Mark Driscoll, the popular US pastor and author, is being encouraged to step down from church leadership following concerns that lessons haven't been learnt from past controversies.

The 50-year-old stepped down from megachurch network he founded, Mars Hill, back in 2014 after being accused of bullying.

A report looking into his behaviour found him "guilty of arrogance, responding to conflict with a quick temper and harsh speech and leading the staff and elders in a domineering manner".

Two years after his resignation, Driscoll launched Trinity Church in Arizona and currently serves as senior pastor.

Five years on, in a letter to US publication Christianity Today, 39 elders who worked with him at Mars Hill have suggested that his behavior hasn't changed and he needs to be held accountable.

"We are saddened to learn that Mark Driscoll has continued in a pattern of sinful actions towards staff members and congregants as he pastors The Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona," they say.

"We are troubled that he continues to be unrepentant despite the fact that these sins have been previously investigated, verified, and brought to his attention by his fellow Elders, prior to his abrupt resignation."

They then say they believe him to be presently unfit for serving the church in the office of pastor.

Announcing his resignation from Mars Hill, Driscoll said: "I readily acknowledge I am an imperfect messenger of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many things I have confessed and repented of, privately and publicly, as you are well aware. Specifically, I have confessed to past pride, anger and a domineering spirit."

Though he's not responded to this recent letter, his most recent blog speaks of his current church being sustained by "word and deed" and by the "power of the Spirit of God".