It’s been a while and there is still very little reaction to Thomas’ calling of the remnant. Maybe cooler heads are mulling over a more reasoned response.

I would like to hope this is true.

UPDATE: It seems that maybe cooler heads may prevail after all. I found out about a discussion that promises to address the issues raised by this article. As such, let me encourage you to just skip the rest. More coming soon.

Meanwhile, I’m waiting. I’m waiting for people that set themselves up as leaders for “our fellowship” of churches to act like leaders.

You know, we all have our interpretation of HKL and subsequent fallout. Many, including me, have opined about various ramifications and hopes for the future. We’ve proscribed all kinds of treatments and solutions ranging from the drastic to the mundane. We even argued a bit with each other and got upset at perceived overreactions and underreactions on both sides. In short, it’s been like one of my family reunions – we get angry at each other, but we all come together at the end of the night.

However, there are some of that are seen as leaders across several churches. If you’re not sure you are in this category, ask yourself if you have been asked/paid to speak at a church that is not your own or remotely closeby. If you have, I’m talking to you. Just to be clear, let’s say that I am a member of the Twin Cities Church of Christ in Minnesota. If I am asked to speak in Texas or Arizona or Florida – places that are clearly NOT close to my home church – I am seen by others as a leader equivalent to the old World Sector Leader or Kingdom Teacher or Kingdom Elder titles. If this applies to you, again, I am speaking about you.

Say something. Everyone wanted to know your thoughts about how to deal with HKL, why do you think they don’t want to know your thoughts now? Are you waiting to tell them in person? Is that it? Here, Thomas rewrites history, distorts the truth and it goes unchallenged. Now, he is calling out a remnant – are you so greedy that you won’t say something until you’re asked to speak at your next seminar? Yes, I said greedy. Some of you go to 10 -12 conferences a year all over the world. If you don’t want to be seen as a worldwide leader, then STAY HOME AND STOP ACTING LIKE ONE. However, since you are, then do what leaders do: act.

A threat is coming to our fellowship of churches and the resulting silence is killing me. It’s also hurting many others that are afraid of Thomas, but like Voldemort, will not even says his name. People are afraid and they need to be comforted. If you really want the followership to act respectful and trust you, then DO SOMETHING. Say that it will be okay. Say that this church will not follow Thomas. Say that this church WILL follow Thomas. Say that Thomas has some good ideas. Say that Thomas is the paragon of eisegesis. Just say something, anything. Saying that certain principles are good/bad/indifferent will not cut it, people are not afraid of so-called discipling, they are afraid of Thomas McKean. Without saying Thomas McKean in your remarks, their fears will not be addressed.

Be like the Apostle John would said to Gaius that if he came into town, he would address what Diotrephes is doing. Why do we know about Diotrephes? Because the Apostle John called him by name, not by teaching. You think he showed up and said in a nice,even tone that “certain people” aren’t welcoming the brothers and “certain people” are gossiping maliciously and that those “certain people” need to stop?

Be like Paul who confronted Peter to his face, in front of everyone. He saw what was happening and he dealt with it.

I’m not railing on you because I enjoy it or because I am trying to heap coals on your head.

I am begging you. Please say something.

Even I, who says all kinds of things in criticism, still hopes in the trustworthiness of certain men and women. I will fight my own battles and I don’t need you to fight them for me. I’m not asking for that. I’m asking for you to just lead. Help us with our fears. Give us some hope.

If all of this sounds like too much for you – STOP TALKING ALL OVER THE WORLD AND STAY HOME.
If you decide to hesitate, then don’t look for support from me.
If you decide to do something, I will follow you.