The business of the church is winning souls for Jesus Christ. The church should not be in the business of cultural awareness. But observers in the Liberian religious community saw the removal of Rev. Barcon in a larger context than mere disagreement over policy issues. They said it had to do with control. Unlike mainstream churches which are governed by established norms, the International Christian Fellowship and other vision-based churches are tightly controlled by their leaders.
Decisions emanate from a select few.
Rev. Barcon did not fit the compliant follower mode, so he had to go. Regarded as a pillar of strength by his church and many in the Liberian Community of Georgia, the ubiquitous 43-year old electrical engineer turned preacher of the gospel has been there for many when the going gets rough. At a time when many successful Liberians are staying away from Liberian communities across the U.S., for their own selfish reasons, Rev. Harris has always found time to attend community meetings and other events geared towards helping his people and country. ICF has played a very positive role in our community. While Rev. Harris has been cited for his tireless and unselfish devotion to causes in the Liberian Community of Georgia, not everyone sings praises of him.