, who would never hurt anyone.’

The Mars Hill pastor continues on a similar theme in an interview with the latest edition of Christianity Magazine in which he suggests that preachers need to become more like military drill sergeants if they are to attract young men to church.

He says that British Christians are cowardly, which is why they are unable to preach the gospel effectively.

He said: “Let’s just say this: right now, name for me the one young, good Bible teacher that is known across Great Britain. You don’t have one – that’s the problem. There are a bunch of cowards who aren’t telling the truth.”

Driscoll has already attracted criticism for his latest comments, with the Rev Joanne Cox among others to give sarcastic comments on social networking site twitter, noting: “I would respond to Mark Driscoll, but I'm too busy finding a dress to wear and being uninspiring in my bible teaching.”

At one time Driscoll was aligned with the American ‘Emergent’ movement, but eventually distanced himself from other Emergent leaders because of over theological issues, including the idea of God as feminine, and questions over the reality of Hell.

Speaking about his split from the Emergent church group, Driscoll again brought out the subject of masculine identity, saying: “In Revelation, Jesus is a prize fighter with a tattoo down His leg, a sword in His hand and the commitment to make someone bleed. That is a guy I can worship. I cannot worship the hippie, diaper, halo Christ because I cannot worship a guy I can beat up.”