I haven’t been following the news from Kip for a while. I realized that it all sounds the same and it frankly wasn’t healthy to focus on it. Yesterday, however, Pinakidion pointed me to this article on their web site.
On top of the bragging of their accomplishments, crediting the spirit for what was ultimately their idea and twisting a passage of scripture to validate their plans, it turns out everything old is new again.
- LA is the center of all things again (“With the Spirit now establishing Los Angeles as the “Jerusalem” of our new movement …“)
- There’s a new 5 year plan. (“… the time has come for a definitive plan to accomplish Jesus’ dream to evangelize the world in our generation. … After several months of intense prayer and numerous discussions, we are setting before our fellowship The Five Year Plan!“) The old 5 year plan was the Evangelization Proclamation of 1994.
- There are new pillar churches (“To evangelize the world, pillar churches will be planted in the following mega-cities …“)
- Campuses will be targeted. (“campus converts provide idealistic, unencumbered workers and future leaders“) Sitting as we are next to the 60,000 student Ohio State University, I keep looking for the ‘targeting’ of Columbus. So far, we are spared.
- A new charity, originally named “New Hope” to be established in 2009, and …
- … A ‘New Hope’ tax to go with it . (“2% of plantings’ weekly contribution will support this worldwide charity“)
Does this sound eerily familiar to anyone (besides Pinakidion and me)? So, the last time this sort of plan fell flat, lies had to be told to ensure it’s success (See Pinakidion’s post) and it’s pursuit led to the hurt of many, and cost Kip his job and many friends. Yet, here it is again, a little more modest, but in essence the same.
My question is, did we sound so shallow, selfish, arrogant and foolish back in 1994? Absolutely, I cannot see how we couldn’t have. If anything we were more brash.
Prayerfully, the experience has taught me some things. I think it has. It doesn’t seem to have taught Kip much.
You know what’s amazing – God will use this foolishness and arrogance and people will be led to Him, just as they were even at the height of the foolishness of the ICOC. God is good. I just hope and pray that the fallout in souls wounded in the march to do great things might be slight.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Philippians 1:15-18
Reminds me of the old mantra “whats the definition of insanity?”- answer ” doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”
I dont think Kip has learned much since the last time.
IMHO, the most likely first “sold-out” planting in the state of Ohio would be either a stand-alone campus ministry at Ohio State or a full-fledged church in Cincinnati. I’d imagine it would be sent from the (soon to be planted) Empire City International Christian Church, which will be lead by native Ohioans D.J. and Kacie Comisford. It will probably take it several years for it to happen though since Kip’s new group doesn’t have enough leadership at the moment.
I hope Christ is preached. I really do.
But I also have to wonder if it is a good thing if Christ is preached only as an ingredient in the salvation formula: “Now take a sufficient amount of Jesus, and add to it sold-outness and tithing and rulekeeping of rules unquestionably given by the Spirit ….”
‘Cause it’s not all that different from the old-time religion of the non-I churches of Christ: that salvation requires Jesus PLUS … fill-in-the-blank.
I agree with Keith and with you Salgoud. Some will become Christians in that mess but a majority don’t. IMO even in the old movement most became dependent on mans approval and placed it on par or above God’s. Jesus is not Lord in their lives. Either way, I’m not as optimistic as you.
Yes I was and am arrogant. I sounded like that too not to long ago.