Mark Driscoll Takes Aim at Pastoral Obesity: ‘You Probably Need to Work on It’
Arizona Pastor Mark Driscoll recently discussed a controversial issue, one that is frequently talked about today: weight. Specifically, he stated whether or not, in his view, someone who is obese should be disqualified from being a pastor and leading a church.
Driscoll, who leads Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, responded to a question, “Are obese pastors disqualified?” on his podcast,"The Mark Driscoll Show," which was supposed to be a considered, light, and funny discussion, The Christian Post reported.
“The Bible says in 1 Timothy 3 [and] Titus 1 that a pastor must be self-controlled. And it says he should not be addicted to much wine, which is talking in general about living a life of self-control and not being one with addictions. The Bible talks a lot about gluttony, more than most pastors,” Driscoll said, noting that obesity is due to a lack of self-control.
He went on to reference the apostle Paul's writings in which he warns against drunkenness and gluttony.
“Paul says for some people, quote, ‘Their god is their stomach.’ It's a line, and somebody’s like, 'That's a big god,’” Driscoll said.
Driscoll, who is no stranger to controversy, recounted a time he was criticized for expressing his concern about obese pastors at an unnamed Baptist seminary.
“So I got in trouble. I won't name the Baptist seminary that I preached at once a long time ago. … They brought me in once. I've not had a second invitation, but I thought it was funny. Apparently, it wasn't. I got up at chapel, and I said, ‘You know, I heard you guys are the Baptists, and you guys don't drink wine.’ I said, ‘What's killing the Baptists is drinking gravy,” Driscoll quipped.
“Because most Baptist pastors, they're big boys. I don't know what it is. Like, they put on the khaki Dockers, they tuck their shirt in, they get a[n] adjustable waistband, and they're going to get their money's worth out of that elastic.”
He went on to stress that pastors who ignore the issues should strongly consider taking care of their health.
“I'm not saying, you know, that I am Mr. Universe, but it's like, if you drop your Bible and you can't see it, you probably need to work on it,” he said.
Driscoll also noted how drinking and smoking are tolerated amongst different Christian denominations.
“There are different traditions within Christianity. ... Different things are forbidden, and other things are tolerated. So, like, if you're in a Pentecostal circle, often times they're fit, but they won't touch alcohol,” he added while noting that fundamentalist Baptist pastors do not drink but are unhealthy.
“If you're a Presbyterian, you drink beer and alcohol and smoke a pipe. And so different traditions, their pastors kind of have; it's like a choose-your-own-adventure for your vices.”
Photo Credit: ©YouTube.com/MarkDriscollStrongMenConference
Originally published August 20, 2026.
