The Herald Newspaper, Wednesday November 21, 2007

Herewith a report, entitled "Port Elizabeth's 'Ironman pastor' Rod Fick falls ill, commits suicide" published in The Herald newspaper on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 on page 4.

Herewith the link related to The Herald's coverage on Rod's death.

First and Foremost, Sarel de Wet is not responsible for being the source to The Herald. The news story in The Herald is copied from icoccommentary. How I don't know. A shoddy job. Cheap. And without professionalism. This matter I will take up with this paper's editor of news. The purpose for posting this newsclip is to provide clarity on the matter. Some "information" concerning Rod's death published in The Herald newspaper this morning need to be clarrified.

Firstly, the "information" published in The Herald's article is base on the "facts" derived from icoccommentary's article.

Secondly, in order to avoid any form of confusion. Rod Fick acted as an evangelist for the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ (ICOC South Africa) not to be confused with the mainstream church of Christ' branch also named Port Elizabeth (North) church of Christ.

Thirdly, the Herald Reporter's information regarding the "leaders of the PE Church of Christ" in paragraph 5 need to be corrected. The blog icoccommentary made a comment in paragraph 3 stating: "In the last year..." referring to the year 2007 and not 2006 as reported in The Herald's relevant story: "Last year...".

Finally, the controversial issue and fact concerning "different views on how the church should move forward" is inside news obtained from members of the P.E. congregation by icoccommentary. The Herald Reporter did not consult any one regarding this matter.

Background information and adjustments concerning the P.E. Church
The International Churches of Christ (ICOC) has broken up or decentralised since December 2002. What remain of the ICOC is two main groups namely the Portland 'discipling' Movement associated with the ICOC founder Kip McKean and a unity of 70% of ICOC congregations known as ICOC Co-opperation Churches.

It was earlier reported by icoccommentary" It is not certain if the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ (ICOC South Africa) have signed up to the Unity Proposal of the ICOC Co-operation Churches." They have not signed up. Also, it was earlier reported by icoccommentary" However, the P.E. church are part of the "ICOC churches" in South Africa." The P.E. Church is a church in transit. The Cape Town Church of Christ (ICOC South Africa) and Johannesburg (Joburg) Church of Christ (ICOC South Africa) have officially signed up with the Unity Proposal group, better known as the ICOC Co-operation Churches.

Mike Taliaferro have submitted on Monday, 19th November 2007 an article, entitled, "In Memory of Rod Fick" on the Cape Town Church of Christ webpage. It has been replaced with a new article, only submitted by Justin Renton (not the author), entitled, "In memory of Rod Fick...funeral arrangements...donations to the family" on Thursday 22nd November 2007.

The P.E. Church have released this statement submitted by Renton. Before that, the P.E. Church held a meeting on Monday evening, November 19, 2007, which was attended by icoccommentary. The P.E. Church does not have a website.