The Continuing Problem With Shepherding TheologyRock Of Offence Special CommentaryDear Brother, Thank you for the comments about the Rock Of Offence website. I both grieve and rejoice about your experience with the “discipleship and shepherding movement”. I grieve because of the damage these teachings inflict upon lives. I rejoice because you’ve removed yourself and your family from its trappings. You might not feel this way now, but your experience will provide spiritual insight that can’t be obtained anywhere else. You now have a better chance at identifying this stealth influence that operate in other churches, but you can also help those who were hurt by it. Today, the discipleship and shepherding movement (as we once knew it) has changed its name. Yet, as you pointed out, their doctrine (or template) remains essentially the same. Today, it doesn’t seem to go by any name that identifies a single movement. It was exposed, starting with a powerful denunciation by Derek Prince, as religious error. The leaders that refused to repent from its practices (like the group I was associated with) just changed the name to something the average Christian wouldn’t recognize. These men and the next generation leadership they "discipled" now operate a fellowship of over 3000 members 30 minutes from where I live and have “sister” fellowships in other U.S. cities. I like to refer to their practices as “chameleon-like”, because they tend to change their color (the name of their organization and other labels that identify thier goals) to match the mood of the public. It's a strategy used to avoid any detection of their original theology. They’ve changed the name of the church 3 or 4 times over 30 years and choose various “family friendly” labels to identify their programs and entice the public. For the most part, I’ve made an effort to break all contact in an effort to spiritually heal and restart my Christian life. I spent over 4 years in the movement from around 1978 to 1982. I had a "front row seat" as it destroyed a much-needed revival, which was gaining momentum in Washington, DC. This revival had the ability to sweep the entire city, but was cut-off prematurely. Looking backward, I have no doubt about who was initially behind this act. It wasn't God. I still carry emotional scars some 30 years later. Because of the things both my wife and I endured, I avoid talking about it, except for a few articles on the website. It reopens old wounds every time the subject comes up. However, it wasn’t long after we left the group that I began to notice some disturbing things. Many of the same “shepherding movement strategies and principles” were subtly used in other unrelated fellowships and church groups around the country. You correctly referred to their theology as “the Galatian error”. Derek Prince used the same term. Actually, I tend to call it, “the Galatian heresy”, which is a descriptive label more aligned with the apostle Paul’s condemnation of the doctrine in the New Testament. For more detailed information there's a Bible study entitled, "Contending For The Faith". You can read this 3 part series by clicking HERE. Two other articles that talk about "The Other Side of Discipleship" may also be helpful. You can read this information HERE. In his epistles to the Galatians and the Corinthians, Paul warned the church about the error of “a different gospel” and “another Jesus”, which are other terms used to describe the Galatian error. Most Christians are programed to think that Paul was warning about the common cult groups that occasionally show up at our door. This is only partly true. Paul was warning more about THOSE AMONG US within the Christian Church that appear to be fellow believers, but preach a counterfeit (or “look-alike”) gospel message. Paul was so adamant about the danger of this "different gospel" (something very difficult to discern) that he instructed all believers under his care to constantly “test themselves” to be sure they were walking “in the true faith of Christ” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Paul warned that the “Galatian error” was actually a form of “false faith in Christ”, which is why he issued this stern offensive warning. Those that practice this “false faith in Christ” love, serve and worship Jesus with all their hearts and have an intense commitment to "evangelism". Yet, Paul warned that the Jesus they claim to love and serve is actually “another Jesus”. He's a look-alike "imitation Jesus" THAT GOD DOES NOT HONOR. This is a most serious warning. It must never be ignored. Yet, few churches talk about the danger because it offends and divides congregations. Paul’s teaching on this subject has totally upset my Christian worldview. The “church growth” and “Christian unity” movement in the modern church discourages the kind of scrutiny that the apostle Paul commanded us to practice. This is why the discipleship and shepherding movement doctrine (and the countless other variants associated with it) can move around virtually undetected and unhindered. Those of us who draw attention to these dangers are commonly accused of being divisive and failing to “walk in love” with other professing Christians who may be following the "other Jesus" that Paul warns about. The late Keith Green once said the following (Note: We're paraphrasing his comments): Christians who love truth are the very ones who will oppose Christian unity that is established on falsehood. He went on to say that God will use the “truthseekers” in the church to crash this false unity party every time. Keith is absolutely right. Yet, if you decide to take this course, don’t expect to be welcome in most churches today. It usually doesn’t fit their agenda. I have no information on the particular preacher or group you mentioned. I spend more time these days writing various commentaries for the website, rather than following the new “shepherding movement” -- something I'd rather forget. I’ve learned that you have to approach this whole "Galatian error" subject the same way professional money handlers learn to identify counterfeit money. You have to know the truth and the authentic Jesus so well--that when you come in contact with the false, it's immediately recognized regardless of its good appearance. You have to use this method because “names and labels” are used in a misleading way that doesn't provide any useful identifying information. Since it was publicly exposed, the old discipleship and shepherding movement was forced to redesign and repackage itself in order to convince the Christian public that it was gone forever. Yet, I can tell you that it's not “gone”. Like a virus that evades a vaccine, it likes to mutate into a different form (using a different name) that’s harder to detect. The old “Dragnet” television series from the 1970’s (if you remember) used a phrase that later became a popular cliché; “The names in this program have been changed to protect the innocent”. But in our case, “the names have been changed to protect the guilty”. It’s an effective religious strategy that's been operating in the Church for thousands of years. I apologize that it took so long to respond. There's been a lot of activity with the Christmas season this year. I take every email seriously. This is especially true with yours, since we have similar experiences. I fully understand your frustrations and concerns. For the first time in its ten year history, an increasing number of people seem to be interested in our website, which requires more personal attention than I can sometimes give. I launched this effort many years ago (The Bible calls it a “watchman’s ministry”) from a burden that was birthed as a result of the shepherding movement we have both, unfortunately, come to know. My experience in that place shocked me into the realization that the Christian life was far more dangerous and complicated than I was led to believe. I learned the hard way that “the Church” is more like a dangerous war zone than a safe fellowship area. Getting snared and wounded by some of these spiritual traps can also push us into bitterness and vengeance. It is an attitude and mindset that I always guard against. We can get bitter because many of those we trusted with our life (and our family) spiritually betrayed and hurt us. This kind of betrayal is hard for anyone to overcome. Yet, Jesus can heal these things over time. The challenge is to stay focused on Christ and walk in the “new and living way” that was made available by His blood. I would challenge you to follow the same pathway, while remaining vigilant, sober and watchful. We wish you and your family a very happy and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Sincerely In Christ, Rock of Offence Ministries
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