August 28, 2005
The elders are saddened but compelled to address a disturbing development from the recent conference held by the Portland, Oregon, Church of Christ. We the leadership of the Boston Church have grave concerns about our brother Kip McKean's actions. While we love the man and are thankful for good he has done, we cannot be silent in the face of recent events.
As a result of Kip's divisive behavior, conversations and writings, he was warned last year at the Chicago leadership conference by a group of mature elders and evangelists. Kip committed to changes, but his actions indicate that he is not serious about working respectfully together with others. Most recently, he preached and distributed an article and posted the same on the Portland church Web site. The article in effect calls on churches to either agree to accept Portland's direction or to realize that Kip and others from Portland will call out members from these churches to join with them. Kip's actions are divisive and arrogant and must be opposed.
In light of 3 John 9-10 and Kip's conversations privately and publicly, it is clear to us that he is guilty of the sins and character of Diotrephes. He seeks to be first, he maliciously gossips about brothers and churches, and is calling for a plan that intrinsically sets up refusal to welcome brothers who do not agree with his church building approach. He opposes those who would welcome those "he" cannot call true disciples.
In light of Titus 3: 9-11 he is clearly divisive, not avoiding foolish controversy but deliberately stirring it up. With verse 11 in mind, we are adding our voice to that of others recommending his removal from the leadership conference in Seattle in September.
We are further calling on Kip to repent of this destructive attitude and behavior and to understand that the continuation of such will mean that we will have no fellowship with him. In light of the conversation last fall in Chicago, we would consider this a second warning. We would urge you to pray for Kip and for his repentance. We urge you to have nothing to do with efforts that claim to advance God's work, but are in fact, dividing God's people. We are committed to Jesus' message and the Great Commission. We commend you to love one another (John 13:34-35), seek to be united (Phil 2:1-2) and diligently and effectively take the good news to the world around us. In doing these things you will do that which will most effectively silence divisive talk.
There are many, who hold to the truth of the Scriptures and are committed to Jesus as Lord and the mission of winning as many as possible. It is a time to be uniting not dividing. We do not intend to be a church centered on a reaction to Kip or anyone else, but a church focused on building up the Body of Christ and making more disciples. We are aiming for the healthy growth of this church and are continuing to work to that end. We sought input from leaders in other churches such as Seattle and Los Angeles this year and look forward to such continued exchanges. However we will not tolerate authoritarian leadership methods or intimidation to motivate our progress but rather will listen to the Spirit, the Word of God and godly men or women who demonstrate a Christ-like spirit and mutual respect as we mature together as disciples of Christ
The elders of the Boston Church
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6 comments:
I wanted to post this message. It greatly saddens me in a way I am not sure I understand. I want to cry. When Nick left the Dallas church I was saddened as well. And now that Kip isn't doing right, but after his own glory, it saddens me again. Sometimes you see someone who is so radical in God, you tend to compare the person to the likes of prophets in the bible. Leaders unlike any other, and then something happens and they are revealed for who they really are, they are brought down to earth. You just don't want to see that happen. You want to see them go to heaven. This is a dark day for sure.
I wonder what Kip's been doing and what his side of the story is. They were pretty vague in this letter.
Hello Johnny, how are you doing? Have you made the phone call you mentioned? I am here to listen if you need someone to listen and my husband will be here in the evening to listen. Have you talked to anyone near you to get advice?
Thanks for sharing the last few days, it is very uplifting and encouraging. I too am deeply saddened by things that are going on and have many questions. Continue in your faith no matter what though, Jesus is Lord!
I live in Missouri and am a part of the body at the Kansas City Church of Christ. We just had our Heartland Jubilee this weekend. Very exciting and encouraging. Made me sad to know though that a lot of work had to go into who wanted to join the Heartland group of Churches. Was once a time when it was just known who was and was not in the Heartland Conference. We have so many who no longer fellowship with us and it too is saddening, I hope they continue to have a relationship with God. There was a time when we had to divide our services up every week because we just did not have enough room for everyone.
Some of the things I've read on the Internet have concerned me greatly. The things said about Kip's sinful nature and what he has and is supposedly doing does cause me to be concerned. I pray for him that these things are not true.
Have you heard anything about the Seattle Church? My stepdaughter lives with us in the summer and near Seattle with her mom in the winter. She had been studying while here and just went home last Wednesday. My husband and I did not feel she was ready yet so put a stop to her studies. We told her we wanted her to read her Bible daily, to pray, and to hook up with the church in Seattle. Next summer when she comes if she is still interested and has been doing these things then we told her she could start the studies back up. She is only 12, but seemed to be earnestly interested and understood what the Bible is about, however she had some major issues with selfishness as many kids do. I know there are about 40 Disciples who live in her town and that 10 of them are around 12-16 years old.
I am OK, I guess. I am deaply concerned for Kip and his well being. I am somewhat confused as to what to do. I have talked to few here in the Dallas church, and decided to wait a little before calling. I want to make sure my heart is good and not confrontational when I call. Gossip is such a nasty thing. What the Boston church did by publishing the letter from the elders is the exact thing they were saying Kip was doing. I keep reminding myself that I am concerned about Kip "the person" and not so concerned about Kip "the evangalist." That is why I sent out the postings that I did, so that more could be up in prayer for a peaceful and godly resolution, and not let it become about politics. Someone, those I sent the letter are becoming more into the politics of this issue, and not so much about the person who may be in sin. Lost in Translation? I think so. I do appreciate the email. Feel free to email me anytime, check out my blog, or call. I really do appreciate it. It is good to know there are people out there who look out for each other. Thanks again.
I think you are doing the right thing to hold on the studies. You don't want to rush something, and the child take it for granted. I am doing a study on pride right now, for my benefit, as well as a brother I know. He has many, many issues that have gone under the radar for so long. I want to make sure that when I address him, I am humble and knowledgable in the word. What I have already read and gained an understanding of is this: if they no longer fellowship with you and the church, then pride is in there somewhere. They are not shutting the door on you or me or the church, but in reality they are shunning God and shutting the door on him. That is truly the saddest thing. When I became a disciple, I had a love for God. I became a disciple for my love, not a disciple of the church, not a disciple for Ben (who baptized me), and for no other reason than for God and Jesus. So when these people push you and the church out of their lives, knowing good and well of your beliefs and the churches beliefs, they close the door on Christianity. That truly is the saddest thing. That makes me sad to think about it.
The organization of the church right now is really up in the air, isn't it? I mean, restructure and restructure and restructure. Oh my goodness. And then the Kip thing. I am wondering what is really going on... why can't we all just worship the same God? Structure does have it's place, but how hard can it be? I just did a paper on how to create a spectacular book festival, making a council and everything down to concessions and what would be sold. If everyone truly sat down with a humble heart, it would be done. So long as the big issues of doctrine are settled, the little things really take care of themselves. I have SO much scripture in mind, I may do a bonus posting to my blog tomorrow, studying it all out in one sitting... anyway, my blog site is listed below, if you are interested. Thanks again.
http://quitetimes4me.blogspot.com/
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