The Blogger and the Shape-shifter movement

My worst fears about the religious exploits of my former church, the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) are shaping up nicely since this blog started in February 2006.

It’s quite overwhelming!

At least it’s official, Douglas Arthur, will not act as Kip’s “right hand cranker”! McKean may have the “glue of the World Sector Leaders” – Steve Johnson – by his side, but on the whole, it’s a sticky issue concerning unifying the former brotherhood.

I am certain, since McKean probably no longer has to be tied to “lifelong friends who used to support” his leadership, the opportunity will come for him to re-introduce former leadership structures of the ICOC in the Portland family of Churches. McKean to the determent of his life long friends, still reasons “there are no Scriptures against World Sector Leaders, Lead Evangelists, Women’s Ministry Leaders, Bible Talks and Discipleship Partners.” Perhaps now Pope Benedict XVI feels more comfortable with his leadership role in the Catholic Church! And Archbishop Tutu can safely hold his title!

In my article, entitled, A Renovator, not an Innovator, “Kip’s current ministry is about renovation, renovation and more renovation from here to eternity!” I was amazed to compare my notes with McKean’s ideals as stipulated in Partners in the Gospel – Part 1-3. Here I strongly recommend all concerned parties to view Roy Davison’s treatise (Check the sidebar) concerning Kip McKean’s “own version” that “we are free to implement any methodology that is not explicitly forbidden in the Bible” based on Kip’s own reformed slogan “Speak where the Bible is silent!”

Interestingly, many ICOC’ers like the “mainliners” now start to see Kip McKean as a type of “boogieman”! But we must not lose sight of leaders who have signed up their churches with the ratification plan of the United Cooperation Group that now “embraces discipleship”. The majority of these churches are not as visible as the Portland movement. They are in my opinion still locked up in an old wardrobe. The lowered standards comparatively to the Portland family of churches zeal will steadily rise over time. Anyone practising the principles held by the disciple approach (generally representing the findings of Robert E. Coleman’s Master Plan of Evangelism) will quickly realise there is no time for a slacker in the Kingdom. The disciple approach knows no half measures! Many supporters of the United Cooperation Group or “our international family of churches” will have to “agree” on certain biblical principles uphold by McKean, like the Jethro’s principle, which ties in with the disciple approach. Here, the “persecution” Portland faces not only from outsiders in other church communities but from “flesh and blood” relations within the ICOC will befall the United Cooperation Group in the near future.

Alas, more fears, despite Arthur’s optimism: “Clearly our best and brightest days are ahead as we reengage in winning our cities and this world for Christ.” I say, it’s about time for those in the wardrobe to come out!

Personally I can deal with the “boogieman”. In fact, for ten years I had given my brain to that former “movement”. Today, it is relatively easy to anticipate where the Portland movement is heading officially. On the other hand, it’s the Boggart in the old wardrobe that scares me the most. Ever heard of it?

In one of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, Professor Lupin poses a question to his third-years studying Defence Against the Dark Arts. Standing next to him is an old wardrobe “in which the teachers kept their spare robes.” Only this time something more sinister has “moved in”. A Boggart. “So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a Boggart?” Hermione put up her hand. “It’s a shape-shifter”, she said. “It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most.”

“Nobody” as the story continues with Professor Lupin, “knows what a Boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears.” “This means”, said Professor Lupin lecturing the class, “that we have a huge advantage over the Boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?”

Harry replied, “there are so many of us, it won’t know what shape it should be?” “Precisely,” said Professor Lupin. “He becomes confused.”

Lupin explains, “The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a Boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing. We will practise the charm without wands first. After me, please … riddikulus! Riddikulus!” said the class together.”

A shape-shifter. “It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most.”

If I was in Lupin’s class standing next to Harry Potter. My fear would be to see young people, become entrapped by the methodologies that “embrace discipleship”. So, “laughter” can make it go away, Professor Lupin?

I thought it over. I have become a Blogger. In the old wardrobe is a Boggart – a shape-shifter. I blogg about my experiences in the ICOC … and my fears for her future! But I am not alone! There are many of us. And if this is the scenario – the Boggart becomes confused. Maybe this process is becoming apparent concerning the Portland movement. “Perhaps most confusing is the persecution towards us within our own fellowship, the International Churches of Christ”, related Kip in Partners in the Gospel – Part 1.

Finally, I have assumed a shape. A restaurant menu! It makes me laugh. This time I’ll practise the charm without my wand first.

The leadership representing the houses of Renovation (The Portland movement) and Innovation (United Cooperation Group) despite their differences and confusion have something in common as this restaurant menu advertises.

“All the chicken you can eat!!! This is the same delicious chicken we have been serving for the past twenty years!”

After me, please… Ridiculous!!!

Crack!

(Thank you R.K. Rowling for the little inspiration)