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Embracing Divine Tension in Conflict (Part 7)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:33:51 GMT

In every major conflict, whether political, personal, or spiritual, there is almost always a sliver of validity on both sides. Grievances are real. Injustices are felt. Leaders on the “wrong” side can even articulate legitimate frustrations. Yet the Bible repeatedly shows that siding with the compelling but ultimately rebellious side leads to ruin. This is the principle of divine tension: the narrow path of discernment that refuses to be seduced by partial truths or misplaced empathy. It demands we look beyond the immediate narrative and align with God’s bigger picture.

Siding on the wrong side of conflicts

The pages of Scripture reveal a deep, eternal danger of siding with half-truths: the spiritual ruin of those who mistake human empathy for divine alignment. Consider Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and 250 respected leaders rose against Moses and Aaron. Their complaint sounded reasonable, even spiritual: “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” – Numbers 16:3. There was a kernel of truth here. God had indeed declared the entire nation “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). Many Israelites likely felt genuine frustration with leadership that sometimes seemed heavy-handed. Empathy for the “common people” against the “elite” would have felt righteous. Yet God’s response was swift and terrifying: the earth opened and swallowed Korah, his followers, and their households alive. The next day, when the people grumbled in misplaced sympathy for the rebels, “You have killed the Lord’s people,” a plague killed 14,700 more (Numbers 16:41-49). The small degree of validity in their complaint did not justify rebellion.

A second biblical case is equally instructive. Ahithophel, one of King David’s most trusted counselors, joined Absalom’s coup against his own king (2 Samuel 15-17). Ahithophel had personal reasons that carried emotional weight. He was Bathsheba’s grandfather. David’s adultery and the murder of Uriah had devastated his family. When Absalom rebelled, Ahithophel’s counsel to him was brilliant and almost succeeded. From a purely human perspective, his decision looked like justice, righteous indignation against a king who had sinned grievously. There was undeniable validity to his grievance. Yet Ahithophel sided against the man God had anointed. When his advice was later rejected, he went home, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23). Personal pain, however legitimate, had blinded him to the bigger picture: David remained God’s chosen instrument. God had forgiven David, Ahithophel did not! (Note: siding with God’s “anointed order” does not mean excusing the leader’s sin, but rather trusting God’s method for addressing that sin rather than joining a rebellion.)

Another sobering example comes from the spy mission in Numbers 13-14. Twelve leaders were sent to scout the Promised Land. Ten returned overwhelmed by what they saw: “The people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large…We even saw descendants of Anak there” – Numbers 13:28. Their fears were not fabricated; the obstacles were genuinely intimidating, the enemy strong. The entire congregation, gripped by faithlessness and probable empathy for their wives and children and a desire to avoid slaughter, sided with the majority report. They wept aloud, grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and even said, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! …Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” – Numbers 14:2-3. Joshua and Caleb pleaded with them to trust God’s promise, declaring, “The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” – Numbers 14:9. But the people’s emotional alignment with the “realistic” and “compassionate” view of danger prevailed. The spies had literally “deconstructed” the faith of the Israelites! God’s verdict was devastating: that entire generation would wander in the desert for forty years and die there, never entering the land (Numbers 14:28-35). A small degree of validity in their fear became the doorway to unbelief and national tragedy.

These stories illustrate why the Bible insists on discernment rather than emotional alignment. Partial truths and real hurts are the very tools the enemy uses to draw people onto the wrong side. Scripture therefore commands us to cultivate spiritual clarity.

Scriptures on discernment

Knowing which scriptures or biblical principles to apply to the situations you are facing requires wisdom, training, prayer and hearts aligned with God’s purposes (emphasis added in scriptures below).

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil – Hebrews 5:14.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ – Philippians 1:9-10.
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong – 1 Kings 3:9.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world – 1 John 4:1.

Discernment does not silence the prophetic voice, it guides it; the Old Testament prophets confronted corrupt kings directly, but they did so as God’s messengers, not as rebels joining an opposing faction.

The dangers of misplaced empathy

Misplaced empathy, the compassionate pull toward someone’s pain, fear, or grievance without submitting it to God’s truth, is one of the most subtle and deadly snares in spiritual conflicts. It feels virtuous. It whispers, “They have a point,” or “How can we ignore their suffering?” Yet the Bible repeatedly warns that unchecked human empathy can lead us to oppose God himself. Real emotion is never dismissed, but it must be filtered through discernment. This discernment also helps us distinguish between spiritual and worldly causes. Immigration, wars, and evil governments belong to a category of their own — and failing to separate the eternal from the temporal can pull us down the wrong path.

We see this danger in one of Jesus’ closest followers. When Jesus began predicting His own suffering and death, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’” – Matthew 16:22. Peter’s words flowed from deep love and protective empathy; he could not bear to see his Master suffer. Yet Jesus turned and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” – Matthew 16:23. Even the most sincere human empathy, when it stands against God’s redemptive plan, becomes satanic opposition.

To be clear, we are called to empathy for all image-bearers, but never at the expense of aligning with rebellion or evil. True biblical empathy is expansive and compassionate, reflecting the heart of Christ who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15) and commands us to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). It means acknowledging real pain, legitimate fears, and genuine grievances on every side. However, empathy becomes misplaced and dangerous when it leads us to justify rebellion, to excuse sin, or to stand against his anointed purposes.

The Bible therefore equips us with clear warnings against letting empathy override truth:

In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines – Proverbs 18:17.
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death –Proverbs 14:12.
Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong – Exodus 23:2.

Misplaced empathy feels virtuous and before we know it, we are marching with Korah’s company, weeping with the ten spies, or rebuking the Son of God himself. Divine tension demands we hold the tension: acknowledge the grievance, feel the pain, yet submit every narrative to the light of God’s Word and his anointed order. Only then can we avoid the tragic irony of being right about a small truth while fatally wrong about the bigger picture.

The danger of meddling

One of the most practical warnings the Bible gives about navigating conflict is found in Proverbs 26:17: “Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.”

Imagine seizing a snarling dog by both ears. For a brief moment you may feel in control, but you are now locked in a dangerous position. You cannot safely let go, and the dog is furious. The longer you hold on, the more likely you are to be bitten. This is exactly what happens when we allow ourselves to be pulled into disputes, grievances, or rebellions that do not directly concern us, or our God-given sphere of responsibility.

In the stories we have already examined, many people were not the primary instigators yet still suffered devastating consequences because they grabbed the dog by the ears:

The Israelites who sympathized with Korah after the earth swallowed the rebels.
The congregation that joined the 10 spies in their fear.
The crowd that was stirred by the chief priests to choose Barabbas over Jesus.
Aaron, who yielded to the pressure of the people while Moses was on the mountain.

Each group stepped into a conflict that was not primarily theirs to resolve. Their empathy or desire to “do something” locked them into a position from which they could not gracefully withdraw, and they paid a heavy price.

How to avoid the “dog by the ears” trap

Divine tension requires us to hold real grievances and real pain in one hand, while firmly refusing to seize what is not ours in the other. Here are concrete ways to apply this proverb:

Ask the ownership question before engaging: Is this quarrel mine to own, or am I stepping into someone else’s fight?
Distinguish empathy from enlistment – You can acknowledge someone’s pain (“I see this is really hard”) without picking up their banner. Practical phrase: “I hear you, and I’m praying with you. But I’m not in a position to judge or join this battle.” This honors the person without grabbing the dog’s ears.
Set clear boundaries on social and digital involvement

Do not forward, like, or amplify inflammatory content in a conflict you are not responsible to resolve. Resist the urge to “weigh in” on every church, family or political dispute trending online.
Remember: silence is often the most discerning response.

4. Know when to release – If you have already grabbed the ears (i.e., you have already gotten involved or deeply aligned yourself), the wise move is a humble release as soon as possible: “I realize I spoke or aligned too quickly. This is not my fight to lead. I’m stepping back and trusting God with the outcome.” Pride keeps people holding the dog; humility lets them let go.

The principle of divine tension is not cold detachment, it is Spirit-led engagement within proper boundaries. Grabbing a dog by the ears feels like courageous involvement; in reality, it is often presumptuous meddling that God never asked for. 1 Peter 4:15 (ESV, emphasis added): “But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.” Peter lists being a meddler alongside murder, theft and evil doing. Yikes!

By refusing to seize every quarrel that tugs at our heartstrings, we stay on the narrow path. We acknowledge real pain. We feel legitimate grief. But we do not allow partial truths or misplaced empathy to drag us into rebellion, division, or ruin. The dog keeps snarling, but we remain free, hands open, eyes fixed on Jesus, walking in discernment rather than drama.

As a litmus test, whenever you are drawn to side with a conflict ask yourself:

Does this “valid point” require me to ignore a clear biblical command?
Am I empathizing with a person’s pain and aligning with it at the expense of God’s will and holiness?
Is my desire for perceived “justice” in this moment actually a form of rebellion against something God is allowing to happen?
Does siding with this conflict produce the fruit of the Spirit (peace, love, self-control) or does it primarily fuel anger, frustration and division?
If my grievance is addressed, am I willing to remain under this leadership, or is my real goal the dismantling of the authority itself?

The divine tension we must navigate is the narrow path of spiritual discernment that acknowledges real grievances, partial truths, and legitimate human pain or empathy in a conflict, yet steadfastly refuses to let them seduce one into rebellion.

Living in the tension

Not all conflict has a clear right or wrong. Romans 14 tells us there are indeed disputable matters, where we can differ with each other and be “OK.” However, in an age of polarized conflicts (political, cultural, and personal) the principle of divine tension remains as urgent as ever. We are called to empathy for all people and Jesus himself modeled this perfectly: He wept over Jerusalem, ate with sinners, and showed compassion to the suffering, yet He never compromised truth, never excused sin, and never joined rebellion against the Father’s will.

So, the next time you feel the pull toward one side because your heart aches in empathy, pause. Ask the Holy Spirit for the discerning heart Solomon sought. The small validity may be real, but the Bible’s bigger picture is decisive. Side with truth, even when it costs you popularity, sympathy, or apparent justice. In the end, only God’s side stands.

Table of biblical examples: siding on the wrong side of conflicts

Embracing Divine Tension: Doves and Snakes (Part 6)

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:54:12 GMT

Picture yourself behind the wheel on a crowded highway at rush hour. You drive with the innocence of a dove, hands at ten and two, obeying every speed limit, yielding to merging traffic, and refusing to cut anyone off even when they deserve it. Your heart is pure, you simply want to arrive safely without harming a soul. Yet the road is full of wolves, distracted texters, aggressive tailgaters, and reckless drivers. (It is estimated there are globally between 20-50 million car accident each year that result in injury, and 1.2 million deaths.) To survive, you must also be as shrewd as a snake: eyes constantly scanning mirrors, anticipating sudden braking, and being prepared for someone to do something unpredictable. Innocence without shrewdness is naïveté (you’ll be blindsided); shrewdness without innocence is aggression (you’ll become the hazard). This everyday tension of driving, gentle compliance paired with razor-sharp vigilance, mirrors a profound spiritual reality. In a dangerous world, God calls his people to hold two opposite postures in tension: be as innocent as doves and as shrewd as snakes.

The theological foundation

Jesus himself gave this command in Matthew 10:16: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” The context is He is dispatching the Twelve into hostile territory to preach the kingdom, heal the sick, and cast out demons. They will face rejection, betrayal, flogging, and even imprissonment. Naïve trust will get them killed. Cunning manipulation will corrupt their mission. The dove represents guileless purity; harmlessness, sincerity, and the very image of the Holy Spirit who descended on Jesus at his baptism (Matthew 3:16). Doves do not scheme, manipulate or strike back; they embody the Sermon on the Mount’s call to be pure in heart. The serpent, by contrast, stands for shrewdness. The Hebrew word arum in Genesis 3:1 described the serpent as “crafty,” but Jesus redeems the image here for positive, discerning wisdom. Biblical shrewdness is not deceit; it is clear-eyed prudence, strategic timing, and the ability to read people and situations accurately without being taken advantage of.

The divine tension is not a compromise but a reflection of God’s own character. Jesus was the sinless Lamb “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). The ultimate dove, yet he repeatedly outmanoeuvred the sharpest minds of his day without ever sinning. God does not ask us to choose between holiness and intelligence. He demands both. Innocence without shrewdness produces gullible doormats who enable evil. Shrewdness without innocence produces slick manipulators who wound others while protecting themselves. Only the Holy Spirit can hold these poles together in one heart.

Biblical portraits of this tension in action

Jesus modeled it perfectly. When religious leaders tried to trap him with the question about paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22), they hoped he would either incite rebellion or appear disloyal to God. Jesus asked for a coin, noted Caesar’s image, and replied, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” The trap snapped shut on the trappers. He spoke pure truth with zero political gamesmanship (dove), yet he discerned their malice and turned their own weapon against them (snake). When the chief priests challenged his authority in the temple (Matthew 21:23-27), Jesus answered with a counter-question about John the Baptist’s baptism. They were silenced. Again, pure innocence, no evasion or lies, paired with shrewd refusal to hand them ammunition.

Nehemiah embodied the same balance centuries earlier. Tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls under Persian rule while facing bitter opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, Nehemiah prayed constantly (innocence rooted in dependence on God). But he was never naïve. He inspected the walls secretly by night, refused to meet enemies on the plain where ambush was likely ( “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down,” – Nehemiah 6:3), stationed armed families to guard the gaps, and kept half the workers on alert with spears while the other half built (Nehemiah 4:13-23). He discerned lies, rejected bribes, and refused to be distracted, yet his heart remained pure; he never sought personal power or vengeance. The wall was finished in 52 days because prayer and prudence walked hand in hand.

David, the man after God’s own heart, showed it too. As a young shepherd facing Goliath, he refused Saul’s armour not out of recklessness but because he knew what he could actually use, his sling and five smooth stones, while trusting God. Later, fleeing Saul and trapped among the Philistines in Gath, David realized King Achish might kill him. So he “changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane” (1 Samuel 21:13), scribbling on doors and drooling. It was shrewd theatre that preserved his life without betrayal or violence. Yet the same David twice spared Saul’s life when he could have taken it (1 Samuel 24 and 26), refusing to touch the Lord’s anointed. David used his wits to survive a king’s court but used his heart to honor a king’s life. He knew when to act like a madman to save himself, and when to act like a servant to save his soul.

In practice

The tension must be lived out in the grit of daily life. Here is some practical guidance for common situations:

In the workplace

When a colleague undermines you or takes credit for your ideas, resist the impulse to gossip or plot revenge (dove). Innocence means you don’t play the game of office politics. Shrewdness means you keep the receipts. Document facts, speak directly but kindly to the person if wise, and focus on excellent work that speaks for itself (snake). If HR becomes necessary, go with clean hands and clear evidence, not anonymous accusations. Know when to stay silent and when to speak; shrewd timing protects your innocence.

In financial or business dealings

Be generous and honest, never inflate numbers or hide defects (dove). But research market value, read every contract line, ask hard questions, and walk away from deals that feel off even if they look profitable (snake). Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” Ethical shrewdness is stewardship, not stinginess. The dove is honest in every digit; the snake reads the fine print.

When sharing your faith

Speak with transparent love and zero manipulation (dove). But be shrewd: listen before you talk, discern whether the person is genuinely curious or just looking for an argument, choose the right moment, and know when to stop (snake). Jesus told the woman at the well her whole history only after building rapport; He did not lead with confrontation. Paul became “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22) without compromising truth.

In family or relational conflict

Forgive quickly and hold no grudges (dove). Yet set clear boundaries, observe patterns of behavior over time, and refuse to enable repeated harm (snake). If a family member repeatedly lies or manipulates, loving them does not mean unlimited access or pretending the problem doesn’t exist. David fled Saul; Jesus sometimes withdrew from crowds. Distance can be love. The dove forgives the person; the snake identifies the pattern.

When facing false accusation or injustice

Maintain a clear conscience and speak truth calmly (dove). But do not hand your enemies extra ammunition. Prepare your defence, gather witnesses, and refuse unnecessary meetings that are traps, just as Nehemiah did. Jesus stood silent before Pilate when further words would only fuel lies.

In leadership or decision-making

Pray first and last (dove). Then gather information, consult wise counsellors, anticipate opposition, and make decisive moves (snake). Nehemiah fasted and prayed, then rode out at night to survey the damage before announcing the plan. Shrewd preparation honors God; it does not replace him.

In everyday temptations to naïveté

Social media scams, flattery from toxic people, or “too good to be true” offers all prey on the innocent. The shrewd response is simple: verify, pause, seek counsel, and remember that “the prudent see danger and take refuge” (Proverbs 22:3). Innocence keeps your motives clean; shrewdness keeps you alive.

Conclusion

The goal is never to become cynical or hard. The goal is to become like Jesus—utterly pure yet never fooled. This tension is impossible in our own strength. It is the Holy Spirit’s work: the same Spirit who came as a dove and who gives wisdom generously to those who ask (James 1:5). When we live in this divine tension, we do not merely survive the wolves, we advance the kingdom among them. The highway of life is dangerous, but the Driver who calls us to both innocence and shrewdness is already behind the wheel. Drive accordingly.v

Embracing Divine Tension in Parenting (Part 5)

Embracing Divine Tension in Conflict (Part 7)

Embracing Divine Tension in Parenting (Part 5)

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:08:38 GMT

We live in a world governed by balance. In the natural world, opposing forces coexist to maintain harmony. Consider the ocean’s tides: the moon draws waters inward while the earth’s rotation flings them outward, creating the rhythmic flow that sustains life.

This principle is not confined to the physical realm; it permeates the spiritual world, reflecting the character of God himself. Scripture portrays God in dynamic tension: he is both the compassionate Father who is concerned for his children (Psalm 103:13) and the disciplining Lord who chastens those he loves (Hebrews 12:6). He is fully sovereign yet fully relational.

Tension in parenting styles

Parenting requires us to mirror this divine tension. Nurture and discipline are like roots and branches, essential and interdependent.

The need for nurture: Fathers are told to train and instruct their children in the Lord (nurturing) without exasperating them (Ephesians 6:4).
The need for discipline: Proverbs 13:24 reminds us that to spare the rod is to hate the child, while Colossians 3:21 warns fathers not to embitter their children lest they become discouraged. (Discipline must always be measured, age-appropriate, and never done in anger).

Discipline without nurture creates a cold, authoritarian environment driven by compliance. Nurture without discipline creates entitlement.

A personal journey: navigating polar opposites

Irene and I grew up in polar opposite family cultures. She was raised as one of eight children by a dad who was a naval officer prior to entering the world of commerce. Life was strict and militant, like a Von Trapp family experience without the singing. Every school report card was examined and critiqued. Anything under an “A” on her report card was queried with intensity. When a window was broken, or some other indiscretion occurred, and no one owned up, all eight kids were rounded up and each received a spanking because it would take too much time to find the actual culprit.

I, on the other hand, was one of two. At age eight, my dad asked me to call him “Mike” rather than “Dad” because he wanted to be a friend, not an authority figure. I don’t recall being asked about my school report card, ever! It wasn’t a complete hippie experience and we did go to church once as a family, but that was where our spiritual values training ended, as my dad was an agnostic/atheist and my mom was a struggling alcoholic. To say that Irene and I entered the parenting phase of life from the opposite extremes is not an exaggeration.

As you can imagine, we had a hard time finding unity when approaching the multitude of decisions parents need to make regarding boundaries, discipline and nurturing of our children. We would approach each situation and equally be horrified at the starting point that the other proposed. I was sure Irene was trying to imitate the Gestapo and she thought I was advocating that the children raise themselves. Our solution to this dilemma was to try to out-argue and pull the other person to our side of each debate. Both of us felt the other was clearly in the wrong. A breakthrough took place when we had an open conversation about our upbringings and acknowledged the weaknesses of our own parenting biases. We quickly figured out we needed each other and only together did we make one good parent. We started each conversation with “I know I am inherently too strict” or in my case, “too permissive.” We wrestled to find the middle ground and relied on Scripture to guide our decisions. We had hundreds of conversations over the years and learned to embrace the best of each other’s approach.

It was not an easy process but the net result was a united front. Our children, Elena and Luke, never saw us differ in front of them. By God’s grace, they have both embraced their faith as disciples and are relationally close to their flawed parents, unaware that without this “divine tension,” their therapy bills would likely have been significant.

Biblical case studies

We can better understand these tensions by looking at the four primary parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, and authoritative.

1. The authoritarian failure (high control, low warmth)

King Saul’s relationship with Jonathan exemplifies the dangers of the authoritarian style. Saul ruled by fear. While Jonathan obeyed outwardly, the harsh control crushed the relationship.

Authoritarian parenting:

Demands obedience
Crushes relationship
Produces fear, rebellion, and/or emotional distance

Beyond outward compliance, authoritarian parenting often breeds long-term relational fracture and hidden resentment. King Saul’s harsh, fear-based rule over Jonathan illustrates this danger vividly: his rash vows, explosive anger, and even death threats when Jonathan showed mercy or questioned him (1 Samuel 14:24-45; 20:30-33) created a home where obedience was extracted through intimidation rather than nurtured through love. While Jonathan remained outwardly loyal, the constant pressure crushed genuine affection and open communication, leaving little room for the warmth and relational security God intends.

This style, marked by high control and low warmth, risks provoking children to anger or discouragement (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21), producing adults who may either rebel inwardly or become controlling themselves, rather than freely embracing God’s truth from a heart transformed by grace. True biblical authority, by contrast, always pairs strength with tenderness, mirroring our heavenly Father who disciplines those he loves without crushing their spirits.

2. The passive/permissive failure (low control, low expectations)

On the other extreme, Eli, the high priest, failed through passivity. 1 Samuel 2–4

He was the high priest of Israel, a spiritual leader. But as a father, he failed in a crucial area: discipline and accountability.

“No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the LORD’s people is not good.” (1 Sam 2:24)

His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, abused their positions. Eli offered only a mild verbal rebuke when the situation demanded action. So this wasn’t ignorance. It was something more subtle and more dangerous. Passivity.

What his sons were doing:

Stealing sacrifices meant for God (1 Samuel 2:12–17)
Exploiting worshippers
Engaging in sexual immorality at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (1 Samuel 2:22)

These weren’t “teen mistakes.” This was sinful spiritual abuse. Yet Eli:

Did not remove them from priestly service
Did not restrain them
Did not protect the people or God’s holiness

By this point, the damage was already deep. God sends a prophet with a chilling word: “Why do you honor your sons more than me…?” (1 Sam 2:29)

That sentence is the heart of the issue. Eli loved peace more than righteousness. He valued family comfort over faithful leadership. This wasn’t cruelty. It was misplaced mercy and spiritual neglect.

The consequences of Eli’s neglect were his sons’ death on the same day

Hophni and Phinehas are killed in battle (1 Sam 4:11)
The Ark of the Covenant is captured

Their sin didn’t just affect them — it affected the entire nation.

Eli valued family comfort over righteousness, resulting in the death of his sons and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.

3. The goal: authoritative and relational (high expectations, high warmth)

God wants us to raise our children with intention, love and a firm hand. The world is desperately trying to influence your children to adopt its values. We have to be a counter-balance to this influence, instructing them in a different worldview. This is not easy and will not happen by accident. The Jewish Shema describes the effort required of parents to guide their children onto a godly path.

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one [the only God]! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (forearm), and they shall be used as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (AMP)

The highlights of this passage are clear: firstly be an example to your children of someone loving God deeply.
Then teach God’s precepts diligently, regularly and with enough conviction to penetrate our children’s hearts with his truths.

The book of Proverbs further amplifies parental involvement and intentionality in shaping their children:

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him. – Proverbs 22:15 (AMP)

Do not withhold discipline from the child; If you swat him with a reed-like rod [applied with godly wisdom], he will not die. You shall swat him with the rod [applied with godly wisdom] And rescue his life from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead). – Proverbs 23:13–14 (AMP)

The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. – Proverbs 29:15 (AMP)

This is unambiguously teaching directly against the passive/uninvolved model and requiring character shaping interactions between a parent and their children.

Finally, Ephesians directs the ‘how’ of this spiritual training process:

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favouritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4 (AMP)

Being firm and kind, strong and gentle, involved but not controlling, holy but merciful, relational but authoritative – this is the way. And this is why parenting is the hardest job on the planet.

In today’s world, to get any undergraduate degree it requires approximately 60,000 pages of reading. If you want to become an accountant, lawyer or engineer it requires three to four years of studying and multiple exams to access your grasp of the material. To drive a car there are booklets to read, learners tests, a trial period (up to a year) with a mentoring co-driver and a final practical exam.

Incredibly, to become a parent: Zero reading, zero tests and zero training.
The hardest and arguably most important task of our adult lives has no formal instruction!

So, parents, make it a top priority to educate yourselves. Read lots of books. Just one read per year over 20 years gives you a library of direction and wisdom. Seek advice from other parents that have had some success in passing on their faith to their children. Go to church parenting workshops. Learn how to adapt different styles to situations and the personalities of your children. Aim to be a better student of parenting than you are of your profession!

Conclusion and application

Embracing divine tension can revolutionize your parenting. It guards against one-sided approaches that lead families astray. While there are no perfect parents, your combined efforts with biblical models provides borders that define the path of godly upbringing.

Whether exploring discipline methods, screen time, education choices, or any family dynamic, always ask: What holds this issue in tension? Also take the time to identify what fears could lead you to the extremes of passivity or authoritarianism? Until we have found the tension, we do not have the fullness of God’s wisdom. By embracing this balance, we mirror the character of God—firm in truth yet gracious in relationship.

Parenting Styles Comparison:

See our sermon related to training our children:

Some reading recommendations:

Raising Awesome Kids – Reloaded: Sam and Geri Laing (A practical Christian guide that equips parents to become the most influential force in their children’s lives)
Shepherding a Child’s Heart: Paul Tripp (This book teaches parents to address the heart issues behind their child’s behavior rather than just outward actions)
Family First: Dr Phil (Understanding the pros and cons of different parenting styles)
Good Enough Parenting : John & Karen Louis (Help parents meet their children’s core emotional needs, avoid exasperating them, repair relationships after conflict)
Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle : Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker (A biblical resource that guides parents through honest, age-appropriate conversations with their sons about sexual integrity, puberty, pornography, peer pressure, and building a life of purity and respect.)
Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman’s Battle : Shannon Ethridge (Age-appropriate tools and conversation starters to talk openly and honestly with daughters about sexuality, emotional integrity, purity, dating, and guarding the heart and mind in a sex-saturated culture.)
Impress them on Your Children : Justin & Irene Renton (A fun, visually-oriented tool to help parents train their children to know God’s Word.)
Parenting isn’t for Cowards : Dr James Dobson (Encouraging, no-nonsense advice for hassled parents on raising strong-willed children, maintaining sanity, building strong relationships, and banishing parental guilt.
Parenting with Love & Logic Foster Cline and Jim Fay (Training your children to make good decisions)
Biblical Parenting: Dave & Tammy Ryter (Scripture-based guidance from their years of facilitating parenting courses to help families align their child-rearing with biblical principles in community and daily life.

Divine Tension: Embracing the Fullness of God’s Truth (Part 4)

Embracing Divine Tension: Doves and Snakes (Part 6)

Divine Tension: Embracing the Fullness of God’s Truth (Part 4)

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:29:36 GMT

In aviation, there is a phenomenon known as “drift.” If a pilot wants to fly directly from Point A to Point B, they cannot simply point the nose of the plane at the destination and fly. Why? Because of the wind. An invisible crosswind will push the aircraft sideways, carrying it miles off course without the pilot even feeling the turn.

To fly straight, the pilot must establish a crab angle, turning the nose of the plane into the wind to counteract the drift. The tension here is between the intended path and the environmental drift. To the untrained eye, the plane looks like it is flying crooked, but it is the only way to arrive at the correct destination.

This aerodynamic reality illustrates a profound spiritual principle. We are all designed with a specific trajectory: a divine mission. Yet, we live in a world with a constant spiritual crosswind, a shadow mission, that tirelessly pushes us to drift off course.

Your mission vs. your shadow mission

Every human being has a divine mission. We are not accidents of the universe or mere assemblages of atoms; we are God’s masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus to do good things planned long ago (Ephesians 2:10). We were made to make a difference.

However, the tension arises because we also possess a shadow mission. A shadow mission is where we drift from God’s original design and start pursuing something else, often something more selfish in nature.

The term was popularized by John Ortberg and was illustrated in the Gulf War movie Three Kings. While the US army was tasked with the liberation of Kuwait, George Clooney leads a rogue unit pursuing Iraqi treasure. The unit ate in the same mess halls and attended the same briefings, but when the army marched into battle, they went off in search of gold. Their fellow soldiers were completely unaware that the unit was on a whole other mission.

Satan works hard to “sell” us on these shadow missions because he knows if he can distract or divert us, he can shipwreck God’s purpose for our lives.

Biblical case studies of the drift

When we look at Scripture through this lens, we see the tension between the divine mission and the shadow mission playing out in the lives of major figures.

1. Adam and Eve: Stewardship vs. “more” (Genesis 3)

Mission: Take care of the garden.
Shadow: Satan convinced them that what they had in Eden wasn’t enough and that they needed to be like God. They needed “more.”
Result: They lost their place in the garden because they couldn’t manage the tension of contentment and enough.

2. Samson: Liberation vs. validation (Judges 14-16)

Mission: Free Israel from captivity. He was given abundant talent to achieve this.
Shadow: Showmanship and worldly relationships.
Result: Instead of leading, he squandered his gift, tearing lions apart (Judges 14:6), catching 300 foxes (Judges 15:4), and lifting city gates for sport (Judges 16:3).
His pursuit of the wrong women (Philistine prostitutes and Delilah) proved that while he had the strength of a giant, he had the drift of a lost child.

3. Jesus: The suffering servant vs. the celebrity messiah (Luke 4:1-13)

Even Jesus had to wrestle with this tension. In the wilderness, Satan offered him a corrupted version of the messiahship.

The shadow offer: A mission without hunger (“turn stones to bread” – Luke 4:3) , without pain (“you won’t strike your foot” – Luke 4:11), and without sacrifice (“bow down… I will give you the kingdoms” – Luke 4:6-7).
The reality: Satan was whispering, “You don’t have to do this God’s way. There is an alternative to the cross.”

Jesus stared this shadow in the face and rejected it. He knew that a mission without a cross was not a mission from God.

The danger: Morphing from servant to consumer

How do we recognize if we are drifting? One of the most common signs is a shift in our attitude toward the church.

We often join the church grateful for salvation, saying, “Here I am, send me”. But slowly, the crosswind hits.

We stop wanting to serve and start demanding to be served.
We ask, “Why isn’t the music to my taste?” or “Why doesn’t the church meet my needs?”
We become experts at avoidance of service.

We morph from servants of Christ into religious consumers. This is the shadow mission of comfort: seeking a life without the inconvenience of the cross.

Overcoming the shadow

We cannot simply ignore the crosswind; we must actively correct for it.

1. Identify and name it

You cannot defeat a shadow you refuse to see. For some, it is selfish adventurism (an “adrenaline junkie” lifestyle without boundaries). For others, it is wealth, status or simply comfort. Shadow missions are often subtle—they aren’t necessarily “bad” things, but they become destructive when they have no boundaries.

Ask yourself: If you were Satan, what distraction would you use to sidetrack you?

2. Get conviction through prayer

Jesus fought his shadow mission all the way to Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46). The reality of the cross hit him hard, and he prayed, “Take this cup from me.” He had to beg God for strength to stay on the divine mission.

Prayer is the key to surrendering our flesh. When Jesus struggled, he didn’t quit; he prayed until his will aligned with the Father’s (“Not my will, but yours be done” – Luke 22:42).

Conclusion

There is always a voice whispering, “Save yourself! Come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:40). It whispered to Jesus, and it whispers to us. But we must be like Esther, who overcame the shadow of self-preservation (“Use your blessing for yourself”) with the conviction of her divine mission (“If I perish, I perish” – Esther 4:16).

To live in divine tension is to acknowledge the drift but refuse to let it determine your destination. Name your shadow. Stare it in the face. And choose the mission.

For reflection:

What is the specific “shadow mission” that competes for your time and energy?
Have you drifted from “Here I am, send me” to “Here I am, serve me”?
What practical step can you take this week to “turn the nose of the plane” back into the wind?

Click here for my sermon on this topic.

Divine Tension: Embracing the Fullness of God’s Truth (Part 3)

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 14:59:02 GMT

In the physical world, dynamic forces must work in opposition to create environments where life can flourish. Consider a mighty river: it requires two opposing realities to exist. It needs the kinetic energy of flow to move water forward, providing life and hydration downstream. Yet it equally requires the static resistance of banks to contain that energy. Without the flow, the river becomes a stagnant swamp; without the banks, it becomes a destructive flood.

We see a similar tension in the plant kingdom. A tree requires a root system that digs deep into the dark earth for stability and nutrients, contrasting with branches that reach high into the sunlight for photosynthesis. The downward grounding and the upward reaching are not contradictions; they are the combined, necessary mechanics of growth. It is not one or the other, it’s both/and. In the same way, the church thrives when we recognize and embrace the divine tensions God built into its design.

In Part 1 we established that the fullness of God’s truth is held in tension, rather than in simplistic either–or categories. We must apply this lens to a topic that often causes confusion and conflict: church culture.

The ecclesiological tension: many models, one church

When we ask, “What is the church supposed to be like?” we often look for a single, simple definition. But Scripture does not offer us one static image. Instead, it presents a kaleidoscope of metaphors, each holding the others in check. The church is described most frequently as a family, a body, an army, a flock, a bride, and a building.

Each of these models carries a unique culture and set of expectations. The tension arises because these archetypes describe realities that, on the surface, seem to pull in opposite directions.

The static and the living: the building and the flock

A tension exists between the stability of the building and the movement of the flock. These two images present a necessary contrast between established structure and organic care.

The church as a building:

Scripture describes the church as “God’s household” (1 Timothy 3:15) and a structure built on a foundation (Ephesians 2:19-22). 1 Corinthians 3:9 tells Christians, “we are…God’s building.” A building represents permanence, shelter, and order. It requires a strong foundation and structural integrity to stand. Jesus fulfils that as the chief cornerstone. See also 1 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 3:6.

In this mode, the focus is on structure and truth. It provides the walls that define what we believe and the roof that covers us. Without this structure, the church has no location or definition; it becomes formless and lacks conviction.

The church as a flock:

In contrast, the church is also called a flock (Acts 20:28). A flock is a living, breathing entity that needs guidance, food, and protection. It is defined not by walls, but by movement and the voice of the Shepherd. (Luke 12:32, John 10:11-16, 1 Peter 5:2-4)

In this mode, the focus is on guidance and care. A flock wanders; it gets hungry; it gets scared. It needs a shepherd to lead it to green pastures, not just a foundation to stand on.

The tension:

The divine tension here lies between structure and Spirit.

If we emphasize the building to the exclusion of the flock, the church risks becoming rigid or institutional—a museum rather than a home. We may have perfect doctrine (foundation), but no life inside the walls.
Conversely, if we view ourselves only as a flock without the structure of the building, we risk chaos and vulnerability. A flock without a pen is exposed to predators; a movement without a structure eventually dissipates.

We need the solid “walls” of truth and structure (building) to protect the vulnerable, wandering life of the sheep (flock). We must be grounded enough to stand firm, yet mobile enough to follow the Shepherd’s leading. Pauls sums it up in 1 Timothy 4:16 “Watch your life and doctrine closely,” re-enforcing the both/and nature of divine tension.

The warmth of the family vs. the discipline of the army

One of the most profound tensions in church culture exists between the concept of the family and the army.

The church as a family:

Scripture is clear that we are God’s household. Ephesians 2:19 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” In a healthy family, the dominant culture is one of love, acceptance, and unconditional care. We are called to “do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).

In this mode, the church focuses on warmth and empathy. It is the place where we ask, “Are you feeling sick? Let us take care of you.” It is a culture of celebrations, acceptance, friendships, and safety. (See also, 1 Timothy 3:14-15, Hebrews 2:11.)

The church as an army:

Yet, the New Testament also describes the church as a military force engaged in spiritual warfare. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 reminds us that “we do not wage war as the world does,” but we are waging war nonetheless. We are also commanded to endure hardship like “a good soldier of Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). This then extends to the communal mission of the spiritual battle, as seen in Philippians 2:25, where believers are called “fellow soldiers” who are told to put on the “full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17). Furthermore, Revelation 12 depicts the devil making war against the collective offspring of the woman, the people of God. All these military metaphors affirm this as a biblical motif; the warfare is corporate; therefore, the martial reality must also be corporate. (See also, Philemon 1:2 and 1 Peter 2:11.)

In an army, the culture is defined by commitment, courage, discipline, obedience, and sacrifice. The songs we sing in church often reflect this reality: “Soldiers of Christ arise” or “You’re a hard-fighting soldier on the battlefield.”

The tension:

Here is where the divine tension lies. An army without the love of a family becomes a harsh, demanding regime. Many can attest to the wounds this type of environment, if unbalanced, can afflict. Conversely, a family without the mission of an army becomes an inward-focused social club, with little impact or influence on a lost world. We need to care deeply for the family of believers, but also care deeply about the mission of the church to reach the lost. We need the acceptance of the family and the discipline of the army to be the church God designed.

The organic and the intimate: the body and the bride

Another tension also exists between viewing the church as a functioning body and a cherished bride. These two images, found in Ephesians 4 and 5, present us with a duality of function and identity.

The church as a body:

Scripture emphasizes that we are the body of Christ, where “each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). This metaphor is driven by functional necessity and interdependence. In a body, there is cooperation, sharing, and specific roles. The tension here is that parts cannot exist in isolation; the “Boston body” cannot say it doesn’t need the “Chicago body,” nor can “Cape Town” claim independence from “Johannesburg.” In a physical body, when parts go rogue and refuse to submit to the head or work with one another, this is a disease we know as “cancer,” a disease that threatens the whole. In the spiritual body, isolation is not freedom; it is illness. The body is designed for cooperation—to act and achieve the instructions of the Head.

The church as a bride:

Yet, Ephesians and Corinthians also describe the church as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2). While the body speaks to how we work together, the bride speaks to who we are to Jesus. This image is not about mechanics, but about intimacy, covenant, and devotion.

The tension:

The divine tension here lies between industry and intimacy.

If we emphasize the body to the exclusion of the bride, the church becomes a biological machine—efficient, busy, and structured, but devoid of passion and romance for Jesus. We become “hands and feet” that have forgotten the “heart.”
Conversely, if we view ourselves only as a bride without the mechanics of the body, we risk becoming sentimental and static. We may enjoy the feeling of closeness to God but lack the coordinated movement required to serve the world and each other effectively.

We must live in the tension of being functionally connected to one another (body) while remaining relationally devoted to Christ (bride). We need the structure of the skeleton and the muscles of the army, but we also need the beating heart of the beloved.

The source of conflict: our bias

Why is this balance so hard to maintain? The challenge lies in our own internal preferences. Depending on our wiring, we are dominantly drawn toward one or two of these archetypes over the others. These tensions become difficult not because Scripture is unclear, but because we are biased.

For example, let’s take the family/army tension.

Some of us love the family model: we crave love, care, and a judgment-free environment.
Others are drawn to the army model: we value mission, radical sacrifice, and “getting stuff done.”
When we enter a church community, we subconsciously try to pull or push the culture toward our preference. The “army” people get frustrated when the church seems too soft or slow. The “family” people get hurt when the church seems too demanding or structured. We find ourselves arguing over culture because we want the church to look like the model we prefer.

We have to understand our own bias before we can embrace the divine tension. Socrates said it like this, “know thyself.” Carl Jung tells us, “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your own heart. He who looks outside – dreams, the one who looks inside, awakens.” God simply tells us to “examine ourselves” (1 Corinthians 11:28). Our biases are formed by numerous things, from our personality types to lived experiences, to the echo chamber of our news sources (liberal or conservative). A key measure of spiritual maturity is self-awareness.

Embracing the tension: unity through acceptance

Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” To embrace divine tension is to accept that the church will never fully match our personal ideal, and that’s a good thing. A healthy church requires every metaphor God gives us.

If a church becomes exclusively a building, it loses its heart. If it becomes exclusively a family, it loses its mission. True unity requires us to admit that the Bible gives us multiple models, not just one. This means giving up our insistence on getting everything our way so the whole body can flourish.

The person who loves action and efficiency may need to slow down to care for the wounded (family).
The person who loves care, comfort and stability will need to concede that flexibility and change are necessary for the growth of the church (flock).

The ultimate question we must ask ourselves is: Is the unity of the body precious enough for you to give up some of your personal preferences?

But what do we do when certain biblical metaphors, like the church as an army or a family, trigger discomfort or even pain? For some, the word “family” brings up memories of dysfunction and hurt. For others, the imagery of an army recalls experiences of harsh, militant church environments. Yet the solution is not to delete these metaphors from Scripture. As we learned when studying the Bible, “All Scripture is God-breathed,” and we are not free to treat the Bible like a buffet, keeping only the parts that feel comfortable. Any single metaphor, when pushed to an unhealthy extreme, can create distortion. That is precisely why God, in his wisdom, provides multiple images to describe his church. Only by embracing all of them together can we find balance, health, and maturity. And yes, living within that fullness inevitably creates tension.

Conclusion

Just as we learned in Part 1 to ask, “What is the lamb to this lion?”, we must now ask, “What metaphor of the church am I ignoring?” “Am I willing to accept and learn from people that are different from me to maintain the divine tension so the church can be complete?”

Until we appreciate the tension between these opposing images, we will not have a healthy church culture. By embracing the tension, we allow the church to be everything God intended: a disciplined army that fights with the love of a family, a structured building that lives with the organic connection of a body or flock. Everything is motivated by the passion of a bride.

For reflection:

Which church metaphor (building, flock, family, army, body, or bride) do you naturally gravitate toward?
How might your internal biases be creating blind spots in how you view your local church?
Have you “opposed” people who are advocating for a biblical metaphor of the church you personally dislike?
What are you willing to “sacrifice” to help maintain the divine tension in your community?

See also: Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Divine Tension: Embracing the Fullness of God’s Truth (Part 2)

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:12:27 GMT

In Part 1 we explored how divine tension is woven into the fabric of creation and Scripture, holding opposing truths together to reveal the fullness of God’s wisdom. From the balances in the physical world to core doctrines like faith and deeds, justice and mercy, we saw that embracing these tensions guards us against imbalance and draws us deeper into God’s character. As promised, let’s now apply this lens to the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. These books present a striking divine tension that reflects the complexities of life under the sun while pointing us to eternal truths.

At first glance, these books might seem to contradict one another. Proverbs tells us the world we live in operates under a moral divine order, with clear spiritual principles for living wisely, while Ecclesiastes paints a picture of randomness, futility and unpredictability. Job plunges us into the depths of undeserved suffering and chaos. Yet, when held in tension, they provide a balanced, profound understanding of God’s world: orderly yet disrupted, purposeful yet mysterious.

The orderly world of Proverbs

Proverbs stands as a beacon of divine wisdom, guiding us toward a life of blessing through righteous choices and disciplined living. It portrays a world governed by moral laws where actions have predictable consequences. A brief look at just four topics paints a clear picture.

Consider the theme of wealth. Proverbs 13:11 warns, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” This teaches the value of patience and steady effort over get-rich-quick schemes. Similarly, Proverbs 21:20 notes, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it,” encouraging prudent management and living within one’s means.

In work, diligence is exalted: “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor” – Proverbs 12:24, and “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty” – Proverbs 14:23. Hard work leads to prosperity; laziness to hardship.

Relationships thrive on sharpening and counsel: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” – Proverbs 27:17, acknowledging that growth often involves challenge. Proverbs 15:22 advises, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed,” urging us to seek wise input rather than act impulsively.

Finally, in choices, we’re called to trust God and his wisdom to guide us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” – Proverbs 3:5-6, and “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” – Proverbs 16:3.

The overarching message of Proverbs is clear: Righteous living leads to blessings and success; unrighteous living to failure and pain. The world operates under moral order—obey God’s principles, and life flourishes. Our lives have purpose when aligned with his ways.

The futility of Ecclesiastes

Yet Solomon, the primary author of Proverbs, takes a surprisingly different tone in Ecclesiastes. Here, the same wise teacher observes life “under the sun” and concludes it is often “meaningless—like chasing the wind” – Ecclesiastes 1:14. The moral order in Proverbs now appears random and unpredictable.

Ecclesiastes 1:13-15 describes the human race enduring a “tragic existence,” where “what is wrong cannot be made right. What is missing cannot be recovered.” Later, in Ecclesiastes 9:11: “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” Efforts don’t always yield expected results. Success isn’t guaranteed by ability or righteousness; randomness and frustration abound.

Have you ever felt that life’s outcomes defy logic? Ecclesiastes captures that cynicism, highlighting the vanity and unpredictability that can overshadow even wise living. How can the writer of Proverbs be the same person who wrote Ecclesiastes?

The chaos agent in Job

Job introduces yet another layer: innocent suffering. Job is described as “blameless and upright, a man who feared God and shunned evil” – Job 1:1. He was prosperous and devout. He believed in the moral principles of Proverbs and followed them devoutly. In the book of Job God peels back the curtain and introduces us to the ultimate chaos agent, Satan. He challenges God, accusing Job of serving him only for blessings. God permits testing, and Job’s ordered life shatters, his livestock is stolen, servants are killed, and tragically his children lost in a storm.

How does Job respond? Not with blame, but worship: “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” – Job 1:21. Remarkable faith.

Job’s three friends, steeped in a Proverbs-like worldview, assume he must be at fault. A + B = C. In chapters four through 25 (a full 22 chapters) they argued that his suffering must be punishment for sin, but they were wrong. The book reveals the agent disrupting God’s order. Yet God remains sovereign, ultimately restoring Job’s health, wealth, family, and dignity. As Romans 8:28 echoes, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

Integrating the wisdom literature: divine tension in action

Herein lies the profound divine tension of the wisdom books:

Proverbs affirms God’s created order: Moral laws govern life, righteousness brings blessing.
Ecclesiastes and Job acknowledge disruption: Sin and Satan introduce chaos, unpredictability, and suffering, even for the righteous.

But the tension doesn’t end in despair! God, in his sovereignty, restores order over time for those who remain faithful. Justice prevails in the long run; meaning emerges when we fear God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

This both/and perspective prevents extremes. Overemphasizing Proverbs alone might breed a prosperity mindset, ignoring life’s hardships. Leaning solely on Ecclesiastes could lead to cynicism and resignation. Job reminds us that suffering isn’t always punitive, yet God redeems it.

Embracing this tension brings balance: Live wisely as in Proverbs, endure chaos with Job’s faith, and maintain perspective amid vanity as in Ecclesiastes. The fullness of wisdom, and of God’s truth, emerges only when we hold all three together.

Conclusion and application

The wisdom literature mirrors the divine tensions we’ve seen elsewhere in Scripture: order and disruption, justice delayed yet certain, purpose amid apparent meaninglessness. By integrating these books, we gain borders for navigating life, avoiding naivety on one side and hopelessness on the other. Holding the tension honors God’s multifaceted revelation and equips us for real-world faith.

For reflection:

How have you experienced the tension between an “orderly” expectation of life and its chaotic realities?
In what area might you be overemphasizing one wisdom book’s perspective, leading to imbalance?

May this divine tension draw us closer to the God who designed a world of profound depth, where opposites coexist in perfect harmony under his sovereign hand.

Watch the related sermon for more insights on this series.

Divine Tension: Embracing the Fullness of God’s Truth (Part 1)

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:53:55 GMT

Any serious reader of the Bible soon discovers an uncomfortable reality: the fullness of God’s truth is often held in tension. We see this in Scripture and in creation. We live in a world governed by intricate balances, from the vast expanse of the universe to the microscopic dance of atoms. We cannot avoid encountering a profound principle: divine tension. This concept, drawn from the very fabric of creation, reveals how opposing forces coexist to maintain harmony and wholeness.

Consider the solar system, where gravity pulls planets inward while centrifugal force propels them outward, creating stable orbits. Scale it down to the atomic level, and you’ll find protons and electrons held in equilibrium by electromagnetic forces, or nuclei bound by strong and weak nuclear interactions. Even our own bodies embody this tension, requiring a delicate balance of eating, sleeping, and exercising to thrive. Imbalance leads to illness, just as excess or deficiency disrupts the natural order. This echoes Romans 1:20, where God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen in what has been made. This principle isn’t confined to the physical realm; it permeates the spiritual world as well, reflecting the character of God himself. The Bible is rich with examples where truths exist not in isolation but in dynamic tension. Each side complements the other to reveal the fullness of divine wisdom.

Tensions in creation and core doctrines

Faith and deeds, for instance, are like inhaling and exhaling—essential and interdependent. As James 2:26 declares, “Faith without deeds is dead.” Yet deeds performed without faith are equally futile, amounting to mere human effort devoid of spiritual life (cf. Isaiah 64:6, where even our righteous acts are like “filthy rags” apart from God). This does not mean non-believers’ good deeds lack any value under God’s common grace (Matthew 5:45), but they cannot achieve spiritual salvation without faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Similarly, repentance and grace form a sacred tension. Without repentance, grace is spurned—as Hebrews 10:26-31 warns against deliberately continuing in sin. But without grace, repentance becomes an impossible burden, for no one can atone through effort alone.

At its core, the fullness of God’s truth resides in this divine tension. We, as finite beings, often seek to resolve it, craving simplicity and closure. Our discomfort with ambiguity is evident in everyday life. Think of how Hollywood crafts narratives: tension builds with a villain’s threat or a romantic misunderstanding, heroes intervene, and resolution arrives, leaving audiences satisfied. While some appreciate open-ended stories, unresolved narratives often frustrate us, prompting complaints about “cliffhangers” or “poor scripting.” Yet, in reality, embracing tension fosters balance and depth. Resolving it prematurely can lead to distortion, much like favoring one side of a seesaw, which tips everything into imbalance.

Human aversion to tension

This aversion to tension explains why many approach Scripture selectively. We gravitate toward verses that align with personal preferences while ignoring counterpoints. But true biblical understanding demands we hold opposites together. Jesus himself exemplifies this divine tension, portrayed in Scripture as both Lamb and Lion, symbols that could not be more antithetical.

In John 1:29, he is the gentle Lamb of God, sacrificial and meek, taking away the sins of the world. Yet in Revelation 5:5, he is the fierce Lion of the tribe of Judah, triumphant and powerful. Is Jesus submissive or sovereign? Compassionate or conquering? The answer is both/and. This isn’t contradiction but completion, a both/and reality that defies our either/or mindset. This duality reflects the hypostatic union: Jesus as fully God and fully man (John 1:14), avoiding heresies like Docetism (denying His humanity) or Arianism (denying His divinity).

To transform your personal Bible study, adopt this lens: for any topic, you’re not done until you’ve identified what holds it in divine tension. What is the “Lamb” to this “Lion”? These tensions serve as the right and left borders of truth, preventing us from veering into extremes. Without them, we either risk heresy or shallow faith. Emphasizing grace without repentance leads to a permissive license to sin, while stressing deeds without faith breeds legalism and a works-oriented Christianity.

Key Biblical examples

Consider additional biblical examples to illustrate this universality.

Love and truth: As Psalm 85:10 poetically unites them: “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” Love without truth becomes sentimental indulgence, while truth without love turns harsh and judgmental.
Sovereignty of God and human free will: God’s predestined plans (Ephesians 1:11) coexist with our responsibility to choose (Deuteronomy 30:19). While different Christian traditions vary in emphasis, such as Calvinism leaning toward sovereignty and Arminianism toward choice, Scripture holds both in tension as a divine mystery, guarding against fatalism on one hand and self-reliance on the other (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9, God’s ways are higher than ours).
Predestination and evangelism: God’s election (Romans 8:29-30; Acts 13:48) doesn’t negate the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) but energizes it. This also reflects God’s desire for all to repent (2 Peter 3:9).

Other profound tensions include the Trinity, one God in three persons (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19) and the incarnation of Christ (John 1:14). Theologians like A.W. Tozer, in The Knowledge of the Holy, emphasize such divine attributes as paradoxes that deepen our awe of God. Let’s apply this to another pivotal theme: justice.

Justice and mercy illustrated

Scripture resounds with God’s unwavering commitment to justice. Isaiah 61:8 proclaims, “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.” God is impartial, showing no favouritism—what is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong. Unlike us, who often bend justice for those we favor, excusing misdeeds with rationalizations like “They had a tough day” or “Consider the root causes,” God remains steadfast and is not swayed by bias. Deuteronomy 32:4 affirms, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” This consistency is a rock-solid comfort in an unpredictable world, where relationships can swing from affection to criticism without warning.

God’s justice extends to his role as judge. Psalm 9:7-8 states, “The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.” We, however, judge hypocritically; we are harsh on others’ actions but lenient on our own intentions, pleading “I didn’t mean to.” Yet God judges with true equity, as Nahum 1:3 assures: “The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.” This slowness to anger counters our misconceptions of a quick-tempered deity, while promising that injustice won’t go unchecked provides solace amid worldly corruption. Still, God’s hatred of sin (Psalm 11:5) underscores his holiness.

But justice alone isn’t the full picture. Its divine counterpart is mercy, forming borders that keep our understanding balanced. Psalm 103:8-10 reveals, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Who among us would demand justice for our own failings? Instead, we echo the tax collector in Luke 18:13, crying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” and find justification through humility. Justification declares us righteous in Christ, as if our sins are fully covered and atoned for (Romans 4:7-8; 5:1) which is a forensic declaration where God remembers our sins no more in terms of condemnation (Hebrews 8:12). Micah 7:18-19 exults, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression?… You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

God doesn’t forgive begrudgingly; he delights in it, casting our sins into the sea’s depths. Lamentations 3:22-23 adds, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Justice and mercy aren’t at odds, but intertwined in God’s nature—his justice demands payment for sin, yet his mercy provides it through Christ (Romans 3:25-26).

Without mercy, justice crushes us; without justice, mercy cheapens grace. A vivid illustration unfolds in John 8:1-11, where a woman caught in adultery faces stoning under the law’s justice. Jesus upholds justice by challenging the accusers (“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”) while extending mercy (“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more”). Here, divine tension resolves not by compromise but by fulfilment in Christ.

Conclusion and application

Embracing divine tension can revolutionize our personal Bible study. It guards against one-sided interpretations that lead us astray and provides borders that define the path of truth. However, remember that “tension” doesn’t justify relativism. God’s truth is absolute, though multifaceted (Proverbs 25:2 encourages searching out such matters). Some tensions may resolve in eternity, when we know fully as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12). Very few topics are standalones—they do exist (e.g., God’s monotheism in Deuteronomy 6:4), but you will be surprised at how few there are. Whether exploring leadership structures, women’s roles, humility and boldness, rest and labor, or any doctrine, always ask: What holds this truth in tension? What is the lamb to this lion? Until we have found the tension, we do not have the fullness of God’s truth on any topic. By embracing the tension, we mirror the balance found is both scripture and in creation that God designed, drawing us closer to his infinite wisdom.

For reflection:

What tension do you see in your current Bible study topic?
How might overemphasizing one side lead to imbalance in your faith?

In part 2 , we’ll explore the wisdom literature in scripture through this lens.

Watch my sermon on this topic below, starting at the 52 minute mark.

Why I Left the Church...and Came Back – Jan

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:49:44 GMT

15 years after leaving the ICOC, Jan decided to come back. Hear his powerful story of loss, rebellion, exploration, and why he decided to return.

#internationalchurchesofchrist #icoc #disciplestoday

Encounter 2025

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:15:49 GMT

Nearly 200 young people, 160 campus students and 33 teens, for the Saturday, gathered to learn, connect, and worship together!

Our theme for the weekend was “But God”, taken from Ephesians 2:1–5. The passage speaks of how things were going. They were stuck in sin and without hope, "but God" stepped in with mercy and love, changing everything.

We held split classes for men and women under the shared title: “I Would But Jesus…”, encouraging honest reflection on our struggles and the transformation Jesus brings.

The whole weekend invited us to examine our lives, hearts, and circumstances, and to recognize the “But God” moments:

moments where God’s fingerprints, love, and good plans broke through our mess and showed us a better way.

We were especially inspired by the diversity in the room, students representing eight different nations:

South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Angola, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana.

It was a weekend full of worship, connection, truth, and renewed vision. We can’t wait to see the ripple effects from what God started!

I Love My Church – Mark Ottenwelle

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:20:55 GMT

Dr. Mark Ottenweller has had a wild adventure in Christ. Here he shares his story, gives glory to God and expresses gratitude for the church that has helped him and his family.

#disciplestoday #icoc #internationalchurchesofchrist #ilovemychurch

I Love My Church – Lin Beaty Ottenweller

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:18:45 GMT

#internationalchurchesofchrist #icoc #disciplestoday

All Africa Build Conference 2024

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:53:18 GMT

The theme of the conference was "BUILDtogether" and the speakers and discussions challenged the Elders, Evangelists, Teachers and lay leaders to love God, love people and allow the Spirit to lead the building of the church.

#disciplestoday #icoc #internationalchurchesofchrist

Eyes That See Campaign Invitation

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 05:25:34 GMT

This is an invitation to participate in the “Eyes That See” Month of Missions campaign in May 2024 - an initiative of the Global Missions Service Team. Please download the All Nations App to take part in the month of missions. We hope you will join us in May!

All Nations App download link .

SPACON 2023

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:56:07 GMT

#southpacific #australia #icoc

Margaret Chipunza – CFO, Mother, and Disciple of Jesus

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 16:06:14 GMT

Margaret Chipunza is the CFO of one of the best banks in Zimbabwe, a wife, mother, and a devoted servant in her local church. In this video, she shares how becoming a Christian early in her career gave her a foundation to withstand the challenges that have come her way.

Facing war, death, turmoil and explosions with faith – Jessy Tohme

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:21:51 GMT

Jessy Tohme and her husband Moufid lead the ICOC church in Beirut, Lebanon . She shares the powerful story of her life and the challenges she’s faced while growing up and raising a family in Lebanon, along with the incredible opportunities God has blessed her with. Jessy is a marriage and family facilitator and is the host of a popular TV show in Beirut.

Pop Star, Entrepreneur and Minister: Christian Ray & Deb Flores

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 18:10:05 GMT

Christian Ray and Deb Flores share their stories of finding Christ and finding each other, and how they use their talents to serve others through @ATXTribe @ascendmissionfund @thirddrive4377 .

#icoc #internationalchurchesofchrist #disciplestoday

Asanda Njobeni – Marine biologist, hiker, and disciple of Jesus

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:47:41 GMT

Asanda Njobeni is a marine biologist, hiker, and a disciple of Jesus. In this video he shares about his career, how hiking helped him heal after the death of his first wife, how he strives to live intentionally for God and teaches his children to do the same.

Find more great stories of faith on the Disciples Today YouTube channel .

We are HOPE worldwide

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:39:44 GMT

HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives through the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the materially poor and needy. Today HOPE worldwide serves more than 1.5 million people annually on every inhabited continent. After 30 years, HOPE worldwide continues to be an organization dedicated to serving, teaching, healing and loving communities made vulnerable due to poverty, disease or disasters. Together we can inspire greater hope in our world.

---------

Learn more about HOPE worldwide at hopeww.org .

Connect with us:

facebook.com/HOPEworldwide

twitter.com/HOPEworldwide

instagram.com/hope_worldwide

Disciples Today - Highlights from 2022

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 09:30:46 GMT

Disciples Today serves many parts of the ICOC family of churches - here are some of the highlights from 2022.

All Nations App

Sat, 06 Aug 2022 17:48:49 GMT

This App is designed to equip, inspire and connect you to mission opportunities all around the world. Download it today!

Google Play or App Store

Medical Account of the Crucifixion

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 18:02:33 GMT

Jesus died a gruesome death at the hands of his executioners. It wasn't in vain...

Sibusiso Mauze - Architect, father and disciple of Jesus

Thu, 26 May 2022 18:10:48 GMT

Can You Trust the Bible? 3 Reasons to Consider

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 18:25:34 GMT

Was Jesus a myth? Is the New Testament accurate? Did Jesus' followers die for a lie? Dive in with Disciples Today and @Keydogo - Keys For Life as we explore these important questions.

Why I left the ICOC and then came back – Pat Hlophe

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:53:39 GMT

Pat grew up in South Africa and has overcome some intense challenges. She tells her story of joining and leaving the church, and then coming back.

We Thank You - Disciples Today

Sat, 26 Jun 2021 17:25:39 GMT

All of us at Disciples Today thank you for your support.

Why I left the ICOC and then came back – Kent Washington

Sun, 23 May 2021 05:48:33 GMT

Here is Kent's story and experience with the International Churches of Christ.

Why I left the ICOC and then came back – Ryan Hoke

Sun, 23 May 2021 05:43:36 GMT

Ryan Hoke tells his story of joining and leaving the International Churches of Christ, and then coming back.

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

Sun, 23 May 2021 05:14:49 GMT

This question is asked by many believers over the centuries and around the world. In this video, we look at two sides of the issue.

Keydogo Good News Minute 3

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:51:33 GMT

God worked powerfully over the last year in Mexico and Cuba! Over 400 baptisms and restorations in Mexico and an inspiring, fruitful house church in Cuba are two of the highlights!

Keydogo Good News Minute 2

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 16:00:30 GMT

The world is a very chaotic place right now - here's some news that's sure to encourage you!

Keydogo Good News Minute

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 15:55:01 GMT

Some great news from around the world

In the midst of a global pandemic God's churches continue to thrive and grow.

The Disciples Today Podcast

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 04:59:46 GMT

Monthly podcasts on global news, missions, mental health, marriage, parenting and leadership topics. Please tune in and take us with you on your walks and drives.

Visit: disciplestoday.org

Coronavirus update

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 05:12:20 GMT

Coronavirus Update for the ICOC / International Churches of Christ

How are the disciples doing around the world? Here's some quick updates.

Frank and Beth Radcliff – A modern-day Aquila and Priscilla

Sat, 14 Mar 2020 19:09:21 GMT

Frank and Beth Radcliff have been happily married for over 40 years. And, like a modern-day Aquila and Priscilla, this amazing couple has travelled throughout southern Africa to spend time with different churches and to strengthen and encourage the disciples there. We caught up with them in Johannesburg, South Africa, halfway through their trip, to chat about their experience so far:

How many churches have you visited in southern Africa and what has been the longest period of time you spent with one congregation?

My (Frank's) personal highlight was a parenting workshop we conducted in Tsabong, Botswana, in the Kalahari Desert about eight hours from the capital, Gaborone. One couple from the church in Gaborone moved there a few years back because of a job transfer and has remained faithful despite the distance from other disciples. They had over 20 of their friends at the midweek service, and several visitors to the workshop told them if they "started a church" they would love to attend. Most inspiring was seeing the renewal of the couple's faith and dream for their small town.

There are no church elders in southern Africa yet. What is your encouragement to those aspiring to become shepherds of God's people?

Just before Beth and I (Frank) were married more than 40 years ago, one of the elders at the church where we were converted encouraged me to "live my life according to the Biblical qualifications for the eldership" and, if it was God's will, he could see me serving in that role someday. Shepherding God's church begins with shepherding our families and diligently fulfilling whatever roles we are given in the local church. My (Frank's) encouragement is to first continually deepen your relationship with God, love and lead your family, and serve your church in whatever ways you've been, and then trust that God will reveal His will.

About the Radcliffs:

Frank and Beth both were both baptized in 1972 at the Crossroads Church in Gainesville, Fl. They met while college students at the University of Florida and were married in Gainesville in 1979. In their 40-year journey together, they have lived in the United States in Connecticut, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina, before beginning their travels through southern Africa in June 2019. They have three daughters who are disciples, and eight grandchildren. They have practiced servant leadership throughout their years as disciples. While in SC, Frank coordinated the Bereavement ministry and served on the committee promoting racial diversity and unity within the church. He also represented the Columbia Church on the Africa Missions Association board of directors. Frank has previously served as both a church deacon (Columbia) and as an elder (Charlotte).

International churches of Christ in Hawaii

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 05:16:39 GMT

Growth and Faith-Building Stories from the International Churches of Christ in Hawaii

Anthony and Saun Galang from the Oahu Church of Christ share exciting growth and encouraging stories from Hawaii!

Johannesburg, South Africa: Worship service

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 05:23:10 GMT

Camp Led Service

Visit: johannesburg.church

International churches of Christ: 2019 Summary

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 05:35:13 GMT

The International Churches of Christ - 2019 Year in Review

As we begin a new year, here's a brief look back on some of the great things God has done in our churches around the world.

Race & culture in the church

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 05:31:08 GMT

How should churches approach race and culture issues?

Author and international speaker Michael Burns explains how Christians and should approach issues of race and culture within the church. He offers four tips:

Recognize that cultural differences are not sin issues
Include diverse voices at every level of influence
Maintain cultural humility
Love one another

Michael Burns' books are available at Illumination Publishers at these links.

" Crossing the Line "

" All Things to All People "

Visit: ipibooks.ecwid.com

How God's patience impacted one sister's family in Botswana, Southern Africa

Sun, 05 Jan 2020 19:09:20 GMT

If you are wondering if God is working through you to impact the lives of others, then the conversion story of Goabaone "Frog" Kgosisejo will inspire you to persevere in your evangelism. This story is from the Botswana International Church of Christ, Southern Africa.

In 1998, Goabaone or "Frog" as she's best-known, was a young and enterprising 17-year-old, who in her wildest dreams never thought going to church or surrendering her life to serve God, was on the cards.

So did Frog become a disciple? Not immediately. In fact, in her quest for the exciting things that life offers, she quickly lost touch with Mama Dinnie. She was not ready to continue the Bible studies or to become a church girl. She wanted to "experience" life.

Many years later, while working as a teacher in a village called Mahalapye, about 200 km (124 miles) from Gaborone, she read A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, and it challenged her to find a church where she could worship God. She yearned for the atmosphere she experienced at a young age at Mama Dinnie's church. She remembered how she was attracted by the way the worship was orderly and the welcoming, friendly people she had met.

So Frog searched through her documents for a contact of anyone connected to the Botswana ICOC, to no avail. And then she remembered that one of her former university classmates might be able to help.

"I felt strongly that it was my time to get saved so I asked this woman for some contacts and she gave me two", Frog says.

She drove 200 km (124 miles) to Gaborone to attend church and started studying the Bible immediately. But the road to her conversion was quite rocky as she had a lot to give up. One Sunday morning shortly after her baptism, she felt ready to quit her new life. She could not go on. She phoned her discipling partner and informed her of her decision, but Seadimano Oefile patiently walked her through her fears and encouraged her to hold on to the cross.

Kyle Spears tackles a sensitive topic: What color was Jesus?

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 05:12:41 GMT

Was Jesus black? What was his skin color?

There's white Jesus. There's black Jesus. There's Asian Jesus. There's brown Jesus. Which is right? Kyle Spears has a few things to consider:

the Bible does not mention Jesus' skin color
Jesus probably looked like men from the Middle East
God lets us imagine how Jesus looked

The Black Hebrew Israelite's believe that Jesus was black. Are they right?

How one brother cycled for change

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 12:45:48 GMT

I thought about the work that HOPE worldwide SA does to help children in disadvantaged areas such as Zandspruit and Diepsloot (informal settlements in Joburg), and felt compelled to 'lend my legs' to help raise funds for HOPE. I considered that I have a number of family members, friends and colleagues who'd be willing to donate money and all I needed to do was create a reason and a platform for them to donate.

I never imagined myself going at 60km/hr (37m/hr) on a bicycle, however, I've since been flying on the downhills. The uphills are still a mission but they're good for my leg strength and help me to be patient. After all, 'what goes up must come down!' [chuckles]

It's been fulfilling to be able to raise funds for HOPE worldwide SA's Early Childhood Development Programme over the past three years, and the support of my family, friends and colleagues has been incredible.

My best time in the race was last year, 3hrs 42 min, and I hoped to improve on that this year. While I prepared well and trained with Team HOPE, I had a slight knock on my hamstrings and had to be careful on race day. I decided to prioritize finishing the race over chasing a time target. It was quite wonderful morning on race day; the amount of people that take part is incredible and the atmosphere is exciting. The support on the streets of Joburg is amazing with diverse groups of people cheering us on, and it encouraged us to keep peddling.

I did not ride as fast as I would've wanted to, however I kept telling myself that I needed to finish the race for the sake of the children. The first half of the race was slow for me as I battled up the hills but I managed to get on a peloton on the freeway, which helped me catch up on my revised target. Unfortunately, my hamstring started 'shouting' at me, so I had to slow down a bit. At one of the water points, I found my physiotherapist friend who helped with some relief on the hamstring. I eventually crossed the finish line in 3 hrs 55 min, and I was so excited.

Better yet, I managed to raise quite a bit of money towards HOPE worldwide SA's ECD Programme.

I'd like to encourage more people (health-permitting) to join Team HOPE, whether you are physically fit or not, whether you can ride a bike a not! You can learn how to ride and find a bicycle of your own. Cycling is good for improving one's health and it's a great opportunity to form new friendships. More importantly, cycling for Team HOPE makes a great difference toward the future of the less fortunate children of the country."

HOPE worldwide South Africa serves and supports over 20,000 children every month. If you would like to support their Early Childhood Development work, go to hopeworldwidesa.org .

For more information on their work, visit hopeworldwidesa.org or follow them on Facebook .

HOPEww 2019 Conference

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 05:17:35 GMT

HOPE worldwide 2019 Conference Recap

Our recent global conference WE ARE HERE, from October 11-13, was a time of celebration, inspiration and dream realization as over 600 attendees from 23 countries gathered in San Diego, CA to collaborate and spread the love of Jesus through service of all kinds to people around the globe.

Serve with us.
hopeww.org

Kidogo Toolbox: Should disciples use medication to overcome depression or anxiety?

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 05:19:43 GMT

Should Christians take meds for anxiety, depression, or bipolar?

Dr. Mike Shapiro, a clinical psychologist, explains three key concepts connecting psychoactive medication and spiritual health.

Some conditions have a biological component
God sometimes works through medication
Medication is a tool

Contact Dr. Shapiro if you're interested in hosting him at your event:

Email: ShapiroWorkshops @ earthlink.net

Subject line: " Workshop in (your city) "

Mental health workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa

Sat, 02 Nov 2019 14:02:13 GMT

Last weekend, the Johannesburg Church of Christ, South Africa, hosted a Mental Health Workshop where just over 200 were in attendance to learn about depression, anxiety and stress in the workplace. It was a very timely event to meet the needs of members of the church, their family and friends.

According to the latest statistics released by the South African Depression And Anxiety Group, at least one in six South Africans suffer from depression, anxiety or substance abuse problems, says Angie Chandra, a clinical psychologist and one of the facilitators. "That means there’s at least one member in each Bible talk that's struggling. Either you are affected or you know of someone who's struggling. It has become important to address and learn how to support one another in this area, and the leadership of the church recognised this need," she explained.

Luthando Nogwebu: I found that depression and anxiety are so interlinked with one another. The fact that it was done by a clinical psychologist helped a lot, because it meant you're dealing with a professional source. What I appreciated learning, was the breathing techniques and other methods to prevent you from getting into a deep anxiety and depression. It was also useful to learn the difference between mild anxiety that you can mitigate and when to seek professional help. As a single mom of a daughter, it was useful to learn so that we can go through it together and to learn to recognise the symptoms and what to do when the symptoms show."

Masingita Mkhawane: "What impacted me the most was the anxiety workshop because I didn't fully understand the symptoms. I have friends on campus who suffer from anxiety and I see that I need to ask more about the symptoms to help them, instead of myself. As someone familiar with depression, I expected more, but understand that this is just the start for those who know nothing about it. I wish there was more that could've been spoken about, so that those who suffer from it knows what to do, because it's hard to cope with depression without hindering your spirituality. Sometimes you feel guilty because you don't know what to do. Sometimes you see scriptures as the remedy but it doesn't necessarily help."

"Many asked for more workshops in the future, even as they felt more equipped in understanding mental illness and finding practical ways in supporting others," Chandra added.

Summarising the Bible in 30 seconds

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 07:37:25 GMT

Not the best summary of the Bible

How would you summarize the Bible in 30 seconds? Let us know in the comments!

International churches of Christ: Amazing growth in India

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 07:35:23 GMT

The International Church of Christ in India is Growing Powerfully

God is blessing the International Churches of Christ in India. This video speaks for itself.

International church of Christ in the Philippines celebrate 30 years

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 07:44:18 GMT

The Philippines International Church of Christ celebrate 30 years!

The Manila, Philippines International Churches of Christ was planted 30 30 years ago. God worked through missionaries decades ago, and continues to do so to this day throughout their many islands.

Boston church 40th Anniversary

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 07:47:50 GMT

BCOC 40th | Thank You from Churches Around the World - International Church of Christ

Some of the 50+ churches around the world planted by the Boston Church of Christ thank them in video.

30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles International church of Christ

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 07:46:22 GMT

LA Story - 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles International Church of Christ

A clever, generational story of the last 30 years of the Los Angeles International Church of Christ.

Regie Hearn Basketball Camp in Dzaleka, Malawi

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 07:49:51 GMT

Serving refugees in Malawi

Regie Hearn, NBA basketball player, with a team of disciples goes to Malawi to run a basketball camp, the impact is amazing.

Lagos, Nigeria - 30th Anniversary

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 07:53:40 GMT

30th Anniversary Interview Lagos International Church of Christ

Chris and Rayola Ogbonnaya of the Lagos International Church of Christ review how God blessed this 30th Anniversary Celebration year with worship, service and impact.

Argentina Missions

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 07:51:53 GMT

Argentina Missions International Church of Christ

Travel with disciples from Buenos Aires on a mission trip to help the church in San Luis for a month. ICOC

Take Five! Meet the first teachers appointed in South Africa

Sat, 24 Aug 2019 14:11:23 GMT

From zero ... to five

Let's meet the first teachers in South Africa, who were appointed in Johannesburg last weekend. Neil Trollip, Werner Reyneke, Solly Kganyago, Paul Smith and Raj Chandra were tasked with the responsibility of teaching God's Word to his people.

Their appointment was met with great excitement by their families and the church in Joburg, and all five are fired up about their new roles.

Here's a closer look at who they are.

Congratulations to all five brothers. We look forward to learning from you!

'Good enough parenting' workshop in Namibia

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 19:28:33 GMT

Parenting in the 21st century is a challenge for most parents, and that is why the church in Namibia, southern Africa welcomed the opportunity to learn at the Good Enough Parenting (GEP) workshop hosted by Ivor and Annemarie Botha in April this year. Twenty-four parents in Windhoek (the capital) had around 30 visitors over the course of the workshop that took place over two weekends.

Based on the book written by John and Karen Louis, Good Enough Parenting: A Christian Perspective on Meeting Core Emotional Needs and Avoiding Exasperation, the teachings imparted made a big impression on the parents in the Windhoek church.

This is what some of them had to say afterwards:

"Learning about the core emotional needs of children was really helpful. It has led us to understand our 15-year-old and 20-year-old sons better. It has allowed us to be more careful about what we say to each of them. Because of their age differences, it was always a challenge to manage their individual characters. In particular, the lessons on Reasonable Limits, Realistic Expectations and Healthy Autonomy and Performance have helped us significantly. We're still working on a lot of things, of course, but our eyes have been opened. Our relationship with our boys has changed for the better."(Winmore and Isaac Mapaure)

"We're trying not to exasperate the kids, by setting reasonable limits and not over expecting from them. We're also listening to their view points with the aim of allowing them to develop their own personalities and self confidence and to grow into independent adults." (Mr and Mrs Ndlovu)

The workshop was an amazing revelation to learn how my background influences my parenting. I learned about having realistic expectations and being mindful of not exasperating the children. Creating a healthy autonomy for the children was a revelation. I felt that Ivor and Annemarie were very vulnerable and we learned a great deal from their parenting journey as a couple. The need for a spiritual community is such a blessing."

"It was evident how we live our lives shapes our children. It was clear that the more we are obedient to God, living a life imitating Christ, the better it is for our children and our children's children. It was a very sobering experience; we could all relate to the examples of mistakes that we make as parents and to realize our own shortcomings. During the workshop my daughter mentioned that she observed a chance in me and I pray I remember and practice what I've learned, for the good of my family."

"During the GEP workshop I had a number of 'aha' moments where I saw that what I believed as a good practice in parenting actually wasn't. For instance when my kids were smaller, I'd tell them to show a 'happy face' when they wanted to cry. Even though my kids are grown up now, that mentality where I want to control my children was still there. This has caused a lot of challenges as my kids are now old enough to challenge some of the things I tell them. My prayer now is for God to help me strike a balance where I relax my controlling tendencies and at the same time not be too permissive."

"I've learned that the best gift you can give to your children is to love their mother. Marriages influences parenting. Children are like a plant, a plant needs: air, sunlight, water and nutrients. Children needs the core emotional needs to be met for them to feel loved and accepted and grow up healthy. I also learned that we need to emotionally accept each one of our children with their weaknesses and strengths."

"The GEP Workshop was helpful in enabling us finding ways to reconnect with our older children. Things had gone off the rails in trying to understand one another and navigating around their strong opinions. We've learned to ask them what they think of us as parents, and that has really changed the conversation. So far, one of them has expressed the desire to study the Bible. Keep us in your prayers!"

An African 'Apollos' from Nacala, Mozambique

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 19:43:13 GMT

An incredible story of faith... 30 years in the making... During the month of June, a small team of disciples from South Africa, the US and Brazil traveled to Nacala, northern Mozambique, to strengthen Elias and his wife Angelina, a couple who lead a congregation of around 800 members. During the weeklong stay, 17 people were baptised, and this number has now grown to 20. How did this come about? This remarkable story started over 30 years ago. Below is an edited version written by Leslie De Morais , on how events unfolded...

A Miraculous Letter in the Mail

Back in 1987, Mike and Anne-Brigitte's full attention was focused on leading the church recently planted in São Paulo, Brazil by the New York International Church of Christ. One day, a letter arrived from northern Mozambique. The letter was from a young pastor in the province of Nampula, who was trying to confirm the existence of other churches of Christ. A rumor was circulating in his then-rural location that their church in Mozambique was the only one left of its kind. He couldn't believe it! So, he sat down and began writing letters to South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi, England, Switzerland, Brazil and the United States, all the countries he could think that might have a Church of Christ. He wrote letters asking each leader of the church to let him know of their existence. He simply addressed the letters to the leader of the church in each city. No address. Just "Church Leader," "Church of Christ," and the city and country.

In what must have been a miracle of God, in a city of more than 18 million people, one of the letters somehow reached the Taliaferros in São Paulo.

Elias, the letter's author, was an enthusiastic pastor. In his teenage years he became a central figure in his church, because he was the only one there, at the time, who could read. So, at age 15 he began preaching the Word to his community. Years later, when certain members in his congregation stirred up some controversies, he wrote his letters and posted them. A single response to his inquiry came from Mike Taliaferro.

The only way I can even fathom how the letter reached Mike and Anne-Brigitte is due to the fact that some diligent postal employee performed some pretty impressive investigative work and got that letter delivered.

A Friendship Begins

Mike began to correspond with Elias, assuring him that there were other churches of Christ and explained some basic principles of discipleship to him. At some point, Mike suggested Elias to travel from Nacala, his home town, to Maputo to meet with the leader of our Johannesburg, South Africa, congregation. Mike wired money to pay for Elias' bus trip and hotel stay. Due to a miscommunication, Elias traveled to Maputo before the meeting had been confirmed. He waited there for a month. Without phone or email, it was impossible to communicate. Sadly, Elias returned to Nacala only to find he had lost his job. Undeterred, he and his wife Angelina decided to grow and sell vegetables to support themselves and their children.

During this time, Mike and Anne-Brigitte had been asked to begin a new chapter in their lives by leading the mission work in all of sub-Sahara Africa. They left Brazil for the US in preparation of the next big challenge in their lives and in doing so lost contact with Elias.

Technology Revives the Communication

Fast forward to 2017. In the time that had elapsed, Elias shepherded the church in his city and as well as visited, maintained and spread the Word of God to 36 groups in surrounding districts. He had an old car back then that took him and Angelina on their missions, until the car broke down and he was financially was unable to repair it. The lack of funds restricted Elias' evangelism to the nearly by villages and today he and his wife focus on only six congregations. Elias had never forgotten Mike nor the teachings he had received via Mike's letters. One day, he thought, "I wonder what ever happened to my friend, Mike." He decided to look him up on the internet. Yes, the internet had reached even the small towns in the north of Mozambique.

Information about Mike appeared instantly, almost magically, and Elias rejoiced at finding him again after so many years. They began to e-mail one another, and Mike put Elias in touch with Araujo Francisco, the evangelist for the Maputo church of Christ at the time.

The Perfect Spiritual Storm

Araujo arranged for Elias and Angelina to come to Maputo and meeting them was like reading a passage right off the pages of the New Testament. They are solid and integral people with a deep love for God. Their simplicity of heart and genuine desire to learn was inspiring. Elias brought a brief case with him that contained all the letters Mike had written him three decades ago. He shared his memories of traveling to Maputo. He spoke of the faithful way God had provided for him and his family all these years. He asked for help for his churches. Many of the members did not own Bibles, they were just too expensive. He asked for visits from brothers and sisters in the church in Maputo. After speaking with him and reading the few letters Mike sent, it became apparent that Elias had only received the initial part of the Good News, before losing contact with Mike. Elias and Angelina were teaching people about becoming followers of Christ as much as they knew how, but the full message about discipleship, repentance and baptism was lacking. Members were simply accepting Jesus into their hearts and none of them understood the daily applications and character changing transformations of true discipleship.

"Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately" . - Acts 18:24-26

With much prayer and great respect, several of us (including Juju and Júdia Rodrigues from Angola) began studying the Bible with Elias and Angelina. The couple from the north considered us brothers in the faith. So, we approached the studies from the point of view of let's compare what we both teach people we're trying to reach with the message of Christ. As Elias and Angelina came to the realization that our messages were different, an internal struggle ensued. Imagine what that would feel like. After a lifetime dedicated to giving your all, you discover your most basic concepts about salvation and the Christian purpose in life were incomplete. It is at times like these that only the scriptures and the Holy Spirit can convince individuals of the truth. We prayed and fasted for their hearts and the conclusions they would reach.

God saw the sacrifice and heard the prayers.

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at approximately 5:00 pm, 60-year-old Elias and his wife Angelina were baptized into Christ in the Indian Ocean on the beach in Maputo. This African "Apollos" was humble and grateful to finally receive the complete teaching that changed his and his wife's lives. They were eager to return to their city and restudy the Bible with the whole church... which they are presently doing.

And now...

Elias and Angelina returned to their city together with Claudio, a brother from Maputo who is originally from Nacala. He helped Elias find the most adequate way to speak to his congregation about the changes he made while in Maputo. The church responded with humility, just like their pastor, saying "If you, who are our teacher, saw the need to change, then so must we!" They are now studying the Bible, becoming true disciples and being baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

The church in Maputo is developing a plan to send a mission team to the north to help Elias and Angelina shepherd this and their other churches.

Please keep them in your prayers!

Making disciples booklets for iOS and Android

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 10:46:29 GMT

First Principles

If you are looking for digital versions of our Making Disciples Study Series you can click here for Apple iOS .

Restoring Unity and Joy in marriage counselling workshop in Botswana

Sat, 13 Jul 2019 10:51:15 GMT

Life can get in the way of creating and maintaining a united and joyful marriage. It was with this understanding that eight couples in the Botswana International Church of Christ, participated in a workshop to improve their marriage counselling skills.

(Top, from left to right: Mogotsi and Audrey Mmutle, Moageledi and Ntokozo Monamati, Justin and Keamogetse Setlhare.

Middle, left to right: Bruce and Peggy Obusitse, Rapula and Kedibonye Malejane, Koorileng and Morwalela Kesalopa

Bottom, left to right: Kagiso and Tshegofatso Dichi, Tebogo and Theriso Matebesi, Lame and Olebogeng Gare)

The Restoring Unity and Joy In Marriage workshop was created by Mike and Daphne Renton who are members of the Cape Town Church of Christ. The Rentons used the book, I Choose Us by John and Karen Louis (leaders in the South-East Asia region of churches), as a resource because of its emphasis on self-discovery through the schema therapy concept.

Rapula and Kedibonye Malejane, who lead the Botswana International Church of Christ, were trained by the Rentons to facilitate counsellor training. The eight couples had an induction session in November 2018 and the actual training took place over the weekend of March 8-10.

The feedback from the couples who were trained was amazing. They reported that the counselling gave them opportunities to learn new skills, and to identify and find solutions to mistakes they had become accustomed to making. Some said that the real life counselling scenarios gave them opportunities to get learn and see where the issues in their own marriages lie.

This is what some said:

"It gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own marriage. I learnt that situations that came as problems in my marriage are a result of my upbringing and an unresolved past."

"The material is an eye opener for me. It made me reflect on my past counselling sessions, prior mistakes were identified and I welcome the way forward on how to deal with similar issues in the future."

"Saving my marriage is very important to me, the skills attained will go a long way in achieving that."

"It helped me see my weaknesses in counselling, for example, taking sides."

The workshop was very timely and two couples in the community are already getting help in restoring joy and unity in their marriages, while three other couples have also signed up.

Government statistics for 2017 recorded 170 divorces between the period of January to September, an average of 19 per month, and that is cause for concern in a country with a population of just over 2,2 million people.

Please pray that more marriages in Gaborone and the rest of Botswana can profit from the counselling skills of these eight couples.

Kidogo Toolbox: How to forgive yourself

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:56:51 GMT

How To Forgive Yourself

Sometimes, it can be really hard to forgive ourselves. Kalah went through some hard times, and learned three things that helped her forgive herself and move on:

1. Acknowledge What Happened

2. Take Responsibility

3. Make it Right and Move On

What has helped you forgive yourself? Let us know in the comments!

Social media guidelines for Disciples

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 11:04:42 GMT

How Would Jesus Use Social Media?

Jesus didn't have social media in the first century, but what if he did?

Here are four Biblical principles that apply to using social media as a Christian:

Don't Make Assumptions
Remember it's a Public Forum
Words Can Hurt or Help
Don't Seek Fulfillment in Social Media

30 Years and Counting: Church in Harare, Zimbabwe, gears up for Conference and Birthday Celebrations

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 11:09:20 GMT

As the church in Harare, Zimbabwe, celebrate their 30th anniversary and prepare to host the Southern Africa Leadership Conference from June 14-16, four disciples reflect on their personal and the church's journeys since 1989:

CHOICE DAMISO: A friend invited me to church and I was baptized in August1989, while a first-year law student at the University of Zimbabwe and two weeks before my 21st birthday. I got married to Collins Damiso in 1995 and we've been blessed with five children (22-year-old Collins Jr, 20-year-old Dawn-Cecilia, 17-year-old Mark and two-year-old twins Miracle and Marvel. Dawn Cecilia is a disciple in the campus ministry at the University of Zimbabwe.

From a personal point of view, I feel blessed that I've remained faithful to God over the years. It hasn't been an easy journey but I'm glad I'm here and still standing. The Lord has been amazingly good to me and my family. I'm very grateful for the family of disciples around me, who prop me up by their involvement in my life, but mostly by just being a good example to me.

Over the last 30 years, I've seen several disciples pass on to be with the Lord. It has always been sad when a disciple dies but there's always a sense that it's inevitable and of satisfaction that the brother or sister has fought the good fight and is now resting with Christ. Like Christ on the cross, they can say 'it is finished'. Such deaths renew my strength to hold on till the end.

My hopes and dreams are for the church to grow in maturity and unity and to appeal to a greater diversity of people, while holding to the truth. I also hope that as a church, our leaders will have the courage to introspect and ask God to show us what we need to change for His eternal glory.

LUCA TORONGA: I became a member of the Harare International Church of Christ (HICOC) in 1990 and became part of a vibrant singles and campus ministry. I have lot of great memories. Thirty years later, being a faithful disciple of Christ is a humbling experience, with the sad reality that the greater percentage of those who studied the Bible with me have left. This year's Leadership Conference and 30th-year anniversary are profound reflections and celebrations of who God is and what He has done for His people. It's a time to be joyous and to be ready for change and revival.

I'm reminded of God's countless miracles, which I've experienced first-hand. I appreciated having pure, godly dating relationships in church; falling in love with and getting married twenty-three years ago to Noeline, being blessed with three God-Loving and God-fearing children - two of whom are fired-up baptized disciples, (Luca-Joseph and Megan-Rose are both in the campus ministry), while our 'littlest-one' Iman-Felicia is in high school.

As for the church in Zimbabwe, we implore the Almighty to renew our strength for life's daily struggles. We beseech Him to grant us the spiritual stamina to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and for His mercy, goodness and guidance as our country goes through this transitory phase of socio-political-economic challenges."

ALPHA GURUPIRA: I studied the Bible in June 1989 on campus and was baptized on 27 September 1989 in Dave and Ann Peden's house in Milton Park. I'm married now and have three kids, two of my children are also disciples. What's kept me going, is focusing on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the word of God and prayer. Nothing beats the basics. Having someone in my life to mentor me spiritually has been at the centre of it all, and it's my responsibility (to make sure it happens).

The 30th birthday celebrations is inspirational to me, it makes me recommit myself to Jesus and his mission. I just want to participate in the service of making disciples. My hopes and dreams for the church is to spread to the provinces and every district in Zimbabwe.

DANIEL DUBE: I'm currently in the media ministry, which is my passion, I became a disciple 27 years ago in Hillbrow, Johannesburg (South Africa) in 1992, while I was still single, and it became my dream to come home to study the Bible with my family and to serve the church in Harare. From working full-time for the church in Johannesburg in 1994, God gave me that opportunity, in 1995, to come home and serve the church here in Harare. I took opportunity to study the Bible with my family, and I thank God for the sisters who helped my mother to become a faithful disciple. I thank God every day for her.

In 2008 God was merciful and gave me my beautiful wife Chipo Dube and I'm thankful to Duncan and Lisa Comrie who came and performed our wedding. We have three beautiful daughters and one handsome son.

Seeing Harare turning 30 shows that we are now of age and that it's time to have deacons serving and elders shepherding God's flock, which is my dream.

Halala! Amhlophe! Mokorokoro! Congratulations Harare International Church of Christ in reaching 30 years.

Putting the gift of teaching into practice in Johannesburg, South Africa

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 11:19:52 GMT

The church in Johannesburg, South Africa, recently had the privilege to have Teacher Gilbert Kimeng, from Lagos, Nigeria, conduct a Biblical Interpretation course at the Missions Training Academy (MTA), while two local teachers-in-training Raj Chandra and William Chirwa did a condensed class entitled Digging Deeper, for those who wish to deepen their personal Bible study.

Romans 12:6-7 says "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith, if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach."

And that was what these three brothers did, as they shared their knowledge with the two groups of students during the courses.

Gilbert explained what the experience meant to him. "Last year, I did the New Testament survey course in Joburg, and it's beneficial for the continent to co-teach (with other teachers) because teaching styles are different and complementary. I'm still learning and have had the chance to work with more experienced teachers like Michael Burns (for a course on Culture). It's great for the family in Africa to learn from each other's experiences. We need to develop topics specific for our teaching needs on the continent," he said.

Gilbert added that there is a second generation of potential leaders coming up, and Raj and William are two of these.

Raj was born in India and became a disciple in the United States in 2001. A few years ago he came to South Africa on a One Year Challenge, met his wife Angie and stayed on, and now lives and works in Pretoria, South Africa.

He explained his journey through MTA. "Over the years, at different times, I felt my walk with Christ became stagnant as though I was stuck in the mud. I'm very grateful to God for providing me with people and opportunities to learn from so that my faith in Christ can grow, as well as help me grow in practice of my faith in Christ. One of these opportunities was enrolling in MTA in Joburg back in 2011. I'm very grateful for the support I received from the Durban Church of Christ (where I served at the time). By God's grace, I was part of the first graduating class after I completed all the required modules."

Raj conducted the first Digging Deeper workshop along with William in Joburg at the end of April this year. "It was an amazing experience and the participation level in the class was very encouraging. We offer similar courses in Pretoria and my hope is that we can do more to equip and empower each other to handle the word of God correctly and thereby live faithful, impactful and vibrant lives for Christ."

William said, "I'm so grateful for the opportunity afforded and the proactive approach by the full-time staff in Joburg. We were blown away by the willingness of those who enrolled to put aside a Saturday, and their active engagement in learning how to get the most from the Bible."

William said he was encouraged by the mix of old and young Christians who even brought four of their friends to participate in the course.

His love for the scriptures and a desire to become productive and effective in his knowledge of Christ has seen William enroll for online MTA courses, an MTA course in Joburg and a BA in Theology with the Southern Africa Bible College in 2018. "My hope is to contribute in preparing and equipping young Christians with tools that will help in growing their relationship with God, as well as train them to be effective disciple makers," he added.

There are currently no teachers in the Southern African region of churches, so please pray that God will answer this need soon.

Cyclone Idai: Update on HOPE worldwide SA's relief support in Mozambique, Southern Africa

Wed, 22 May 2019 19:32:41 GMT

Natural disasters happen around the world, and for many of us, we are touched, we pray, donate support and then we move on with life. But for those directly affected, the effects of the disaster last much longer and impact their lives forever.

Just over two months ago, Cyclone Idai devastated the northern town of Beira, Mozambique and nearby towns, killing around 1 000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands in urgent need of food, water and shelter. Cholera cases climbed due to the lack of access to clean water. A more powerful second cyclone, Kenneth, struck Northern Mozambique six weeks later.

With the wonderful support from Wine to Water, the South African Churches of Christ, the South African Council of Churches, A Better Africa, Makro, the Red Cross, UNHCR, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the South African Defence Force, HOPE worldwide SA was able to provide 300 water filters and over 6.6 tons of food to partners on the ground for distribution.

HOPE worldwide SA's director Dr. Marc Aguirre and his colleague Keith Marais, managed to secure a flight to Mozambique on a SA C130 Defence Force plane free of charge to deliver the food, bought with the donations of members of the South African Churches of Christ and local partners.

On their arrival in Beira, they had just 45 minutes to hand over the food parcels and water filters to selected aid agencies on the ground. Keith said, "It's truly amazing and heart-warming to see people come together and contribute in whichever way they can, to ensure relief support reaches those in need."

As the local government is moving the focus from relief to recovery efforts, there are still many people in need of food aid. HOPE worldwide SA will aim to deliver these by road. Please pray that the food will reach the needy. Marc added, "We are planning a larger shipment of over 80 tons of food to affected families in the region in the next few weeks. Please support our Disaster Relief efforts by donating to HOPE worldwide via: www.hopeworldwidesa.org (South Africa Office) or https://hopeww.kindful.com/ (Global office)."

Cyclone Idai: update on HOPE worldwide SA's Relief Support in Mozambique, Southern Africa

Wed, 22 May 2019 12:16:59 GMT

With the wonderful support from Wine to Water, the South African Churches of Christ, the South African Council of Churches, A Better Africa, Makro, the Red Cross, UNHCR, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the South African Defence Force, HOPE worldwide SA was able to provide 300 water filters and over 6.6 tons of food to partners on the ground for distribution.

HOPE worldwide SA's director Dr. Marc Aguirre and his colleague Keith Marais, managed to secure a flight to Mozambique on a SA C130 Defence Force plane free of charge to deliver the food, bought with the donations of members of the South African Churches of Christ and local partners.

#cycloneIdai

How the Cape Town Church in South Africa shares the Good News through Mustard Seed Missions

Mon, 20 May 2019 12:24:59 GMT

The Cape Town Church of Christ, in South Africa, has a number of talented people in their midst. One of them, Sarien Van Rooyen, is the artistic brilliance behind all the material created for the website, www.mustardseedmissions.co.za , a special site created to disseminate all the material created for the sermons and sermon series presented at the church.

Sarien became a disciple five years ago and is a graphic designer by profession. "God has blessed me to be creative and to use my talent for Him. I used to go onto the church's website and made suggestions on things we could improve. I then started working as a volunteer for Mustard Seed Missions, which was created in 2013, and recently became a full-time worker on the site," she shares.

What makes this site so special is that not only is all the material free (sponsored through contributions by the members of the church), but everything that has been created for a sermon is also available. This includes the video and audio files of the sermon as well as all the supporting material, including the logo, sermon images and sermon notes.

This allows anyone, especially hard-pressed-for-time leaders of smaller churches, who don't have the luxury of a full-time payed position, to access these high quality professional materials and use them as either a video sermon or integrating the materials into their own presentation.

A secondary function is to provide access to the leadership workshop videos and training materials that have been used during these sessions.

Mustard Seed Missions has been created to:

Resource - To provide a high-quality sermon series on video for either personal use or to be shown at a church service as part of the service.

Equip - To provide video training material to Family Group leaders through video messages, articles, booklets or recommended books.

Inspire - To lift our faith through the power of God's Word, "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" ( Ephesians 4v13 - NIV 2011 ).

Recently, Sarien started creating animated videos to illustrate Bible verses that can be used during a sermon. "We want people to feel like they're sitting next to the person talking," she explains.

The Good News is free and worth sharing with the world. Sarien says the vision for the site is to make new videos for everyday disciples to find relevant food for their souls.

Visit the Cape Town Church of Christ's website and Mustard Seed Missions to have a look at their work.

Kidogo Toolbox: Overcoming worry

Tue, 14 May 2019 13:00:59 GMT

How not to worry every day

Here's three tips to help you have peace today, and not be so anxious:

Look at the birds
Cast Your Anxiety
Pray

Kids explain a little about their mothers on Mother's Day

Mon, 13 May 2019 15:45:41 GMT

Mothers Day 2019

Joburg Church of Christ

Kidogo Toolbox: Can you be gay and a Christian?

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:51:11 GMT

Can You Be Gay And A Christian? (feat. SIW)

In this video, Guy answers the question “Can you be gay and a Christian?" Or, in other words, "Is it a sin to live a gay lifestyle?" Tell us what you think in the comments.

After living an active gay life for ten years, Guy Hammond decided to leave homosexuality behind in order to follow Jesus. It’s been over 30 years and although he is still sexually attracted to men, he hasn’t acted on those desires since his conversion. He is now the executive director of Strength in Weakness Ministries. This online community is dedicated to helping same-sex attracted Christians all over the world. In this toolbox series, Guy and his staff will be answering some of the most controversial and complex questions that face Christians today.

Check out Guy's ministry here: StrengthInWeakness.org

Kidogo Toolbox: Is it a sin to feel gay?

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:59:02 GMT

Is it a Sin to Feel Gay? (feat. SIW)

In this video, Guy answers the question “Is it a sin to feel gay?” Or, in other words, “Is it a sin if you have same-sex attractions?”

Check out Guy's ministry here: StrengthInWeakness.org

Special services in month of March see over 2 300 in attendance in Johannesburg, South Africa

Sun, 14 Apr 2019 19:47:15 GMT

Bring A Hero, Bring Your Family and Christian Under Construction - these were some of the themes of the special Sunday services held in different regions of the Johannesburg Church of Christ over the course of the month of March.

And so visitors came from all over the city. They saw. And they loved it. Every one of those who formed part of the 2 378 in attendance.

In the North West and Central Regions, the aim was to say "Thank you. You are a hero to me," to the special people all around us who've impacted our lives. Family members, teachers, doctors, bosses, colleagues, and neighbours were among some of the under-appreciated heroes in our different communities who are often taken for granted.

The North West region service was capped off with the baptism of Mama Maria - one of the graduates from the HOPE worldwide SA's Shield community programme. Mam' Maria lives in an informal settlement and one of the family groups in the church "adopted" her family, taking care of their social needs until they could stand on their feet.

The members of the church in Johannesburg love to sing and enjoyed great times of worship, and fellowship around meals. A number of people who attended the services are now studying the Bible.

Please pray with us for a great harvest of souls as we continue to make God known in the city.

Kidogo Toolbox: How to enhance your Bible study

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 16:03:51 GMT

How to Enhance Your Bible Study

Have you never read the Bible before? Have you read the Bible cover-to-cover 10 times? Either way, these tips can help you to get the most out of your daily Bible studies or quiet times.

Opportunity to teach English in Cambodia at the Goldstone School of HOPE worldwide

Sat, 06 Apr 2019 16:06:40 GMT

Would you like to teach English overseas?

The Goldstone School of HOPE worldwide (GSHW) is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and their mission is to provide Cambodian youth with the leadership skills and opportunities to change their country through education.

The Goldstone School of HOPE worldwide provides an environment of academic excellence that fosters proficiency in English, computer literacy, lasting relationships, and Christian moral values.

Currently, GSHW is accepting applications for the following positions for the 2019-2020 academic year:

English Department Head

The English Department Head oversees the English Department, including management of the English teachers. This full-time position teaches English to grades 9-12.

Candidates should possess the following:

Bachelor's Degree in Education or a related field
Three years prior teaching experience desired
Two years prior management experience desired

English Teacher

These full-time teachers work with primary and secondary school-age students teaching English four to five hours a day. English teachers are supervised by the English Department Head and given instructional support through a comprehensive English curriculum.

Candidates should possess the following:

Bachelor's Degree in Education or a related field
Two years prior teaching experience desired
Classroom experience desired

Interested candidates for either position should submit a resume/CV attention: Christy Elliott.

Email: stepca10 @ gmail.com

Goldstone School of HOPE worldwide

#48, St 317, Sangkat Beoung kork 11, Khan Toul Kork

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Mark Ottenweller: 30 years of Service

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 22:00:00 GMT

After an extraordinary 30 years of service, Dr. Mark Ottenweller's tenure with HOPE worldwide is coming to a close. While we are happy for Mark to devote more time to his family and other passions, we are very sad to see him go. His reputation for compassionate service spans three decades across dozens of countries. His groundbreaking work will live on in the communities he served for generations to come.

As an ambassador of compassionate service for HOPE worldwide, Mark leaves an impressive legacy:

He launched and managed our groundbreaking Global HIV/AIDS Initiative throughout Africa

He spearheaded the vital disaster response and recovery efforts following the Haiti earthquakes

He pioneered our outstanding Early Childhood Development Programs in South Africa with Dr. Marc Aquirre

He earned the admiration of such notable and influential figures as Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Magic Johnson, and others with a heart for the needy and marginalized

He preached the healing love of Jesus and greeted everyone – young and old, rich and poor, healthy and sick – with a warm hug and gracious smile

Although Mark is now officially retired, as a central figure of HOPE worldwide, we are planning several events to honor him and express our gratitude in 2019:

April 28 in Atlanta – Program Leaders and the North River Church will host a special event honoring for Mark in his home church.

June 8-15 in South Africa – HOPEww Africa Program Leaders will honor Mark's compassion and influence on a tour of sites he helped found and serve.

October 11-13 in San Diego – The HOPEww Global Conference will host a special event honoring for Mark, recognizing his tremendous career helping those in need.

Mark and his wife Lin set a worthy example of a lifetime of love and service. Please join me in congratulating them on their important work. We look forward to sharing our love and memories as we honor Mark's many years of tremendous sacrifice and dedication to the poor.

Well done, Mark!

Dave Maluntinok

Executive VP., COO of HOPE worldwide

How one brother's faith impacted his family in Namibia, Southern Africa

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 04:21:37 GMT

When O'Brien Hekandjo became a disciple of Christ in March 1997, he had no idea how his decision would affect the rest of his family. Twenty-one years later, his faith and example have resulted in the baptisms of seven other family members - including his parents - in Namibia, southern Africa.

From Left to right: Dad (Nathaniel Hekandjo), Mom (Ndinelao Hekandjo), Barcelona (daughter), O'Brien (son), Lucy (Barcelona's daughter), Palesa (O'Brien's wife), Ida (daughter), and Sabina (daughter)

As O'Brien and his sister, Ida, left home to further their tertiary education in Cape Town (South Africa) they received strict warnings from their parents not to get "brainwashed" into joining any churches, but to focus on their education. But, when they returned home for the holidays, they had not only joined a church but also got baptized. "The seed of God's word was first planted in me by Ivor Botha (who is now one of the evangelists in the Johannesburg church) and to this day, everything I had learned as a young disciple has defined every single life choice I've made," says a very thankful O'Brien.

His sister Ida Muskasa appreciates her own conversion. "I first attended church because my brother (O'Brien) had invited my best friend and my sister Barcy (Barcelona) to church and I didn't want to stay behind on my own. All three of us started studying the Bible but I was the only one who ended up getting baptized in 1998," Ida remembers.

In 1999, Ida invited Palesa, who would become O'Brien's wife, and her sister-in-law, to a Bible study. Palesa (on the left, with O'Brien) grew up in a traditional church and had been searching for a place of worship of her own choosing. "Even though I'd been an avid churchgoer all my life, I still felt that I didn't truly know God and needed to find Him for myself," she says. O'Brien and Palesa are now focusing on raising their two boys (Kgosi and Kabelo) in the fear of the Lord. They hope that, with the positive influence of their extended family and prayer, the boys will follow in their footsteps.

O'Brien's parents, Meme Ndinelao and Tate Nathaniel Hekandjo, noticed the immediate changes they saw in their children. "At the time we had a family run mini-market and I use to buy some of my stock from vendors who might not have obtained the goods through honest means. When my son discovered this, he was very unhappy and asked me how I was any different from a thief? This really cut me to the core but I was also touched by his honesty. I then decided to visit the church as I wanted to change who I had become," says Meme Ndinelao. She was baptized in 2010 but felt something was missing. She had started on a new path but had left her husband behind. She had to wait three years until her husband joined the family of disciples in 2013. "The heavy weight was lifted and I felt tremendous peace and joy," she adds.

The year 2016 proved to be an incredibly fruitful year for the Hekandjo family. O'Brien's sister, Barcelona (on the left, with Ida) was added to God's family in June of that year. "Looking back I realized that I needed to experience the unconditional love, peace, and joy that my mom had spoken of, to fully understand what she meant. I'm learning the boundless power of God's love and how it can affect positive change in all of us. Becoming a disciple is the best decision I've ever made for myself and my three children," she says.

Sabina Nghuunduka (Hekandjo) was baptized in September 2016 in the south-west London church (in England), shortly after Barcelona traveled to the UK to visit her. The two made a trip to Spain, where the hospitality of the disciples there really touched Sabina. She was also warmly welcomed by the church in London, and to her joy, discovered their meetings were only a 15-minute bus ride away from where she lived. "My journey to becoming a disciple was so unexpected - but it taught me that God really knows our hearts and when they've softened enough to receive Him. The timing was perfect," Sabina shares.

Her husband, Nestor Nghuunduka, first visited the church in London in July and attended the church in Namibia on his return and started studying the Bible with O'Brien soon after. "When I started seeing the changes in my wife (Sabina), I wanted us to take this journey of growth together in faith, keeping God front and center in our marriage." He made Jesus Lord of his life in November 2016. "I continue to learn and grow every day and my wish is that God will strengthen us and show us how we can be of more service to Him as we continue to grow in faith," he adds.

In 2017, Lucy Soabes (Barcelona's daughter) was baptized the night before her 18th birthday. My decision to study the Bible was entirely selfish because it made me happy and excited to know God, it gave me a sense of peace, as I was feeling a bit lost and I had a sense a big piece of my life puzzle was missing," she says.

The Hekandjo family's faith has proven to be very infectious. They are putting 1 Timothy 4:16 into practice: "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Faith & Doubt: New Sermon Series

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 22:00:00 GMT

This Sermon Series explores the issues of the tension between faith & doubt. Is doubt always bad? How do we move from doubt to faith? What causes us to lose faith?

Part 1 - The Gift of Uncertainty

Part 2 - The Problem of Pain

Part 3 - When Doubt goes Bad

CLICK HERE for more info.

Autonomy? No way! Glorious co-operation between the ICOC churches

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 22:00:00 GMT

1 Co 12:12-14 (MSG) You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts--limbs, organs, cells--but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.)

Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain--his Spirit--where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves--labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free--are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive. I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together . (Emphasis mine)

This is a famous passage many Christians are familiar with, describing how the church (the body of Christ) functions just like a physical body. Though there are many different parts; limbs, organs, cells, they function in harmony for the good of the whole body. The co-operation of our body parts really is a glorious thing. Without it we would die! In fact cancer is a disease where certain cells in the body stop co-operating and start acting selfishly. They encourage other cells to do the same and very soon a tumour is formed. If that tumour is allowed to grow big enough it can kill the whole body.

(Cancer cells multiplying)

The church functions in the same way. In the “old life” we differentiated ourselves and identified ourselves by certain labels; “Jew”, “Greek”, “black”, “white”, “rich”, “poor”, “in”, “out” and all manner of micro-distinctions.

The bible tells us, those labels are no longer useful, instead we are now all simply “members of Christ’s body”. Paradoxically this makes us more significant than when we acted independently. Our co-operation brings glory to God and Christ as our head and King. Different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together is a working of God’s Spirit.

I have been able to witness this happening in a number of ways in current times.

In Southern Africa, our largest church, after the departure of Oneychi and Deysi Oguagha to New York, was left without a lead evangelist. Possible candidates were discussed at an Africa wide discipleship group held in Abidjan. The decision was made to ask my wife and I to move from Cape Town to take up that position. Initially we were very reluctant, my dad and stepmom (who are both disciples) had just moved to the Cape and lived a few streets away (built in baby sitters!). My wife’s parents had moved from the Canary Islands to live a few suburbs away and my wife’s sister (who was on the mission team to Madrid, Spain) and brother had also moved to Cape Town. On top of that, the church was thriving and had being growing for six straight years, even through the worldwide turmoil of 2003. Not mentioning that Cape Town is possibly the most beautiful city in the world!

Both congregations were asked to pray about these matters and seek God’s will. It became increasingly clear to everyone that this was the way the Spirit of God was leading, so my wife and I, remembering the decision we made at baptism, "to give up everything and go anywhere for the cause of Christ” packed our bags and moved with our two kids to Johannesburg. No command and control was involved, no central authority, just co-operation with the Spirit of God. One body, one family, working together for the purposes of God .

Another example of this has been in helping out with financial needs in the body. Southern Africa Missions oversees and funds the evangelization of 12 countries in Southern Africa. In late 2007, one of the USA support churches came up short in their mission’s contribution and predicted even less for the following year. This, as you can imagine, put severe financial stress on the Southern Africa churches, but just as the bible describes in:

1 Co 12:26 ... If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. (MSG)

Other parts of the body rallied to help in glorious co-operation. The Columbia church in South Carolina upped their normal missions contribution by $20 000 to help, the San Antonio church in Texas chipped in $10 000. Other churches volunteered to help if there was further shortfall.

This is true in the US too. A church planting is being planned for Clemson, South Carolina. The Athens church in Georgia is supplying the lead couple, the Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, Savannah and other churches are supplying funding for this co-operative effort. No command and control, just parts of the body working just like Jesus envisioned they would. No autonomy, just brotherhood, partnership, and glorious co-operation.

The stories go on and on... In the Caribbean, Damian and Karlene Jean-Baptiste are moving to Barbados to strengthen the churches and plant new congregations in the Southern and Eastern Caribbean. The New York City International church of Christ is providing the largest share of the support but other parts of the body are sharing in this work. The Athens, Savannah and Columbia churches are pulling together to provide the other half of the support needed. How wonderful is that?

I can’t help feeling Jesus must feel a deep sense of pride when the members of his body act in such wonderful harmony and co-operation.

Autonomy? No way! Just glorious co-operation in the body of Christ.

HotNews Responds to the ICC

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 22:00:00 GMT

While it has been common place for critical articles about the ICOC to appear previously at the Portland website (when Mckean led that congregation) and now at the City of Angels Church's website where Kip McKean is the minister, it seemed time for us here at ICOC Hot News to respond.

Recently Raul Moreno wrote a ‘guest editorial’ so filled with half truth and misrepresentation that we felt it appropriate to share our thoughts on the issue. This editorial is not an official voice of the ICOC, but rather just our own opinion about things.

Raul Moreno became connected with Kip McKean (and his ICC church) several years ago. Members of that movement are called to recruit heavily from the ICOC congregations. When Raul tried to lead his ICOC church in Santiago, Chile, into Kip’s new movement, he was disciplined for being divisive. The vast majority (90%) of the membership stayed in the ICOC when he left. He recently wrote an editorial to defend his divisive behavior. We take issue with several of his statements.

For instance, in defense of his departure, he says that, “ I became convinced that the ICOC, for the most part, that I was affiliated with was no longer a movement, whose dream was to evangelize the world in our generation. ” I’d like to state for the record that I do not know a single evangelist or elder in the ICOC who has renounced this dream. In fact, we are still taking up millions of dollars for mission work around the world. We are still actively building up our churches in over 150 countries. Africa, for instance, has a 30 year plan that begins with the cities and ends with the villages. ICOC churches have planted nearly 100 churches in the last four years. Yes, we hit a very difficult patch in 2003. It was very challenging. But most of us did not cut and run during the direst time in our history. While some ran off and started “new movements” simply so that they could be in charge once again, most of us stayed with the churches that we began and did not desert “the army of God” that was still fighting in the field. We are still giving our lives to evangelize the world, and we want to do it in our generation. If it takes longer, so be it. The Holy Spirit is in charge. But we all want to see it happen in our generation.

Of course, this begs a question. Since the Portland Movement so often talks about winning the world in one generation, well, hasn’t Kip had one generation already to do it? Didn’t he start trying in 1979 in Boston? It seems to me that after 30 years he is back to square one. Since you guys are so set on World evangelization taking only one generation, then why is it taking Kip so long? It appears that Kip will need to try a second time to accomplish his goal, and it will take Kip himself at least two generations to do the job. So, why are you so critical of us? We in the ICOC have no idea how long it will take to evangelize the world, but we are committed to doing it in our generation. Please understand that the dream is very much alive in the ICOC. In fact, we are the ones who stood faithful during the tough times in order to see that dream come true.

[Editors Note] Beginning in 2006 with 800 members the ICC, now 12 years later has a claimed worldwide membership of about 7000. Although, with an increasing number of people leaving the ICC each year even that growth may be in doubt. One of the ICC Evangelists recently wrote:

"Look at the fall away rate around the ICC movement. It is close to 80% now. Even in LA there’s a near 90% fall away rate. (369 people were baptized in and 337 people fell away in LA in 2015)"

Another statement that caught our attention was, “ The mainline Churches of Christ and the ICOC of today in general believe that the principles and methodologies that can be applied to the church are found only in the New Testament. They embrace the teachings of the American restoration movement of the 1800’s. Thomas Campbell, one of the early restoration movement leaders, coined the phrase, 'Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.' In other words, if there was not an explicit command or pattern in the New Testament, then any other practice would be viewed 'unscriptural.' For example, it became sin in the eyes of the mainline Church of Christ to use musical instruments in the worship service, because it does not occur in the churches in the New Testament, except in heaven in Revelation. "

This statement is a complete misrepresentation of the ICOC. First of all, church buildings, pews, song books, Bible Talks, discipleship partners, Bring Your Neighbor Day, sound amplification, communion trays, and printed invitations are not found in the pages of the New Testament. We have no problem with them. They are obviously expedient and useful in carrying out the commands found in the Bible. I know of no evangelist or elder in the ICOC who believes that any practice not mentioned in the Bible is “unscriptural.” And you must know, Raul, that most of our congregations use musical instruments in their worship services. Why do you accuse us of something we simply do not believe? Most of us believe that we are able to do things that are not explicitly commanded or patterned in the New Testament, as long as they are helpful. We just don’t agree with YOUR practices recently.

Another statement you make is, “ This clash of Biblical interpretation and application ignited the events of 2002-2003. Concepts such as World Sector Leaders, Geographic Sector Leaders, Lead Evangelists, discipling, Bible Talks, central leadership and a “leader of the movement” were abandoned by most ICOC churches and called “unbiblical. ”

You must be joking, Raul! While doctrinal concepts were certainly a part of the discussion, it was not the main problem. What ignited the events of 2003 is that our leader lost the confidence of those he led. The abuse of statistics, the overbearing style of leadership that was harming disciples in many of our churches, and the constant pillaging of US churches to build up the LA church led to many of the problems of 2003. In most people’s opinion, leadership needed to be changed. Our leadership structure never matured to meet the demands of a growing, maturing international family of churches. We had submitted ourselves to a Catholic type system for two decades where all power rested with one man. It became evident that that man needed to sit down for a while and recover himself spiritually. Kip, to his credit, apologized for his sins in various public settings. Change was needed and it began to happen. Shortly after Kip was stepped down, Henry Kriete’s letter ignited the anger of many disciples around the world who had been harmed by certain practices within the church. The next two years were quite painful indeed. As I lived through it all, “Biblical interpretation” was not at the center of the storm. Failed, unbiblical leadership and unresolved conflicts were the cause of the firestorm. It appears that you are trying to rewrite history.

Please note as well that many of the examples of “unbiblical” practices you list are still practiced today in the ICOC. I personally am a “Lead Evangelist”. While no one is using the title of Geographic Sector Leader, we still have many men who carry out similar responsibilities just like Titus did in the New Testament. Obviously, most of our churches have Bible Talks and Discipleship Partners. You need to go back and get your facts straight!

Raul goes on to state that, “In both 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 and Titus 1:5, the principle of authority in discipling is clearly displayed in Paul’s relationship with Timothy and Titus. These Scriptures prove that directional decisions were made outside of a local church, thus promoting unity between the churches and propagating the movement. As Paul said, “This is what I teach everywhere and in every church.” (1 Corinthians 4:17) So in the Scriptures, we see a centralized leadership. Sadly, the norm in the ICOC is autonomy. Why? Because I believe everyone wants their own kingdom.

Ah, Raul, it is WE who want our own kingdom, eh? Not Kip? OK, that’s a stretch. Most of us in the ICOC think that Kip concocts new doctrines to justify HIMSELF having his own kingdom.

Still, I do agree with your point. Paul did direct Timothy and Titus. It is true. It is in the Bible. There is a place for authority to be exercised with young leaders and young, weak, or struggling churches. For instance, many of the smaller African churches look to older more mature congregations in Africa for leadership. While some of our ICOC churches might debate this point, the majority of our churches believe that there is a place for an older congregation to exercise some authority regarding a younger, seedling type church. For example, if the San Antonio congregation sends a young couple over to Corpus Christi to start a church, and after six months they decide to start “praying Jesus into their hearts” for salvation, yes, we would drive over there and in love “straighten out what was lacking.” That is exactly what Titus did among several congregations in Crete (Titus 1:5). (By the way, even the mainline church believes in “oversight” of one church over a new congregation.) So, yes, I agree with you about discipling going on between evangelists in different cities.

But what about, say, the New York City Church? It has thousands of members, along with dozens of evangelists and elders. Boston planted the church in NY in 1983. Should Boston still exercise authority over the NYC church 24 years after its planting? We in the ICOC would agree that it would be strange indeed for Boston to continue to try to exercise authority. Influence and relationships are helpful always. The time for authority, however, has long passed. That is not only the pattern of the Scriptures, but it is intelligent leadership as well. Kip’s insistence on holding all the reins of power over the years was neither effective nor right. Nor was it right that we all allowed him to do so. In fact it led to disaster. Eventually churches must be allowed to grow up and make their own decisions. If that makes me a believer in autonomy, well then, so be it. Several evangelists in your new movement believe exactly as I do on this issue.

Let me quote an earlier article that I helped to write… “There is clear evidence in the New Testament that mature churches were intended to be led locally and maintain responsibility for their own affairs through either the elders (Acts 20:28-31), local evangelists (2 Timothy 4:2-5), or whatever form of local leadership was available in the church (Acts 13:1, Hebrews 13:7, 17 and 24).” The reality of a certain amount of autonomy in local churches is readily seen in the fact that elders were to be appointed in each local church (Acts 14: 23). Moreover, these elders only had rule and authority in the local church where they served (I Pet. 5: 2). At the same time it is obvious from the very writing of the epistles that the early churches were influenced by spiritual leaders from outside their local congregation. For the most part, that influence on their local ministry was according to their spiritual maturity (1 Corinthians, etc.) but established churches were not intended to have their personal matters directed by those from a distance place. Interdependence, encouragement, cooperation and advice are always right and needed. That is what brotherhood is all about. Authority of one church over another has its place initially, but becomes counterproductive as churches mature.

That said, let me ask you a question. You note that Paul directed Timothy and Titus. Did Paul direct Peter? (I know he rebuked him once, yes, but did he direct or disciple Peter?) Did Paul exercise authority over John? You are correct that Paul directed younger leaders in his ministry, but you are wrong to conclude that therefore we must have a centralized Catholic leadership hierarchy that answers back to one man. The New Testament church did not do it. Paul, Peter and John all directed and discipled younger evangelists. We know their names from the scriptures, and even from church history. Still, no one single apostle claimed authority. You are, I suppose, free to appoint Kip as your central leader if you so choose. No one can stop you. We in the ICOC feel that that path is fraught with danger. It works for a while, but then it harms both the leader and the churches in the end. Remember, the apostles did not appoint one apostle to lead the worldwide church. The Roman Catholic Church did that a few centuries later. The apostles refrained. Why then would we want to appoint someone? We feel like we made that mistake already. It didn’t work with us before. We doubt that it will work for you. In fact, we think it is a huge leap to say, “Paul discipled Titus and directed him in Crete,” so we are going to jump all the way over and now say, “therefore, all churches worldwide will be directed centrally.” That is far more than Paul was communicating in Titus 1:5. We in the ICOC don’t go along with worldwide centralized leadership. First, because the apostles never did it. Second, because we are still cleaning up the mess it caused in our churches.

You guys often answer these facts by saying that David was the Lord’s anointed, and that God often used one man to lead his people in the Old Testament. That is true. The difference here is that Jesus still leads his church (Matt 28:18), and he has not instructed us to hand one person all authority on earth. And yes, it is true that David was the Lord’s anointed. But we also know that today, EVERY Christian is anointed (2 Cor 1:21; 1 John 2:20,27). Not just one individual. It was tough enough on Saul, David, and Solomon just leading one nation. They blew it “royally” and often. Imagine how tough it would be to lead the entire world! No wonder the apostles, with all their training from Jesus, did not try to place all authority in one man’s hands.

We understand that what is written in the Old Testament is there to instruct us and encourage us (1 Cor 10:6,11). But we live under the New Covenant. While you say that you are a Bible Church, and not a New Testament church, you do not practice the Old Law, do you? You better be careful. The Old Law is in the Bible. If you start using Old Testament leadership patterns to rebuke us in the ICOC, then you should consider following the WHOLE Bible (James 2:10,11). Maybe you should go all the way and start sacrificing animals and celebrating OT feasts. But of course not. We all know that the old law was done away with at the cross. Today we are Christians, not Jews. We draw encouragement and lessons from the Old Testament, but we learn about the church in the New Testament.

A few years ago, it was a question as to which way our churches would go. Today the vast majority of our churches have prayerfully decided not to be a bunch of independent, strictly autonomous churches. The relational structure in our churches is coming together just like we see it in the Book of Acts, practicing brotherhood, interdependence, cooperation, and mutual respect. Yes, most churches in the ICOC make the final decision about things in their own congregation. But no, we still practice brotherhood. And Raul, let’s be honest. As I stated above, you guys in the Portland movement have evangelists that believe in a certain amount of autonomy just as we do.

[Editors Note] The ICOC family of churches is structured to avoid two extremes. On the one side, overly centralised authority and on the other side disconnected autonomy.

In closing we note that, while we want to be a Church that goes by the whole Bible, we do not want to import Old Testament practices that were right for the NATION of Israel but not right for the CHURCH of Jesus Christ. We also want to note that we practice brotherhood in the ICOC and not strict autonomy. Finally, let us note that we have not lost our dream to win the world in our generation, even though we have hit our bumps at times.

While it was painful to see you guys go, I do hope in the future we will once again be reunited. You were disciplined in Santiago because you were divisive. Thank God that 90% of the members stayed. I hope someday that all of us will come back together in our efforts to win the world in this generation.

Mike Taliaferro

(Editors Note: This article was first published in response to Raul Moreno's editorial, now updated and republished)

Ministry Training Academy - Johannesburg, South Africa

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 22:00:00 GMT

The Ministry Training Academy of Johannesburg was first started by Justin Renton and Dave Pocta back in 2011. It follows the 12 course curriculum outlined by the Teachers Service Team and draws students from accoss the 12 countries of Southern Africa.

The first graduates from this six year training program have just received their cirtificates and were at a graduation ceremony at the Johannesburg church building. Excitingly, the program has just restarted with over 80 students enrolling for MTA 2.0 run by Paul Smith and Pat Hlope.Below is a picture of some of the graduating students.

Join the 2018 Biblical Study Tour in Israel!

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 22:00:00 GMT

There's a lot of talk about doing what Jesus would do...but how about walking where Jesus walked? Douglas Jacoby would like to invite you to join the 2018 annual Biblical Study Tour, as it returns to Israel. You've thought about these locations for years; now's your chance to experience them! Early payment discount is available.

Click here.

Building Parent & Teen Communication

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 22:00:00 GMT

As church leaders and youth & family leaders, one of the most important things we can do for our families is to help them with their communication at home. As kids grow up, communicating with them at a heart level can become challenging. Communication is vital to a healthy relationship. We need to make sure that we are talking through important issues and guiding our children through the turbulent waters of young adulthood.

We often divide families when they walk in the door of our churches. We have parenting classes and teen devos. We see the need to meet individual needs. We see the need for teens to have a place they can call their own. These are critical needs to meet but we must also find ways to get them together, in the same room, interacting. When we disciple a married couple, we sit together. We need to hear both sides of the story. We need the complete picture. The same is true in teen’s homes. We need to communicate with both together. We need to facilitate and train them to have spiritual communication.

In our ministries in Chicago and Johannesburg, we have had monthly teen & teen parent devotionals. We get the families to come together, sit together, and learn together. We typically start off the time with an activity they can do as a family. It may be a game, a project, a survey, or a competition. We believe in active participation! Our devos are typically very interactive. In the first devo we did with the teens and parents in the Northwest Region in Joburg (where Beth and I are at) we talked about “Building a Spiritual Household”. We showed a number of video clips where teens and parents were communicating sinfully. After each video clip we stopped and asked the questions, “How did the parent sin against the teen?” and “How did the teen sin against the parent?” This always prompts great discussion! After identifying how teens and parents can sin against each other we talked about apologies, repentance, and forgiveness. God gives us the tools to constantly work through sin at home. This is the real hope in Christian homes!

This weekend is our second time together. We are going to devote this devotional to “Family Communication.” Our hope is to teach principles and practicals that help teens and parents communicate at a heart level.

Hopefully this sparks some ideas. Try to find ways to build healthy communication in your family’s homes!

Dave Pocta for ICOC HotNews

Building a Youth & Family Ministry

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 22:00:00 GMT

Beginning a new youth and family ministry is an exhilarating experience. Vision fills your heart as you anticipate what God will do. Important questions arise, “How do I approach this new venture? How do I communicate my vision and expectations? How do I build a program that will work for this particular ministry?” Nehemiah had a similar challenge when he went to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. God had placed a vision on his heart but it was important for him to internalize the situation first. The following are snippets from Neh 2:13-18 (NIV),

I went out…examining

the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire…as yet I had said nothing to…any others who would be doing the work.

Then I said to them, “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."

They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

Nehemiah spent an appropriate amount of time understanding the condition of the wall before revealing his plan. There are certain universal truths about teenagers and families. There are also specific needs to consider in each individual ministry. The first step in building a dynamic youth and family ministry is to identify both the common and unique needs.

The other vital component of building a successful ministry is to discover and utilize the resources available. Good leaders put it all to work; people, money, time, building space, etc. God provides the materials but each church is different and therefore inventory must be taken. It may seem like instead of a full set of tools, you only have duct tape, WD-40, and a screwdriver, but a lot can be done with little in God’s hands. More often than not, plenty of resources are available if you know where to look! Jesus fed thousands with only a few loaves and fish.

After properly identifying the needs and the resources in the new ministry, you can begin to build an approach or program. In other words, needs + resources = program. This simple equation allows for a proper assessment of the ministry and prevents putting a square peg into a round hole.

IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS

The world that we live in today is very different than it was a generation ago. Many adults assume that teens today face exactly the same challenges they faced thirty years ago. There are similar struggles with adolescent angst and sin but the post-modern world is more diverse, connected, and technology driven. Children begin puberty earlier and are not treated as adults until later, meaning kids today spend a longer time in adolescence, often without strong adult mentoring. Our country is facing declining moral values and a stronger disconnect from immediate family. Researchers, ministers, and authors seem to be addressing the problems in increasing measure. Associate professor at Fuller, Chap Clark, PhD, spent a year as a high school teacher studying teen culture and it’s distance from the adult world. He concluded, “Adolescents have been cut off for far too long from the adults who have the power and experience to escort them into greater society.” [1] Dean Borgman, in his book Hear My Story, describes the pain that teenagers are facing as a result of adult neglect. He says, “Teenagers especially need attention. If they are not offered good attention from friends and adults, they will take bad attention from anyone.”[2]

Traditional youth ministry models often fail to provide a long-term solution for these problems. Teenagers need their families. The covenant built with Abraham and his descendents was generational (Gen 17:7). God reiterates the generational nature of the covenant in Deut 6:7 when he tells his people they are to pass on his commands, “You shall teach them diligently to your children.” It has always been God’s intention that family be the source of strength and spiritual transition to the next generation. As we build a healthy ministry we must work to reinforce the family. Wesley Black, in Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church states, “Churches that view youth ministry as only focused on adolescents, apart from their family context, are missing an important element. Youth ministry must face the challenge of discipling both teenagers and their families if they hope to make significant life changes. This is a whole-church effort, not just something that can be done by a few youth workers.” [3] This certainly provides fodder for a more family-based youth ministry model. Youth and family ministry is more difficult to build because it involves more people, more resources, and more teamwork.

Each church is different. Beyond the common needs that all teens and their families have which are stated above, it is important to identify what the specific strengths and weaknesses are in the ministry you are about to lead. This can take time. Proverbs 19:11 states, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience.” It is more important to take the time to understand a ministry and its specific needs than to quickly appear to have all of the right solutions.

It is easy to identify all different kinds of needs going into a new church, but it is vital to stay attentive to critical matters. There are three primary elements that drive youth and family ministry. Many of the teens that transition well into their adult years possess these three things. Many who have struggled with their faith after high school lacked in at least one of these areas. They are:

Strong spiritual family
Strong spiritual friends
Depth in the Word

How do you identify if a family is strong? In studying 14,000 strong families, Dr. Nick Stinnett identified six commonalities that bound the families together and wrote his findings in a book entitled, Fantastic Families.[4] His observations provide a good base of questions to see the needs in the families you are about to minister to. Are they committed to one another? Do they express appreciation and affection to one another? Do they communicate well? Do they spend time together? Are they spiritual? Do they handle stress and crises in a respectable way? Many of the answers will take time to discover. Planning a number of family events with the teens and their parents interacting will help. It could be advantageous to spend the first three months of devotionals with the parents attending with their children to get to know each other.

How strong are the spiritual relationships within the teen ministry? There are also a number of good questions that serve as a starting point. Are the teens involved in discipling relationships? Are their best friends other Christians? Do they interact with respect and grace? Are their relationships diverse?

Unfortunately, a lot of teens growing up in the church do not really know their Bibles. It is important to see what the kids know, where their convictions are at, and what type of personal Bible study habits they have. This discovery will dictate the type of curriculum that will be developed.

There are other factors that influence a good ministry approach. Some examples are the number of Christians compared to non-Christians in the ministry, the city/rural dynamic, and the number of teens who have parents who are not part of the church.

IDENTIFYING THE RESOURCES

There are a number of resources to think about. When considering people, how supportive is the staff of youth and family ministry? The eldership? The parents? All of them will play a vital role in the development of your ministry. How many volunteers do you have to be involved in mentoring relationships? Are there others whom you could recruit to get involved?

How much is budgeted for the youth and family ministry? How many wealthy families could be engaged to provide food or a home to host an event? If these options are limited, could you do a fundraiser? Are there other significant events that could be used throughout the year to raise money for monthly needs (camp, dances, etc.)?

There are other resources, which are important to consider. Does the church have a facility to use? When are the best available times for the teens/families to meet? How tech-savvy are the teens and their families? What are the skill sets of the teens? What are the skill sets of their parents? For example, if a ministry had a number of teens that were interested in drama then consider engaging the teens in skits. This helps them learn and gives them an opportunity to give to the church by presenting the skits at Sunday worship. Consider the annual calendar and the activities that the teens were involved with.

BUILDING A PROGRAM

It is important to take the needs and resources into strong consideration before building a program. A fine-tuned youth and family ministry in one church does not translate equally to another. Start with the macro vision of what you want to build. Without great clarity of that vision, communicated regularly, people will not embrace the new direction. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.” Articulate from the pulpit, one-on-one, in newsletters and bulletins, and through our actions. As we reveal the vision with great colour and clarity, the ministry embraces it.

The three pillar building blocks identified above shape your ministry approach or program. How do we help the families to be spiritually strong? How do we help the teens build strong spiritual friendships? And how do we instill the Word of God into their hearts? When pairing the needs and resources, we may find that our families communicate fairly well and genuinely love each other but really lack in spiritual formation. We may look at our resource pool and discover an elder who is an exceptional teacher. Adding together this need and resource may motivate us to have a series of classes for the parents, taught by this elder, on how to have great family devotionals. If we had a number of teens that really enjoyed video production, ask a couple of families to act out a really good family devotional and a really awful one, videotape them at home, and share them with the group.

Building an effective youth and family ministry is a comprehensive task. It will undoubtedly cover weekly meetings, outings and events, a teaching plan, relationship management, and great faith. It is always important to step back and ask yourself if you are keeping your focus. As the leadership author, Stephen Covey is noted as saying, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” It is very easy to get off track from helping the families be strong, the relationships spiritual, and the Word of God being taught.

COMMUNICATION AND EXECUTION

After understanding the needs, recognizing the resources, and building a framework of a program, it is important to build enthusiasm. Having the staff, the eldership, the leadership team, and the families on board is crucial to your success. People need communication. The more they are included in the process and the thinking, the more supportive they tend to be in execution. Many ministers make a common mistake. After they have laboured, discovering needs and resources and building a program, they run to execute it. They often get resistance because the direction is different than the church is used to. Dr. Edwin Friedman, author and family therapist, calls this phenomena homeostasis. He defines it as “the tendency of any set of relationships to strive perpetually, in self-corrective ways, to preserve the organizing principles self existence.” [5] In simpler terms, homeostasis means a system will resist change. This is important for the visionary minister to understand so that he may be properly resilient. In order to facilitate a new direction, small but focused nudges must be made to the church in the direction of your vision. It requires great patience to bring about lasting change.

Another important consideration is creating initial victories. Find ways to build inertia. Which families are really enthusiastic? Which teenagers have leadership potential and are looking for spiritual direction? What project could be really engaging for a lot of families? If your ministry has less Christians than non-Christians, find a way to gather strength from the parents or other volunteers. The environment has to be one that you establish. If you are outnumbered, it may be difficult to create surroundings conducive to growth. Set the spiritual bar high!

After settling into a ministry rhythm, a long-term strategy for teaching the Bible needs to be planned. Answer the question; “What do I want to make sure that I teach to these kids before they leave my ministry?” In working with high school students, you have five years of teaching. A curriculum may not involve every week in its plan but a general approach is important. Outside of Bible books, characters, and topics, there are a number of spiritual needs to be regularly addressed with teenagers. Some of those topics are: sexual purity, guy/girl relationships, working through sin and conflict, communication and relationships, moral values, how to deal with peer pressure, and living out spiritual priorities.

Building a successful youth and family ministry requires a close walk with God, a strong vision, and great patience. A good minister takes his time to build with gold, silver and costly stones. As Nehemiah surveyed the condition of the wall in Jerusalem before beginning his work, a spiritual leader will consider the situation he inherits before hastily implementing new ideas. A careful look at the needs and resources available to him will ultimately shape the ministry. After developing a plan he places brick on top of brick, engaging his fellow workers in the process with him. After planting the right seeds in the tilled soil, he watches for God to make it grow.

WORKS CITED

Borgman, Dean. Hear My Story. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003.

Clark, Chap. Hurt: inside the world of today’s teenagers. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004.

Friedman, Edwin H. Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue. New York: The Guilford Press, 1985.

Senter, Mark H. III, Wesley Black, Chap Clark, and Malan Nel. Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001

Stinnett, Dr. Nick & Nancy, Joe & Alice Beam. Fantastic Families. New York: Howard Books, 1999.

[1] Chap Clark, Hurt: inside the world of today’s teenagers (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), 21.

[2] Dean Borgman, Hear My Story (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003), 13.

[3] Mark H. Senter III et al., Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 73.

[4] Dr. Nick & Nancy Stinnett and Joe & Alice Beam, Fantastic Families (New York: Howard Books, 1999), 10.

[5] Edwin H. Friedman, Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue (New York: The Guilford Press, 1985), 23.

Nearly 18 000 attend the ICOC REACH conference at St. Louis

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 22:00:00 GMT

From the Christian Chronicle: A Weekend with the ICOC

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 22:00:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS — In the Dome at America’s Center, where football fans once gathered to watch the St. Louis Rams, more than 18,000 souls sang praises to the Lord — including an uplifting, a cappella rendition of “On Zion’s Glorious Summit.”

The North American Discipleship Summit, REACH2016 , a gathering of the International Churches of Christ, brought together “a numerous host redeemed by blood” (as the song notes) from 173 congregations and 66 nations. Other Summits are taking place this year in Asia, Africa, South America and Australia. The fellowship, known as the ICOC, has roots in Churches of Christ, though our fellowships parted ways in the late-1980s.

My wife, Joy, and I attended this year’s Summit at the gracious invitation of Roger Lamb, president and editor of Disciples Today , the online magazine of the ICOC.

We found a noticeably diverse audience — in terms of ethnicity, nationality, age and socio-economic levels. More than half of the participants were singles, college-age adults, teens and children. Attendees paid from $100 to $225 to defray expenses, depending on age group and date of registration.

You don’t do a lot of handshaking at ICOC conferences, we learned. Everybody hugs here — yes, everybody.

For two full days, we heard a wide variety of speakers in classes and large, combined sessions on the theme “Reach.” Each had a pervasive emphasis on Scripture, stressing the need to reach out to the unsaved, to live in obedience to God’s Word. Nearly every session emphasized the importance of baptism for the forgiveness of sins...to read more at the Christian Chronicle CLICK HERE

Asian Discipleship Conference kicks off with 59 people baptised

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 22:00:00 GMT

Greetings from Indonesia!!!

First of all, we would like to express our praise and gratitude to our Lord God for His awesome blessings and kindness until this day. With His power and grace, we are having the Asian Discipleship Summit that will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali on June 17-19, 2016. This Asian conference will be attended by approximately 6,000 participants, including children, teens and pre-teens from all countries in Asia and also from other countries.

To inform and communicate to all the disciples of Jesus around the world regarding this conference and all matters related to it, we are glad to provide live streaming broadcast at the following address starting from Friday, June 17 at 09:30am (Bali time, GMT+8):

https://www.comefollowme2016.com/live

To God be the glory forever!

Sister scheduled to fly out of Brussels airport on the day of the bombings

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 22:00:00 GMT

This past weekend the Paris Church of Christ hosted our third annual Woman's Day focusing on the transforming power of God's love in our lives. "Il m'aime, un peu, beaucoup, passionnément, à la folie!" translating into English as "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," spoke to the deep spiritual need each women desires for unconditional love, a love that only God, our heavenly Father provides for each and every one of us, as evidenced by the death and resurrection of his son Jesus!

Over 130 women were in attendance and all hearts were touched by the vulnerable sharing of several sisters. Other sisters moved us by their acting and musical talents, adding comic relief, and inspiration to the day. The student ministry provided a light-hearted and yet profound video, which they filmed across the city to help kick off the day. Servant-hearted women played vital roles behind the scenes, ensuring that each guest felt welcomed and loved. Our wonderful brothers in Christ were present, serving us as ushers.

God's love was evident in every aspect of the day and Christ was glorified and honored. Afterwards, the fellowship consisted of forging new friendships, deep and vulnerable talks, heartfelt laughs, tears and hugs and lasted for almost two hours over coffee and tea. Several sisters traveled from Belgium, Lyon and Geneva to join us. New Bible studies have already begun this week.

Two days later, another devastating terror attack took place at Zaventem Airport and underground at the Maelbeek metro station in Brussels. Many lives were lost, and we were reminded again of the war of hate we are in. As disciples of Jesus we will continue to put our trust in him, and live a life of love.

I am happy and grateful to God that all of the disciples in our church in Brussels (picture below) are safe. God clearly watched over every one of them. One of our brother's jobs brings him to the airport every morning. He is safe. Another sister, originally from Boston but currently living in Switzerland, often travels to Brussels for her job. The night before, her work asked her to stay in town another day. She was scheduled to fly Tuesday morning and would have been right where one of the bombs exploded. One sister works near the Maelbeek metro stop.

God watches over his children. We are all safe in the shelter of his wings. We know we are here for such a time as this, and so we will continue to preach the gospel, we will continue to love those around us, to spread this message of unconditional love, grace and the kindness of our Lord and Savior. He did not retaliate, he did not repay evil for evil. Instead he suffered and hung on a cross so that we, and those who oppose us, might be saved. Our victory has been, and always be, in a resurrected Lord. We thank all of you for your continued prayers for all of Europe but we ask you to especially pray that his light and love will shine evermore brightly through us as we hold out the gospel of peace to a hurting world.

Happy Easter!

Carol McGuirk

A Dream Realized in Bolivia

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 22:00:00 GMT

We are incredibly excited to announce that HOPE worldwide Bolivia officially opened The International Medical Center in La Paz, Bolivia on October 3, 2015. The Center provides high-quality medical care that is a sustainable social enterprise, which means that the clinic proceeds will go towards supporting health services and social programs run by HOPE worldwide Bolivia and our partnership Foundation Arco Iris. These services and programs are focused on meeting the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable children and families in La Paz.

During our opening celebration weekend, the HOPE worldwide Bolivia team welcomed a number of our donors and supporters who came from all parts of the globe.

South African Campus Ministries seeing hundreds come out to Bible Talks

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 22:00:00 GMT

The South African churches have launched an annual "Encounter" program for disciple students who would like to come and be a part of an African Campus ministry experience. Students must fund themselves to get to South Africa but once there, they will be housed, fed and trained. They will then split up into "mission team" sized groups and spread out onto the South African campuses.

The group that joined up with the University of the Witwatersrand Campus Ministry saw visitors of up to 80 people at some of the Bible Talks. (see pic above) Those that went to Pretoria (TUKS) also had a tremendous impact. All campuses combined had total visitors for the week of nearly 300! Needless to say lots of Bible Studies have been setup.

Please be praying for a harvest of souls in the next few weeks.

The four to six week program (July-Aug) includes work in poor communities and a visit to the Lion park.

For more information about Encounter 2016 contact Jacques Genis at jpgenis@yahoo.com

Northview teens give their hearts to Bolivia

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 22:00:00 GMT

LaPaz, Bolivia - For the third year in a row, a group of volunteers from the Northview Church, in Roswell, GA, served with the HOPE worldwide Bolivia team for nine days. The group, comprised of eight teens and four adults, poured themselves out and gave selflessly to work with the poor. Here is what a couple of the volunteers shared.

"The desperate level of poverty for many people of La Paz is heartbreaking. Even so, I have faith that God is taking care of the people in La Paz through the many volunteers that come to serve and help. I'm grateful that God works through us to reach the people that are in most need." - Melina Cole

“Volunteering in Bolivia with HOPE worldwide helped me finally understand what Matthew 25:40 says...“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” I always took this scripture at face value. It wasn’t until I looked at the little ecstatic faces around me in Bolivia that I realized on a deeper level what this scripture meant. When I saw a child's face brighten after receiving a blue smiley face sticker, I was filled with joy and love because it felt like I received that sticker.

That is how Jesus feels when we serve the poor and those in need. He becomes overjoyed when he sees us serving others because what we do for the least of these brothers and sisters, we do for him." - Matilde Jade Rogers

The HOPE worldwide Bolivia team is incredibly grateful for the volunteers who serve with us. The work we are doing to help the most vulnerable population in La Paz is made possible because of your love and support!

Click here to read the entire article on HOPE worldwide Bolivia's blog.

New Church planting video invitation

justin.renton@icloud.com (Justin Renton) — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 22:00:00 GMT

New Church Planting video invitation.

Mission Team Planned for Norman, University of Oklahoma this Summer

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 22:00:00 GMT

We are excited to announce that this summer, the DFW Church will send my wife, Susan and I to lead the mission team to Norman, home of the prestigious University of Oklahoma. Living in tornado alley, Oklahomans have seen their fair share of powerful storms, but we believe God is bringing a storm over Oklahoma that will not cease until it has accomplished God’s goal. For those of us who choose to go, we are that storm. By faith, we will plant, we will water and we will watch it grow. We will work as if it depended on us, but we believe God will bring about such an awesome victory that no one will be able to boast.

We are praying for men and women to join the mission team and go with us to evangelize this area. Our dream is to have a thriving campus ministry, surrounded by a loving church. If you choose to go, you will be joining a team of faithful disciples who will be giving up homes, jobs, friends, and family to help spread the gospel in Oklahoma.

The Norman mission team will join the already established church in Oklahoma City, led by Jason and Rachel Touchatt, which meets just 10 miles from campus. Norman is only the first domino to fall in a chain reaction of change across this state, fortifying the churches of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, while also dreaming of future mission teams.

We look forward to what God will do as we prepare for the first faith-building school year of campus ministry at OU in over a decade.

If you are interested in being a part of the mission team, want more information, or you know of someone in this area interested in studying the Bible please contact me at ben@dfwchurch.net.

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A Letter of Thanks from Ukraine

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Shawn Wooten, lead evangelist for the International Church of Christ in Kiev, Ukraine, sent us this update: Dear Family around the World, as New Years always inspires us to reflect with thankfulness and dream of what God can do in the future... I am overwhelmed with the picture God has given me of our fellowship this last year! Thank you God!

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank you God - that absolutely nothing can separate us from you! There is no circumstance, no situation, nothing that can happen on this planet or to us personally that can separate us from the love God has for us!

2014 will go down in my book as the most challenging year yet... in my 24 years in Christ. I thank God for the strength he provides from reading his word, and through prayer and fasting. Concerned for my country ( Ukraine ) and concerned for the hearts of the disciples... I was motivated in 2014 to spend 140 days fasting for God to bring peace and righteousness. That God would bring spiritual fruit and souls saved. I know so many of you have fasted and prayed and sacrificed.

It is impossible to understand on this side of eternity how much impact you have had, but I wanted to say thank you! There is no blessing greater than a relationship with God. May we always invest first and our very best in this relationship, may we protect it and cherish it, may it provide us always with the strength to fight the spiritual battles that are before us!

Thank you Brothers and Sisters around the World!

I am so encouraged by the outpouring of encouragement, prayer, fasting and financial sacrifice that churches all over the world have done to encourage the churches in the Ukraine. We are so thankful, and we want you to know how much we have felt God's love through you! Thank you for the sacrifice. Thank you for the Prayers! Thank you Roger Lamb, Michael Taliaferro for communicating with the churches around the world and for your support. For the role Disciples Today and ICOC Hot News plays to keep us all connected.

God has blessed the Ukrainian churches through the fund raising that was provided by you! We are facing unprecedented financial challenges in our country and your support will be invaluable as we continue to build the churches in the Ukraine! Thank you so much!

Amongst all the challenges, God has still blessed the churches in the Ukraine with the second best year of growth that we have had in the last 10 years! Thank you for all the prayers for us, as I believe the prayers from around the world, have led us to a greater harvest!

Praise God!

Please keep the churches in the Ukraine in your prayers! Pray for boldness to preach God's love! Pray for peace in our hearts as we are facing so much instability. Please pray for peace in the Ukraine that all fighting will stop. Pray for healing and unity, that our relationships in the kingdom will be strong.

Thank you and may God bless you in 2015!!!

- Shawn Wooten

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Brits Invade Life-Changing Worship

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:00:00 GMT

Update from Dave Eastman at Life-ChangingWorship.com: As we begin 2015 at Life-Changing Worship, we are enjoying a United Kingdom Invasion. Malcolm Cox (Thames Valley, England) has composed for us an outstanding 6-part series entitled, "Worship Matters"; Martin Mboteh and Mwamba Bennett (Birmingham, England) have written a practical piece about some of their team's creative approaches to worship; and James Hanna (Belfast, Northern Ireland) has written a great article on developing worship in a smaller congregation.

Read, digest and enjoy from all from our UK brothers! Go to www.lifechangingworship.com and click on the "What's New" Tab.

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Happy New Year & Good News from HOPEww Bolivia

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:00:00 GMT

We hope that your family and loved ones enjoyed a happy and healthy holiday season. December was a busy month for HOPE worldwide Bolivia. Among many activities this Christmas, we coordinated donations to over 40 families of food, clothing and toys and lots of love. On Christmas Eve we held a special joyful evening of movies, gifts and popcorn for orphans.

Clinic Scheduled To Open Summer 2015

We are happy to share that the International Medical Center of HOPE worldwide is now an officially recognized and is registered with the Bolivian government. We are working to have our local non-profit HOPE worldwide Bolivia Foundation established by March 2015. We have retained an architect with an outstanding reputation, to design/remodel the home that has been selected for the clinic. Our talented and dedicated team here in La Paz is continuing to search for clinic, laboratory and office equipment and furniture. Our timeline for opening the clinic has continued to shift due to unexpected and unavoidable challenges, but with great faith we are planning to open the medical center this summer.

Educational and Volunteer Program Updates

ICOC Around the World: Trinidad and Tobago

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 22:00:00 GMT

Today we spotlight the churches on the Caribbean island-country of Trinidad and Tobago. The International Churches of Christ planted a church in the capital city of Port of Spain in 1990. Now (as of 2013 data), there are at least three ICOC congregations spread throughout the country with a combined membership of well over 200.

Trinidad and Tobago

Population: 1.2 million

Official language: English

Size: 174th in the world

Here are some photos we took when we visited the Port of Spain church in 2012:

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Your HOPE worldwide - November 10th

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 22:00:00 GMT

This year's Int'l Day of Giving on November 10th is already shaping up to be the biggest ever. HOPEww and the International Churches of Christ are working hard to raise $1.5 million for the poor. Churches around the world are stepping up! Please spread the word and post this at your facebook page!

2013 International Campus Ministry conference review

Mon, 08 Jul 2013 22:00:00 GMT

On July 4th, a day when millions of fireworks light the United States skies for a few hours, a few thousand college students assembled for a week of spiritual training in order to light up their communities for the weeks, months, and years to come. The International Campus Ministry Conference (ICMC) exploded with worship, fellowship, and fun and ICOC HotNews is pleased to share a quick review before releasing a full HotNews video report soon.

Last week marked the ninth annual ICMC since it's revival in 2005. This year the conference met on both the west coast and east coast of the United States simultaneously. Between San Diego, California and Orlando, Florida about 2,700 college students attended the conference. Amongst that number at least four countries were represented--truly keeping the "I" in "ICMC" (an international experience). While each city centered its classes around the theme "Bent on Conquest" (from Revelation 6:2) they celebrated their time together with different events.

On Wednesday night in Orlando, the ICMC teamed up with HOPE worldwide to hold a benefit concert called "Celebrate Freedom." The concert raised $3,200 to enable over 180 children in Africa to attend school. Learn more here:

Celebrate Freedom Concert

On Saturday morning the conference in San Diego broke a world record: the world's largest lightsaber battle. In one large hall at the Marriot Hotel, the campus ministries fought each other (lovingly) with 1,200 lightsabers, 200 more than the previous record. After the battle, all of the lightsabers were donated to orphans. Later that night they held a semi-formal dinner and dance in the same room. The hotel laid out a decent sized dance floor for the students, but they probably didn't expect as many students to participate. Once the floor opened, so many disciples jumped in that almost every square foot of dance floor was taken up for the next two hours.

There is much more to say. ICOC HotNews is currently working on a full news video to cover the event. Check back frequently to find out more.

London, England: Father and Daughter United in Christ after 30 years

Sat, 29 Jun 2013 22:00:00 GMT

30 years is a long time to wait for our families to turn to Jesus. Sometimes, when we look back over all the years of waiting, we can see the evidence of God's work from beginning to end. ICOC HotNews is proud to share this encouraging story of a sister in London who finally saw her father turn to Christ.

In 1983 Julie Inglis graduated from Birmingham University with a degree in Music. As a young 21 year old she moved to London to study for her Master's Degree at City University. While in school some disciples from the London International Church of Christ met Julie and studied the Bible with her. On December 21, 1983, she put on Christ in the waters of baptism.

Julie’s parents, Alex and Molly became concerned for Julie when they found out that she joined a bold, vigorous, religious group they never heard about. They became even more worried when Julie decided to leave her career as a primary (elementary) schoolteacher in order to work full-time in church ministry. In August 1989, she married Mike Desouza, one of the brothers in the church, who also considered working in the full-time ministry over continuing his path as a doctor. As Julie’s parents watched their daughter give her life to Christ, they refused to do the same. They even requested that she not invite them to church anymore.

In 2000, Julie’s mother developed Alzheimer's disease. Alex cared for Molly on his own for the next 10 years as her health continued to deteriorate until her eventual passing in 2009. Now Alex's health had also begun to decline. Finally in 2012, after a triple heart by-pass and hip replacement surgery, Alex eventually agreed to move in with Mike and Julie. He gets to see life in the Desouza home from an insider's perspective.

In 2012, Julie’s daughter Sarah, like her mother, also graduated from Birmingham University and started to work as an intern in the full-time ministry (for the Birmingham church of Christ). Alex was pleased for her. Over the following months Alex started attending church regularly in the East sector of the London congregation. He was greatly impacted by the vibrancy of the fellowship, the obvious love, and kindness and care expressed by the disciples, and the challenging lessons and sermons. Eventually he began to study the Bible with his son-in-law, Mike. Then, in June 2013, during a 3-week visit of Mike and Terrie Fontenot to the East London church, Alex started to study the Bible more intensely.

ICOC HotNews Video: Oklahoma HOPE Disaster Relief

Fri, 28 Jun 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Last week ICOC HotNews announced a call for help from HOPEww and the International Churches of Christ in Oklahoma. Now, after traveling out to ground zero ourselves, we can cover all the remaining details.

Here's a quick review for those unfamiliar with the tragedy. On May 20th, a massive EF-5 tornado struck the city of Moore, Oklahoma killing twenty-four people and causing an estimated two billion dollars in damages to houses and businesses. In response, HOPEww is inviting disciples to help the tornado victims by volunteering in Oklahoma in July or by donating to the cause. This episode of ICOC HotNews reminds us of the importance of serving and of the tragedies that happen here in the United States.

Some people, taking the One year Challenge in South Africa, tell their story.

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

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San Antonio Summit simply Amazing!

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Mariachi band plays as the hall fills on Friday night

What can one say about the San Antonio World Discipleship Summit? It was the largest gathering in the history of our churches. Almost 18,000 registered. Roughly 17,000 attended. Participants came from 90 different nations, representing hundreds of our churches. Fifteen languages were translated. Participants stayed in 32 different hotels. We rented 80 buses for our 9,000 bus riders.

Daytime we were in the Gonzalez Convention Center spread across 8 different conferences. At night we came together at the giant AT&T Center. Over the next few days, HotNews will be sharing photos, stories and news. Stay tuned... Photo: Mariachi band plays as the hall fills on Friday night.

BUDAPEST: Over 700 Attend EURO Conference.

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:00:00 GMT

"The first EURO Conference in 12 years was a huge success." The Euro Conference in Budapest was a great success last week as over 700 disciples came from across Europe for prayer, praise, and some excellent preaching. Budapest is a beautiful city, and everyone enjoyed the Old World charm, castles, and the Danube river. (Photo: Conference participants take in some of the Christmas charm of Budapest)

International Churches of Christ 2020 vision plans

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:00:00 GMT

In September 2009 at their annual meeting in Denver, the Delegates of the International Churches of Christ approved the proposal to change the “Church Builders Service Team” and the “Missions Service Team” to form one “Evangelists Service Team” with the charge of providing inspiration and strategic planning for our fellowship of churches.

This group was elected by the Delegates in proportion to our regional membership worldwide and was comprised of 18 evangelists. The evangelists represent churches from every continent and were selected by the Delegates from each continental grouping. They were elected to serve a term of 3 years, and commissioned to meet in person at the International Leadership Conference (ILC) and one other time each year. It was highly recommended that their wives also meet to discuss women’s ministry.

After some conference calls, the new Evangelists Service Team (EST) met in Miami during the first week of February to tackle the commission given by the Delegates at the 2009 ILC. It was an incredible time of prayer, studying of God’s Word, sharing, planning, and dreaming together. We developed Strategic Planning and Development Committees to address the various needs under our charge.

1. The ILC Planning Committee worked with John Porter, 2010 ILC Director, to begin a draft of the 2010 ILC Program that would then be reviewed by the Evangelists and Elders Service Teams. This subcommittee will also work with Mike Taliaferro for the 2012 World Conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas.

2. The Healthy Region Committee was formed to promote and develop “best practices” as well as highlight exemplary families of churches; it was also charged to define what a healthy group looks like as well as articulate “warning signs for troubled families”.

3. The Global Mission Strategy Committee was formed to assess the needs and opportunities for spreading the good news of Jesus Christ on a global scale in developing and 1st world countries. They were asked to highlight best practices of mission societies, promote awareness and match needs with potential support.

4. The Delegate Development Committee will work to strengthen our existing organizational structure. They will make proposals to refine the duties and responsibilities of the Delegate role. They will also help shape the agenda and schedule for the annual Delegates meeting .

5. The Leadership Development Committee will take the lead in shaping our efforts to train new evangelists. They will devise ways to match capable evangelists with kingdom needs. Establishing “brotherhood” relationships for the next generation of evangelists is another topic that this group will address.

6. The 2020 Vision Committee was formed as a result of our inspirational study, prayer, and discussion about the future. Providentially, our meeting together was held at the dawn of a new decade. God brought all of us through one of the most challenging decades for our family of churches. Overall, our churches are stronger and healthier than they have been in a long time.

We believe it is time for us to look ahead to this new decade with faith and confidence that God has many more souls to save, many more churches to plant, many more towns, cities and countries to reach with the good news of Jesus Christ. But we need faithful vision.

We are asking each geographic family of churches around the world to prayerfully create their own "2020 Vision" for their specific area of the globe. The committee will provide whatever assistance each geographic family may need to develop and cast their vision. We expect this committee to soon distribute more information including a template and inspirational ideas. In the coming years, they will also be providing updates on the progress of each region’s 2020 Vision.

At the end of our meeting we made brief presentations to the Elders Service Team that was also meeting in Miami. They provided valuable feedback, counsel, recommendations and encouragement. The Evangelists Service Team appreciates the prayers, support, encouragement, and counsel of so many from around the world. We believe we are at the dawn of a new age for our family of churches. The ICOC has a 30 plus year long history of effective evangelistic outreach plan to countries, cities around the world and also college campuses, we want to maintain that. Please continue to pray for God’s Spirit to move as we all seek to make disciples of all nations and bring them to full maturity in Christ.

Bruce Williams, Chairman EST -- US / Canada

Africa -- Kris Ogbonnaya, Steve Mukenya

Asia / Pacific -- Dinesh George, John Louis, Steve Chin

Canada / US -- Doug Arthur, John Causey, John Porter, Mike Fontenot, Mike Taliaferro, Scott Green

Europe / Middle East / Eurasia -- Alexey Donskoy, Andy Fleming, Shawn Wooten

Mexico & Central America -- Javier Amaya, Pedro Garcia

South America -- John Reus

Reported by Roger Lamb on www.disciplestoday.org

1500 campus students from the International Churches of Christ help rebuild New Orleans

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Ralph Boyd, CEO of the Freddie Mac Foundation and Michael Taliaferro of the ICOC

Once described as "a fast growing but controversial Christian group" the approximately 1500 campus students from the International Churches of Christ spent their 4th of July in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward today helping locals to clear and prepare 54 plots of land for rebuilding. The students came from all over America to spend the day removing brush and weeds, clearing out debris, and spreading topsoil. The Lower Ninth Ward was hard hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and residents are struggling to piece their lives back together.

The students were in town for the annual ICOC Campus Conference. This year's attendance of 1500 was far beyond the attendance of 1000 last year in Boston. It seems that the students were especially excited to come to New Orleans to make a difference in the lives of the people there.

HOPEworldwide helped to organize the day for the ICOC students. They were the first choice of the conference organizers, and by all accounts HOPEworldwide did a magnificent job. They spent months getting ready for the big day, training over 100 Americorps and HOPE Youthcorp workers.

Many federal, local and state officials turned up to thank both the students and HOPEww. Congresswoman Francine Waters of California, Raymond Jetson from the Louisiana State government, along with Ralph Boyd, chairman and Vice CEO of Freddie Mac corporation, all thanked the group at length.

Other community groups like Acorn showered us with thanksgiving. It was a great day for the students and for HOPEww, but it was an even better day for the residents. They have been given a chance to rebuild.

Michael Taliaferro, IcocHotNews

Editors Note:

As I reflect on this incredible event, I am reminded of the former dean of Marsh Chapel at Boston University, Rev. Thornburg, who wrote about the ICOC saying "They are a fast growing but controversial christian group", and Carolyn Kleiner who said that "they are outlawed on thirty nine campuses around the US". (I don't know where she was getting her information from, because the ICOC is registered on hundreds of colleges across the US). However, I think if they could see this group of 1500 young campus men and woman, from all across the US, doing this amazingly constructive work in New Orleans, they may have to eat their words.

IcocHotNews poll: Do we still have Discipleship Partners? Surprising results

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:00:00 GMT

We surveyed 400 churches; 86% of the churches surveyed said yes...

How many of the International churches of Christ have discipleship partners? It is hard to know exactly. A few have stated with great certainty (and little research) that discipling relationships are not found generally in most of our churches any more. Others, who are actually members of our churches, are seeing a revival taking place. Things are changing, and it is exciting to see. Recently we here at IcocHotNews took a straw poll of our churches around the world to see how many churches still had discipleship partners. It is actually far more popularity practiced than even we had guessed. While we were not able to contact all our churches worldwide, we did speak with roughly 50 evangelists and ministry leaders who work closely with about 400 different churches around the world. Of those churches, 346 churches, or 86.5% of those surveyed, said "yes, we practice discipleship partners."

Some churches have discipleship partners as a required part of their membership. Others said it was strongly encouraged and widely practiced, but not necessarily a requirement for membership. Some churches had changed the name to 'prayer partners' or 'gospel partners,' etc. For the purposes of the survey, if the congregation was strongly encouraging its members to pair up with someone for regular fellowship, prayer, and mutual encouragement, and they were confident that people were in fact doing it, then we put them down as a 'yes.'

A few congregations said, no, we have not really encouraged our people in that direction. Others said it had been mentioned but not followed up on. Others said that they weren't sure what people were doing. All of these were counted as a 'no' response.

In many situations we spoke to one leader who spoke for a region of churches. For example, Mike Fontenot let us know about the 18 churches in the ACR circle of churches (USA) who said 'yes.' Steve Chin told us about China. Roger Lamb helped us with the Midwest. Etc. Thanks to all who helped us.

Some regions we simply did not get to yet. We can't comment on Western Europe or the Caribbean, for instance. Several states in the US we still need to speak with. We hope to correspond with them soon.

Still, many regions were unanimous. The Middle East, Africa, South East Asia, Mexico, Central America, the Nordic Nations, and India/Pakistan were virtually unanimous in their practicing of discipleship partners. Several USA circles of churches responded that 'yes' all their churches were doing it. Other regions were mixed. Several places said 'no', but that they were going to implement discipleship partners very soon.

In summary, we have roughly 525 churches worldwide. We have heard from approximately 400 of those churches. We can now say with certainty that most of our churches worldwide do indeed have discipleship partners. In fact, of the churches we contacted, 86.5% said 'yes.'

We are elated at this news. We here at IcocHotNews are big believers in discipleship and close relationships. We hope that our relationship revival will gather steam around the world. We fully recognize that discipleship partners today are (thankfully) much different than what many were experiencing 10 years ago. We know that we blew it in this area in the past. We also feel that we have grown. As far as we know, no churches assign the partners (everyone chooses for themselves), and all respondents were very convicted about the need for relationships that are not harsh or bossy, but rather Biblically balanced, respectful, and mature.

Our survey is not complete. We are considering teaming up with our friends at Disciples Today as they attempt a much more detailed survey. In the next few months, they hope to be contacting ALL our churches. We will pass the news on to you as soon as it is completed.

What does this survey mean? Well, it means that close, discipling relationships are not dead or dying, but rather reviving. It also means that we still share the core belief in our churches that discipling is a key part of our faith.

Next article in this series: What is a discipleship partner, and why do we have them in our churches?

USC newspaper apologizes for article about ICOC

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Editor Calls Article a "Mistake"...

We heard from John Markowski of the Los Angeles Church of Christ that the editor of the "Daily Trojan" has apologized for the article it ran 10 days ago that was critical of the church, calling the article "a mistake." The editor of the school paper for the University of Southern California says she plans to write the student group a personal letter of apology. She regretted any stress it may have caused the students. An addendum will be attached to the original article in their archives. SEE HERE

IcocHotNews welcomes this apology, and applauds the paper for its humility and integrity.

The article sparked a controversy when it repeated several accusations against the church from an article over seven years old. Not only did John Markowski speak up in defense of the church, but so did two deans and an administrator in the Office of Religious life. Rabbi Susan Laemmle, Dean of Religious Life, Revd. Elizabeth Davenport, Senior Associate Dean of Religious Life, and Sherry Caudle, Administrator for the Office of Religious Life wrote a letter to the editor. The school officials said that the author's information was "outdated and misleading." They said "the church is unfairly and incorrectly identified" as a problem group. They also said that the truth is "the church has been a very positive influence in the lives of the USC students in recent years." The officials pointed out that "a fact-checking call to the Office of Religious Life would have alerted your reporter to the fact that her story was incorrect, and would also have avoided the distress that has been caused to the leaders and members of this particular Christian group in consequence of the article."

John Markowski said he felt satisfied with both the meeting and the apology.

IcocHotNews