One of the ex-ICOC churches that I was in made big changes in 2003 and dismantled the structures and leadership of the past -and it was an initiative of the leaders. From what I hear, they are faced with rejoining the ICOC cooperative and their plan for unity, so this is my appeal and reasoning for them to not join in again and not accept one-on-one discipling.
As I’ve written before, my argument is that we went off the rails regarding doctrine because we went way to far in discipling (meaing one-on-one discipling). It was never a feature of the New Testament church, and yet we claimed to be restoring NT Christianity. We made discipling essential to our church practice, and from it we developed a system that allowed far too much control and abuse. We know this. We know the many testimonies. We know the lack of justice in a tightly controlled system. Consider proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” Of course people will promise things are different, but once again people can use the system to creep up again.
I know discipling started out with good intentions -a way to insure young Christians get personal training, and of course this is an admirable thing. Ironically, down the line when discipling was part of doctrine will still often neglected young Christians in the haste to get more studies, baptisms and maintain the insane schedules we were under. And it became the dangerous part of our church culture. It was THE means of control. I still refer to Henry Krieite’s statements about discipling(http://www.reveal.org/library/stories/people/hkriete.htm#ourcorruptedhierarchy). It taught gradually to rely on the system, on one’s discipler’s advice and that of the bible talk leaders, rather than teaching disciples to take responsibility for their own lives and make their own mistakes. It became a crutch for many.
If you’ve been a Christian for more than a year, and if you’re educated, why do you need discipling? Why do you need the green light to date? Why do you need to be denied the chance to date because your discipler disagrees? Is it really his (or her) responsibility? If you can’t take responsibility for that then what about when you have a family, your job, your kids? Of course you can, and it’s not an appointed discipler’s place to have that sought of influence in your life -especially if the discipler has no counselling or religious qualifications.
Consider Galations again, like 2:4 ” This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.” Freedom in Christ is a good thing. I remember after the changes made in 2003, it was a relief to hear the truth being said. There was a lot of slack from those who were very embittered, and I don’t think many of them are interested in Christianity now. But for some of us, who had responded to the gospel and faith, it was a relief. For years we had been a slave to a system. I think that is obvious. I mentioned in a past post the circus of evangelism under the system. And there was control of dating, harsh rebuking sessions, coercion under the guise of “taking advice”, fear of leaving the group because we were taught it meant loss of salvation. I believe you don’t want to slip into this culture again.
If you spent years in that system, but now have freedom, married with teenage kids, do you really think it is wise to let your kids be part of a similar system? Which is better, you disciple your kids, or they have their own discipler?
If you’re really wise to the mistakes of our past ICOC culture -it wasn’t so much just “mistakes”. Underneath the rhetoric were power struggles – we know this, and they were the rules of any political movement: winners and losers. To be a winner, you play the system -the right alliances, saying the right things, conformity etc… If you get to the top, you made it to a privileged inner circle. Sure, some leaders were doing their best and sincere, but if we know Kip Mckean was seen to be holding on to power, didn’t he teach others to play by the same rules? And wasn’t it often the guys with a conscience who dared to question get into trouble? But of course, that was hard to judge, because there was control of information.
The apostles were at the end of the procession. If they were around today, we would admire them, but probably not envy him. But that was why they were trustworthy, and they pleaded to those they converted to not be duped by the cunning and craftiness of men. I suspect some of the “winners” from the past system want to be winners again, and they know how to play the game. Is Kip Mckean sincere? Maybe he thinks he is. Who knows? But look past the rhetoric to human nature. And I dare say it’s the dark side of human nature that is Orwellian in nature. The propaganda -whether via websites, videos, speeches, testimonies etc…
Of course I have my arguments and reasoning, but do your own research and questioning -don’t let them do the thinking for you. Get back to what Christianity is about: we responded to the gospel, repented and got baptised. We strive to be righteous in daily living: purity, honesty, giving to our local fellowship and those around us, serving. We are imperfect, we mess up but confess. We strive to be different to the world in the way of immorality, drunkeness, swear words, drugs, smoking, swindling -in actions rather than just being self righteous and judgmental. Consider Romans 2:
6God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”[a] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.”
I refer to this on an individual level -our personal righteousness. If you don’t join the ICOC, but do right by God, then you’re righteous and be confident in that. It’s not about which movement you’re part of. Don’t let people coerce you, is what I mean. (I’m not using this verse to call anyone evil, I’m just saying we should personally seek to live our lives righteously regardless of politics). It’s just very simple.
Don’t let people imply the church is dead, or not “healthy” because it’s not growing etc… The ICOC can grow, Mormans can grow, Scientology can grow -doesn’t mean it’s healthy in truth and spirit. It also says God doesn’t show favoritism -no matter who you’re alined with. People can leave a movement because of it’s unpopular truth -so then it’s shrinking right? Does that make those remaining any less righteous? It can also mean their faith is tested and true!
