The year is out! Well almost.
90,130
The first four months of the year 2008 primarily was in the hands of statisticians. The 2007 ICOC (ICOC Co-operation Churches ICOC) fellowship tallied at 90,130 indicate a growth of 1.7% according to statistician Kelcy Hahn paperwork.
We at icoccommentary initially projected from Hahn’s Mission Memo Church Survey lists a probable decline of 1.5% based on the reported portion. We tallied 87,280 and Mission Memo had 87,360 on record. We came close with our projections. The ICOC (ICOC Co-operation Churches ICOC) would have had a negative 1.4% growth estimate if guided by Mission Memo’s 87,360. However, a combination of stats including the final report (89,131) and the estimated portion (999) resulted in 90,130.
Clearly stats are in the hands of statisticians. Stats are important and necessary. Kelcy Hahn deliberate extensively on various forums regarding this project and in our opinion did an outstanding service to all. Surely, next year the ICOC (ICOC Co-operation Churches ICOC) membership for 2008 will improve considerably.
90
July 18th Mr Mandela turned 90.
In 1995 this champion of love received the HOPE Unity Reward. Surely we may personify Madiba as the father in the old fable this award represents. The father gave a bundle of sticks tied with leather cord to his sons. They were supposed to break it on his command. But they failed. Then the father untied the bundle of sticks. Each son received a single stick, which snapped easily. The moral of the story: Unity gives strength!
9 Brothers of the Unity Proposal Group
In the name of Unity two main ICOC church groups were formed. Let us note that the 1979-2002 ICOC of the past is ‘dead’, but principally ‘alive’ within these two formations. No one can dispute this fact! However, the ICOC in our opinion busy itself with a two-prong process that essentially entails a process of renovation and innovation that characterise one another.
The leadership crisis in the ICOC is not resolved and remains the biggest obstacle to overcome. In our opinion, it is not the matter of autonomy, which distinct these formations in the ICOC but the leadership crisis.
People were either for or against Kip McKean. Therefore, in our opinion, since the August events and outcome of the September 2005 Seattle Conference the fellowship of the ICOC separated into two factions, the pro-McKean group (Portland/Sold-Out Discipling movement) and the anti-McKean group (ICOC Co-operation Churches ICOC). Worst the ICOC denominated!
The short form ‘ICOC’ embodies the pro and anti-McKean faction. The term is homogeneous.
Even so, the anti-McKean group since 2007 maintains to be the ‘original’ ICOC while they blame McKean has started a ‘new movement’. Indeed McKean’s ‘new movement’ has a new name but its roots are firmly established in the former ICOC. It would be a misnomer to think the anti-McKean faction is the only original ICOC, while McKean (ICOC founder) is building churches more closely modelled after the former ICOC era. Therefore McKean is the renovator while the rest innovate! Here personalities like Raul Moreno and Mike Taliaferro have much in common regarding ICOC doctrine (despite their childish yaps) but are separated by leadership preferences.
The leadership crisis must be resolved. The key is to untie the bundle of sticks. Together, Raul Moreno or Mike Taliaferro along with their respective fellowships will not break! It will only happen when each individual examine him/herself to this regard. We have stated before, people must learn to respect the opposite side as brothers not as rivals.
Disastrous consequences await the ICOC if the leadership crisis is not resolved. In the former era of the ICOC, the churches were ‘persecuted’ by outsiders, namely the Church of Christ (mainline), former members, members of the public, concerned church groups and journalists. Imagine the consequences when two distinct ICOC groups clash in the same arena. It will lead to a form of internal persecution and unhealthy competition. People will hate one another just like the house of Saul hated the house of David and vice versa. Worst this is already happening!
Johannesburg, South Africa, McKean is coming in 2011!
9 Bible studies
The ICOC persists with the erroneous perception for repentance to convert prospective members as “disciples first” before baptism. Meaning a prospective member “must first make the decision to be a disciple then be baptized.” This notion is a continuation from teaching by Kip McKean. Worse, many people in both parties think this teaching in the ICOC is consistent with Scripture. This teaching indeed brings a ‘sharp distinction’ between the ICOC ‘and all other groups’.
It is our opinion that Steve Johnson, with the help of others will eventually come up with a better mousetrap. We hope it will not be establish on any form of shepherding technique but sound doctrine in Christ. Perhaps Henry Kriete’s ministry could be helpful?
9 Million bicycles in Beijing
Is that a fact?
2009
Next year, Decoding The Discipleship To Which We Are Called will be our theme for 2009.
The surprise for 2009 will be a type of Faithful Conversations meeting between the two ICOC parties. Hot topics for next year will be the rise of new leadership in the SODM in order to support the Five Year Plan six church plantings. No doubt members will sacrifice much to achieve this ambitious project of SODM. And, campus evangelism will play a huge role in the ministries of the anti-McKean movement. They have the numbers and churches to blow 2009 out of the water! Yet, the effect of the revolving door will determine if the ICOC collectively have made deep and long lasting changes.
We at icoccommentary wishing everyone a happy new year!
Take care!
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).
Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Chris Broom comes forward with questions that have taken place in Portland
Chris Broom, an evangelist of the Chicago International Christian Church (pro-McKean faction) stated in his Portland Report According to My Convictions that Steve was EVER in the new movement because of shared convictions, but rather because of his friendship with Kip.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Dear Steve – Think On These Things
I’m certain. I’m absolutely 100% sure. I know Steve Johnson has made that commitment! Steve thinks on these things.
August 10th 2008 was a start. Here a fresh Portland Story is in the making. Steve’s undertaking will spur on a new form of dedication, to be totally dedicated, not to a man, not to a movement, not to an organization, not to a sect, but Jesus Christ and His church!
Steve in my mind has become elastic. Here, elasticity will prove its worth where people become the opposition rather than being forced on the same team. Indeed, few movements have survived those defining moments when they should have been more elastic, and that because they were not, did not live to see the next day. Now is the time for Steve Johnson to go against probability in seeking unexpected outcomes.
Bottom-line. Steve I ask you. What would our lives, our spiritual underpinnings be like if Kip McKean like Bob Mumford (co-founder of the Shepherding movement) would come forward and unceremoniously apologize: Discipleship was wrong. I repent. I ask forgiveness?
Yes, other proven ICOC church builders said it, but succumbed to the groups chosen methods. Mike Taliaferro stated during the 2004 Faithful Conversations: We are a fellowship right now of independent, Bible-believing churches. Yes, we are going to have a man lead the movement, and that is going to be Jesus Christ. Kip McKean said something similar in Portland 2006: I will be with disciples agreeing to build a movement centred on one personality. And His name is Jesus.
But it was not to be.
ICOC Discipleship methodologies did waver in 2003. Kip reacted with disgust in the year 2004. Today many churches in the ICOC fellowship have either abandoned discipling relationships or compromised them by teaching there is no such thing as teacher-student (one-over-one discipling) relationships in the Scriptures. This is a devastating false teaching. (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
Mike Taliaferro said the ICOC had a Discipleship Crisis late in 2005. His solution. To embrace all over again the Biblical pattern of discipleship relationships… Here in the San Antonio church we have made certain that every disciple has a discipleship partner with whom they can meet on a regular basis. It was late last year when we decided to once again become involve in close personal relationships in the congregation. Mike thought people have over-corrected the principle of closer friendship with a few as seen with Jesus and the apostles’ friendships. Antonio ready itself for close, dedicated, specific relationships in order to monitor people spiritual wellbeing to confess their sins, receive encouragement, or give an admonishment. Thus avoiding turning into a sort of impersonal spiritual experience now based on one another passages.
Steve Johnson you openly supported this mousetrap in 2005, while many in the fellowship waited for an outcome of a steering committee pending on February 1st 2006. I want to do exactly what I did in Boston in 1979 or in New York in 1983 – in regards to teaching people how to teach people how to teach people to become disciples. I’ve not come up, and I haven’t seen anyone else that has come up with a better mousetrap. And I assure you that when I see one, I’ll adopt it just like I did when I moved to Boston to be trained by Kip back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The following year in 2006 you become an Associate Lead Evangelist of Kip’s congregation.
Finally, a proposal document arrived in March 11th 2006 stating in page two the way forward learning from past mistakes without over-reacting to them and, at the same time, maintaining faithfulness to biblical principles. Here “biblical principles” become a mix bag of theological conclusions paralleling from Jude 3 along with teachings developed in the campus ministry days of the early 1970s. Consider the following quote in page four. In order to best communicate our beliefs, we are striving both to articulate the theological framework of “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3) and to reaffirm those truths and emphases that have particularly shaped our branch of God’s movement, from the campus ministry days until now.
There is this bench near Mount St Helens. Steve, you have your mountain in front of you and your bench. Yes, much of the destruction seems to be well covered by nature, but under it all lays the memories, the history, the facts, the path of destruction. Look at her, her face is scarred. Perhaps the photograph of St Helen on your church website makes a pretty picture, but it is up to you now to come up with a better mousetrap.
Bottom-line. Steve I ask you. What would our lives, our spiritual underpinnings be like if you like Bob Mumford (co-founder of the Shepherding movement) would come forward and unceremoniously apologize: Discipleship was wrong. I repent. I ask forgiveness?
Why don’t you travel back there, and take with you these few pages of history. Written by man. Relate if you can to them and then try to adopt it.
If you please:
Errors of Hierarchical Discipleship
1988 Letter to Boston Elders
In Him is Brotherly Kindness
Sarel de Wet
August 10th 2008 was a start. Here a fresh Portland Story is in the making. Steve’s undertaking will spur on a new form of dedication, to be totally dedicated, not to a man, not to a movement, not to an organization, not to a sect, but Jesus Christ and His church!
Steve in my mind has become elastic. Here, elasticity will prove its worth where people become the opposition rather than being forced on the same team. Indeed, few movements have survived those defining moments when they should have been more elastic, and that because they were not, did not live to see the next day. Now is the time for Steve Johnson to go against probability in seeking unexpected outcomes.
Bottom-line. Steve I ask you. What would our lives, our spiritual underpinnings be like if Kip McKean like Bob Mumford (co-founder of the Shepherding movement) would come forward and unceremoniously apologize: Discipleship was wrong. I repent. I ask forgiveness?
Yes, other proven ICOC church builders said it, but succumbed to the groups chosen methods. Mike Taliaferro stated during the 2004 Faithful Conversations: We are a fellowship right now of independent, Bible-believing churches. Yes, we are going to have a man lead the movement, and that is going to be Jesus Christ. Kip McKean said something similar in Portland 2006: I will be with disciples agreeing to build a movement centred on one personality. And His name is Jesus.
But it was not to be.
ICOC Discipleship methodologies did waver in 2003. Kip reacted with disgust in the year 2004. Today many churches in the ICOC fellowship have either abandoned discipling relationships or compromised them by teaching there is no such thing as teacher-student (one-over-one discipling) relationships in the Scriptures. This is a devastating false teaching. (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
Mike Taliaferro said the ICOC had a Discipleship Crisis late in 2005. His solution. To embrace all over again the Biblical pattern of discipleship relationships… Here in the San Antonio church we have made certain that every disciple has a discipleship partner with whom they can meet on a regular basis. It was late last year when we decided to once again become involve in close personal relationships in the congregation. Mike thought people have over-corrected the principle of closer friendship with a few as seen with Jesus and the apostles’ friendships. Antonio ready itself for close, dedicated, specific relationships in order to monitor people spiritual wellbeing to confess their sins, receive encouragement, or give an admonishment. Thus avoiding turning into a sort of impersonal spiritual experience now based on one another passages.
Steve Johnson you openly supported this mousetrap in 2005, while many in the fellowship waited for an outcome of a steering committee pending on February 1st 2006. I want to do exactly what I did in Boston in 1979 or in New York in 1983 – in regards to teaching people how to teach people how to teach people to become disciples. I’ve not come up, and I haven’t seen anyone else that has come up with a better mousetrap. And I assure you that when I see one, I’ll adopt it just like I did when I moved to Boston to be trained by Kip back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The following year in 2006 you become an Associate Lead Evangelist of Kip’s congregation.
Finally, a proposal document arrived in March 11th 2006 stating in page two the way forward learning from past mistakes without over-reacting to them and, at the same time, maintaining faithfulness to biblical principles. Here “biblical principles” become a mix bag of theological conclusions paralleling from Jude 3 along with teachings developed in the campus ministry days of the early 1970s. Consider the following quote in page four. In order to best communicate our beliefs, we are striving both to articulate the theological framework of “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3) and to reaffirm those truths and emphases that have particularly shaped our branch of God’s movement, from the campus ministry days until now.
There is this bench near Mount St Helens. Steve, you have your mountain in front of you and your bench. Yes, much of the destruction seems to be well covered by nature, but under it all lays the memories, the history, the facts, the path of destruction. Look at her, her face is scarred. Perhaps the photograph of St Helen on your church website makes a pretty picture, but it is up to you now to come up with a better mousetrap.
Bottom-line. Steve I ask you. What would our lives, our spiritual underpinnings be like if you like Bob Mumford (co-founder of the Shepherding movement) would come forward and unceremoniously apologize: Discipleship was wrong. I repent. I ask forgiveness?
Why don’t you travel back there, and take with you these few pages of history. Written by man. Relate if you can to them and then try to adopt it.
If you please:
Errors of Hierarchical Discipleship
1988 Letter to Boston Elders
In Him is Brotherly Kindness
Sarel de Wet
Sunday, September 21, 2008
God’s faulty men.
The sad truth for those affiliated with the International Churches of Christ is members differentiate and practise Jesus by certain labels. In fact the reality cannot be missed. The ICOC has denominated.
How did it happen? The sharp disagreement between Kip and his contemporaries has divided the ICOC. Instead of Kip McKean taking one man and evangelize the world he took who ever wants to go with him. His contemporaries did the same.
Today, the pro-McKean faction (Sold-Out Discipling movement/ICC) maintains a central leadership style with Kip McKean in the position as World Missions Evangelist. The anti-McKean faction (ICOC Co-op Churches/ICOC) has no central church government but co-operate as a union while still resorting to Lead Evangelists overseeing churches.
An article entitled Autonomy? No way! Glorious co-operation between the churches by Justin Renton tries to teach his group of disciples the importance of co-operation. If members of this group act selfishly they’ve proven to be cancerous. Here the anti-McKean faction will not tolerate members breaking-away from each other as the Johnsons have done recently. Doing so would harm the body as cancer is a disease where certain cells in the body stop co-operating and start acting selfishly. They encourage other cells to do the same and very soon a tumor is formed. If that tumor is allowed to grow big enough it can kill the whole body.
Perhaps Renton’s article is designed to make a broad sweep skilfully sidestepping Kip McKean’s autonomy finger pointing issues aimed at the anti-McKean churches. Renton reminds the pro-McKean faction they have no autonomy but a glorious co-operation between the churches. They don’t act selfishly!
Arthur was convinced Kip showed some signs of improvement with the encouragement of Steve and Lisa Johnson but only for a little while before he reverted back to slandering other churches not under his direction. In this light, Douglas Arthur identifies McKean as a dangerous cancer cell. Was it solely Kip’s selfish actions that led to the Johnsons radical decision to depart?
Surely Kip is at fault, but not entirely by himself.
A steady stream of well-wishers from the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) are crossing over the previously impregnable threshold of the Portland International Church of Christ. This all made possible since Steve Johnson and a few elders broke-away in August 2008 from the Sold-Out Discipling movement. Now the majority so-called sold-out baptised disciples of Portland, Oregon have slip back by giving up their unique status being led under the guidance of Kip McKean’s central leadership structure.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this extraordinary event is Kip McKean’s inactive response compare to drastic measures taken in the past. McKean Clearing Up The Confusion article stated: Recently, Steve Johnson and the remaining elders in Portland, Oregon, stated their autonomy and desire to, “Have no man as a leader over them.” Sadly, with these decisions, they have separated themselves from the Sold-out Discipling Movement. Yet, we wish them well.
The Portland leadership actions were not compared to Korah, being filled with bitterness and selfish ambition, deceived the entire congregation and caused many to lose their faith and turn away from God.
Surely in the former era the Johnson’s rebellious behaviour typifies those who oppose and grumble against God’s leaders and divide God’s church. Why is McKean not accusing them of being lost because they do not have a true faith or at least opposing God?
Now, for the moment, it seems McKean is letting no unwholesome talk come out of his mouth, while the anti-McKean movement blames McKean for being responsible for this time of extraordinary pain.
What brought on this new controversy?
In a nutshell – again Kip’s contemporaries blame his divisive leadership style and his inability to work as a team player in a brotherhood of churches.
The impressions given by Douglas Arthur’s first report, Pray for Peace in Portland portrays the conduct of the World Missions Evangelist of the Sold-Out Discipling movement in a very negative light. Almost comparing the McKeans of thief-like behaviour! Here outsiders can read in his report an inventory of pillage rather than pilgrimage to Los Angeles as the McKeans took with them when they left: A Mission contribution of over $120,000. 10 of the 12 full & part time ministry staff 42 Leaders and members of the Portland church 40 more members moved in the next 15 months to LA
McKean has commandeered many to Los Angeles and continues to do so thus robbing the Portland International Church of Christ from its best and brightest for the sake of the mission since establishing a new important beachhead in Los Angeles, since March of 2007.
Strange from this report by Arthur, Kip McKean is portrayed as a heartless missionary out of touch with his once beloved Portland church that always resembled for him a beacon of light and hope for disciples around the world. Not only did the McKeans seem to empty the pockets of the Portland church but they have stolen the joy of the struggling Portland disciples. The Portland church according to Arthur struggle to maintain the same level of faith and zeal that they had established prior to the loss of so many to Los Angeles. Rather than feel appreciation for their sacrifice, they began to receive calls from Los Angeles expressing concern about the church. Accusations of “lukewarmness” and a constant barrage of appeals to “leave Portland and move to LA” became common for members of the congregation. The elders and the Johnsons confronted Kip on this divisive behavior but it continued to escalate.
What is the reason behind McKean’s concerns and ultimately calling out a remnant from the Portland Church?
The goal of the newly found Sold-Out Discipling Movement is two fold. Firstly to remain unified and secondly to continue gathering a remnant of sold-out disciples reaching the world for Christ in a single generation.
The Johnsons and some elders of the Portland church developed a different reality. Arthur writes about the Portland leadership maintains a conviction that local congregations should be open to outside influence but ultimately the final decision making authority rests in the hands of the local leadership. Secondly, the Portland leadership insisted on extending the right hand of fellowship to anyone that they considered a brother or sister in Christ not just those in the “New Movement.” Obviously, Arthur’s conclusion is pretty insightful. These positions were unacceptable to Kip and on August 3, 2008 he announced to his closest advisors that he had decided to “Call out a Remnant” from the Portland church and that all those who have relationships with brothers and sisters in Portland should begin calling to encourage them to leave the church immediately and move to a church in the “New Movement”.
Let us notice that the ICOC Co-operational Churches or ICOC put great emphasis on McKean starting a “New Movement” whereas they maintain keeping the status quo. Arthur reports: In September 2006 Kip made a decision to break all ties with his former fellowship, the International Churches of Christ, and start his new “Sold out Disciples Movement” with its headquarters in Portland. In reality, the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) is dead since decentralising in November 2002. The former ICOC has divided into two main factions since September 2005.
What was the mandate of the Portland leadership with the McKeans?
Not so long ago, early 2006, Bob Bertalot and Tony Untalan were appointed as the first elders in the history of the Portland International Church of Christ. On that historic day, the Johnsons were welcomed and were made responsible for the West region. Steve served as an Associate Lead Evangelist.
The day the McKeans left for Los Angeles the elders of the Portland congregation had nothing but praiseworthy remarks for our dear brother and sister, Kip and Elena. In their opinion from an article, McKeans To Los Angeles – April 2007 the McKeans have humbly served the Portland International Church of Christ with hard work, tears and selfless lifestyle.
Leadership in the Portland congregation knew their policy differ from the anti-McKean faction. Nonetheless, leadership and the congregation shared a conviction God has begun a new movement of sold-out disciples whose motivating vision is the envangelization of the nations in this generation!
Here the elders and more noteworthy the Bertalots dispels all doubt others may share today about the McKeans mandate.
Firstly. As elders we want to commend Kip for all his tireless efforts to revive God’s worldwide discipling movement. Kip’s continual pursuit to fulfil Jesus’ dream to plant churches of sold-out disciples in every nation in the face of tremendous opposition and criticism is inspiring!
Secondly. We believe that it is God who raises up those in leadership. A person is simply recognized for what one is already doing. Therefore because the scope of Kip’s mission work is worldwide, it is our conviction, as well as Steve Johnson’s and the other leaders in the Portland Family of Churches, that God’s Spirit has raised Kip up to be the World Missions Evangelist for our new movement. The inaugural article, Welcome Home by Kip McKean implicate Steve Johnson by name for encouraging Kip to start again! Then this past year after most ICOC leaders rejected and opposed our efforts to call out a remnant to revive the ICOC, God put on the hearts of my dear brother Steve Johnson and many others to urge me to begin again. So last fall we officially initiated the new Portland Discipling Movement or as some would call us, the “Sold-out Movement.”
Thirdly. Through much discussion and prayer we believe the Spirit has chosen this time to send the McKeans to Los Angeles, California. In April, the McKeans along with a 40-member mission team will join the now 23 Christians of the Los Angeles International Christian Church.
Fourthly. During these early years of God’s new movement, all of the Portland Family of Churches will work together pooling our resources of disciples, money and prayers to send mission teams to the major metropolitan cities of the world.
Finally. Steve and Lisa have also been instrumental in helping to guide the McKeans and the other ministers in the Portland Family of Churches to “take the high road” and not strike back at those who criticize our planting of new churches and starting a new movement.
The impressions given by Douglas Arthur second report From Chaos to Clarity: My Trip to Portland strongly indicate God is dealing with faulty men who have repented. Here Arthur thinks Bob Bertalot and the remaining Portland church elders are men of clear convictions and a strong faith in God’s sovereignty. They have guided the congregation through a storm and have emerged stronger for the experience. They are resolute about their vision for the future and their convictions about God’s church.
These elders have rallied behind a united front – a new type of fellowship according to Mike Taliaferro – We are a fellowship right now of independent, Bible-believing churches. Yes, we are going to have a man lead the movement, and that is going to be Jesus Christ. (April 1st 2004 Faithful Conversations, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas.)
But then there is this one guy who made a similar statement – I will be with disciples agreeing to build a movement centred on one personality. And His name is Jesus. (2006, Kip McKean, Partners in the Gospel II, Portland International Church of Christ)
And this is how God’s faulty men carry out Jesus by certain labels.
How did it happen? The sharp disagreement between Kip and his contemporaries has divided the ICOC. Instead of Kip McKean taking one man and evangelize the world he took who ever wants to go with him. His contemporaries did the same.
Today, the pro-McKean faction (Sold-Out Discipling movement/ICC) maintains a central leadership style with Kip McKean in the position as World Missions Evangelist. The anti-McKean faction (ICOC Co-op Churches/ICOC) has no central church government but co-operate as a union while still resorting to Lead Evangelists overseeing churches.
An article entitled Autonomy? No way! Glorious co-operation between the churches by Justin Renton tries to teach his group of disciples the importance of co-operation. If members of this group act selfishly they’ve proven to be cancerous. Here the anti-McKean faction will not tolerate members breaking-away from each other as the Johnsons have done recently. Doing so would harm the body as cancer is a disease where certain cells in the body stop co-operating and start acting selfishly. They encourage other cells to do the same and very soon a tumor is formed. If that tumor is allowed to grow big enough it can kill the whole body.
Perhaps Renton’s article is designed to make a broad sweep skilfully sidestepping Kip McKean’s autonomy finger pointing issues aimed at the anti-McKean churches. Renton reminds the pro-McKean faction they have no autonomy but a glorious co-operation between the churches. They don’t act selfishly!
Arthur was convinced Kip showed some signs of improvement with the encouragement of Steve and Lisa Johnson but only for a little while before he reverted back to slandering other churches not under his direction. In this light, Douglas Arthur identifies McKean as a dangerous cancer cell. Was it solely Kip’s selfish actions that led to the Johnsons radical decision to depart?
Surely Kip is at fault, but not entirely by himself.
A steady stream of well-wishers from the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) are crossing over the previously impregnable threshold of the Portland International Church of Christ. This all made possible since Steve Johnson and a few elders broke-away in August 2008 from the Sold-Out Discipling movement. Now the majority so-called sold-out baptised disciples of Portland, Oregon have slip back by giving up their unique status being led under the guidance of Kip McKean’s central leadership structure.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this extraordinary event is Kip McKean’s inactive response compare to drastic measures taken in the past. McKean Clearing Up The Confusion article stated: Recently, Steve Johnson and the remaining elders in Portland, Oregon, stated their autonomy and desire to, “Have no man as a leader over them.” Sadly, with these decisions, they have separated themselves from the Sold-out Discipling Movement. Yet, we wish them well.
The Portland leadership actions were not compared to Korah, being filled with bitterness and selfish ambition, deceived the entire congregation and caused many to lose their faith and turn away from God.
Surely in the former era the Johnson’s rebellious behaviour typifies those who oppose and grumble against God’s leaders and divide God’s church. Why is McKean not accusing them of being lost because they do not have a true faith or at least opposing God?
Now, for the moment, it seems McKean is letting no unwholesome talk come out of his mouth, while the anti-McKean movement blames McKean for being responsible for this time of extraordinary pain.
What brought on this new controversy?
In a nutshell – again Kip’s contemporaries blame his divisive leadership style and his inability to work as a team player in a brotherhood of churches.
The impressions given by Douglas Arthur’s first report, Pray for Peace in Portland portrays the conduct of the World Missions Evangelist of the Sold-Out Discipling movement in a very negative light. Almost comparing the McKeans of thief-like behaviour! Here outsiders can read in his report an inventory of pillage rather than pilgrimage to Los Angeles as the McKeans took with them when they left: A Mission contribution of over $120,000. 10 of the 12 full & part time ministry staff 42 Leaders and members of the Portland church 40 more members moved in the next 15 months to LA
McKean has commandeered many to Los Angeles and continues to do so thus robbing the Portland International Church of Christ from its best and brightest for the sake of the mission since establishing a new important beachhead in Los Angeles, since March of 2007.
Strange from this report by Arthur, Kip McKean is portrayed as a heartless missionary out of touch with his once beloved Portland church that always resembled for him a beacon of light and hope for disciples around the world. Not only did the McKeans seem to empty the pockets of the Portland church but they have stolen the joy of the struggling Portland disciples. The Portland church according to Arthur struggle to maintain the same level of faith and zeal that they had established prior to the loss of so many to Los Angeles. Rather than feel appreciation for their sacrifice, they began to receive calls from Los Angeles expressing concern about the church. Accusations of “lukewarmness” and a constant barrage of appeals to “leave Portland and move to LA” became common for members of the congregation. The elders and the Johnsons confronted Kip on this divisive behavior but it continued to escalate.
What is the reason behind McKean’s concerns and ultimately calling out a remnant from the Portland Church?
The goal of the newly found Sold-Out Discipling Movement is two fold. Firstly to remain unified and secondly to continue gathering a remnant of sold-out disciples reaching the world for Christ in a single generation.
The Johnsons and some elders of the Portland church developed a different reality. Arthur writes about the Portland leadership maintains a conviction that local congregations should be open to outside influence but ultimately the final decision making authority rests in the hands of the local leadership. Secondly, the Portland leadership insisted on extending the right hand of fellowship to anyone that they considered a brother or sister in Christ not just those in the “New Movement.” Obviously, Arthur’s conclusion is pretty insightful. These positions were unacceptable to Kip and on August 3, 2008 he announced to his closest advisors that he had decided to “Call out a Remnant” from the Portland church and that all those who have relationships with brothers and sisters in Portland should begin calling to encourage them to leave the church immediately and move to a church in the “New Movement”.
Let us notice that the ICOC Co-operational Churches or ICOC put great emphasis on McKean starting a “New Movement” whereas they maintain keeping the status quo. Arthur reports: In September 2006 Kip made a decision to break all ties with his former fellowship, the International Churches of Christ, and start his new “Sold out Disciples Movement” with its headquarters in Portland. In reality, the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) is dead since decentralising in November 2002. The former ICOC has divided into two main factions since September 2005.
What was the mandate of the Portland leadership with the McKeans?
Not so long ago, early 2006, Bob Bertalot and Tony Untalan were appointed as the first elders in the history of the Portland International Church of Christ. On that historic day, the Johnsons were welcomed and were made responsible for the West region. Steve served as an Associate Lead Evangelist.
The day the McKeans left for Los Angeles the elders of the Portland congregation had nothing but praiseworthy remarks for our dear brother and sister, Kip and Elena. In their opinion from an article, McKeans To Los Angeles – April 2007 the McKeans have humbly served the Portland International Church of Christ with hard work, tears and selfless lifestyle.
Leadership in the Portland congregation knew their policy differ from the anti-McKean faction. Nonetheless, leadership and the congregation shared a conviction God has begun a new movement of sold-out disciples whose motivating vision is the envangelization of the nations in this generation!
Here the elders and more noteworthy the Bertalots dispels all doubt others may share today about the McKeans mandate.
Firstly. As elders we want to commend Kip for all his tireless efforts to revive God’s worldwide discipling movement. Kip’s continual pursuit to fulfil Jesus’ dream to plant churches of sold-out disciples in every nation in the face of tremendous opposition and criticism is inspiring!
Secondly. We believe that it is God who raises up those in leadership. A person is simply recognized for what one is already doing. Therefore because the scope of Kip’s mission work is worldwide, it is our conviction, as well as Steve Johnson’s and the other leaders in the Portland Family of Churches, that God’s Spirit has raised Kip up to be the World Missions Evangelist for our new movement. The inaugural article, Welcome Home by Kip McKean implicate Steve Johnson by name for encouraging Kip to start again! Then this past year after most ICOC leaders rejected and opposed our efforts to call out a remnant to revive the ICOC, God put on the hearts of my dear brother Steve Johnson and many others to urge me to begin again. So last fall we officially initiated the new Portland Discipling Movement or as some would call us, the “Sold-out Movement.”
Thirdly. Through much discussion and prayer we believe the Spirit has chosen this time to send the McKeans to Los Angeles, California. In April, the McKeans along with a 40-member mission team will join the now 23 Christians of the Los Angeles International Christian Church.
Fourthly. During these early years of God’s new movement, all of the Portland Family of Churches will work together pooling our resources of disciples, money and prayers to send mission teams to the major metropolitan cities of the world.
Finally. Steve and Lisa have also been instrumental in helping to guide the McKeans and the other ministers in the Portland Family of Churches to “take the high road” and not strike back at those who criticize our planting of new churches and starting a new movement.
The impressions given by Douglas Arthur second report From Chaos to Clarity: My Trip to Portland strongly indicate God is dealing with faulty men who have repented. Here Arthur thinks Bob Bertalot and the remaining Portland church elders are men of clear convictions and a strong faith in God’s sovereignty. They have guided the congregation through a storm and have emerged stronger for the experience. They are resolute about their vision for the future and their convictions about God’s church.
These elders have rallied behind a united front – a new type of fellowship according to Mike Taliaferro – We are a fellowship right now of independent, Bible-believing churches. Yes, we are going to have a man lead the movement, and that is going to be Jesus Christ. (April 1st 2004 Faithful Conversations, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas.)
But then there is this one guy who made a similar statement – I will be with disciples agreeing to build a movement centred on one personality. And His name is Jesus. (2006, Kip McKean, Partners in the Gospel II, Portland International Church of Christ)
And this is how God’s faulty men carry out Jesus by certain labels.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Clearing up the confusion - thanks to the Taliaferros
The Portland International Church of Christ break-away congregation from the Sold-Out Discipling movement were given the right hand of fellowship by Mike and Anne-Brigitte Taliaferro, thus officiate them part of the "original" ICOC clan who had broken away from the Church of Christ in 1988.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Kip promise a new church - if you double cross his new movement
Clearing up the confusion - The Portland International Church of Christ originally from the Portland Movement now known as the Sold-Out Discipling Movement has become the first church to break away from Kip McKean's new movement (SODM). Steve Johnson defected - he desert a cause in order to join the opposing forces. Here we have to ask: Is the opposing forces cause better? I think not! Or do they look after people better? I think so!
Kip responded promptly by planting a new church - The Portland International Christian Church. Recently, Steve Johnson and the remaining elders in Portland, Oregon, stated their autonomy and desire to, “Have no man as a leader over them.” Sadly, with these decisions, they have separated themselves from the Sold-out Discipling Movement. Yet, we wish them well.
Does it mean the Kathmandu-embrace between Kip and Steve is still intact? Nonetheless it is church business as usual. Out of this confusion, a small remnant group was formed in Portland. It is overseen by Jeremy Ciaramella of Eugene, Oregon, and is called the Portland International Christian Church.
Surely the next leader who dream to defect from McKean's movement may not receive a we-wish-you-well-Kathmandu-treatment. And that's a promise!
Kip responded promptly by planting a new church - The Portland International Christian Church. Recently, Steve Johnson and the remaining elders in Portland, Oregon, stated their autonomy and desire to, “Have no man as a leader over them.” Sadly, with these decisions, they have separated themselves from the Sold-out Discipling Movement. Yet, we wish them well.
Does it mean the Kathmandu-embrace between Kip and Steve is still intact? Nonetheless it is church business as usual. Out of this confusion, a small remnant group was formed in Portland. It is overseen by Jeremy Ciaramella of Eugene, Oregon, and is called the Portland International Christian Church.
Surely the next leader who dream to defect from McKean's movement may not receive a we-wish-you-well-Kathmandu-treatment. And that's a promise!
A promise is made to be broken? (ironic)
Steve's response in the context of staying faithful to a Promise.
Monday, September 01, 2008
The Kathmandu-embrace
Steve and Lisa Johnson new adventure in the new movement has finally come to an abrupt end due to disagreement concerning church polity with the McKean’s. The Johnson’s want no man as a leader over them.
Douglas Arthur broke the news (August 29, 2008) about the Johnson’s turnaround and it was widely publicised by other websites hosting anti-McKean sentiment. Surely the Johnson’s decision to embrace the ICOC will greatly contribute towards church growth within the ranks of the anti-McKean faction. An official report has come forth from the Sold-Out Discipling Movement.
The Johnson’s heroically sided with the McKeans early in 2006 while on the same day the Portland Church appointed their first elders, Bob Bertalot and Tony Untalan. McKean praised the Johnson’s loyalty - Steve and Lisa, truly your “colours are clear!” Welcome home!
The Johnson’s decided to join the Portland movement better known today as the Sold-Out Discipling Movement after making an announcement in the Savannah Church of Christ on December 22, 2005. Lisa and I are moving our family to Portland, Oregon to work with the church there for a while. This news has stunned many at the time due to the massive anti-McKean reaction derived from the Portland Story.
Prior to that, Steve’s Kathmandu-embrace with Kip McKean started in a period where he was personally trained by Kip back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The friendship endured and suffered little ill-effects despite being tested by enormous outside pressures such as the decentralisation of the ICOC in 2002 at the Long Beach Unity Meeting and the anti-McKean September 2005 Seattle Conference response. Here both men have stepped in and supported one another.
Let us consider the decentralisation of the ICOC in 2002. McKean offered the Johnson’s financial support.
The Johnson’s according to Kip’s view had to resign their position as World Sector Leaders during the 2002 Unity Meeting in an article entitled, The Portland Family Welcomes Steve and Lisa Johnson! Here McKean exert his viewpoint that many “Kingdom teachers and elders” falsely believed a central Kingdom leadership (World Sector Leaders), lead evangelists and overseeing evangelists were unscriptural. They also introduced “autonomy” into each congregation of the International Churches of Christ, thus the elders began leading the local ministries without the direction of an overseeing and/or lead evangelist. Therefore, Steve and Lisa, similar to Elena and me, resigned as World Sector Leaders. It seems that the Johnson’s never questioned the McKean’s position on unbearable doctrine.
The New York City Church declined the Johnson’s a pulpit position and they returned to the fulltime ministry a year later – 2004 - serving the Savannah Church of Christ in Georgia. The call for Steve to serve as an Associate Lead Evangelist in the Portland International Church of Christ followed 23 months later. Steve gladly accepted. The McKean’s elders made special arrangement for the Portland congregation Missions Contribution on March 12, 2006 to sacrifice at least ten times their weekly contribution to aid the Johnson’s salary.
Roles reversed. The Johnson’s offered the McKean’s emotional support.
The Portland Story article released on August 21st 2005 (some think as early as August 19th, 2005) has divided the ICOC for good. Perhaps some today will be surprised who were responsible for the content. Steve Johnson was little conflicted during his address to the ICOC leadership gathered at the September 2005 Seattle Conference. Here Johnson was shielding McKean from many angry stares during the Conference. Clearly Kip had few sympathisers during the Seattle Conference due to the August 21st release of the Portland Story. Some speakers were prepared to boycott the Conference if McKean would preach. The organisers barred McKean from any contribution other than being an observer and he was not allowed to participate with any decision-making processes.
Johnson called Kip my friend. He never hesitated to affirm his loyalty to Kip and some ownership regarding the controversial article, which now has split the ICOC. Johnson also implicated Douglas Arthur contribution to this notorious article saying the fact of the matter is, Doug Arthur and I worked on that article with him [Kip] for four hours before it was released. A transcript from McKean’s Friday night, August 19th sermon of the Portland Jubilee, God Became a Dying Man mentions McKean’s annoyance with Douglas and Steve’s involvement. Now that may tick them off… well, that’s OK. Y’know, people who changed my life ticked me off the most. I mean, Doug and Steve did it last night for four hours. I had my whole bulletin article [The Portland Story] written exactly the way I wanted it, and they made me go change it.
Perhaps the most controversial dilemma the neutral ICOC had to face was their apathy concerning discipleship. Johnson assured his audience in Seattle that in Savannah Church of Christ people will once more embrace discipleship exactly in the manner Kip is doing it. In Savannah, I want to do exactly what I did in Boston in 1979 or in New York in 1983 – in regards to teaching people how to teach people to become disciples. I’ve not come up, and I haven’t seen anyone else that has come up with a better mousetrap. And I assure you that when I see one, I’ll adopt it just like I did when I moved to Boston to be trained by Kip back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Johnson further affirmed at the Conference his logic in pursuing a friendship with McKean right or wrong. …wherever Kip goes, I go. And that’s not because Kip is ever always right or sometimes even close to right – Kip’s my friend. Doug’s my friend too. And I believe if your friend takes you in the wrong direction, you’ve got to straighten him out, but you can’t do that if you’re not together. I needed Kip for the first few years of ministry… but I feel like he needs me now, simply as a friend. And whatever he does, I will support it as best I can and continue to keep a clear conscience.
Johnson made in 2006 an emphatic statement of loyalty to the Portland group which one blogger suggests it is nothing more than schizophrenic babble when reading the article entitled The Portland Family Welcomes Steve and Lisa Johnson!. Here Steve almost sacrificed his soul on the altar of human friendship. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
Needless to say, the true colours of Steve Johnson’s loyalty towards Kip McKean’s belief system have been severely tested. In 2006, McKean made a decision to break all ties with his former fellowship, the International Churches of Christ, and start his new “Sold-Out Discipling Movement” with its headquarters in Portland. Surely McKean’s isolation and that of Steve Johnson bobbing conscience were driven to breaking point as the aggressive church policies of the Portland Story ensued throughout 2006 and 2008.
Near the end of 2006, November 19th McKean lost his friendship with Douglas Arthur. Perhaps others have hoped the Johnson’s might contribute to a positive change keeping Kip in check, but they clearly have failed.
Is it really the end of the Kathmandu-embrace?
Douglas Arthur broke the news (August 29, 2008) about the Johnson’s turnaround and it was widely publicised by other websites hosting anti-McKean sentiment. Surely the Johnson’s decision to embrace the ICOC will greatly contribute towards church growth within the ranks of the anti-McKean faction. An official report has come forth from the Sold-Out Discipling Movement.
The Johnson’s heroically sided with the McKeans early in 2006 while on the same day the Portland Church appointed their first elders, Bob Bertalot and Tony Untalan. McKean praised the Johnson’s loyalty - Steve and Lisa, truly your “colours are clear!” Welcome home!
The Johnson’s decided to join the Portland movement better known today as the Sold-Out Discipling Movement after making an announcement in the Savannah Church of Christ on December 22, 2005. Lisa and I are moving our family to Portland, Oregon to work with the church there for a while. This news has stunned many at the time due to the massive anti-McKean reaction derived from the Portland Story.
Prior to that, Steve’s Kathmandu-embrace with Kip McKean started in a period where he was personally trained by Kip back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. The friendship endured and suffered little ill-effects despite being tested by enormous outside pressures such as the decentralisation of the ICOC in 2002 at the Long Beach Unity Meeting and the anti-McKean September 2005 Seattle Conference response. Here both men have stepped in and supported one another.
Let us consider the decentralisation of the ICOC in 2002. McKean offered the Johnson’s financial support.
The Johnson’s according to Kip’s view had to resign their position as World Sector Leaders during the 2002 Unity Meeting in an article entitled, The Portland Family Welcomes Steve and Lisa Johnson! Here McKean exert his viewpoint that many “Kingdom teachers and elders” falsely believed a central Kingdom leadership (World Sector Leaders), lead evangelists and overseeing evangelists were unscriptural. They also introduced “autonomy” into each congregation of the International Churches of Christ, thus the elders began leading the local ministries without the direction of an overseeing and/or lead evangelist. Therefore, Steve and Lisa, similar to Elena and me, resigned as World Sector Leaders. It seems that the Johnson’s never questioned the McKean’s position on unbearable doctrine.
The New York City Church declined the Johnson’s a pulpit position and they returned to the fulltime ministry a year later – 2004 - serving the Savannah Church of Christ in Georgia. The call for Steve to serve as an Associate Lead Evangelist in the Portland International Church of Christ followed 23 months later. Steve gladly accepted. The McKean’s elders made special arrangement for the Portland congregation Missions Contribution on March 12, 2006 to sacrifice at least ten times their weekly contribution to aid the Johnson’s salary.
Roles reversed. The Johnson’s offered the McKean’s emotional support.
The Portland Story article released on August 21st 2005 (some think as early as August 19th, 2005) has divided the ICOC for good. Perhaps some today will be surprised who were responsible for the content. Steve Johnson was little conflicted during his address to the ICOC leadership gathered at the September 2005 Seattle Conference. Here Johnson was shielding McKean from many angry stares during the Conference. Clearly Kip had few sympathisers during the Seattle Conference due to the August 21st release of the Portland Story. Some speakers were prepared to boycott the Conference if McKean would preach. The organisers barred McKean from any contribution other than being an observer and he was not allowed to participate with any decision-making processes.
Johnson called Kip my friend. He never hesitated to affirm his loyalty to Kip and some ownership regarding the controversial article, which now has split the ICOC. Johnson also implicated Douglas Arthur contribution to this notorious article saying the fact of the matter is, Doug Arthur and I worked on that article with him [Kip] for four hours before it was released. A transcript from McKean’s Friday night, August 19th sermon of the Portland Jubilee, God Became a Dying Man mentions McKean’s annoyance with Douglas and Steve’s involvement. Now that may tick them off… well, that’s OK. Y’know, people who changed my life ticked me off the most. I mean, Doug and Steve did it last night for four hours. I had my whole bulletin article [The Portland Story] written exactly the way I wanted it, and they made me go change it.
Perhaps the most controversial dilemma the neutral ICOC had to face was their apathy concerning discipleship. Johnson assured his audience in Seattle that in Savannah Church of Christ people will once more embrace discipleship exactly in the manner Kip is doing it. In Savannah, I want to do exactly what I did in Boston in 1979 or in New York in 1983 – in regards to teaching people how to teach people to become disciples. I’ve not come up, and I haven’t seen anyone else that has come up with a better mousetrap. And I assure you that when I see one, I’ll adopt it just like I did when I moved to Boston to be trained by Kip back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Johnson further affirmed at the Conference his logic in pursuing a friendship with McKean right or wrong. …wherever Kip goes, I go. And that’s not because Kip is ever always right or sometimes even close to right – Kip’s my friend. Doug’s my friend too. And I believe if your friend takes you in the wrong direction, you’ve got to straighten him out, but you can’t do that if you’re not together. I needed Kip for the first few years of ministry… but I feel like he needs me now, simply as a friend. And whatever he does, I will support it as best I can and continue to keep a clear conscience.
Johnson made in 2006 an emphatic statement of loyalty to the Portland group which one blogger suggests it is nothing more than schizophrenic babble when reading the article entitled The Portland Family Welcomes Steve and Lisa Johnson!. Here Steve almost sacrificed his soul on the altar of human friendship. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
Needless to say, the true colours of Steve Johnson’s loyalty towards Kip McKean’s belief system have been severely tested. In 2006, McKean made a decision to break all ties with his former fellowship, the International Churches of Christ, and start his new “Sold-Out Discipling Movement” with its headquarters in Portland. Surely McKean’s isolation and that of Steve Johnson bobbing conscience were driven to breaking point as the aggressive church policies of the Portland Story ensued throughout 2006 and 2008.
Near the end of 2006, November 19th McKean lost his friendship with Douglas Arthur. Perhaps others have hoped the Johnson’s might contribute to a positive change keeping Kip in check, but they clearly have failed.
Is it really the end of the Kathmandu-embrace?
Friday, July 18, 2008
Madiba, 90 years of love
Nelson Mandela is celebrating his 90th birthday in his Transkei Qunu home today - 18 July 2008! Today this humble servant of humanity is with his family the people who made him what he is today. His wife Graca Machel said ahead of this day: The world needs symbols. The world needs to highlight the best values we can find in certain human beings. Mandela is one of those. Former South African president and co-winner of the 1993 Nobel peace prize, FW de Klerk rated Mandela as one of the greatest figures of the last century. He is the most famous South African who has ever lived and is universally regarded as one of the greatest figures of the 20th century. Mandela’s statesmanship and humility opt him to become the first recipient of the ICOC HOPE Unity Award in 1995. The Unity Award, resembles a hand holding a bundle of sticks tied with a cord mounted on an octagon shape for its base. This original idea came from Pat Gempel, former director of Development for HOPE worldwide. Steve Johnson, former ACES World Sector leader, was responsible for the design, while the hands of Jackie Perreault Gonzales sculpted a magnificent work of art. Pat’s idea based on an old fable tells of a father who handed his children a bundle of sticks tied with a leather cord and gave them the command, “Break it.” Strong as they were, none of them could manage the task and they handed the bundle back to their father. He then untied it, handed each a single stick, and said again, “Break it.’ This they easily did. With an air of gravity and a pause to help drive the point home, the father advised his children, “Unity gives strength.”
Madiba warmly received the honors bestowed on him from an ICOC delegation consisting of Dr. Mark Ottenweller, director of HOPE for the Poor in South Africa, Kip McKean, Bob and Pat Gempel on August 10th 1995 at his official residence in Pretoria. Roger Lamb recorded the event for KNN and the video was shown during the World Missions Leadership conference held in Johannesburg during the period of 9-13 August 1995.
The spirit of Mandela is unbreakable. How do you break love? Nelson Mandela made a profound speech to the court during his opening statement of the Rivonia trial in April 20th 1964. He valued death as an ally in order to achieve an ideal for freedom for all South Africans. During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
The day, February 11th 1990 Mandela walked free!
Instead of being a bitter man hardened by prison life he showcased to the world his famous Madiba smile! Through those bitter 27 years on Robben Island Mandela made every effort during tough negotiations leading up to the end of apartheid rule in 1994 to add to his faith goodness. The former National Party leader, FW de Klerk, acknowledged his working relationship during negotiations with Mandela went through hardship. He was a hard, sometimes remorseless negotiating partner and our relationship was often severely strained. Nevertheless, whenever the situation demanded it, we were able to overcome our differences and take concerted action to defuse the crisis as they arose. After his inauguration, Nelson Mandela used his personal charm to promote reconciliation and to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation. This, I believe, will be seen as his greatest legacy.
And to goodness, Madiba added knowledge. And to knowledge self-control; and to self-control, perseverance. And to perseverance, godliness. And to godliness, brotherly kindness. And to brotherly kindness, 90 years of love.
Graca Machel is right: The world needs symbols. Perhaps the triumph of Madiba’s dedication to humanity is in the manner he is a living symbol of hope to the world. And perhaps, Mandela’s story will always remain a triumph because this man was in no position to freely give what he had freely received until his release!
Today, 13 years ago, those men from the ICOC delegation, who visited this champion of peace, must learn from an old fable when a father handed a bundle of sticks tied with leather cord and gave them the command, “Break It.”
I think that father (tata) is Nelson Mandela!
Madiba we salute you! Happy Birthday!
Sarel de Wet
Proudly South African
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Road to nowhere.
Dave Eastman’s article entitled Embracing Discipleship (Part 1) startled me for a number of reasons, mainly because the author proposes new insights and applications to embrace once again, or maybe for the first time, the discipleship to which we are called. Eastman is of opinion people should say ‘no’ to Jesus rabbinical one-over-another disciple model and ‘yes’ to one-another disciple partner arrangements. Is his proposal the correct model?
First it must be said, Eastman is an old hand from the Crossroads era. He has experienced many adjustments to the disciple approach since his first introduction in the late seventies. Terminology shifts between the founder of the Crossroads movement, Charles ‘Chuck’ Lucas and his protégée were early indicators of things to come; McKean pioneered an egoistic guru-style leadership in 1988 based on Jesus leading his few. The Boston movement, which McKean started in 1979, extended over a twenty-year span known as Episode 1, which relapsed in the new millennium with McKean’s Unity Meeting resignation in 2002.
Henry Kriete’s letter followed the Unity Meeting. Here, Kriete’s document presented an honest evaluation of past and present sins especially concerning the formation structures of discipleship in the former ICOC. I quote: That we have become a top to bottom hierarchy is not a question. The truth is we are. Why we have chosen this model, and sought to crystallize it, when the apostolic church has no such model, is the big question. Even with other models to pattern ourselves after; even with so many teachers in our churches who surely know better, the fact is that we have chosen and systematically enforced this one. The reason I use the word ‘enforced’ is simple: we have become what we’ve wanted to become; what we have insisted on becoming. How did this happen? I am not entirely sure. Why we let happen is the more radical question.
Clearly, Dave Eastman is not in favour of any pyramidal relations in his proposal, but he has already made a grave mistake. The fact is Eastman have chosen and systematically enforced this one – discipling relationships. The question is will Chicago Church let it happen? It appears that some Christians in this fellowship would be concerned about a renewed emphasis on discipling relationships.
The new ICOC have come a long way avoiding the pitfalls of the one-over-another model since McKean’s resignation. However, by large, leaders are determined not to let go of discipleship methodologies. Perhaps their dilemma could be explained if Micky Mouse would be removed from Walt Disney, would it still be a Walt Disney? The reconstruction attempts since decentralisation have almost levelled the ICOC to the Church of Christ. Imagine if disciple relations were compromised; the next step would be reintegration with the Church of Christ.
It’s sad to see men like Dave Eastman rallying for a position that would lead to more questions than answers, or a road to nowhere, especially if these men are unwilling to throw the baby out with the bath water, considering mandatory or intentional disciple relationships!
Ask this question during October’s discussion. Does it mean if you are born a ‘discipling’ church; you must forever remain a ‘discipling’ church? Is it not to use Kriete’s words what we have insisted on becoming? Eastman stated: We were born as a discipling church. We grew up as a discipling church. And though we made mistakes, and at times sinned, as a discipling church, we are still a discipling church. That means that each one of us needs to once again embrace discipling.
Well we know where were goin
But we dont know where weve been
And we know what were knowin
But we cant say what weve seen
And were not little children
And we know what we want
And the future is certain
Give us time to work it out
Next time: The Road to nowhere
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Commentary on Discipleship to follow...
icoccommentary will focus on discipleship in a series entitled: DECODING THE DISCIPLESHIP TO WHICH WE ARE CALLED.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Kelcy Hahn is a pro!
Kip McKean recently reported to his flock the mainline Church of Christ and the International Church of Christ (ICOC), now in ruins, while a remarkable 1.7% growth has been determined by the combine efforts of Kelcy Hahn and Roger Lamb’s 2007 Church Survey tell us otherwise.
icoccommentary perhaps contributed to a picture of doom and gloom for the “ICOC” by projecting a probable decline of 1.5% from the Mission Memo churches survey list. However, the fact of the matter is stats are in the hands of statisticians. Here, Kelcy Hahn gallant feedback resolved unnecessary tension and icoccommentary is grateful for his outstanding contribution to this regard.
Were the numbers rigged?
icoccommentary calculations were entirely based on Kelcy Hahn’s reported portion that is listed on MM (87,360) We tallied 87,280. Even so, if one would have been guided by MM (87,360) figures then the “ICOC” should be in decline by 1.4%. Here, icoccommentary were very close!
However, icoccommentary for the record cannot dispute Kelcy’s numbers – it would be foolish! The upward trend consists from stats obtained from the final report (89,131) + 999 (estimated portion) = 90,130! The “ICOC” have grown by 1.7%! Perhaps this cliché is applicable:) The rat race is over the rats have won!
Is the ICOC back?
It seems that the “ICOC” is back – revived with over 560 churches in 147 countries. Evidently, McKean speaks about his group as a revival movement springing from the ICOC while in return the ICOC Co-op Churches view themselves as the ICOC or at least at best as a successor. Consider the opening remarks in the 2007 Church Survey Report: Part 1. Here, we read: For the first time since 2002, our annual survey of membership among International Churches of Christ shows an increase in estimated membership. Data collected by Lamb and Hahn’s fourth survey ties in with the former ICOC era which is unfortunate.
McKean has stated in June 2004: ”Gone, I believe, is the ICOC.” His opponents were aggravated by this remark. It was the beginning of the Dividing Years. Over the ensuing months, the identity of the ICOC become blurred, but during the end of 2005 two opposing factions emerged, namely the pro-McKean Sold-Out Discipling movement (Since August 2005) and the anti-McKean ICOC Co-op Churches (Since September 2005). The ICOC is divided. Furthermore, a small number of neutral “ICOC” churches decided not to sign up with the Unity Proposal document nor allow Portland to assist them to rebuild since the ICOC fragmented. Very little is known from these remainder offshoots. Some of these congregations no longer want to be associated with an “ICOC” tag. In South Africa there is one such church group (name withhold) that even has participated in the 2007 ICOC Church Survey.
However, the “ICOC” existence cannot be denied. The two main parties have both reached a turning point. Both groups rely on a vital element – Jesus’ disciple-making model, that will ensure more numbers producing more disciple-making churches everywhere. We must not forget that this evangelistic model is flawed and is regarded as unbiblical. Nevertheless, this current survey has boosted the moral for the ICOC Co-op Churches. What effect it will have on McKean’s fellowship remains to be seen.
icoccommentary perhaps contributed to a picture of doom and gloom for the “ICOC” by projecting a probable decline of 1.5% from the Mission Memo churches survey list. However, the fact of the matter is stats are in the hands of statisticians. Here, Kelcy Hahn gallant feedback resolved unnecessary tension and icoccommentary is grateful for his outstanding contribution to this regard.
Were the numbers rigged?
icoccommentary calculations were entirely based on Kelcy Hahn’s reported portion that is listed on MM (87,360) We tallied 87,280. Even so, if one would have been guided by MM (87,360) figures then the “ICOC” should be in decline by 1.4%. Here, icoccommentary were very close!
However, icoccommentary for the record cannot dispute Kelcy’s numbers – it would be foolish! The upward trend consists from stats obtained from the final report (89,131) + 999 (estimated portion) = 90,130! The “ICOC” have grown by 1.7%! Perhaps this cliché is applicable:) The rat race is over the rats have won!
Is the ICOC back?
It seems that the “ICOC” is back – revived with over 560 churches in 147 countries. Evidently, McKean speaks about his group as a revival movement springing from the ICOC while in return the ICOC Co-op Churches view themselves as the ICOC or at least at best as a successor. Consider the opening remarks in the 2007 Church Survey Report: Part 1. Here, we read: For the first time since 2002, our annual survey of membership among International Churches of Christ shows an increase in estimated membership. Data collected by Lamb and Hahn’s fourth survey ties in with the former ICOC era which is unfortunate.
McKean has stated in June 2004: ”Gone, I believe, is the ICOC.” His opponents were aggravated by this remark. It was the beginning of the Dividing Years. Over the ensuing months, the identity of the ICOC become blurred, but during the end of 2005 two opposing factions emerged, namely the pro-McKean Sold-Out Discipling movement (Since August 2005) and the anti-McKean ICOC Co-op Churches (Since September 2005). The ICOC is divided. Furthermore, a small number of neutral “ICOC” churches decided not to sign up with the Unity Proposal document nor allow Portland to assist them to rebuild since the ICOC fragmented. Very little is known from these remainder offshoots. Some of these congregations no longer want to be associated with an “ICOC” tag. In South Africa there is one such church group (name withhold) that even has participated in the 2007 ICOC Church Survey.
However, the “ICOC” existence cannot be denied. The two main parties have both reached a turning point. Both groups rely on a vital element – Jesus’ disciple-making model, that will ensure more numbers producing more disciple-making churches everywhere. We must not forget that this evangelistic model is flawed and is regarded as unbiblical. Nevertheless, this current survey has boosted the moral for the ICOC Co-op Churches. What effect it will have on McKean’s fellowship remains to be seen.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Numbers that don't make sense to us.
Stats are in the hands of statisticians.
Perhaps it is time for statistician, Kelcy Hahn to release the full report concerning the 2007 “ICOC” church survey. Indeed, Hahn is correct with his statement: Overall, the numbers tell a remarkable, if uneven, tale of survival, repentance and recovery.
It seems to icoccommentary the report (coming) was dissected by “ICOC” evangelists long before the news of an increase was made public. Also, Mike Taliaferro wasted no time submitting extracts from the full report on ICOC Hot News on Monday, April 28, 2008. Here the breakdown members by regions indeed reach the mystical number 90,130. Thus the ICOC grew by 1.7% in 2007. Furthermore, icoccommentary confirms this fact and is relief to found that our calculators can make sums!
But the numbers don’t make sense to us.
Let us consider church lists submitted on Mission Memo’s 2007 survey. Perhaps the numbers tell a remarkable, if irregular tale?
There are 8 regions. Africa was one of the first regions to contribute 100% as reported by Mission Memo’s article, entitled 525 on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. According to Taliaffero’s ICOC Hot News report Africa tallies 10,750. In comparison, Mission Memo Africa church lists actually tallies 10,788. The difference is 38. How can a region, which reported 100%, be more than stipulated in the full report?
Here follows a breakdown in numbers from regions as reported in ICOC Hot News by Taliaferro and what can be viewed at Mission Memo. Readers please do your maths and comment freely!!!
ICOC Hot News Members by Region:
Africa 10,750
Asia/Pacific 18,489
Canada/U.S. 37,154
Eurasia 6,797
Europe 2,724
Latin America/Caribbean 13,748
Middle East 468
TOTAL: 90,130
Mission Memo Members by Region:
Africa 10,788
Asia/Pacific 17,339
Canada/U.S. 36,311
Eurasia 6,817
Europe 2,351
Latin America/Caribbean 13,465
Middle East 209
TOTAL: 87,280
Perhaps it is time for statistician, Kelcy Hahn to release the full report concerning the 2007 “ICOC” church survey. Indeed, Hahn is correct with his statement: Overall, the numbers tell a remarkable, if uneven, tale of survival, repentance and recovery.
It seems to icoccommentary the report (coming) was dissected by “ICOC” evangelists long before the news of an increase was made public. Also, Mike Taliaferro wasted no time submitting extracts from the full report on ICOC Hot News on Monday, April 28, 2008. Here the breakdown members by regions indeed reach the mystical number 90,130. Thus the ICOC grew by 1.7% in 2007. Furthermore, icoccommentary confirms this fact and is relief to found that our calculators can make sums!
But the numbers don’t make sense to us.
Let us consider church lists submitted on Mission Memo’s 2007 survey. Perhaps the numbers tell a remarkable, if irregular tale?
There are 8 regions. Africa was one of the first regions to contribute 100% as reported by Mission Memo’s article, entitled 525 on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. According to Taliaffero’s ICOC Hot News report Africa tallies 10,750. In comparison, Mission Memo Africa church lists actually tallies 10,788. The difference is 38. How can a region, which reported 100%, be more than stipulated in the full report?
Here follows a breakdown in numbers from regions as reported in ICOC Hot News by Taliaferro and what can be viewed at Mission Memo. Readers please do your maths and comment freely!!!
ICOC Hot News Members by Region:
Africa 10,750
Asia/Pacific 18,489
Canada/U.S. 37,154
Eurasia 6,797
Europe 2,724
Latin America/Caribbean 13,748
Middle East 468
TOTAL: 90,130
Mission Memo Members by Region:
Africa 10,788
Asia/Pacific 17,339
Canada/U.S. 36,311
Eurasia 6,817
Europe 2,351
Latin America/Caribbean 13,465
Middle East 209
TOTAL: 87,280
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Update Part 6: 2007 Church Survey Statistics – Did they rig the numbers?
Monday, April 28th 2008 marks the end of the ICOC 2007 Church Survey.
The year 2002 was the ICOC family of churches best year statistically. It had 135,046 members. This number forms the plateau of the Proclamation Years (1994-2000) since the sharp drop took its terrible toll during the Count-out Years (2001-2003) and present Dividing Years (2004-2008). Perhaps this survey contains a mix bag of bittersweet elements that is hard to swallow. Now for the first time since 2002 the numbers shows an upward curve! icoccommentary is pessimistic optimistic – here’s why…
Who is growing stronger and stronger?
icoccommentary welcomes the idea collecting data from ICOC family of churches. Furthermore, icoccommentary endorses the vision of a new era where churches feel safe sharing vital information without fear of competition and comparison. Nevertheless, the aim of stats is to compare from previous records.
However, it is bothersome that the church survey of 2007 among International Churches of Christ is not a true reflection of the entire ICOC family of churches. Surely this survey only reflect a segment of the International Churches of Christ, namely ICOC churches affiliated to the anti-McKean faction known as the ICOC Co-operation Churches. Why was the pro-McKean faction better known as the Sold-Out Discipling Movement not part of this survey? Who is benefiting from these statistics – the International Churches of Christ as a whole or a certain faction within it?
Not of our numbers
Secondly, icoccommentary is rather surprised by the announcement of an estimated 1.7% increase in 2007. Here, icoccommentary forecast a possible 2.6% decline from 2006 membership stats, and a 36.1% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002. A proposal that was nearly dead on!
This prediction was based on the lists of churches given by Mission Memo starting from the end of January 2008 up and until March 2008. Churches highlighted in red were expected to contribute to the list. Even so, it became clear from the 2007 church lists that the enlisted ICOC churches were not going to improve on the 2006 statistics.
What is more perplexing is the numbers of the most recent updated April 2008 list obtained from Mission Memo. It does not reflect a total membership of 90,130! icoccommentary would like to know where did this number come from?
Furthermore, there are other conflicting interests stated in the 2007 Church Survey Report: Part 1 posted on Mission Memo’s blog that does not correspond with the article found in the Survey-section entitled, Church Survey Status: Participating Churches.
Part 1 mentions they have heard from 545 of the 562 churches where as in the Survey-section they have enlisted 563 churches which have participated in the 2007 survey already. Here, icoccommentary counted all the churches including those marked with [*], [-] and red [?] In total it amounts to 537 churches listed! icoccommentary would like to know where are the remainder of 562/563 churches on this list?
It is correctly stated that 17 churches – those in question [?] did not participate in the 2007 church survey. Seven of those churches combine 2006 membership amounts to 1,368 – there is no recollection of data for the other ten.
United we stand, divided we fall
After careful examination from the April lists provided by Mission Memo it is evident that the total membership among International Churches of Christ notably the anti-McKean faction estimated for 2007 have dropped by 1.5% from the previous year. The number is 87,280; not 90,130. This fact pulls them further down into the abyss with a 35.4% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Finally, it becomes evident that the era of Episode 1 can never wash with a new era whether we’re taking up stats or proposing Not a new beginning, but an exciting Episode 2! Here, Mission Memo and Disciples Today Church Directory must take an honest look and start afresh with the number game. Roger Lamb must be more careful not to generalize and monopolize the old ICOC. If the ICOC were united; 90,130 would be probable, but they’re not.
The divisions within the old ICOC have even messed up the statistics. Kip McKean can no longer share in the ministries of over 560 churches in 147 countries. Each side is forced to take its own stock. This is another significant element of the Dividing Years.
Historically, the year 2002 is the benchmark. Today in total the ICOC, whether consisting the pro-McKean faction or anti-McKean faction numerically are back in 1996!
Herewith the breakdown of regions with respected churches and membership. Commentary is added concerning participation.
63 Churches listed for Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,788
All participated on the list
46 Churches listed for Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 6,817
All participated on the list
52 Churches listed for Europe:
Membership for 2007: 2,351
[?] 4 churches
[*] 6 churches
[-] 5 churches
7 Churches listed for the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 209
All participated on the list
131 Churches listed for Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 17,339
[?] 1 church
[-] 1 church
18 Churches listed for the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 2,238
All participated on the list
62 Churches listed for Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 11,227
[?] 4 churches
158 Churches listed for Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 36,311
[?] 8 churches
537 Churches listed on Mission Memo
Total membership for 2007 Church Survey: 87,280
A) Total membership for 2002 Church Survey: 135,046
B) Total membership for 2006 Church Survey: 88,597
C) Total membership for 2007 Church Survey: 87,280
Difference between (B) and (C): 1,317
% Down: 1.5%
Difference between (A) and (C): 47,766
% Down: 35.4%
E&OE
The year 2002 was the ICOC family of churches best year statistically. It had 135,046 members. This number forms the plateau of the Proclamation Years (1994-2000) since the sharp drop took its terrible toll during the Count-out Years (2001-2003) and present Dividing Years (2004-2008). Perhaps this survey contains a mix bag of bittersweet elements that is hard to swallow. Now for the first time since 2002 the numbers shows an upward curve! icoccommentary is pessimistic optimistic – here’s why…
Who is growing stronger and stronger?
icoccommentary welcomes the idea collecting data from ICOC family of churches. Furthermore, icoccommentary endorses the vision of a new era where churches feel safe sharing vital information without fear of competition and comparison. Nevertheless, the aim of stats is to compare from previous records.
However, it is bothersome that the church survey of 2007 among International Churches of Christ is not a true reflection of the entire ICOC family of churches. Surely this survey only reflect a segment of the International Churches of Christ, namely ICOC churches affiliated to the anti-McKean faction known as the ICOC Co-operation Churches. Why was the pro-McKean faction better known as the Sold-Out Discipling Movement not part of this survey? Who is benefiting from these statistics – the International Churches of Christ as a whole or a certain faction within it?
Not of our numbers
Secondly, icoccommentary is rather surprised by the announcement of an estimated 1.7% increase in 2007. Here, icoccommentary forecast a possible 2.6% decline from 2006 membership stats, and a 36.1% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002. A proposal that was nearly dead on!
This prediction was based on the lists of churches given by Mission Memo starting from the end of January 2008 up and until March 2008. Churches highlighted in red were expected to contribute to the list. Even so, it became clear from the 2007 church lists that the enlisted ICOC churches were not going to improve on the 2006 statistics.
What is more perplexing is the numbers of the most recent updated April 2008 list obtained from Mission Memo. It does not reflect a total membership of 90,130! icoccommentary would like to know where did this number come from?
Furthermore, there are other conflicting interests stated in the 2007 Church Survey Report: Part 1 posted on Mission Memo’s blog that does not correspond with the article found in the Survey-section entitled, Church Survey Status: Participating Churches.
Part 1 mentions they have heard from 545 of the 562 churches where as in the Survey-section they have enlisted 563 churches which have participated in the 2007 survey already. Here, icoccommentary counted all the churches including those marked with [*], [-] and red [?] In total it amounts to 537 churches listed! icoccommentary would like to know where are the remainder of 562/563 churches on this list?
It is correctly stated that 17 churches – those in question [?] did not participate in the 2007 church survey. Seven of those churches combine 2006 membership amounts to 1,368 – there is no recollection of data for the other ten.
United we stand, divided we fall
After careful examination from the April lists provided by Mission Memo it is evident that the total membership among International Churches of Christ notably the anti-McKean faction estimated for 2007 have dropped by 1.5% from the previous year. The number is 87,280; not 90,130. This fact pulls them further down into the abyss with a 35.4% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Finally, it becomes evident that the era of Episode 1 can never wash with a new era whether we’re taking up stats or proposing Not a new beginning, but an exciting Episode 2! Here, Mission Memo and Disciples Today Church Directory must take an honest look and start afresh with the number game. Roger Lamb must be more careful not to generalize and monopolize the old ICOC. If the ICOC were united; 90,130 would be probable, but they’re not.
The divisions within the old ICOC have even messed up the statistics. Kip McKean can no longer share in the ministries of over 560 churches in 147 countries. Each side is forced to take its own stock. This is another significant element of the Dividing Years.
Historically, the year 2002 is the benchmark. Today in total the ICOC, whether consisting the pro-McKean faction or anti-McKean faction numerically are back in 1996!
Herewith the breakdown of regions with respected churches and membership. Commentary is added concerning participation.
63 Churches listed for Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,788
All participated on the list
46 Churches listed for Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 6,817
All participated on the list
52 Churches listed for Europe:
Membership for 2007: 2,351
[?] 4 churches
[*] 6 churches
[-] 5 churches
7 Churches listed for the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 209
All participated on the list
131 Churches listed for Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 17,339
[?] 1 church
[-] 1 church
18 Churches listed for the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 2,238
All participated on the list
62 Churches listed for Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 11,227
[?] 4 churches
158 Churches listed for Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 36,311
[?] 8 churches
537 Churches listed on Mission Memo
Total membership for 2007 Church Survey: 87,280
A) Total membership for 2002 Church Survey: 135,046
B) Total membership for 2006 Church Survey: 88,597
C) Total membership for 2007 Church Survey: 87,280
Difference between (B) and (C): 1,317
% Down: 1.5%
Difference between (A) and (C): 47,766
% Down: 35.4%
E&OE
Friday, April 04, 2008
Update Part 5: 2007 Church Survey Statistics – Africa, Caribbean and Middle East stats completed
icoccommentary forecast a possible 2.6% decline from 2006 membership stats, and a 36.1% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,788
icoccommentary forecast score: -40
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 2,238
icoccommentary forecast score: -116
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 209
icoccommentary forecast score: +24
Combined Total Membership for 2007: 13,235
Combined Total icoccommentary forecast score: -132
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,788
icoccommentary forecast score: -40
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 2,238
icoccommentary forecast score: -116
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 209
icoccommentary forecast score: +24
Combined Total Membership for 2007: 13,235
Combined Total icoccommentary forecast score: -132
Friday, March 14, 2008
Update Part 4: 2007 Church Survey Statistics – Africa and Caribbean stats completed
icoccommentary forecast a possible 2.6% decline from 2006 membership stats, and 36.1% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002. (See Update Part 3)
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,788
icoccommentary forecast score: -40
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 2,238
icoccommentary forecast score: -116
Combined Total Membership for 2007: 13,026
Combined Total icoccommentary forecast score: -156
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,788
icoccommentary forecast score: -40
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 2,238
icoccommentary forecast score: -116
Combined Total Membership for 2007: 13,026
Combined Total icoccommentary forecast score: -156
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Update Part 3: 2007 Church Survey Statistics - Slight Improvement, Again
Mission Memo, along with Disciples Today, conducts an annual survey on a section of the International Churches of Christ (Anti-McKean Churches).
The estimated membership at the end of 2006 was 88,597.
A possible 2.6% decline is forecast from 2006, and a 36.1% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,387
3 Churches expect to participate from Africa:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 441
Church participation from Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 3,742
16 Churches expect to participate from Eurasia:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3,082
Church participation from Europe:
Membership for 2007: 2,323
9 Churches expect to participate from Europe:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 196
1 Church expect to participate from the Middle East:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: -
Church participation from Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 15,712
23 Churches expect to participate from Asia/Pacific:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,584
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 1,665
4 Churches expect to participate from the Caribbean:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 457
Church participation from Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 11,066
7 Churches expect to participate from Latin America:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 710
(Previously Mexico, Mexico City 3,906 now 3,904 / Puerto Rico, San Juan 120 added, not displayed before)
Church participation from Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 33,683
21 Churches expect to participate from Canada/United States:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,221
(Previously U.S. Detroit 303 now 304; U.S. San Antonio 301 now 304; U.S. San Juan 130 now 120; U.S. Raleigh appeared twice 275 and 525 now 525 / U.S. Chapel Hill 275 added to compensate Raleigh?)
TOTAL
Current Membership for 2007: 78,774
84 Churches expect to participate in 2007 Church Survey:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 7,498
Target: 88,597
Possible estimate: 86,272
Difference: 2,325
% Down: 2.6%
E&OE
The estimated membership at the end of 2006 was 88,597.
A possible 2.6% decline is forecast from 2006, and a 36.1% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 10,387
3 Churches expect to participate from Africa:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 441
Church participation from Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 3,742
16 Churches expect to participate from Eurasia:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3,082
Church participation from Europe:
Membership for 2007: 2,323
9 Churches expect to participate from Europe:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 196
1 Church expect to participate from the Middle East:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: -
Church participation from Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 15,712
23 Churches expect to participate from Asia/Pacific:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,584
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 1,665
4 Churches expect to participate from the Caribbean:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 457
Church participation from Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 11,066
7 Churches expect to participate from Latin America:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 710
(Previously Mexico, Mexico City 3,906 now 3,904 / Puerto Rico, San Juan 120 added, not displayed before)
Church participation from Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 33,683
21 Churches expect to participate from Canada/United States:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,221
(Previously U.S. Detroit 303 now 304; U.S. San Antonio 301 now 304; U.S. San Juan 130 now 120; U.S. Raleigh appeared twice 275 and 525 now 525 / U.S. Chapel Hill 275 added to compensate Raleigh?)
TOTAL
Current Membership for 2007: 78,774
84 Churches expect to participate in 2007 Church Survey:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 7,498
Target: 88,597
Possible estimate: 86,272
Difference: 2,325
% Down: 2.6%
E&OE
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Why is it taking Kip so long?
Kip McKean’s article Rapidly Spreading The Honored Message! is a far cry to the words penned by the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:1.
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you.
Here Paul the apostle and his fellow workers, Silas and Timothy encourage the church in Thessalonica for persevering with the Lord’s message they received whether by word of mouth or by letter. The Thessalonians were under severe pressure from the Jews to deny Jesus as King! (Acts 17:7)
(Part 1)
The International Churches of Christ (ICOC) have separated into two distinct movements, namely the pro-McKean faction known as the Sold-Out Discipling movement and the anti-McKean faction known as the ICOC Co-operation Churches.
Paul’s remarks pray for us and just as it was with you is noticeably absent from these factions interaction with each other whether by word of mouth or letter. Here the possessive plural form – our – is often used in a selfish embrace.
The opening lines of McKean’s article refer to God as our God.
Mike Taliaferro, recently corrected the perception that the anti-McKean faction have renounced the dream to evangelize the world in one generation with this statement: Finally, let us note that we have not lost our dream to win the world in our generation, even though we have hit our bumps at times. [Underlined by me]
However this article is not about fidgeting over words but investigates the likelihood to evangelize the world in one generation.
Kip McKean promote strongly the dream to evangelize the world in a generation. An ideal he penned and signed with his World Sector Leaders on February 4th 1994. This document is known as the Evangelization Proclamation.
However this strategy is not from the Lord despite McKean’s claim that the Lord put on my heart to pen the Evangelization Proclamation. Many ICOC leaders during the S.A.D-interval (see graph) have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with this proclamation. McKean is quick to exploit this fact stating the following in his article: In 2002, many leaders in our former fellowship renounced the dream to evangelize the world in a generation as “impossible” and labelled me a “false prophet” for calling everyone to it.
This impression is clarified in Mike Taliaferro’s article Hotnews Response to Raul Moreno Editorial since November 2007. The article, though unofficially state for the record that [Mike Taliaferro] do not know a single evangelist or elder in the ICOC who has renounced this dream. It seems that the anti-McKean faction have considered a more moderate approach concerning the time frame for a generation in reaching the world for Christ. We are still giving our lives to evangelize the world, and we want to do it in our generation. If it takes longer, so be it. The Holy Spirit is in charge. But we all want to see it happen in our generation.
On the other hand the pro-McKean faction judged from this article by McKean have stipulated a generation consist of thirty-some years. Again, the anti-McKean faction safer option is explained to Raul’s question to evangelize the world in one generation. I quote: Of course, this begs a question. Since the Portland Movement so often talks about winning the world in one generation, well, hasn’t Kip had one generation already to do it? Didn’t he start trying in 1979 in Boston? It seems to [Mike Taliaferro] that after 30 years he is back to square one. Since you guys are so set on World evangelization taking only one generation, then why is it taking Kip so long? It appears that Kip will need to try a second time to accomplish his goal, and it will take Kip himself at least two generations to do the job. So, why are you so critical of us?
The problem between these two factions is Kip McKean’s leadership and a few moderations concerning church polity. Both have a manifest for their modus operandi. Historically the Portland Story and the Unity Proposal documents set them each apart.
The formation of the pro-McKean faction happened in August 2005 at the Portland World Missions Jubilee. Before this event the Portland International Church of Christ since accepting the McKeans in June 2003 were fast reaching “movement status”. The Portland movement was taking shape, while the rest of the ICOC group was “bumping away”.
The former ICOC ‘Kingdom-dominion’ or ‘Restoration’ theology reared its ugly head in the Portland Story released during the Portland World Missions Jubilee in August 2005. Here McKean reintegrate this point in his article [it] was the beginning of a calling out of a remnant of sold-out disciples who believe in a movement to evangelize the world in a generation. McKean is adamant that by October 2006, the Spirit had clearly begun a new discipling movement, which has been “rapidly spreading” in unprecedented ways. [Underlined by me]
McKean stated in the Portland Story: For years, I have preached “one church-one city;” in other words, each city should have only one church of disciples, because if they are faithful to God, He will multiply them to evangelize not only their city but the whole region. (Acts 19:8-10) I still believe in this same principle. Sadly, it has become the practice of some former ICOC churches to break-up into geographic groups or groups of various convictions about commitment to Christ, discipling and church government. If a group asks for help to restore the foundation of sold-out disciples, we will help in any way we can. Biblically, disciples can never rebel against authority, yet as seen with David who “chose” to transfer his allegiance from the ungodly Saul to the uncircumcised Achish (1 Samuel 27:1-4) one is “free to choose” whom to submit to!
A counter movement formed quickly, in order to thwart McKean’s plans for a progressive “calling-out of the remnant of disciples” from dying, former ICOC Churches. Simply termed the anti-McKean faction.
Today, the anti-McKean faction officially known as the ICOC Co-operation Churches have a strong ethos with more than 70% of ICOC churches supporting this initiative. This group does not view themselves as a “breakaway” from the original ICOC. Mike Taliaferro’s admonishment to Raul Moreno sounds like a typical William Wallace speech from Braveheart. But most of us did not cut and run during the direst time in our history. While some ran off and started “new movements” simply so that they could be in charge once again, most of us stayed with the churches that we began and did not desert “the army of God” that was still fighting in the field. [Underlined by me]
Nevertheless the freedom to choose whom to submit as it was for Raul Moreno is often met with counter arguments. Mike Taliaferro’s response (no matter how prudent) to Moreno’s grievances will always produce a spirit of dominion that will continue to wound and crush any who do not toe the line. Nothing will be accomplished if the one group, mentions God as our God and the other accuses them from deserting ”the army of God”.
The Bible states: The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. (2 Samuel 3:1 NIV)
Elsewhere on my blog I have referred to this scenario by calling the pro-McKean faction, the house of Renovation and the anti-McKean faction, the house of Innovation. Altogether the ICOC group can be called the house of Pain.
Both groups are dangerously close in revealing the following character trademarks (if they are not already present) typically associated with church groups preaching ‘Kingdom-dominion’ or ‘Restoration’ theology with their reliance on the shepherding (discipling) approach. The former ICOC was guilty of it. They are characterise by: (1) a universal Kingdom of God on earth; (2) a requirement for religious unity; (3) a requirement for a structured Church system based on human leadership; (4) a rest on human ability and wisdom; (5) replacing Jesus with the Church.
It would be wise for these leaders to council this year in order to make a determined effort either to embrace one another as brothers or at least be leaders and embrace each other’s differences. If leadership fail to remain in dialogue members will abandon this group due to criticism from within. If they cannot resolve this conflict or war then the ICOC as a group will never be able to Rapidly Spreading The Honored Message! Neither in this generation nor the next!
(Part 2)
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian religious group in the world and growing with more than half of the world’s population Christians in this body. Round about 1.1 billion membership.
This Christian group does not rely on a goal to reach the world in a generation, or make use of exponential growth nor on Jesus’ plan of making disciples. Imagine if they did! However, they do have a centralized Catholic leadership hierarchy that answers back to one man.
The pro-McKean faction supports a worldwide centralized leadership structure, while the anti-McKean faction don’t go along with worldwide centralized leadership.
Even so, it is safe to speculate both support a strategy for worldwide evangelism base on exponential growth produced through Jesus’ plan of making disciples within a timeframe of a generation.
Here, both camps have formulated their ideas on paper in accomplishing this mammoth task. The pro-McKean faction’ Portland Story strategy is continually revised by Kip McKean’s pen. The anti-McKean faction ‘Co-operation Churches’ are continually updated on their website.
On the one hand, the pro-McKean faction’ churches are formed by church planting congregations and remnant gathering congregations and on the other hand, the anti-McKean faction’ churches are formed by church planting congregations and churches signing up with the Plan to co-operate.
According to McKean to reach remnant status remnant gathering congregations must ”start” something new or die in order to be part of God’s new discipling movement. This train of thought is nothing less than an extension of the ideals of the Portland Story’s manifesto for a progressive “calling-out of the remnant of disciples” from dying, former ICOC Churches.
This very interesting dynamic in God’s new movement officially known as the Sold-Out Discipling movement have spoiled good will in the brotherhood of the ICOC family of churches. Clearly ‘Jesus is replaced with the Church’ as a man is turned against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be members of his own household. (Matthew 10) In other words, it leads to human arrogance and rivalry, and replaces obedience to God with submission to the Church.
Already McKean’s article stipulates Loyalty to his group’s dynamics. For example, Kip states for exponential growth to occur, there must be a pure foundation of only sold-out disciples. Any lukewarmness, sin or hypocrisy allowed to perpetually exist becomes a leaven that eventually ruins the whole church (1 Corinthians 5:6-12).
In the face of this statement how did ungodly (non-Christian) institutions like Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Nike and even Britney Spears [music] have evangelized the world in our lifetime?
Now it is a matter of time before the rot will set in (if not already present). The diagnosis for Church groups supporting ‘Kingdom-dominion’ or ‘Restoration’ theology requires obedience to the Letter. It becomes imperative that all churches unite to do the work. The scheme for world restoration calls for organisational ability, qualities of leadership, rhetoric and the ability to dominate adversaries. It requires obedience from followers, which relies on a system of discipleship to ensure every Christian is under authority and unable to err from the teaching. Here the door shut to outsiders who must enter through the system in order to be saved. The church group becomes the visible Body on earth and Leadership impose direction for everyone.
This frightful scenario is already mounting criticism towards the pro-and anti-McKean factions. McKean’s article does not shy away from dramatic criticism. In Los Angeles, one local “minister” has accused God’s new discipling movement of being “a movement of Satan.” How history repeats itself! [Kip is referring to the men stand opposed in the New Testament]
McKean’s article does not hesitate to attribute new direction within his group as Godly intervention, despite criticism. Some have critized and tried to discredit what is clearly the work of God’s Spirit as evidenced in all the miracles – the baptisms and restorations of fallen away brothers and sisters. Therefore, let us share a very interesting dynamic in God’s new movement. In the new discipling movement, churches are formed in two very different ways: church planting congregations and remnant gathering congregations.
Perhaps McKean’s loyalists receive more open criticism than the anti-McKean group because they articulate their intensions more openly. Here the thoughtful must not pause at a particular group but be ever mindful what is happening on the other side. Remember the history in the making of the International Churches of Christ teachings was more openly criticised than the ‘mainline’ Church of Christ!
In conclusion, McKean’s article supports the same strategy for world conquest as described in Robert Emerson Coleman’s book The Master Plan of Evangelism. It relies on worldly formulas such as exponential growth produced through Jesus’ plan of making disciples.
Roy Davison astutely pointed out the doctrinal foundation and fundamental error in relying on exponential growth produced through Jesus’ plan of making disciples. Adherents to this thesis of the disciple approach mistakenly conclude it is correct to follow Jesus’ pattern or plan in training his apostles as a pattern for making disciples. Davison conclude these are entirely different matters.
Jesus Christ was a rabbi who formed an organizational teacher/student relationship with his apostles. He expressly forbids them to become rabbi’s (Matt 23:8-10). Christians cannot imitate Christ example in everything. A Christian cannot be the head of the Church. The Roman Catholic Church does. Christians may not have disciples of their own or disciples! All Christians are the Lord’s disciples!
Clearly the ICOC pro- or anti- McKean factions face an insurmountable task to evangelise the world in one generation or two or ever. The status quo is not good when one go by statistics. (see graph above) Reaching the world in one generation from an ICOC perspective remains a theological fantasy.
McKean’s article has warned his followers about people like myself who oppose this ideal. Be sure, opposition from the “wicked” and “brothers” who have no faith awaits all who desire to challenge and change the status quo.
Perhaps before the ICOC can look at the world they have to look to each brother and each sister across the room. Pay attention to the plank in your own eye!
Finally, I concur with Tricia Tillin’s observation the New Testament demonstrates that the Law cannot save mankind and that the only hope for man is in justification by faith. The Law has failed to transform mankind and it always will. (Romans 7:6)
Let us all rapidly spread the honored message: Jesus’ remains King!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Update Part 2: 2007 Church Survey Statistics - Slight Improvement
Mission Memo, along with Disciples Today, conducts an annual survey on a section of the International Churches of Christ (Anti-McKean Churches).
The estimated membership at the end of 2006 was 88,597.
A possible 3.3% decline is forecast from 2006, and a 36.6% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 9,924
8 Churches expect to participate from Africa:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 936
Church participation from Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 3,730
17 Churches expect to participate from Eurasia:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3,072
Church participation from Europe:
Membership for 2007: 1,314
25 Churches expect to participate from Europe:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 839
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 137
4 Churches expect to participate from the Middle East:
Combine membership (undisclosed added) since 2006 survey: 185
Church participation from Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 15,495
28 Churches expect to participate from Asia/Pacific:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,760
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 1,501
7 Churches expect to participate from the Caribbean:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 615
Church participation from Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 10,795
10 Churches expect to participate from Latin America:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,006
(Previously Mexico, Mexico City 3,906 now 3,904 / Puerto Rico, San Juan 120 added, not displayed before)
Church participation from Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 31,929
37 Churches expect to participate from Canada/United States:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 2,431
(Previously U.S. Detroit 303 now 304; U.S. San Antonio 301 now 304; U.S. San Juan 130 now 120; U.S. Raleigh appeared twice 275 and 525 now 525 / U.S. Chapel Hill 275 added to compensate Raleigh?)
TOTAL
Current Membership for 2007: 74,825
136 Churches expect to participate in 2007 Church Survey:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 10,844
Target: 88,597
Possible estimate: 85,669
Difference: 2,928
% Down: 3.3%
E&OE
The estimated membership at the end of 2006 was 88,597.
A possible 3.3% decline is forecast from 2006, and a 36.6% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 9,924
8 Churches expect to participate from Africa:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 936
Church participation from Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 3,730
17 Churches expect to participate from Eurasia:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3,072
Church participation from Europe:
Membership for 2007: 1,314
25 Churches expect to participate from Europe:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 839
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 137
4 Churches expect to participate from the Middle East:
Combine membership (undisclosed added) since 2006 survey: 185
Church participation from Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 15,495
28 Churches expect to participate from Asia/Pacific:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,760
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 1,501
7 Churches expect to participate from the Caribbean:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 615
Church participation from Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 10,795
10 Churches expect to participate from Latin America:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,006
(Previously Mexico, Mexico City 3,906 now 3,904 / Puerto Rico, San Juan 120 added, not displayed before)
Church participation from Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 31,929
37 Churches expect to participate from Canada/United States:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 2,431
(Previously U.S. Detroit 303 now 304; U.S. San Antonio 301 now 304; U.S. San Juan 130 now 120; U.S. Raleigh appeared twice 275 and 525 now 525 / U.S. Chapel Hill 275 added to compensate Raleigh?)
TOTAL
Current Membership for 2007: 74,825
136 Churches expect to participate in 2007 Church Survey:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 10,844
Target: 88,597
Possible estimate: 85,669
Difference: 2,928
% Down: 3.3%
E&OE
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
2007 Church Survey Statistics Going Down
Mission Memo, along with Disciples Today, conducts an annual survey on a section of the International Churches of Christ (Anti-McKean Churches).
The estimated membership at the end of 2006 was 88,597.
A possible 4.2% decline is forecast from 2006, and a 37.2% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 9,837
9 Churches expect to participate from Africa:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,027
Church participation from Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 3,693
18 Churches expect to participate from Eurasia:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3,121
Church participation from Europe:
Membership for 2007: 1,068
31 Churches expect to participate from Europe:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,085
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 137
4 Churches expect to participate from the Middle East:
Combine membership (undisclosed added) since 2006 survey: 185
Church participation from Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 14,213
34 Churches expect to participate from Asia/Pacific:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 2,800
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 679
10 Churches expect to participate from the Caribbean:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,527
Church participation from Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 6,257
43 Churches expect to participate from Latin America:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 5,166
Church participation from Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 27,963
61 Churches expect to participate from Canada/United States:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 6,093
TOTAL
Current Membership for 2007: 63,847
210 Churches expect to participate in 2007 Church Survey:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 21,004
Target: 88,597
Possible estimate: 84,851
Difference: 3,746
% Down: 4.2%
E&OE
The estimated membership at the end of 2006 was 88,597.
A possible 4.2% decline is forecast from 2006, and a 37.2% decline from peak membership (135,046) in 2002.
Church participation from Africa:
Membership for 2007: 9,837
9 Churches expect to participate from Africa:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,027
Church participation from Eurasia:
Membership for 2007: 3,693
18 Churches expect to participate from Eurasia:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 3,121
Church participation from Europe:
Membership for 2007: 1,068
31 Churches expect to participate from Europe:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,085
Church participation from the Middle East:
Membership for 2007: 137
4 Churches expect to participate from the Middle East:
Combine membership (undisclosed added) since 2006 survey: 185
Church participation from Asia/Pacific:
Membership for 2007: 14,213
34 Churches expect to participate from Asia/Pacific:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 2,800
Church participation from the Caribbean:
Membership for 2007: 679
10 Churches expect to participate from the Caribbean:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 1,527
Church participation from Latin America:
Membership for 2007: 6,257
43 Churches expect to participate from Latin America:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 5,166
Church participation from Canada/United States:
Membership for 2007: 27,963
61 Churches expect to participate from Canada/United States:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 6,093
TOTAL
Current Membership for 2007: 63,847
210 Churches expect to participate in 2007 Church Survey:
Combine membership since 2006 survey: 21,004
Target: 88,597
Possible estimate: 84,851
Difference: 3,746
% Down: 4.2%
E&OE
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The Come Back of the Goose that laid the Golden Egg – Campus evangelism
It’s that time of the year – taking stock. By now the holidays are over. Students over the world as in South Africa will soon return to their respected centres of education. And new students all over the country will flock to varsities.
In South Africa there are approximately 740,000 students and the government want to expand its university system and attract an extra 100,000 students. This goal is to achieve a 20% participation rate by 2015.
No wonder, Douglas Arthur, once responded in his section of the multi-authored Shining Like Stars: Campus ministry is “the goose that laid the golden egg”. For him it is a sort of precious bird, which should not be neglected, and for good reason.
The Campus Ministry days of Charles “Chuck” Lucas’ Crossroads movement has given rise to the McKean’s Boston movement (1979), which later was termed the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) (1994).
The ICOC since August 2005 have divided into two alternating camps due to unresolved leadership issues. The pro-McKean camp who call themselves the Sold-Out Discipling movement are those who support the McKean’s leadership style while the anti-McKean camp who call themselves the ICOC Co-operation Churches rejects latter’s leadership. However, both rely heavily on the campus ministry model because it is still viewed as the most fruitful of harvest fields.
Worldwide the post-2003 ICOC campus ministries had virtually came to a stand still. Douglas precious bird were neglected and at some places abandoned.
The pendulum shifts within the ICOC churches are not over. People within the ICOC are still indecisive concerning ICOC teachings and methodologies. Some ICOC churches near campuses seek alternative structures. The house church concept with small cell groups has become the preferred choice by some ICOC members in South Africa. These people no longer want to emphasise ICOC doctrine or methodology uphold by either pro- or anti- McKean group. Campus evangelism does not feature, as an entity on its own – home churches goal is to create a family vibe where all are considered part of the system.
In contrast, the golden eggs (students) associated with the goose (campus ministry) during the pre-2003 ICOC era, were jealously guarded by the most talented people to work solely with the college ministry. This notion may still be prevalent in some ICOC churches who rely on this old model. Here, ICOC evangelists invest all their energies in making this type of academic ministry a success. Harvest time start as soon as campuses open their doors for registration. A three-stage ministry immediately kicks in throughout the academic year with a strong focus on lots of visitors, lots of studies and lots of new Christians throughout the year.
Worldwide ICOC congregations with a life of an academic ministry fluctuate annually. It’s not entirely the graduation ceremonies fault. Each year that goes by, after the holiday break; church leadership anxiously awaits students to return home. Some students return with broken wings, which get fix during inspirational meetings offered by church activities while some decline to go back to the nest, yet they are on campus.
I for one cannot imagine this new era of ICOC campus evangelism.
In years to come, would the DJ’s style of ministry co-work with the Renton’s?
Nowadays, at some varsity institutions one might encounter a pro- or anti- McKean campus ministry – a sort of two types of jealous geese guarding eggs!
Perhaps, students of both camps who no longer feel so strong about their differences might start a new movement – where they can reaffirm those truths and emphases that have particularly shaped our branch of God’s movement, from the campus ministry days until now?
So the breeding cycle continues – the Precious Bird(s) that laid the Golden Egg is back. What will the future bring for these new golden eggs? Well, from personal experience – an endless cycle of persecution. No doubt.
Next articles: New 2007 South African stats as revealed by Mission Memo and Your Faith is sufficient.
In South Africa there are approximately 740,000 students and the government want to expand its university system and attract an extra 100,000 students. This goal is to achieve a 20% participation rate by 2015.
No wonder, Douglas Arthur, once responded in his section of the multi-authored Shining Like Stars: Campus ministry is “the goose that laid the golden egg”. For him it is a sort of precious bird, which should not be neglected, and for good reason.
The Campus Ministry days of Charles “Chuck” Lucas’ Crossroads movement has given rise to the McKean’s Boston movement (1979), which later was termed the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) (1994).
The ICOC since August 2005 have divided into two alternating camps due to unresolved leadership issues. The pro-McKean camp who call themselves the Sold-Out Discipling movement are those who support the McKean’s leadership style while the anti-McKean camp who call themselves the ICOC Co-operation Churches rejects latter’s leadership. However, both rely heavily on the campus ministry model because it is still viewed as the most fruitful of harvest fields.
Worldwide the post-2003 ICOC campus ministries had virtually came to a stand still. Douglas precious bird were neglected and at some places abandoned.
The pendulum shifts within the ICOC churches are not over. People within the ICOC are still indecisive concerning ICOC teachings and methodologies. Some ICOC churches near campuses seek alternative structures. The house church concept with small cell groups has become the preferred choice by some ICOC members in South Africa. These people no longer want to emphasise ICOC doctrine or methodology uphold by either pro- or anti- McKean group. Campus evangelism does not feature, as an entity on its own – home churches goal is to create a family vibe where all are considered part of the system.
In contrast, the golden eggs (students) associated with the goose (campus ministry) during the pre-2003 ICOC era, were jealously guarded by the most talented people to work solely with the college ministry. This notion may still be prevalent in some ICOC churches who rely on this old model. Here, ICOC evangelists invest all their energies in making this type of academic ministry a success. Harvest time start as soon as campuses open their doors for registration. A three-stage ministry immediately kicks in throughout the academic year with a strong focus on lots of visitors, lots of studies and lots of new Christians throughout the year.
Worldwide ICOC congregations with a life of an academic ministry fluctuate annually. It’s not entirely the graduation ceremonies fault. Each year that goes by, after the holiday break; church leadership anxiously awaits students to return home. Some students return with broken wings, which get fix during inspirational meetings offered by church activities while some decline to go back to the nest, yet they are on campus.
I for one cannot imagine this new era of ICOC campus evangelism.
In years to come, would the DJ’s style of ministry co-work with the Renton’s?
Nowadays, at some varsity institutions one might encounter a pro- or anti- McKean campus ministry – a sort of two types of jealous geese guarding eggs!
Perhaps, students of both camps who no longer feel so strong about their differences might start a new movement – where they can reaffirm those truths and emphases that have particularly shaped our branch of God’s movement, from the campus ministry days until now?
So the breeding cycle continues – the Precious Bird(s) that laid the Golden Egg is back. What will the future bring for these new golden eggs? Well, from personal experience – an endless cycle of persecution. No doubt.
Next articles: New 2007 South African stats as revealed by Mission Memo and Your Faith is sufficient.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
YouTube' mission statement
A mission statement video submitted by the Southern Africa International Churches of Christ also features Rod Fick the late evangelist of the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ.
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