By now, I’m sure those that care already know about Kip’s grab for Hilo and Honolulu. I also imagine that some have heard the other side of the story from Oahu. It’s the eighties all over again with the reconstructions and ‘calling out’ of the truly dedicated from the lukewarm.

Hearing Oahu’s side of it, I was struck by the humility of one speaker and how he talked about healing. Sure there have been apologies, but there needs to be healing for what was done to the churches in Hawaii (and worldwide for that matter). As he spoke about being able to see good in himself and others, I was encouraged. It seems that the folks over there are in good hands.

However, it does strike me that it took listening to Kip in person in Hilo to figure out what Kip was doing there. He read the letter from the 85 to Kip written almost two years ago to the congregation, but where was this letter last week? It feels weird to say that they have done well for being two years late. We all should have been talking about Kip and worked through that and done so publically. Waiting until he arrives is far too late – it makes it look like its about him and not his doctrine.

Is Kip a threat? Long term, no. In the short term, however, there is a desire by some to ‘be allowed’ to be zealous. A masquerador, like Kip, can come in and manipulate that desire. Our brothers and sisters that desire to ‘be radical’, however grating it may be to me, need to be loved and accepted as well. In this regard, it’s good to talk about Kip and what he represents, especially as some think that his mission, purpose, and zeal are good despite his bad doctrine and lack of repentance.

There was also a part of the recordings that mentioned the UP. I don’t believe that it was an intentional promotional plug, but it does bother me. Unity won the day, but not because of the agreement. Did the relationships grow fond overnight after signing or were they there because of 10+ years of relationship? I believe the latter is true, the first speaker (I forget the name) being baptized by one of the folks from LA. Everyone else involved seemed to be a part of the mission team in the 80s. I don’t think the UP brought them together to deal with Kip, I think their long history together did. I would hate to think that no one would help Chattenoga, if the same thing were happening to them.

All in all, I pray for the folks there, like I pray for the folks in Wichita and elsewhere. I hope folks can come together, not in fear, but in recognition of the need of each other. This does not excuse the need for help outside the Church of Christ paradigm, but it goes a long way to keep people together for reasons other than some artificially created zeal over saving the world in six years. I really hope that the good of what was said is indeed true.