You may remember that I wrote about this apology last month:
Though we are supportive of new congregations of dedicated disciples, let me extend a heartfelt apology to the churches in Chicago, Phoenix and Kiev for giving the impression of a "blanket condemnation" that there were no disciples in them or that their congregations "were spiritually dead." Please forgive me. I know that there are many "sold-out" disciples in these congregations.I and others were encouraged, but skeptical. Well, the other shoe has dropped with the conclusion of this proclamation:Kip McKean, June 11, 2006
This past week, Elena and I returned from a missionary trip that included Chicago and Kiev, Ukraine. Praise God at the inaugural service of the Chicago International Christian Church on July 2, with just one week's work by 29 disciples daily proclaiming Christ, 122 attended their first service! The next day God blessed them with their first baptism! In Kiev, the newly formed Kiev International Christian Church which numbers 30 disciples, likewise had over 100 at their inaugural service in April! Today, at our Rose Garden Service, the Spirit is sending out 14 disciples from Portland to Phoenix, Arizona. Ten months ago four disciples started a new congregation of sold-out disciples in Phoenix. Now they number twenty! Recently they asked for a "Portland trained" evangelist. Matt and Helen Sullivan (and their three kids) will now spearhead the proclamation of Christ to the five million lost souls of Phoenix![Sigh.] I wish I wasn't surprised. His own words reveal just how heartfelt his apology was as he continues to "[give] the impression of a "blanket condemnation" that there [are] no disciples" in these cites and the ICOC (and other) congregations there.... Soon Chicago, Kiev and Phoenix will be filled with the good news of Jesus! Let all disciples, everywhere regain the faith that whole nations like Chile, in fact all nations, can be filled with the proclamation of Christ in this generation! And to God be the glory!
Kip McKean, July 23, 2006
I don't know why I feel compelled to write about this again other than my historical connections with Kip and the sadness I feel as the Gospel is twisted into a conquest. Doesn't really effect me or my church, however.
Thanks to Pinakidion for the info.
(Sigh.)
I really take no joy in someone else making a fool of themselves publicly. At least I hope I don't.
But I really was glad to see this: very clear public evidence that either the original apology was insincere (some of us call that lying) or he has fallen back into the sins he claims to have repented from. I'm sure there are other possibilities. Either way, this is a man not to be followed.
Like I said, not glad because I want to see anyone make a fool of themselves but because the folly was always there and just got exposed so that others can see it and, hopefully, avoid following him in it.
I think it's important to be humble and remember that we were once that. We'd plant "new" churches and wholeheartedly believe that no other church was doing the right thing in that area. How many traditional COC were there and others? Now we, (you guys :)), are "traditional" to Kips movement. And just the way he, (sorry for the small caps
"h" Kip), looks to us now we looked to others back then. Back then? How much really has changed? How many of the mckeanism's (sp) have really been let go?
Anyway a good opportunity to look at our own hearts.
Mark - I can relate to those feelings. I almost didn't write about this, but thought I ought to finish what I started. I think I'm finally done with him, let him do what he will. Time will tell. Then again, if there's talk of a Columbus International Christian Church, you can bet I'll mention it. :-)
Like you said, this tree has born it's fruit and now it's clear what the tree is.
BEG - Great point. We were absolutely just like this once. Shame on me.
If you notice, there is a slight difference between how he phrased things BA (before apolgy) and after.
Before, the apology, he used "dead" churches. now he is using "Dying" churches accompanied with a call to the leadership to call their flocks to get whole-hearted again.
Well, Christ is being preached. And if there is something theere that we should immitate, so be it. But we'll see how long it takes before quiet time guilt and legalism take over. I sincerely hope it does not, for the sake of the brothers and sisters being baptized. But for some reason, I expect history to repeat itself.
Jeff,
I couldn't agree more. I appreciate you giving a term to "quiet-time guilt", I think that even as a member of the Columbus Church of Christ, and even San Diego coC, I had to push through the concept that if I wasn't praying for an hour and reading for an hour at the expense of responsible sleep and time management, then I was in sin. Mostly, I put this on myself (really blaming the leadership of those fellowships is not responsible on my part, I CHOOSE, I ACT, my actions!) and it is nobody's fault. Although, particularly in San Diego, it was often stated with socialogical reinforcement, the whole QT issue. I also think that that whole issue was a sign of my own maturity, or lack there of. But, I just think of how much self-condemnation I went through because of that culture. I am grateful that so much has changed in the past three years and that things are lead in greater perspective.
Ok...I have a decision to make:
1.) I could not say a word about how I stole the term "quiet time guilt" from Thinklings website, who stole if from this guy...
or
2.) I could let you believe that I have such amazing verbal abilities that I could coin phrases that should be employed by the masses.
I opt for number 1.
;-)
As Doug knows, the only terms I coin are things like: "Bippety-Flippo" and stuff like that.
Jeff - Sorry, your comment got moderated 'cause you had too many links. It recognized you as agood guy who had commented before, but 3 links gets you moderated, no questions asked.
It's a quirk of the otherwise pretty effective anti Spam featuers in Moveable Type.
I don't mind all the links, but MT does. :-)