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International Christian Church
Classification	Christian, Restorationist, Christian Fundamentalism, Non-Denominational
Orientation	Whole Bible, Discipleship
Polity	non-congregationalist
Associations	MERCYworldwide, UpSideDown21, Discipleship Media, International College of Christian Ministries
Region	98 churches within 38 nations
Founder	Thomas McKean & Elena McKean
Origin	2006 Portland, Oregon
Separated from	International Churches of Christ
Members	7,000

The International Christian Church (ICC) is a restorationist, conservative , fundamentalist , Christian non-denominational church. One of the foundational beliefs of the church is "the evangelization of all nations in one generation." Beginning in 2006 with 800 members in 16 churches, now twelve years later the ICC claims a worldwide membership of 7,000 members, across 98 churches, in 38 nations. The ICC's primary pillar church is in Los Angeles California and is currently lead by Tim & Lianne Kernan. Former leaders have raised concerns toward the church over the corporate leadership structure, member retention, intolerance of sin and financial giving. An ICC church leader responded to their claims stating, "Many leaders who have left God’s movement simply didn’t get what they wanted; and then changed their convictions to appease their conscience, and validate their wants that were supposed to be given up at baptism."

History

Origins in the Stone-Campbell Movement

The ICC has its roots in a movement that reaches back to the period of the Second Great Awakening (1790–1870) of early nineteenth-century America. Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell are credited with what is today known as the Stone-Campbell or Restoration Movement. There are a number of branches of the Restoration movement and the ICoC was formed from within the Churches of Christ. Specifically, it was born from a "discipling" movement that arose among the mainline Churches of Christ during the 1970s. This discipling movement developed in the campus ministry of Chuck Lucas.

In 1967, Chuck Lucas was minister of the 14th Street Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida (later renamed the Crossroads Church of Christ). That year he started a new project known as Campus Advance (based on principles borrowed from the Campus Crusade and the Shepherding Movement). Centered on the University of Florida, the program called for a strong evangelical outreach and an intimate religious atmosphere in the form of soul talks and prayer partners. Soul talks were held in student residences and involved prayer and sharing overseen by a leader who delegated authority over group members. Prayer partners referred to the practice of pairing a new Christian with an older guide for personal assistance and direction. Both procedures led to "in-depth involvement of each member in one another's lives".

The ministry grew as younger members appreciated many of the new emphases on commitment and models for communal activity. This activity became identified by many with the forces of radical change in the larger American society that characterized the late sixties and seventies. The campus ministry in Gainesville thrived and sustained strong support from the elders of the local congregation in the 'Crossroads Church of Christ'. By 1971, as many as a hundred people a year were joining the church. Most notable was the development of a training program for potential campus ministers. By the mid-seventies, a number of young men and women had been trained to replicate the philosophy and methods of the Crossroads Church in other places.

The International Christian Church, which refers to itself as the "Sold-out Discipling Movement" (SODM) was formed in May 6, 2006 by Kip McKean after his dismissal from the International Churches of Christ (ICOC). McKean sent out a mission team to begin a new congregation in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2006 and then led a team of 42 to Los Angeles in 2007 to start the City of Angels ICC.

In August 2008, the Portland International Christian Church, the founding church of the ICC, made the decision to break ties with McKean and the ICC. The church chose to realign itself with the ICOC family of churches. Four other churches, initially listed with the Portland Movement, followed Portland's lead and disassociated themselves from the International Christian Churches.

Regarding the retention rate, not only churches are distancing themselves from the SODM, members themselves leave in large numbers. One of the former ICC Evangelists wrote:

"Look at the fall away (departure) rate around the movement. It is close to 80% now. Even in LA there’s a near 90% fall away rate. In 2015, 369 people were baptized in the LA congregation and 337 people fell away."

Beliefs and practices

Bible Study

Each new member is taught the elementary teachings of the Bible through a series of studies that emphasize a personal relationship with God. Studies covering how to seek God with your whole heart, what the Word of God is, what the kingdom of God is, the necessity of discipleship, the function of the church, and the importance of being involved in a Christian community. The church also takes each member through studies about baptism and repentance of sin. Additionally these studies are taught in a class format annually to the church as a whole to refine members on how to conduct them within their individual communities.

Good News Email

A general practice of the church is to publish a monthly "Good News email" which discusses the people joining the church, weddings, charitable events & related themes. Websites themed "Why I left the ICC" have sprung up to provide another perspective from the people leaving the church. The International Churches of Christ disfellowshipped McKean due to similar complaints of unbiblical leadership practices.

Perception of Persecution

The ICC emphasizes that Jesus' church in the Bible was persecuted, and therefore, members should not be concerned when outsiders refer to the ICC as a sect, cult, or with other emotionally-charged terminology. In fact, the ICC teaches that having detractors due to righteousness is great evidence that they are effectively imitating the teachings and practices of the church of the first century. Victor Gonzalez, having been a part of the ICC since its inception, disagrees. He was dismissed from the church for divisive behavior. He described having been physically manhandled by top leaders.

Money

Each member is expected to give a tithe or more of their income to the church. One or more times per year there is another contribution, the "Special Contribution," which is typically a multiple of the regular weekly contribution between based on need. This goal varies annually. "In 2015, most SoldOut Movement Congregations gave a minimum of 27X for missions – 20X in May (1X went to local weekly needs) and 9X in November (1X went to local weekly needs). In 2016, we have laid a plan for each church to give 25X for missions – 3X in February (1X to local needs), 20X in May (1X to local needs), and 5X in November (1X to local weekly needs)" This "Special Contribution" is taken up to fund missions and additional ministry expenses. Great emphasis is placed on each member reaching his or her goals through fund raising events and sacrificial financial giving. During midweek services, an optional internal collection called benevolence is taken up for emergency needs within the church.

Tenets of the church

The Five Foundational SoldOut Movement Convictions

• We believe all scripture is inspired by God*
• We believe where the Bible speaks we are to be silent, and to speak where the Bible is silent
• We believe the Church is composed of only Soldout disciples in discipling relationships
• We believe in a centralized leadership with a centralized leader
• We believe we will evangelize all nations in this generation

Phase 1 to evangelize the world is referred to as "The Crown of Thorns Project." It involves planting 12 churches in 12 pillar global locations worldwide. The final planting to complete phase one is was completed August 2017 with the Manila Philippians Mission team leaving for Hong Kong.

Phase 2 of international evangelization includes the following cities: Amsterdam, Auckland, Bahrain, Bogota, Cochabamba, Johannesburg, Kiev, Kinshasa, Port-au-Prince, Quito, & Stockholm.

Phase 3 of international evangelization includes the following cities: Bangalore, Birmingham, Cebu, Delhi, Haiti, Korezouzoua, Monterrey, Rio de Janeiro, and St. Petersburg.

The full outline of basic beliefs are available for study in the church's published doctrinal guide, called "First Principles."

Meetings and ministries

Worship Services

Sunday worship services are held every week with singing, prayer, communion, contribution for ministry expenses, sermon, announcements, and fellowship.

Wednesday worship services are held every week with singing, prayer, contribution for benevolence, sermon, announcements, fellowship & discipleship groups.

Bible Talk

Bible talks are small group discussions throughout the week on college campus, home, or public setting designed for open public discussion of scripture. Members are encouraged to use these as fishing holes to attract potential new members. Daily discussions are the modern version of Paul the Apostle's daily activity in the Hall of Tyrannus in first century Ephesus.

GLC

The Global Leadership Conference (GLC) is an annual conference for members in leadership roles or those who aspire to leadership within the church.

Chemical Recovery Ministry

ICC churches have an internal Chemical Recovery Ministry aimed at helping people with addictions to alcohol, drugs and nicotine similar in format to other successful church programs.

Ministerio Latino

Spanish for "Latin ministry" and are Spanish-speaking groups within some ICC churches.

Women's Day & Men's Forum

Once per year, each region has a conference focusing on the particular challenges for men or women respectively in life. Each year follows a theme such as Victory in the Brotherhood 2017 or Unfading Beauty 2018. These events generally include food, vulnerable testimonies, performances, and guest speakers.

Associations & Internal Programs

The International College of Christian Ministry (ICCM)

The California Bureau of Postsecondary Education approved the founding of the ICCM, and the university received “Verification of Exempt Status” which allows the ICCM to grant Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Ministry according to their own Biblical doctrines and standards in various ministry tracks. The internal seminary of the church has received some criticism because their degrees are not transferable to department of education regulated 4-year universities.

Discipleship Media

Discipleship Media (DM) & SoldOutPress Int'l are the nascent publishing arm of the ICC and currently publishes "First Principles" church booklets & Elena McKean's book, "Elevate."

Good News Network

The Good News Network (GNN) is the film-making arm of the ICC, and has produced the short film, Eyes Wide Open and Respect.

MERCY Worldwide

Founded in 2008 and based on HOPE Worldwide, Maximizing Efforts for Relief Care and Youth (MERCY), is the benevolent arm of the church and organizes charitable events. Currently Nick & Denise Bordieri serve as Executive Director and Executive Vice President. Some of the events run by MERCY include: an international toy drive and a blood drive across the US in partnership with the Red Cross. MERCY Worldwide recently acquired the Workforce Developer Network of Chicago, a network of over 35 agencies throughout Chicago that works to find jobs for people with mental disabilities.

Relationship with the Icoc

McKean has repeatedly admitted that he has struggled with bitterness in his heart towards some of the leaders of the ICOC, which comes out in his speaking and descriptions of the ICOC.

Additionally the ICC had classes in 2013 at the annual leadership Jubilee, where members were trained and instructed how to reach out to and "harvest" people away from their "former fellowship". The church justifies its tactics to recruit from existing churches of disciples by using "remnant theology". This is an Old Testament concept describing Israelites who had not fallen into idolatry and abandoned their faith. This theology is applied to New Testament disciples who are in churches not under McKean's leadership. They try to boost their growth by "drawing disciples away" from current ICOC congregations. The ICOC has grown by over 17, 000 members since 2008.

See also

• Churches of Christ
• Church Fathers
• Christianity in the 1st century
• Christianity in the 2nd century
• Christianity in the 3rd century
• Christian Torah-submission
• Constantine I and Christianity
• Constantinian shift
• Early Christian art and architecture
• Great Church
• History of early Christianity
• History of late ancient Christianity
• Orthodox Christianity
• Papal primacy
• Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire
• Restorationism
• Society for the Study of Early Christianity
• State church of the Roman Empire
• Synergism (theology)
• Timeline of Orthodoxy in Greece (33-717)

References

1. ^ "Membership Data Update GNE".
2. kip-mckean.com – Get Your Answers Here!
3. "Icc Origins". Retrieved April 12, 2017.
4. http://www.disciplestoday.org/commentary/perspectives/item-49-kip-mckean-starts-the-international-christian-churches
5. http://www.mmicc.net/join-the-revolution-caicc-bulletin/
6. http://livinginthebookofacts.blogspot.com/
7. http://www.bostonicc.org/living-in-the-book-of-acts/
8. Stanback, C. Foster. Into All Nations: A History of the International Churches of Christ. IPI, 2005
9. ^ Douglas Allen Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0-8028-3898-7, ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8, 854 pages, entry on International Churches of Christ
10. Paden, Russell (July 1995). "The Boston Church of Christ". In Miller, Timothy (ed.). America's Alternative Religions. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 133–36. ISBN 978-0-7914-2397-4. Retrieved August 7, 2007. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
11. Wilson, John F. "The International Church of Christ: A Historical Overview." Leaven (Pepperdine University), 2010: 1–5.
12. ^ Roger Lamb and the Disciples Today Editorial Advisory Board. "Kip McKean Starts The International Christian Churches". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
13. tocbsm
14. "Portland Breaks with McKean. Extends the Hand of Fellowship to the ICOC". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
15. "Portland Becoming a Popular Destination". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
16. http://www.icochotnews.com/?q=node/96
17. ^ http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/FirstPrinciples_Eng.pdf
18. Brothers from the ICOC (November 4, 2005). "Brothers' Statement to Kip McKean 4 November 2005". Disciples Today. Retrieved May 6, 2012..
19. "City Of Angels International Christian Church (ICC) Blog". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
20. http://www.caicc.net/2014/03/08/tear-down-this-wall-by-kip-mckean/ Kip McKean, CAICC.net website, March 8, 2014
21. http://www.caicc.net/we-are-family/
22. http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140817-JMC-Sermon-AllScriptureIsInspired.pdf
23. http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/video/2014Series-FiveFoundationalConvictions/20140824-JMC-Sermon-BeSilentWhereTheBibleSpeaks.pdf
24. http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140831-JMC-Sermon-ChurchIsComposedofSoldOutDisciples.pdf
25. http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140907-JMC-Sermon-CentralLeadershipCentralLeader.pdf
26. http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140914-JMC-Sermon-AllNationsInThisGeneration.pdf
27. https://docs.google.com/document/d/15Z_5LYfun-1lwLL4D0_hUv0E1YunhgeZ6B72HPMQRME/edit
28. "Report: 2012 Global Leadership Conference – Chosen". Washington DC International Christian Church. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
29. The Chemical Recovery Fellowship. "Misc - ChemicalRecovery.Org". chemicalrecovery.org.
30. http://www.caicc.net/loyal-latins-2/
31. ^ "City Of Angels International Christian Church (ICC) Blog". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
32. http://www.exicc.org
33. https://soldoutpressinternational.com/author-book/elenagarciamckean/
34. "Nick Bordieri". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
35. "Denise Bordieri – Contact - MERCYWORLDWIDE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
36. "TOY DRIVE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
37. "BLOOD DRIVE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
38. "Workforce Developer Network Finds Jobs for 101 People with Disabilities, Gets Acquired by MERCYWORLDWIDE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
39. http://www.mercyworldwide.org/about-us/
40. "City of Angels International Christian Church » A Member of the SoldOut Discipling Movement » ACEDIA – THE FORGOTTEN SIN". City of Angels International Christian Church. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
41. Raul Moreno, "Bringing in the Remnant", 2013 Global Leadership Conference
42. http://www.icochotnews.com/?q=node/2207
43. http://www.icochotnews.com/?q=node/202

External links

• UpSideDown21: Official website of the International Christian Churches
• Kip McKean's official website
• CAICC.net: Official website of the City of Angels ICC
• MERCY Worldwide: Official website of MERCY Worldwide
• Ministerio Latino blog about the City of Angels International Christian Church

Category:Christian denominations established in the 21st century Category:Evangelical denominations in North America Category:Religious organizations established in 2006 Category:Fundamentalist denominations

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