The Continuing Problem With Shepherding TheologyFred HandschumacherDear Brother, Thank you for the comments you made 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 – and rejoice that you’ve removed yourself and your family from its trappings. You may not appreciate it now, but your experience gives you valuable spiritual equipment and insight that can’t be obtained anywhere else. Not only do you have a better chance at identifying this stealth influence in the church, but you can also help others who were hurt and wounded by it. Today, the discipleship and shepherding movement, as we once knew it, doesn’t go by that name anymore. Yet, as you pointed out, their doctrine (or template as you called it) remains essentially the same. Actually, it doesn’t seem to go by any name that identifies a single movement. It was exposed, starting with Derek Prince’s powerful denunciation, as religious error – and for that reason, those 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 my house and have “sister” fellowships in other U.S. cities. I like to refer to their practices as “chameleon-like”, where they change their color to match their surroundings to hide their true intentions. They’ve changed the name of the church 3 or 4 times in 28 years and use “family friendly” agendas to entice the public. For the most part – I’ve made an effort, like you, to sever all contact in an effort to restart my Christian life. I spent over 4 years in the movement from around 1978 to 1982. I watched, first hand, as it ended a much-needed revival that was building momentum in Washington, DC. This revival had the capability and momentum to sweep the entire city – yet was cut off early. I wonder who was behind that effort? I still carry emotional scars some 28 years later. Because of the things my wife and I endured, I try not to talk about it anymore, except for the article I placed on the website. It’s like reopening old wounds every time the subject comes up. However, it wasn’t long after we left that I began to notice a lot of the same “shepherding movement principles” in other unrelated fellowships and church groups – only at a more subtle level. You correctly referred to these things (as did Derek Prince) as “the Galatian error”. Actually, I would call it, “the Galatian heresy”, which is more aligned with the apostle Paul’s teaching on it in the New Testament. As you know, in his epistles to the Galatians and the Corinthians, Paul warned the church about the error of “a different gospel” and “another Jesus” (the Galatian error). Most Christians wrongly think Paul was talking about the common cult groups that occasionally show up at our door. Yet, Paul was talking about THOSE AMONG US that look and sound like Christians, but preach a counterfeit (or “look-alike”) gospel message. Paul was so adamant about the threat (which is very difficult to discern) that he instructed all believers under his care to constantly “test themselves” to be sure they were walking “in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Paul suggested that the “Galatian error” was actually a form of “false faith in Christ”, which is why he issued this stern warning. Those that practice this “false faith in Christ” love and serve Jesus with all their hearts and have an intense commitment to "evangelism". Yet, here is the most fearful part: Paul warned that the Jesus they claim to love and serve is actually “another Jesus” – or a “look-alike” Jesus. This is why these things are so serious and must never be ignored – and no church I know talks much about it because it offends and divides believers. Paul’s teaching on this issue has totally upset my Christian worldview. The “church growth” and “Christian unity” movement in the church today discourages the kind of scrutiny that the apostle Paul commanded us to use. This is why the discipleship and shepherding movement doctrine (and the countless other variants like it) can move around virtually undetected and unhindered. Those of us who draw attention to these dangers are commonly accused of being obsessed, divisive and demonstrating a failure to “walk in love” with other Christians. The late Keith Green once said (this is a paraphrase of his comments) -- that Christians who love truth are the very ones who will oppose Christian unity that is built on falsehood. He suggested that God will use the “truthseekers” in the church to crash this 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 doesn’t fit the agenda. I have no information on the particular preacher and group you mentioned. I’ve been spending more time lately studying and writing various commentaries for the website – rather than following where the redefined “shepherding movement” is now operating. I’ve learned that you have to approach this thing like professional money handlers treat counterfeit money. You have to know the truth so well – and you have to know the real Jesus so well -- that when you come in contact with the false – you immediately recognize it regardless of its name or the “good intentions” of the pastor or leader. You have to use this method because “names” are used in a misleading way and don’t tell us much anymore. Because 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 (and as you now know), it is not “gone”. Like a virus that tries to evade a vaccine, it tends to mutate into a different form (using a different name) that’s harder to detect. If you remember, the old “Dragnet” television series from the 1970’s used a saying that later became a popular cliché, “The names in this program have been changed to protect the innocent”. Well, in our case, “the names have been changed to protect the guilty”. “And, it’s an effective strategy that's been operating in the Church for thousands of years. I apologize that I took so long to respond. I currently have a lot of things going on – and with the Christmas season here, it’s hard to respond to everyone. I take every email seriously – especially yours because we have similar experiences. Believe me, I fully understand your frustrations and concerns. Also, 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 (The Bible calls it a “watchman’s ministry”) from a burden that was birthed many years ago in 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 social club. Getting snared and wounded by some of these spiritual traps can also push us into bitterness and vengeance -- something I always try to guard against. We can get bitter because many of those we trusted with our life and family, betrayed and hurt us – and that’s 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, William Handschumacher Rock of Offence Ministries |
