Point 2: Are we fighting God?
The growing number of Portland family of churches, hereby describe as the Portland movement follows a predictable pattern of self-imposed isolation, fence-building and burned bridges as recorded throughout the history of the Boston movement. Not far behind them is the slowly awakening giant of the Unity Proposal Group, hereby describe as the United Cooperation Group, consisting of an estimate 70% of the former International Churches of Christ (ICOC).
Many ICOC members downplay the logical conclusions and reasons offered by various leaders in both factions as church politics thus cleverly avoid sticky issues that need urgent biblical attention of which “church unity” is paramount. How can Christians in both groups teach a Church study with a clear conscience while amongst them there may be quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder? Here, we need to ask, are we fighting God, like the Corinthians, when we quarrel amongst ourselves, lining up behind various church leaders?
Here the predictable pattern of self-imposed isolation, fence-building and burned bridges becomes unmistakeable as leadership of both factions revert to old habits with a slight twist. Both groups believe they can see the road ahead much clearer than those comrades on the other side. Nevertheless, both groups, more so with the Portland movement busy themselves with introducing former ICOC concepts by slowly giving old words new meaning to a new crowd.
Would you belief the ICOC cult of personalities – a thing of the past has been replaced by “a new group of like-minded friends creating a new synergy, a new movement.” However, here too we face a problem. Whose side is God on?
Mike Taliaferro now a supporter of the United Cooperation Group have answered a question concerning McKean’s role during the April 1st 2004 Faithful Conversations: “Yes, we are going to have a man lead the movement, and that is going to be Jesus Christ.” Today, Kip McKean who acted in a role as “leader of the movement” before 2001 also agrees with Taliaferro: “I will be with disciples agreeing to build a movement centered on one personality. And His name is Jesus.”
Now the Apostle Paul lectures the McKean's and us in our Church Studies: “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13 NIV)
Commentary by Sarel de Wet—©2006. A former member (1990-2000) of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in South Africa. Commentary concerns McKeanism discipleship of the pro-McKean faction, officially known as the International Christian Churches (ICC) and anti-McKean faction, officially known as the ICOC Co-Operation Churches a.k.a. International Churches of Christ (ICOC).
2 comments:
Satan Divides! While God is looking for a group to unite and be a light, you people argue and bicker among yourselves. Whose side is God on? Maybe you should be more concerned with the deeper more important matters of faithfulness. Don't know what they are, try reading about them, Love, faith, justice, etc. The rest will work themselves out as you pray together and work together. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. None of you are right! Get on your knees ask God for his mercy, and his wisdom. Help the poor, comfort the sick, and those who mourn, love the children, teach your young about the character of God. Look to one another as more important than yourselves. Who cares who is right, just be righteous! Stop stealing from one another, be honest with each other, and yourselves! Turn your sin into great victory over the devil!
MY RESPONSE TO 'anonymous':
Thank you for your comment.
God is not looking for a group to be united with!Where on earth will he find it??? Does the NT not teach God does not live in temples made by man nor is God pleased with our sacrifices in order to outdo each other to please him???
Furthermore, God does not pick sides, in fact he does not show favouritism - what side of the Greek or Hebrew Jewish faction in the Jerusalem Church did God support in Acts 6???
In order to worship God in spirit and truth your recommendations will do: " Help the poor, comfort the sick, and those who mourn, love the children, teach your young about the character of God. Look to one another as more important than yourselves."
But: "Who cares who is right" is a matter which even concerned the first century Christian and the last standing person before the coming of our Lord. Apollos "was a great help to those who BY GRACE HAD BELIEVED." (ACTS 18:27 NIV) Priscilla and Aquilla "explained to [Apollos] the way of God more adequately." They certainly cared and so you can read about many other fine examples in the bible of people who cares to explain it right. I cannot accept the ICOC way is the only way - can you???
Yes, I agree - no Christian is absolutely right on most matters. Therefore, we can take great encouragement reading Romans 14 & 15. I was always of the opinion - to be a disciple or a Christian or a student of Jesus - one must be the most humblest in conversation when discussing biblical topics. Otherwise, Satan steps in and divides!!!
The division in the ICOC family of churches is such example. Now we can allow it to slide by or act out of love. Victory is not about who is right but showing true humility towards all men. (Titus 3:2) Not because of righteous things we had done, but because of God's mercy. (v4)
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