Henry Kriete has resurfaced again, here are his comments as posted: (personal messages to two others ommitted)

…For the last time, ahem, I left the ICOC in my heart-the institution, human organization, denomination, sect, cult or whatever you may call it-about 1.5 years ago. I have demonstrated this and stated this publicly and privately many times over. However, I still very much believe there are true and wonderful Christians among them. I believe Kip is delusional and arrogant. Doctrine aside, I believe he is a false teacher based on his ethical failures, deceitfulness and divisive spirit. I say to anyone and everyone involved with him or in the same camp as him-run for your lives!

Brian is miles and miles from Kip. He has nothing to do with Kip. But, he has more relationships with ICOC churches than me by a long shot. I am very uncomfortable with the ICOC leadership-current, former or whatever- for many reasons-but in particular the ongoing coward ness in publicly denouncing Kip. Like many of you, I am very alarmed. Just this week I said to an ICOC teacher, ‘What the ICOC needs right now is a Churchill, not a Chamberlain’ That’s pretty straight forward don’t you think?

Scott Green is just a couple miles away from me. We have never spoken. I never attended the recent Spokane conference-no interest at all. However, about 40 did go from Vancouver and seemed to have a great time. Good for them.

Brian has been my friend-although our relationship was anything but that when we first moved here. If Brian starts to go back to the old ways, many will leave Vancouver, I am convinced. But until now, that has not happened. I have never been asked about my contribution or my attendance and don’t have a discipleship partner (in principle I see nothing wrong with a mentoring relationship based on love and grace-with even higher accountability for those who are called to lead) I have been to NY twice a month for about 8 months now (which is 8-9 days a month). Altogether I have been going for 18 months. I do way more there in terms of ministry and teaching than in Vancouver-by far. I would say without question, between the two fellowships, my closest friends are now in NY. They know I still attend in Vancouver and that Vancouver is a reformed ‘ICOC’ congregation. Nothing is enforced in Vancouver-still. That’s two years now. What might happen later on is later on. But for now…

I don’t endorse all of Brian’s theology or his positions on things or his ongoing association with those in the ICOC-I endorse our friendship in Christ, that’s all. Brian is an excellent expositor of the Word and my family’s spiritual needs have met. Hopefully, we too have been a source of encouragement and grace.

I recently took a position as the full time minister for the Maple Ridge church of Christ. They are a small but wonderful group of Christians. Being in the full time ministry has still been a prayer of mine and I truly believe that, at least for now, that’s what God wants from me. They initiated with me about 2-3 months ago and after building our friendship, mutual trust and respect, formally asked me to be their minister last week. I am grateful and humbled and hope that I can serve them in a way that pleases Christ. My son will worship in both places for now because they are just starting to build a teen ministry.

Like I have said before, like it or not- I will worship where I want to and teach where I am invited to teach-as long as I may teach about Christ. I am very excited for this new beginning. I will still maintain many of my friendships with Vancouver. I am not leaving the Vancouver ICOC-I left the ICOC a while ago. In this regard I want to be like Jesus-he ate with the Pharisee and the prostitute. He faithfully attended the synagogue every Sabbath knowing that almost every synagogue leader was a Pharisee or legalistic. And he still sang his heart out I’m sure. He had a tax collector and a zealot among his closest friend’s. He was a demon, a glutton, a Samaritan and the Messiah all at once! I want to be like Paul-who loved the Galatians but hated their legalism, cherished the Corinthians but chastised their worldliness, left the Pharisees but still fellowshipped with Christians who remained in the Pharisee sect even after their baptism (Acts 11) Or like Peter, who still hung out with James-the brother of Christ-who was very zealous for the law and was still, I should imagine, treating Gentiles like second class citizens (Gal.2) There is only one Lord, one body, one Spirit, one God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ-why can’t most of you accept this? Not protestant, not catholic, not ICOC, mainline, hard-line or straight-line. Just the church-beautiful and glorious in Christ.

Cecil Hook’s life and spirit has profoundly influenced me. A two hour conversation with him in Portland changed my life. I’m not going to judge anyone before the time-except by what I believe is the truth. I can’t even live up to my own convictions. Mercy triumphs over judgment! I am finished with the ICOC forever as an organization and human institution. And with every human institution and movement. But I am not finished with my brothers and sisters for whom Christ died.

Anyway, I hope this helps. The Maple Ridge Christians accepted me warmly and sincerely knowing I was a ‘Boston Movement’ leader for 22 years. I only hope I can be as gracious to others.

Love,
Henry