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

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 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.

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.

In Christ, My Place and Yours

Lesson One:
Your Faith Reawakens

By Sarel de Wet
July 2006 ©
Revised November 2007 ©

Dedicated to my dear wife.

Compiled out of love and deep affection for the members
and former members of the Port Elizabeth congregation.
To the members and former members of the ICOC past and present.

May Jesus words never fall on deaf ears:
“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

Author’s note

Not too long ago, my Calvinist dad gave me some Christian material to read.

The author reasons from Romans 6: “Could I be “in Christ” today but lose that protection at some point in the future? Could my faith or lack of faith determine whether I am presently “in” or “out” of Christ?”

I knew that these questions are bound to the realm held by most Christian theologians that one cannot lose your salvation – the doctrine of eternal security or perseverance of the saints or once saved, always saved.

Nevertheless, I ask myself, at what point in my life will Christ not protect me?
Am I presently “in” or “out” of Christ?

This two-part lesson is based on our ordeal making a decision as a married couple to stay or “fall away” from the International Churches of Christ denomination (ICOC). Please note: Our story is deliberately spiritualised.
The New Testament narrative about the “Healing at the Pool” (John 5:1-15 NIV) is juxtaposed onto our lives. Here, the ICOC and Church of Christ water baptism and legalism in the church are best demonstrated from this Bible story.

What was so significant about the mat? Why did Jesus insist that the invalid man “pick it up”? The answer might surprise you. Although all opinions expressed herein are my own, the facts about our exit are truthfully constructed.

Prologue

John’s Jesus “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Here, God breaks the silence. He spoke in the only way we could truly understand.

Jesus.

We know Jesus “was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

Any one “who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

Furthermore, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.”

John’s Jesus said: “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (John 1:1,10-13,17,18; 14:15-21 NIV)

My invalid ICOC years – 1990-2000

What do you read into Jesus’ interaction (John 5:1-15) with a disabled man who was invalid for thirty-eight years?

This is what I know.

Jesus “learned that he had been in this condition for a long time.” He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” The invalid man replied: “I have no one to help me…”

Perhaps that same Jesus looks at you, but why is he silent?

Jesus’ silence in my life was broken when my wife spoke up. And I listened.

We were in Cape Town in April, the year 2000 celebrating our first wedding anniversary. I can describe my wife, as a person who “is of great worth in God’s sight.” For she has an inner self adorned with “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” This is how many perceive her. Perhaps to some this type of characteristic reflects an introvert. Granted. I am an extrovert.

We welcomed our scheduled ‘break’ from the Church. At the time it was just fun to be ‘away’ from everything and everybody. Although these feelings were true we did not realise that something sinister hid behind our selfish expression of freedom.

Our way of existence was thoroughly documented by people who disapprove our lifestyle. Former members of our church over many years have voiced their anger and concern toward our Church “life and doctrine”. Theologians across the religious divide have contributed spiritual insight based on the Scripture in combating our Church’s erroneous “doctrine”. Psychologists have studied the effects of our way of “life”. Ironically as members of the ICOC we preached onto others: “Watch closely – Your life and doctrine!”

We were unaware about real answers that could explain almost anything about our fellowship methodology. For example we were sheltered from the world. The ICOC was the kingdom of God, God’s modern-day movement, the only true church of Christ. Our life and doctrine was unsurpassable! No other “denomination” in Christendom was saved! It was pointless joining any other church group who did not adhere to our doctrine! People who left our group were called “fallaways” because they have fell way from God! We taught (Colossians 1:15-18) you couldn’t say ‘yes’ to Christ and ‘no’ to His body, the church.

Here, Dr. Paul R. Martin states in his book entitled Cult-Proofing Your Kids, “The cult builds a wall around the person as shelter from the outside world. The purpose of that wall is to control the amount of information that one receives from the outside. Cults control information through (1) their teachings on doctrinal as well as non-doctrinal matters, (2) their activities, and (3) physically isolating the members from worldly and un-spiritual non-members (P.185).”

People’s views on the church, whether from former members, theologians or physiologists are deemed as over critical remarks. Newspapers often tried to discredit our “life and doctrine” and then we were right keeled by our evangelists’ counter arguments. Let’s be honest. How many church groups membership are all dedicated to in “making disciples” – baptising and teaching disciples?

Now before our arrival in Cape Town unbeknown to us the Cape Times newspaper published a front-page story discrediting the Cape Town Church of Christ. Sunday April 30th 2000, leadership in the Cape Town Church of Christ distributed a reactionary letter, entitled, “International Church of Christ Forcefully Denies Allegations Made This Week.” Leadership from this church reacted strongly to the Cape Times front-page story published on Wednesday April 26th 2000, entitled, “SA universities ban religious cult”. They compiled 12 “unfounded allegations” from the article published in the Cape Times newspaper.

A member of the public not affiliated with the Cape Town Church of Christ published a constructive letter of criticism on Friday April 28th 2000 in the “letters of the Editor”. It is entitled, “Basis for cult’s banning was not explored”.

We sympathised with the stricken congregation enduring such public humiliation from the media. The Cape Times article “caused trauma in the lives of church members across the Cape.” It saddened our hearts and naturally put a damper on our holiday spirits.

The Cape Times front-page article transported me back in time to my university years (1989-1993). Religious bodies and the media frequently targeted the Cape Town Church of Christ. Such events were termed “persecution” by the members of the church. I have often wondered about the allegations: “cult”, “sect”, “brainwash tactics” and many more. Admittedly, I never bothered to investigate it. Was this not what my Lord endured?

However, unbeknown to me on our journey back to Port Elizabeth, my wife’s perception on the ICOC had forever changed. The prominence given to the story on the front-page of the Cape Times becomes a cause for her deep concern. She reasoned that there had to be something behind these allegations. How can a reputable newspaper report (or “slander”) with such prominence a church group accusing them of “brainwash tactics” and branding them a “cult”?

Like the rest of us, she was forewarned about this form of persecution. I tried my best to lay her concerns aside. Does the “Jesus is Lord” study in our ‘Equipping Syllabus’ not explicitly mentions we will be “persecuted” by the media? It states:

Anything with commitment and religion is suspect these days – the issue is Jesus and what God commands. You will be persecuted – no one knows to what extent – must be willing to die for Jesus. If you are willing to die, a little newspaper article with misinformation or twisted information will not stop you!

Again I tried to persuade my wife to put her eyes on the Cross. Surely a little newspaper article with misinformation or twisted information about our church must not rob your joy?

With bravado I tried to enlighten her about my varsity years. I had endured my lion’s share of negative media exposure being a student at the university of Cape Town.

The year 1992 was particularly bad. Below are 5 reports, which appeared in the space of three months that accused my church, the International Churches of Christ of being a “cult” or a “sect”.

1) “Banned US cult ensnares student” – Sunday Times Cape Metro, February 16th 1992
2) “Strange cult: UCT alarmed” – Cape Times, February 17th 1992
3) “Members of banned cult active on campus of Technikon” – Technique (front page) March 1992
4) “Trapped in the web of a sect” – You Magazine, pp20-21, March 19th 1992
5) “Church of Christ ‘cult’ cut” – Varsity (UCT) p5, April 1st 1992

Let me tell you the media did not stop me. Nor would this front-page article in the Cape Times unsettle me! I was hardened, tough and arrogant. This is what I told my wife on our way back to Port Elizabeth.

Little did I realise. I was an invalid for ten years (1990-2000) – blind – with this certain biblical condition known as spiritual blindness.

Our secret to freedom

“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

Why did Jesus refer to the mat? Look at it again.

He said: “Pick up your mat…”

The mat becomes the central point of a religious controversy between Jesus and “ his brothers”. The day the healing took place was a Sabbath. Perhaps it is fair to speculate John’s Jesus acted alone. On a private mission he “went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews” (5:1). Here we do not read, “a great crowd of people followed him” (6:2) to this unspecified feast of the Jews. Nor do we see “his disciples” (6:3) accompanied Jesus.

Here we see Jesus mingling freely with the Jews. He “learned” about an invalid’s condition. The invalid addressed Jesus as “Sir,” because he “had no idea” who “this fellow” was who would later heal him. Afterwards Jesus stood nearby as a crowd of Jews confronted the man who was healed carrying his mat on the Sabbath. Jesus “slipped away into the crowd that was there.” “Later Jesus found him at the temple” and in return the man who was healed “told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well” (5:14,15 NIV).

The ordinary man-made item on which the invalid had laid for thirty-eight years become the bone of contention that pushed the disciples of Moses away from Jesus’ ministry. “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat (5:10 NIV). And “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk? (5:12 NIV).

Jesus’ deliberate instruction to “pick it up” was the bait on the hook. Have you ever walked into a church service with a carpet neatly rolled up under your arm? Will you not stand out? Will people not ask you about it? How much more a Jewish man walking on the Sabbath with a mat? The free walking man with the mat tucked under his arm quickly faces a predicament. To us the Jews reacted negatively, but considering the specific day being the Sabbath they asked a normal question. In fact the “invalid” man was remarkably healed by Jesus words in order to blend so well with the ordinary world of Judaism. The only problem was on that day he broke the law carrying his mat! Notice the Jewish legalism overrides the healing of a man who was invalid for thirty-eight years! The fact was completely overlooked that the man who was invalid got well!

Finally the focus shifted from the man who was healed and his mat to “this fellow” called Jesus. Here the Jews let the man go, unlike the Jews and Pharisees who persistently requested more information concerning Jesus’ healing of a blind man in John Chapter Nine. “The man born blind from birth asked them: “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from” (9:27-29 NIV).

Perhaps they were lying through their teeth. Jesus, the Son of God (5:25) and the Son of Man (5:27) were known by name by all the Jews who he encountered. “So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him (5:16 NIV). The Jewish oral and written tradition of the elders known as the Mishnah contained in the Talmud and Jewish interpretation of biblical laws known as the halakah become problematic for Jesus. He never hesitated to expose their hypocrisy. At one point the Pharisees’ and teachers of the law’s offensiveness towards Jesus’ outspokenness moved his own disciples hearts to pity! “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this? (Matthew 15:12 NIV) Jesus replied: “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit (ibid 7:13 NIV).

John’s Jesus in Chapter Five sees Jesus in action “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37 NIV), but they “were not willing” (ibid 23:37 NIV) to get well! The debate that ensued between Jesus and his fellow Jews indicated to the Jews whether they were “in” or “out” of Christ. God through Jesus broke the silence. He spoke in the only way they could truly understand. He used the man Jesus. Jesus shared in their humanity, being the Son of Man but the Jews’ absolutes clashed with Jesus’ absolutes, their own reality with the reality found in Christ. Jesus “calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (5:18 NIV) made them more determined to kill him. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he crossed over from death to life” (5:24 NIV).

Jesus showed himself to them. He wanted to know if the Jews had ever “heard his voice” (5:37) or “seen his form” (5:37) while they so “diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possesses eternal life” (5:39 NIV). Don’t “you want to get well?” (5:6 NIV) How astonishing the fact that these men made “no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” (5:44) Cleopas and his friend, in contrast on the road of Emmaus “hearts were burning” while Jesus by himself “opened the Scriptures” teaching them from Moses and all the Prophets” concerning himself (Luke 24:13-35 NIV). They were not bound by the legalism of the synagogue, although they observed the Torah! Jesus concluded in John Chapter Five: “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (5:45-47 NIV)

The Jewish Scriptures was the basis for the disciples of Moses and the primitive Church. However, they frowned upon primitive Christian teaching in later years as taught in the book of Hebrews. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:14-18 NIV).

The healing at the pool of Bethesda was a personal low-key affair between Jesus and one of Abraham’s descendants. No prying eyes and gasps of amazement. Here, a miracle took place away from the “crowds” and perhaps the awareness of “his disciples”. Therefore this chapter contrasts sharply with the following chapter in John’s Gospel. A “great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick (6:2 NIV). Jesus did sometimes act alone without being surrounded by his fellowship of believers. The previous chapter Jesus’ disciples were “surprised” on their return seeing Jesus conversing with a Samaritan woman! (4:27) Jesus concluded with her: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth” (4:23,24 NIV).

Jesus takes the initiative. He tested the waters. In due time his disciples applied the miracle “pick up your mat and walk” to a man over forty years old! They too were not afraid to testify about Jesus. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV). The man Peter and John healed was “crippled from birth.” They faced their bitter rivals who soon “realised they were unschooled, ordinary men, they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 NIV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” (15:16 NIV) “When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” (15:26,27) “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.” (16:1-4 NIV)

How do we apply this fantastic ministry in our modern lives?

The truth is we don’t initiate this type of ministry from ourselves unless we act like Simon the sorcerer. “Simon himself believed and was baptised. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw” (Acts 8:13 NIV). Simon wanted to earn the Spirit when he noticed that “the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money” (Acts 8:18 NIV). What ensued was a severe rebuke from the Apostle Peter. Jesus’ will find us! He will show himself.

We understand from Scripture that no man can earn his salvation in Christ. This view is also embraced by the ICOC and the Church of Christ denominations! However, their belief systems are based on the Arminian view. Meaning a Christian can fall from grace and lost their salvation. Where do we draw the line concerning ‘easy believism’ or ‘cheap grace’? What about the Christian teaching ‘accept Jesus in your heart as your personal Saviour’ or those who profess ‘Belief is enough’? These matters will be discussed in lesson two: Your Faith is Sufficient.

It is my opinion that John’s Jesus invalid man is a symbol of hope for every Christian struggling with a human condition so serious that only Jesus can step in and cure it. To me this passage deals explicitly with legalism in our misplaced theological conclusions. Especially when people react negatively out of misplaced theological conclusions toward others who have experience firsthand Jesus’ hand of friendship. “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (15:14,15 NIV).

It is from this viewpoint that we offer our insight in what made us so bold to leave the fellowship of the ICOC and the Church of Christ denominations despite the overwhelming doctrine that kept us loyal for so long.

Christians’ fellowshipping in churches seems to be “well”, but sometimes at these apparently healthy institutions things can be pretty desperate! Therefore we must not think it strange when Jesus asked the invalid man in a obvious place where people want to get well: “Do you want to get well?” (5:6) Here Jesus were surrounded by a “great number of disabled people – the blind, the lame, the paralyzed” (5:3). According to popular superstition of the day this was the place to be if you wanted to get well.

Jesus’ visit made the difference. This man had neither faith nor hope to enter the waters of the miracle pool. Christians often speculate about his “excuses”. But I think his “excuse” is valid. He simply had no friends to help him. Besides he tried! But he was not strong enough to compete! His willingness was trampled on by other people’s over-eagerness to get well. It was a selfish competition driven by selfish ambition! It was a mad rush for the finish line. This scramble went on from day to day, year in and year out. In the end when Jesus passed by him he saw the invalid man “lying there” (5:6) on his mat.

So Jesus dismissed him with his mat. He was “free to go”! There was no indication of faith from the invalid man. Nothing! It was Jesus’ command alone that enabled the man to pick up his mat and walk. The Father in Jesus provided the faith that responded to this miracle. A hearing faith without any precondition! It was so unexpected! With such little effort! Just his will to respond. “Get up!” (5:8) No help was needed from his friends. No rush. No panic. He literally had to pick up his life and go! More importantly Jesus’ only “stipulation” was to walk with a mat. And he obeyed. He never anticipated his mat would cause a huge problem for him. That he had to give some form of account for breaking the law! He had done absolutely nothing to earn his cure.

And here lies the secret of redemption. The secret to freedom in Christ is in Jesus’ words: “Pick up your mat and walk!” This simplicity of the hearing faith in action perplexed many that demand to adhere to some form of ritual aspect or steps that this is what saves and this is not what saves! Here the difference between justification and sanctification get confused within church groups who can’t understand the meanings of the two terms. What saves and what do not? Our next lesson will focus on this matter.

Finally, the mat determines if your congregation is ‘life-giving’ or ‘law-bound’. It can be life altering when Jesus commands: “Pick up your mat…”

This is precisely what happened to my wife.

Today, more than ever, I realise my wife was told by Jesus: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Within her spirit Jesus approached her. She did not know who he was. There is no explanation. She heard him say: “Do you, Michelle, want to get well?

We should not forget. “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despise things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
(1 Corinthians 1:27-30 NIV)

She obediently picked up her mat and walked. It was so unexpected! With such little effort! She relied on her own will. No help was needed from her church friends. No rush. No panic. She literally had to pick up her life and go! More importantly Jesus’ only condition for her was to walk with her mat. And she obeyed.

When our holiday was over we packed our suitcases into the car for our journey back to Port Elizabeth. My wife brought her mat along from Cape Town.

She was in deep thought. She started to ask questions concerning the Cape Times article on the way home. I asked her “Why ask such forthright questions?” At that point we were different people. Michelle forever changed and I was lame.

I was tied up. I was fearful. I tried to justify to her why people write bad things about the Church. We must remain committed to the teachings of the ICOC. Remember: Anything with commitment and religion is suspect these days – the issue is Jesus and what God commands.

In hindsight, the Cape Times newspaper article of April 26th 2000 was instrumental to our voluntary exit (walking away) from the ICOC on July 9th 2000. Indeed a “painful exit process”. It took 45 days. An act perceived by ICOC members as “falling away” from God. A future article will be published in 2008 on icoccommentary concerning the Cape Town Church of Christ response letter of April 30th 2000, entitled, “International Church of Christ Forcefully Denies Allegations Made This Week.”

The question of Legalism

Michelle was cured. She was free to question anything concerning the doctrine of the ICOC or the Church of Christ. She was free to do introspection. She examined herself. Nothing made sense.

She noticed in the year 2000 the ICOC leadership exercised unhealthy authority over the congregation. It was a form of “control-orientated leadership”. People were fearful! Disciples were accountable to one another, which were accountable to others higher up. Inherent, people were disciples of people! We had a hierarchy! Members were manipulated throughout these “discipling chains”. She noticed our absolute reliance on the First Principles study guide that becomes our collective “vision”. Why teach only from it? She noticed weak and faithless church members were treated harshly. Especially if they were not in leadership! People were leaving the church! Were they going to hell?

She became very upset. She became unsure of herself - insecure. A form of pride viewed by any ICOC “discipler”. She didn’t fit in. Her commitment to serve in the church wavered. Her enthusiasm died. Her church friends were concerned about her spiritual well being. Something must be done.

Then her church friends cross-examined her. Although they acted out of “love” in reality they react negatively out of misplaced theological convictions. In the year 2003 some apologised to my wife for treating her the way they did.

Such is the way carrying a mat in a legalistic religious fellowship. Michelle’s mat showed. Every day. And every day is a Sabbath in the ICOC.

Her church friends told her: “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”

Get with our programme! Get rid of that thing! She was cross-examined to be happy, to be serving, to become an extrovert like her husband! She was told her lack of joy will discourage her husband!

This form of discipleship is not Jesus’ discipleship. “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand,” reasons Paul in Romans 14:4, “for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

Paul states: “Examine yourselves” never cross-examine each other. Never should a church rely on police tactics of cross-examination. Restore people “gently.” “There is a great difference”, argue Roy Davison from Errors of Hierarchical Discipleship, “however, between helping a brother who has sinned, and cross-examining a brother!”

The “reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Colossians 2:17 NIV)

Church groups who don’t uphold the law of freedom have “lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews.” Such church groups rely on their own support system and techniques to make people grow. They cannot believe a person “grows as God causes it to grow.” (Colossians 2:19 NIV)

The questions intensified since our return from Cape Town. Weak and faithless disciples were not spared in the P.E. Church. They were the sort that had no “visitors” or “bible studies” at the Bible talks, church services and church activities. They failed in putting the ICOC kingdom first!

How much worse for anyone carrying a mat of freedom!

When we (yes, me included) confronted her it was never about her ability to walk, or her gift of speaking in different kinds of languages but a stupid mat! A mat she got from Cape Town. A mat she had to carry every day. A mat that caused embarrassment to everyone, including me! A mat that did not fit in the Temple! The system outlawed such articles. It was not required. Prohibited.

It did not surprise my wife when her church friends made her mat the agenda during her “discipling time.” She dreaded “discipling.” And so did I. We all stumbled around with such “fear and guilt”. The weekly arrangement when we reveal our deepest secrets or fears only known by God to our church friends. And when we repented it becomes ‘common talk’! A time where church friends acts like a type of Jesus or rabbi. A time where “disciplers” act like a type of Jesus as a go between for their disciples’ sins! A time where intermediaries act like a type of Holy Spirit! A painful weekly appointment when instruments construe by man deals with a sinful human heart rather allowing God to discipline us for our good.

Here my wife’s church friends pressed for an answer: “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”

At last, when the opportunity arose she was a loss for words in her “discipling time”. She could not show them this ‘new’ law of freedom while the tears stream down her face. More so, Jesus had slipped away into “the crowd” who was there in spirit. Her answers given to her ‘discipler’ would eventually reached the crowds.

Michelle was covered in the ministry of the Spirit. Jesus removed her veil. “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Corinthians 3:16 NIV) But her church friends minds and mine were made dull. “It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.” (2 Corinthians 3:14 NIV)

We are so wise. We are well oiled in the only pattern we follow – we teach only McKeanism. (Some of us today have no clue what this means) The hands of 30-would-be disciples painstakingly built our belief system. Glorious. Active. One Church. One Man. One Message. We had no idea how vast and rich the ministry of the Spirit stretches into the “Christian world”. We shunned other “denominations.” We pitied their doctrine of salvation. We knew only one Temple. One Healing Pool. One Rush. We counted the years since our baptism. (Some of us, like myself, shun our re-baptism on account of the ICOC church reconstructions – but some have no clue what this means) We tick off our baptismal years – year after year. We have managed to will ourselves into the waters of the healing pool. We had friends who helped us to get into the pool no matter what the cost! We too responded to an appointed time to march forward. Done exactly like clockwork. Done according to a fixed formula – disciple = Christian = save. If we missed the opportunity it was to be repeated until we got it and got in! The idea to be a disciple first before baptism is paramount for our healing! Those who fail to grasp it, no matter their condition, become invalid!

The healing at the pool is predetermined not only by the ICOC, but also by the Church of Christ (denomination). Here, a predetermined 5-point plan for salvation mixes their waters of baptism. Their rush forward is stirred by hear/believe/repent/confess/baptise. Sins are only forgiven at the point of making contact with water, being immersed and coming out of the water.

For those who rush ahead Jesus never came by and told them to “pick it up!” Here Christ is silent. However, the ministry of the Spirit determines our steps. It is active. It moves in any direction.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV)

My wife had reached breaking point in June 23rd 2000 when she was cross-examined. Some might diagnose her “spiritually burned out.” Which would be not far from the truth. In my lunch hour she came to me in tears! She was beside herself. I was paralysed. Her situation and ours had turned for the worse. She told me Jesus slipped away during her “discipling” meeting. She no longer wanted to be a disciple!

That was the moment I heard His voice: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

The ICOC unwritten law better known as inner church doctrine fell away. It stated: Don’t interfere in your wife’s ‘discipling’. Suddenly it no longer applied. In my hand I held my own mat! For the first time I share her understanding.

We today share a precious item – a mat, which transported us to freedom beyond the questions of legalism of “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” The Holy Spirit taught us – the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV).

That year, our mats made us distinct to the P.E. congregation and the movement it adheres to. The people questioned our conduct. It was a huge shock! For them and us. Notwithstanding the overwhelming doctrinal issues that kept us loyal to the ICOC and our long-standing commitment. Never did I contemplate to deliberately become a “fall away”. To think I was once a “visitor” and now to become a “fall away” was very frightening. It was incomprehensible for them and us to break through the walls of the ICOC kingdom of God!

The McKean walls around us came tumbling down. Those walls have alienated me from my physical family for ten years. Eight days since the July 9th 2000 I reconciled with my Calvinist dad. Seventeen days from that day I reconciled with my mother. I cannot wait to be truly reconciled in heart with my spiritual “brothers and sisters” in the PE church. It’s been seven years and counting…

Why does it take so long to reconcile with the church members? It is because of the doctrine over the person. “Personal experiences”, according Dr. Paul R. Martin, “of individual group members are subordinated to the “Truth” that is held in common by the group. Contrary experiences of what is or is not true must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the accepted doctrine of the group. The collected doctrine is always more important than individual beliefs and personalities. Group thought takes precedence over individual thought, one’s personality, interests, health – virtually anything.” (P.189)

We had to deny the impulses to “stay”! Perhaps this statement sounds a bit strange. But as a people – a married couple – who have had a thorough understanding and experience about the ICOC “life and doctrine” we made a collective decision to walk away! It was not easy. It was very frightening experience!

As individuals we decided to make this decision to “go” according to the measure of faith given to us by Jesus Spirit. Michelle response to the Port Elizabeth Church leadership was: “Count me out!” I stated to be in “deep thought and prayer”.

We were confronted with the inner fear and guilt complexities that ruled our “life” in the ICOC that was based on the “doctrine” of this group. Our commitment to the ICOC was a “lifelong decision”. We made a spiritual pledge the day we got baptised to remain faithful to this group and no one else.

Herewith some extracts from the Douglas Jacoby multi-author book, entitled Shining Like Stars, 1990 edition to give you an indication about our inner conflict. The PE Church adhered to these teachings in the year 2000. The view on baptism described on page 236. “It would be better not to be baptised than to take the step and then fall away (2 Pet 2:20-22). We “put the hand to the plough” for life! Explain that the confession made at baptism “Jesus is Lord” means just that!” The view about church described on page 234. “Make sure he understands that it is not God’s will for him to attend any other church.” The view about family and friends described on page 235. “Does he understand that they are lost? Is he willing to firmly (and lovingly) take a stand, share his faith with them, and hold to his conviction? Ask him how he would react if they opposed him.”

Reality is found in Christ. Not “by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a new moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” Or what your ‘discipler’ says. “Therefore do not let anyone judge you.” (Colossians 2:16 NIV)

God’s Spirit rescued us. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather on Christ.” (Colossians 1:8 NIV)

The overwhelming doctrinal teachings to “deny self – putting first the kingdom” or plain fear “where shall we go” evaporated the minute we trust in God. Some people in our predicament divorced! Some married couples had their spouses estranged because they were sitting by two fires. We were lucky.

The leadership had no answers to our questions. We would perhaps like Henry Kriete had done with “Honest to God” divide the church with our issues. People still involve with the ICOC cannot understand why I still after seven years busy my self with these issues that happened so long ago. Some think I am obsessed or even bitter. But this is the only way I can thank God for my rescue. Would it not be selfish to move on without telling them it was Jesus who made me well! (John 5:15)

It was the ‘mainline’ Church of Christ who did most of the damage control. They literally fixed our brokenness. For that we are thankful.

“The wind [in Port Elizabeth] blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 NIV)

When you walk out of something tangible into the unknown, surrounded by lots of friends to no friends how do you explain your destiny? But like the invalid had found out, and as Jesus’ insisted: one must lie in the bed (mat) one has made. So we left with our own mats. And sometimes it’s no bed of roses!

But once we got “up” – we were free to “go!”

Obviously it was heart breaking “to go!” For them and us.

But my concern for the ICOC churches never waiver. The more I research about the origins of this fellowship the more red lights flash. It was obviously disturbing and very discouraging. How do you break down such a man-made Temple? How do you convey your fears without appearing to be bitter?

Perhaps I am a fool to “stay near” the ICOC like a type of Philip with the Ethiopian chariot. Perhaps my efforts for positive change is like someone who has left the Jehovah Witness group and is hoping their faith one day will reawakens! And here we arrived at lesson one: faith does reawakens!

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

Do I have answers? To some extent. But thankfully it is not my own. I can point only to the ICOC monuments of the past that guided me to sanity. I have read their inscriptions. But we deal with people, perception and plenty of problems.

The last ICOC monument is Henry Kriete’s shrine. It was erected in 2003. It’s inscription states. “Movement wide, we have no choice but to admit and apologize, expose and expunge, denounce and dismantle.” But as it is with monuments – people move on and forget. How sad.

But rest assured. The process will continue. People within the ICOC will rise up with their mats of freedom. It might be people in Kip McKean’s Portland ‘discipling’ Movement or the unity of 70% congregations collectively known as the ICOC Co-operation Churches.

Don’t be like Nicodemus who asked: “How can this be?”

We can only go back and testify, “that it was Jesus who made us well.” We are in Christ.

We acted not out of our free will to be in Christ. No! We acted out of love. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV)

In conclusion

You will notice in recent translations the “skip over” of John Five verse 3b and 4. Those lines are no longer considered to be part of the original text. Finally, you will notice the author who wrote about the Healing at the Pool in John Chapter Five reflects back onto something that no longer exists. He takes us back like a tour guide to this magical place.

Read John 5:2 it will direct you to a huge monument.

“Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.”(5:2 NIV)

Look for a bronze plate with an inscription. Step up to the mat and read: “Here a great number of disabled people USED to lie – the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.” (5:3 NIV)

Does it describe you?

It USED to be us.

Our Faith Materialised it had reawakened!

At this place: God breaks the silence!

Amen. Let it be!

Port Elizabeth Express: Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Herewith an article published in the Port Elizabeth Express.

Central New York Church of Chirst-Blog Archive-Remembering Our Dear Brother Rod Fick

Herewith a link from the Central New York Church of Christ remembering Rod Fick.

Rod's memorial services arrangements, encouragement for family and donations

To all.

Herewith a link to an article entitled, "In memory of Rod Fick...funeral arrangements...donations to the family."

Note of encouragement
Readers may write a note of encouragement to Linda Fick and family. An email link is provided in the article.

Donation
Local and international banking details are inserted within this article for those who would like to "donate towards the outstanding medical bills."

Memorial services
"Two memorial services will be held." One in Johannesburg on Sunday 25th November and as well as in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday the 28th of November 2007.

Contact the PE Church direct

To all.

Herewith PE Church contact details of three people who are Rod’s friends. They are married. They are members of the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ.

icoccommentary was asked to provide the following email addresses in order for any one to ask them any questions related to Rod's death. They will try their best to respond to your emails as soon as they can.

1) Email Alex Croote

2) Email Niel Trollip

3) Email Steyn van Wyk

Feel free to do so.

Sarel de Wet

Disciples Today Link

Disciples Today have updated the link from the Cape Town Church of Christ article, entitled, "In Memory of Rod Fick" published on November 19th 2007. Initially it announced "Rod Fick passed away early Monday in Johannesburg, South Africa."

The new article entitled, "In memory of Rod Fick...funeral arrangements...donations to the family" disclose more details.

The PE Church response letter

An email comprised by the evangelists of Southern Africa is currently circulating regarding the tragic death of Rod. icoccommentary obtained permission to publish it in its full entity.

Start

2CO 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

It is with great sadness of heart that on Monday the 19th of November our brother and dear friend Rod Fick, took his own life.

Rod has served as the evangelist of the Port Elizabeth Church for the last 7 years and was known and loved by many disciples throughout Africa & the United States. He will always be remembered as an exceptional and faithful servant to God and his people.

His life was filled with adventure, from his days as a Peace Corp volunteer in the Central African Republic, to his time as a professional tri-athlete and ultra-marathon runner, and the years that he has served in the ministry in PE, Cape Town and Gauteng.

During this year Rod experienced a great amount personal and leadership pressure. To lighten his load and help him recover the PE leadership team offered him a 3 months sabbatical.

Shortly after taking the sabbatical Rod’s condition rapidly deteriorated and he admitted himself to hospital where he was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. After being in hospital for 2 weeks he got a weekend pass to attend a family function in Pretoria.

Tragically on Monday morning, before returning to PE, Rod took a gun from a relative’s safe, and in this altered state of mind took his own life.

Many people from around the world knew and loved him deeply. He will be very sorely missed. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to Linda, Mika, Jordan, their families and the PE church.

Please keep them in your prayers during this time of grief.

If you would like to write a note of encouragement to Linda and the family please hand it to your church leader tonight or on Sunday. You may also donate towards the outstanding medical bills this coming Sunday.

A private cremation will be held during the week. A time to fellowship to encourage the family will be held on Thursday from 7-8pm in the gardens of the Bird and Animal hospital at 494 Atterbury Rd, In Pretoria East. Please bring a candle and flower and a chair to sit on.

Two memorial services will be held. One in Johannesburg on Sunday 25th of November at 2pm at the Johannesburg Church building as well as in PE on Wednesday the 28th of November.

Much love

The evangelists of Southern Africa.

Stop

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.

In memoriam from the Cape Town Church of Christ

The Cape Town Church of Christ

(Page not found)

ICOC evangelist dies tragically

Rod Fick, lead evangelist of the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ (ICOC South Africa) died tragically this morning, Monday, 19th November 2007. He had been suffering from severe depression and had been undergoing treatment for this condition. His doctors were satisfied with his progress and he was released from hospital last Thursday. He accompanied his wife and children to a family function in Johannesburg, which was held over the weekend. Unfortunately while he was there, he had a relapse and committed suicide early this morning by shooting himself.

The Port Elizabeth Church of Christ congregation is devastated by his tragic death. Members of the congregation gathered together this Monday evening, where they were officially informed of the details of Rod's death as well as the funeral arrangements. It will be held in Johannesburg this weekend. A second service will be held in Port Elizabeth in two week's time. A Christian psycologist was present at the meeting and he encouraged members to express their feelings. Several members shared their feelings of guilt, sadness, anger and shock while others shared their gratitude and love for him.

In the last year the leaders of the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ have had different views on how the church should move forward. Rod was asked to go on a sabbatical. The resulting conflict no doubt added pressure.

Rod is survived by his wife and two children.

BREAKING NEWS

One of the prolific leaders in the Port Elizabeth Church of Christ has committed suicide. Details sketchy. Will post update as soon as possible.

The James Lloyd Story: PART2a: An innate doctrinal difference cover-up on ICOC baptism practice flourishes

An introduction

Churches affiliated with the Portland “discipling” Movement led by World Missions Evangelist, Kip McKean and former International Churches of Christ (ICOC) congregations under the umbrella of the Unity Proposal Group still expect prospective members on either side to become a disciple first before receiving baptism.

This means the prerequisite for membership in either group in order to become “saved” is to become “a disciple first” with baptism to follow. The Boston Church of Christ, which under scribe to the Unity Proposal Group teaches this important step: And one must be committed to being a disciple prior to being baptized. However, Kip McKean’s fellowship accentuates the importance to become a sold-out baptized disciple.

Many ICOC’ers view their baptism policies as standard biblical doctrine as taught proper since the inception of the Boston movement days of 1979, but they are unaware of its deceptive origins and heresy.

The mere fact that the former ICOC were based on man-imposed doctrine cannot be stressed enough. Henry Kriete’s plea for reform within the ICOC has fallen on deaf ears: Movement wide, we have no choice but to admit and apologize, expose and expunge, denounce and dismantle.

In reality, the baptismal doctrinal outlook of the ICOC has not changed radically since the Kriete 2003 letter. Perhaps, the upheaval that occurred in the fellowship of the ICOC as events played out in the new millennium has blinded many church members from seeking truthful solutions concerning ICOC doctrine. Former members like myself were horrified to find ICOC members were totally apathetic in getting outside help for the ICOC dilemma. Even so, the 2004 Faithful Conversations with the Church of Christ have not promoted any workable solutions for the doctrinal heresies of the former ICOC. Amazingly, the former ICOC moved a little closer to the Church of Christ when one-on-one discipleship practices were temporarily abandoned in some congregations. The McKean’s were aghast.

However, in 2005 more and more neutral ICOC churches shifted towards discipleship relationships, which are now part and parcel of the standard practice of the United Co-operation Group. The reason is currently explained in the Boston Church of Christ Repentance and Discipleship study series: (http://www.bostoncoc.org/home/studyseries/index.htm/)

SEE NEW LINK:

Repentance and discipleship are the same thing. Discipleship is being committed to following Jesus in all areas of your life, and fishing for men. And one must be committed to being a disciple prior to being baptized.

"Repentance and Discipleship Study"

The James Lloyd Story: An Introspective - Part 1

One week after James Lloyd’s 'true baptism' (October 8, 1978), Douglas Arthur approached the minister's son and persuaded him to become a minister. Four years later, the Boston movement leadership commissioned them to start the first church planting outside the borders of the United States. They were responsible for the planting of the South London Church of Christ.

James' father had been a Baptist preacher for 25 years. Reading the 1990's multi-authored edition of "Shining Like Stars", he states: Mom was one of the most Christlike women I'd ever known. When James was only eleven years old his father baptised him the first time infront of his congregation. James grew up a Southern Baptist. As a minister's son he had been forced to attend every service in his father's church. Yet I knew hardly anything about the Bible. He knew that the church of his father would not be his own. It was not my spiritual home. However, not content with the church of my father - he sought religion. James declared in his own storyI had to explore other churches, other congregations, and other expressions of the Christian faith. Here, James prayed with the Methodists, sang with the Presbyterians, hallelujahed wih the Nazarenes, and shouted "Lawdy, Lawdy" with the spirit-filled of other churches.

However, his search intensified when that pistol was shoved up my nostril and James near death experience shook his confidence about his salvation. He felt he wasn't ready to die. Nor was he at peace with himself or with God. On the other hand, relatively unscathed James figured God gave him a second chance. James sincerely felt called by God.

James Lloyd search finally came to an end when he walked aided with his girlfriend into a Church of Christ congregation after being in many places of worship and attending several churches more than once. My search was over. I was home. I had found true Christianity!

However, this spiritual group was labeled according to James Lloyd by many as conservative, and even fundamentalist, the Church of Christ had been around for many years and had congregations throughout the world. But there was a dynamic new group of "radicals" affiliated with the Church of Christ. Headquarters in Gainesville, Florida, and calling themselves the "Campus Ministry", this group sent out ministry teams to begin congregations near college campuses all throughout the United States.

James, at first, did not know where this new found teachings of this so-called true Christianity would lead him. He hurry home each evening in anticipation of studying the Bible four to five hours, fervently highlighting and underlying scriptures. Reading the Bible, from cover to cover, from Genesis to Revelation. Taking copious notes. Sermon notes...personal notes...questions...scrawled down the side and middle columns and across the top and bottom of every page in his Bible. Seated on the front row, focusing intently, taking notes, and hanging on every word the minister preached.

It was at the Duke University in Durham, North Carolina where James struck up a friendship with Douglas Arthur. I studied the Bible with Douglas Arthur, relate James in "Shining Like Stars", in 1978. As we studied, we drew close to God. I enjoyed Douglas' company and our Bible studies immensely until one night it all hit me. My mom and dad were, according to the scriptures, lost. This was extremely difficult for me, as Dad had been a Baptist preacher for 25 years, and Mom was one of the most Christlike women I'd ever known. I remember going to Douglas Arthur's home one night exclaiming, "I cannot accept that my parents are lost! I have no problem seeing my own lostness, but not my parents'." After much study, prayer, and discussion, this situation was finally resolved. But I had already violated the first principle. 1. Accept the Truth Sometimes we say in our speech "My relatives are lost," but have enormous difficulty accepting that fact in our hearts. It is crucial that we accept the harsh reality of their condition if we expect to have the urgency to help them."

After James had accepted the harsh reality of the teachings of the Church of Christ, concerning his parents condition... he was truly baptized (not-rebaptized) on October 8, 1978. Despite the fact that his dad had been a Baptist preacher for 25 years and his Mom was one of the most Christlike women he had ever known... they were in his mind according to the scriptures, lost. This effectively meant, if they would die they will go to hell!

James set out to reverse this spiritual condition for his family. He consistently prayed that [his] family would become Christians. He also recruited other people to pray for [his] family. He believed in this cause. His parents spiritual condition could be altered. They too needed to see their lostness. They too needed to be truly baptized. They too, needed to accept the harsh reality for their parents condition!

Perhaps the driving force behind Lloyd's motives to save his family was helped along by Douglas Arthur one week after his Church of Christ immersion. About a week after my baptism, Douglas told me he would be moving to Boston to train under a powerfully effective minister. After asking me if I'd be willing to move to Massachusetts with him, he persuaded, "It'll be the chance of a lifetime. We can both become ministers!"

At that time, James didn't give it a second thought.

The McKean's comeback years - Part 3

The following is a letter from the McKean's to the Eugene Church shortly after their arrival in Los Angeles Sunday, March 18, 2007.

The McKean's comeback years - Part 2

Question: Today, we have to ask the question concerning the legacy of the ICOC leadership - especially those who continue with the procession of discipleship. Are they cured?

Not too long ago, the fellowship of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) could uniformly declare Who We Are - but now members of this divided church group ask themselves Who Are We?

In 1992, Dr. Albert W. Baird commonly known as Al Baird, evangelist, elder, teacher, editor and media spokesperson for the ICOC confidently supported McKean's two-part series entitled Revolution Through Restoration (RTR). Baird stated in his first preface of RTR1: This article explains who we are as God's modern-day movement and where we came from, better than any other single piece of which I am aware. For this reason I frequently give a copy to someone with whom I am studying the Bible or to someone from the media who wants to know more about us.

That now has changed. These infamous articles who were once part and parcel of former ICOC websites are all withdrawn from church websites supporting the United Cooperation Group. They can only be viewed in its entirety on church websites rallied behind the founder of the Portland Discipling Movement.

Henry Kriete released in February 2, 2003, a counter revolution article, entitled, Honest to God: Revolution Through Repentance and Freedom in Christ, in which he asks: On what grounds do we now claim that we are "God's Modern Day Movement"? Kriete pulverised the notion that the ICOC is the kingdom of God. And so I ask again - are we - 'THE ICOC', 'THE KINGDOM', 'THE ONE TRUE CHURCH' - still the remnant chosen by grace? Or was that claim itself simply too much for God?

Kriete, like many other heroic men and women before him refuse to buy into the notion that the emperor's clothes had the wonderful quality of becoming invisible to anyone who was not fit for his office or who was unpardonably stupid. Therefore, no one wished to admit that he could see nothing, for then he would have been unfit for his office or else a fool.

It is disconcerting to read follow-up material from Henry Kriete such as a Response to a friend, September 6, 2005 with regards to the powerful delusion which still plagues those hearts and minds entrapped with the life and doctrine of the former ICOC. To this day, tens of thousands of our members still think that to leave the ICOC is to leave God. Or at least believe it is probably so. And now that same kind of hubris has spawned a calling out of the remnant from within the ICOC itself! Shame. Shame. Shame. That my friend, is the real reason for the damage, the 'human wreckage'.

In the same article, Kriete state: The ICOC was built, not on the pure foundation of Christ alone, but on a seriously inadequate version of the person and work of Christ, and on a very deficient understanding of the grace and truth of Christ. In short: a different Jesus, a different gospel. Kip's version of Jesus. As we followed Kip's leadership in the ICOC, this was the 'different' Jesus that he himself was following... and follows to this day.

Today, we have to ask the question concerning the legacy of the ICOC leadership - especially those who continue with the procession of discipleship. Are they cured?

Steve Johnson, editor of issues 4 & 5, January 1993, UpsideDown magazine commented From the editor stating: we are believers in leadership; and our belief in leadership is very common sense. Steve emphasises: Kip is our leader not because of a puff of smoke from a Vatican balcony or a twisted theology. He's simply further out front than anyone else I know; so we follow and God has blessed us.

In the following year, 1994, Al Baird's article as editor for the LA Story's 'A Man for All Seasons' affirms: Throughout the pages of the Bible and history God raised up one person to lead his people, and for our day it is unquestionably Kip. He is not infallible, he is not an apostle, he is not perfect, but he is an incredible leader. Baird continues: People outside the movement sometimes ask me, "Why is Kip the leader?" I simply reply that he is the leader because he is far out in front leading!

However, we all know the dutiful courtiers - our highests ranking evangelists have caught up with their front man.

The final straw was during the proceedings early September of 2005, during a forum organized by the 2005 International Leadership Conference in which the coordinators in Seattle barred Kip McKean from attending a vital meeting. Here, a group of nine brothers, were elected by ballot to serve as a Unity Proposal Group. Although there was certainly not a puff of smoke visible from any balcony they were elected by ballot. Thus, McKean was excluded from an unique historical process for this church group.

As a result, a new document was released in March 11, 2006. A ratified plan that serves their dual Christian interests with its background firmly emplaced in the first century; ideally rooted in the New Testament dogma of the Church of Christ and truths and emphases derived from the Crossroads campus ministry days. From page four: The Unity Proposal Group 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.

The United Cooperation Group, like their counter group, the Portland Discipling Movement spawn these Crossroads principles as core truths - truths we want to defend.

In reality, these two opposing groups do all our thinking and our agenda setting and many just limp lamely behind it.

Let us note: The leadership of the Unity Proposal Group, guided by the input of the whole ICOC except by Kip McKean did not attempt to overthrow the temples as Kriete suggests, or at least dump the baby along with the bath water, or allow the pendulum to spin madly. By refusing to re-examine the Campus ministry disciple approach is one of the main reasons we fear loosing our identity Who We Are especially our discipleship methodologies of the past. We are very afraid of what we will become once our collective brain is taken away.

How did we get here? Is it because we follow an emperor type of leadership without clothes?

Perhaps the sense to belong, to be part of something, to have an identity Who We Are has short-changed the ICOC.

Here, the presure for leadership to establish a church culture or an identity Who We Are during those neutral years of 2003-2005 often called the pendulum-swinging years have reached a breaking point in most churches. This is evident on page seven of the Unity Proposal document - before the reactions among us define us.

Already, the Unity Proposal document of March 11, 2006, since the ICOC group decentralised in December 2002 have succesfully pulled together over 70% of the former ICOC churches, thus securing some form of anchorage to those who wants to define themselves Who We Are. The majority look for light relief. In so much of 70% of the former ICOC now suspend their thinking capacity by embracing discipleship as those truths and emphases that have particularly shaped our branch of God's movement, from the campus ministry days until now.

However, in reality McKean will keep on probing for ICOC churches made up only of disciples. Kip is back. The McKean's leadership sins - although real - are temporary distractions. In due time their philosophy on the disciple approach will rise above mediocre attempts of others. The possibility for people to defect is tangible. The probability to demonise Kip will continue.

The McKean's have established a church culture, ever since the release of Kip's third revolution article, in July 13, 2003, entitled From Babylon to Zion - Revolution Through Restoration III. The comeback years of the McKeans does not hang in the balance when men and women once more start embracing discipleship principles.

A dry period usually follows after a fire storm. Eventually, dormant seeds of discipleship will sprout again, whether they were hidden underground in the cave of Adullam or being protected by elders guarding their discipling churches against Kip's comeback.

Seeds will sprout and there is nothing one can do to stop the cross-pollination.

Seasoned veterans of the ICOC knows Kip McKean is A Man For All Seasons.

The McKean's comeback years - Part 1

Question: Will people on April 1st support the couple God once raised up to lead his people to reach the world again in one generation?

The founder and trendsetter of the Boston movement better known as the International Churches of Christ (ICOC), Thomas Wayne McKean, commonly known as Kip McKean is down but not out after been rebuffed by former ICOC colleagues for "calling out of the remnant disciples" from dying, former ICOC Churches in order to start an exciting Episode 2 - now officially termed the Portland Discipling Movement.

The beginning stage of an Episode 1 begun in 1979 when Kip supported by his wife, Elena Gracia-Bengochea moved to the Lexinton Church of Christ, later renamed the Boston Church of Christ. The move was encouraged by Elena's innitiative for Kip's dreams. Let's follow your dream. That dream entailed implementing methodologies based on the the disciple approach acquired from Charles 'Chuck' Lucas' Crossroads movement one-another passages rather relying entirely on Church of Christ dogma.

In 1967 the Church of Christ started a pilot programme called Campus Advance modelled after Campus Crusade for Christ in order to impact the campusses. Chuck Lucas was a campus minister in the 14th Street Church of Christ (later renamed the Crossroads Church of Christ). This new undertaking started in several Church of Christ congregations focussing on shepherding of Christians by other Christians - primarily from students basing their techniques on the one-another passages.

The Crossroads movement was the product of Chuck Lucas teachings after modifying discipleship principles observed in certain Christian groups such as The Navigators, Campus Crusade for Christ and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Lucas was also influenced by Robert E. Coleman's book The Master Plan of Evangelism first published in 1963. Although Chuck was the pioneer of this faith after a sabbatical he left the ministry for personal and spiritual reasons in 1985. McKean become the perfector of this faith. Chuck Lucas' idea of discipleship was modified by Kip. Prayer partners became discipling partners and soul talks became known as bible talks.

McKean was 18 years old when he was taught to give up everything for Christ and be baptized for the remission of sins to become a Christian. This commitment he made in April 11, 1972 at the 14th Street Church of Christ, Gainesville, Florida. At the same congregation, Elena was 17 when she was baptized into Christ on August 8, 1972. The following year, 1973, they "dated steady" for three years and were married by Chuck Lucas and Sam Laing December 11, 1976. From here on the McKean's common dream of working together in the ministry started in Charleston, Illinois where Kip was the campus minister for the Heritage Chapel Church of Christ (Roger Lamb was the preacher). Again this was made possible due to Chuck Lucas powerful preaching along with his associate Sam Laing that has convinced Kip in 1975 to become a minister. This he did when he come of age.

Since 1975 Kip's concern for the spiritual state of affairs in the Church of Christ intensified. Here he saw how uncommitted many of the so called "Christian" students were: drugs, drunkenness, prejudice and immorality were prevalent. His resolve to revolutionise the Church of Christ followed over a period between 1975-1979. Here, the truth as set out by the dogma of the Church of Christ was in conflict with his convictions about the truth.

Here, the reader must understand that Kip McKean's introduction to the "set-up" of the Church of Christ is completely different comparatively to many former ICOC colleagues with a traditional Church of Christ background who have joined McKean during the Boston era. They all had to unlearn their past traditions and misconceptions before they could really learn how to build churches. In other words each individual had to re-think his former theology as observed in the Church of Christ before becoming a proven builder in the Boston churches. But this did not deter ambitious Church of Christ leaders or men aspiring leadership. From an account of James Lloyd, who along with Doug Arthur planted the London Church of Christ (1982) describe the youthful Kip McKean at an age of 25 as a powerfully effective minister. Lloyd wrote: About a week after my baptism, [October 8, 1978] Douglas told me he would be moving to Boston to train under a powerfully effective minister. After asking me if I'd be willing to move to Massachusetts with him, he persuaded, "It'll be the chance of a lifetime. We can both become ministers!

In years to come, Roger Lamb described Kip as God's man.

Perhaps Lamb was the last author to lavish such praise on to the founder of the ICOC in an article entitled God's man, Message and Movement in the LA Story magazine, From Here To Eternity, August 1999, p3 before the curtain abruptly dropped on the couple as they entered the new millenium. God raised up Kip McKean and gave him a radical message that would start a revolution in the lives of people all over the world in our era. Lamb also stated: No other Christian movement since the first century has spread this far, this fast. None has grown this quickly during the lifetime of its founder. God has raised up a couple to lead his people to reach the world again in one generation.

To conclude part 1.

The ICOC had a founder - Kip Thomas Wayne McKean. He based his philosophy on the disciple approach methodologies rather on Church of Christ dogma. Here, the truth as set out by the dogma of the Church of Christ was in conflict with his convictions about the truth. His followers had to unlearn their past traditions and misconceptions before they could really learn how to build churches. His followers described Kip as God's man. This fellowship believed God has raised up a couple to lead his people to reach the world again in one generation.

In reality these very elements are fuel for the McKean's comeback.


Next week: McKean's comeback years - Part 2.