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News -
Current Events
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Contributed by Phil Spadaro
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Saturday, 02 December 2006 |
DisciplesToday.net (The official website for ICOC churches) announced the formation of Mr. Kip McKean's new
denomination, The International Christian Churches. A couple points
worth noting.
Evidently this is an “opt-out” denomination as some churches were named
part of this nascent movement (by Mr. McKean) and had to publicly state
they were not member congregations (notably – Salt Lake Christian
Church and the ICOC churches in Chile). Usually denominations are
“opt-in”; a church decides to become part of a group of like minded
congregations.
Roger Lamb (the author) does a wonderful job of separating the sin of Mr. Kip Mckean from those of the members of his new denomination. Titus 3:10 and 3 John 1:9 are in the singular. One man is rebuked for his sin. This is not to say that there may not be complicit wrongdoing on the part of others, but the benefit of the doubt is certainly extended first.
Point number 6 in the letter should be reexamined. It may not be the exact same set of events as the 80's and the ICOC split with the churches of Christ, however, much of the sin and attitude is the same. Also, the assumptions about discipleship, evangelism and commitment (by the ICOC) should be challenged. If a church of Christ demonstrated these qualities and convictions, would they be automatically accepted as an equal church by an ICOC congregation? Having visited both ICOC and churches of Christ in the last few years and corresponded with brothers in both sects I see fewer and fewer (real) differences. The ICOC should embrace its older and mature counterpart; the church of Christ. Without redressing the wrongs of the 80s, the ICOC fuels justification for Mr. McKeans divisive comments.
I would like to thank Roger Lamb and DisciplesToday.net for there tireless effort to battle division. Their work has helped arrest the development of numerous factions. Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 December 2006 )
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