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Origins
International Churches of Christ began as an offshoot from the Church of Christ in an evangelistic effort known as the "Crossroads Movement" in Gainesville, Florida. This movement later centralized with its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts where the new denomination officially began. These churches comprise about 96.000 members in over 560 individual congregations worldwide. It has also been called the "Boston Movement" and the "Discipling Movement" (members tend to prefer the title "disciple" rather than "Christian."
Crossroads Church of Christ
A chief influence on the development of the International Churches of Christ was the "Crossroads Movement", growing out of the campus ministry of the 14th Street Church of Christ (later called the Crossroads Church of Christ, which no longer exists by that name) at the University of Florida. Campus minister Chuck Lucas created a very successful style or method of ministry and evangelism. The church established a school of ministry to teach its unique discipling methods. These methods may have been learned from the "Shepherding Movement" that came to prominence within Charismatic and Pentecostal churches in Florida during the 1960s and 1970s. Kip McKean and other "Boston Movement" leaders, including McKean's brother Randy, were trained at the Crossroads school. Lucas resigned in 1985, in the wake of a homosexual scandal, leaving the Crossroads movement.
Though the Crossroads Church of Christ eventually repudiated McKean's "Boston Movement" in the late 1980s, as leaders in the Crossroads Church of Christ publicly apologized for allowing the movement to become what it evolved into, its foundational role cannot be overlooked. McKean and others developed their methods based on those taught by Lucas.
Evangelization Proclamation document
A 1994 document recounts the church's official version of its history at that time (which some have contested). This proclamation included a "Six-Year Plan" to establish an ICOC church in every country with a city of at least 100,000 people, by the year 2000. This was later amended to "by the end of the year 2000" without explanation.
After recounting the now contested history of how the church was called by God to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-10), the document goes on to summarize the church's strategy for doing so. It claimed that God required total commitment from everyone in the ICOC in order to "change the course of human events" by evangelising the whole world. This document was also signed by the World Sector Leaders, and was distributed throughout the ICOC congregations.
Growth of ICOC
The Lexington Church of Christ, outside of Boston, Massachusetts, was considering closing its doors when they decided to hire Kip McKean as minister in 1979. Within two years, the Lexington church grew from 30 members to over 300. In 1981, McKean and the church began to fulfill a "vision" of organizing churches in key world metropolitan centers, especially those with populations greater than 100,000. By the early 1990s, almost 150 churches had been organized. While this growth was widely publicized, McKean determined that a central strategy for funding and organizing new churches was needed. Until that time, individual congregations would organize, train, and fund their own mission teams.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the International Churches of Christ went through a period of rapid growth. A movement of churches was established with the world divided geographically into seven World Sectors. A single International Churches of Christ church was established as a "pillar" for each sector and this church became responsible for missionary work in that area. Lines of responsibility were also passed down from one church to another, with the Boston Church of Christ as the flagship.
In 1990, Kip McKean moved from Boston to head the Los Angeles Church of Christ. Los Angeles quickly became the new central authority for the growing movement. Though still widely known as the "Boston Movement", the official name was adopted in 1993. The official website claims the church had 135,039 members in 434 congregations by January of 2003. However, such figures are widely disputed outside of International Churches of Christ. Currently, the total membership of International Churches of Christ is around 96,000.
The Indianapolis Church of Christ
- This section requires more specific details, and independent references to back them up.
The first major challenge of the International Churches of Christ leadership occurred in 1994, when Ed Powers, evangelist for the Indianapolis Church of Christ, openly questioned several of the more controversial aspects of the International Churches of Christ, including mandated giving and the exclusivity doctrine of salvation. The Indianapolis Church of Christ was surpassing 1,000 in attendance at that time and was a major congregation in the Midwest region of the United States. In a special meeting of the congregation, Ed Powers challenged several of the International Churches of Christ -enforced practices which he identified as quenching the joy and spiritual health of the members of the congregation. Upon learning of this special meeting, leaders from across the United States, including Kip McKean, flew into Indianapolis and effectively split the church. As a result, there were now two congregations in Indianapolis: the newly formed Indianapolis International Church of Christ and the now-estranged and renamed Circle City Church. Ed Powers later retired from the ministry of the Circle City Church and Keith Bradbury became evangelist for the congregation." Steve Cannon currently oversees the Indianapolis International Church of Christ.
Changes in the International Churches of Christ
In early 2001, some of the World Sector Leaders (Regional Evangelists directing geographic areas of churches) began to question the effectiveness of the present leadership structure as well as the qualifications of Kip and Elena McKean to continue in their global leadership role. By September, the issue had reached a head in which the majority of World Sector Leaders agreed that significant changes were necessary. In November 2001, the McKeans announced that they were stepping down from leading the Los Angeles Church of Christ in order to take a sabbatical for an unspecified amount of time in order to focus on "marriage and family issues." All of the McKeans' adult children had disassociated themselves from the movement. This was not the only issue for the sabbatical, but it was a visible "thorn" in Kip McKean's side.
At this time, the International Churches of Christ administration, under the leadership of Andy Fleming (former missionary to Scandinavia and the Soviet Union), began to formulate a plan for a massive reduction in the overhead of the worldwide organization. The goal of this administrative plan was to refocus the resources of the local congregations on building up their own ministries as well as guaranteeing continued 'goodwill' in future missions contributions. By the end of 2002, the overhead had been reduced by 67%, and Fleming resigned as the Chairman of the Board.
Kip McKean's resignation
In November 2002, the McKeans announced their resignations from their roles as World Mission Evangelist, Women's Ministry Leader and Leader of the World Sector Leaders. The World Sector Leaders also announced the disintegration of their leadership group with the suggestion that a new representative leadership group including evangelists, elders and teachers, be formed with an initial meeting in May 2003. In February 2003, Henry Kriete, a leader in the London Church of Christ, wrote an open letter titled "Honest to God: Revolution Through Repentance and Freedom" to the leadership of the International Churches of Christ, criticizing many of its practices. Kriete called for the leaders of the International Churches of Christ to renounce, abandon and repent of its systemic abusive practices, financial capriciousness, arrogance, and abberational teachings. While perhaps originally intended for leaders' eyes only, many rank-and-file members were able to obtain and read copies of the letter over the internet. It remains massively distributed to this day and is posted on a number of websites. The majority of churches throughout the International Churches of Christ eventually accepted the letter. While reactions to the letter caused large rifts, many hurt feelings and scarred faith, many church members, though not all, believe that its writing and widespread dissemination was an act of God intended to compel the church to redress many of its abuses and un-biblical practices. As a result of the letter, many churches in the International Churches of Christ no longer require the strictly assigned discipling relationships that once characterized the International Churches of Christ. Overall, the removal of the hierarchical structure that was part and parcel of the assigned discipling relationships has allowed the leadership and the general membership to become far closer than in the past and there is far less intimidation of "ordinary" members. For example, there is now open opposition to leadership when they are not perceived to be doing what is right. However, it should be noted not all leaders accept the challenges. Furthermore, while many members enjoy the freer, less constrictive fellowship, many also lament the loss of closeness and constant biblical counseling that were a part of the assigned discipling relationships. While a significant number of those relationships were perceived as authoritarian and abusive, many members also acknowledge some of those relationships were also extremely helpful, faith-building and, sometimes, life-saving.
Kip McKean split off and started his new movement
In July 2003, Kip and Elena McKean moved to Portland, Oregon to lead the Portland International Church of Christ. Since that time McKean has been making an effort to reunite as much of the former International Churches of Christ as possible yet maintain what he sees to be biblical convictions. In August 2005, Kip McKean effectively divided International Churches of Christ churches and members between those willing and those unwilling to follow him by announcing "Portland leadership believes it is time for a progressive 'calling-out of the remnant of disciples' from dying, former International Churches of Christ Churches." McKean declared that he would call each church to return to biblical teachings, and if current leadership were not inclined to permit this, he would encourage the formation of a new church and lend his support to them.
Kip McKean's new movement: "International Christian Churches"
The vast majority of churches within the International Churches of Christ have not endorsed McKean's plans and few appear to be inclined to do so in the future. A few churches, notably Phoenix, Boston and Seattle, have publicly announced opposition to McKean's efforts. Since 2005 Kip McKean is considered separate from Reformed & Progressive ICOC congregations and have shown a tendency to call their organization within a city "International Christian Church" to differentiate them from the "original" or re-formed International Churches of Christ.
ICOC open letters to Kip McKean
 | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
ICOC "Brothers Letter" To Kip McKean
October 2005 ICC Divides: Core Separating from Kip McKean Faction
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Brothers' Statement to Kip McKean 2005
November 12, 2005
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Phoenix Church Letter 2005
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Los Angeles Church letter 2006
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
HOPE Worldwide
HOPE worldwide is an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy. The International Churches of Christ founded HOPE worldwide in response to the Scriptures that call us to have the heart of Jesus by serving the poor and needy throughout the world. God has truly blessed our efforts and today the organization operates on every inhabited continent and reaches more than 1,000,000 people each year.
Congregational Leadership
Church government is congregational, rather than denominational. Elders in some cases, or where there are not elders, Evangelists, with the assistance of leading men of the congregation, are seen as the spiritual leaders of the congregation.
Evangelist, Preacher
The Evangelist, Preacher, or Minister prepares and delivers sermons, teaches Bible classes, performs weddings, preaches or evangelizes the gospel, and (sometimes) performs baptisms however, baptizing is not restricted to ministers. This position is typically paid to allow the evangelist to disentangle himself from secular employment and focus on studies. For most congregations the evangelist leads the local church in much the same way as most fundamentalist church 'pastors'. He is often assisted by groups of men that have been elected by the local congregation or appointed by the Evangelist. In many cases, church elders from what were formally regarded as 'pillar churches' act as advisors to the smaller congregations.
Chemical Recovery Ministry
The goal of the Chemical Recovery ministry is to help the addict have a hope and a future.
Belief & practices
International Churches of Christ have also accepted and adapted certain beliefs and practices foreign to the majority of the Churches of Christ.
Modern Disciples
Disciples are people who are living or who have lived since the time of Christ and have repented, been baptized and continue to live for Christ. The International Churches of Christ believe that the doctrine of once saved, always saved is flawed and is very easy to see through scriptures like Matthew 24:12-13 God calls true disciples to be committed to God for life, not just at the time of baptism.
Criticism mainly on Kip McKean and McKean's controversial teaching
Some churches within the International Churches of Christ practice exclusivism and separate themselves from the majority of Christendom. Whether an individual congregation separated itself from other churches or not, one of the key doctrines of the International Churches of Christ has been the "one true church" doctrine (recognizing only repentant disciples who are baptized as part of the true church). The International Churches of Christ teaches that a person is saved by grace through a personal faith and the power of God at the point of repentance and baptism by immersion, and that once baptized, you are added to God's heavenly kingdom, and to the church here on earth. A number of congregations today have now adopted that God's church here on earth is not just the International Churches of Christ, but the International Churches of Christ is a subset of God's church here on earth.
The International Churches of Christ have been surrounded by controversy over the years; media sources from Christianity Today (an evangelical periodical) to town newspapers to popular magazines (such as Rolling Stone) have included articles about members and by former members. There have been TV exposés on major venues, such as "Believe It or Else" on ABC's 20/20, on 10/15/1993
Since 2003 breakup of the centralized leadership; some congregations have made many reforms, while others have maintained former practices. Some current members admit that alleged abuses did happen prior to 2003, but maintain that such practices have since been reformed or discontinued.
The church has received much criticism from many groups, both religious and secular, as well as by former members. Catherine Hampton (the founder of Reveal.org) contribute to former members have created websites such as "reveal.org" which host information strongly critical of the church. Much of the criticism has focused on:
Much of the controversy surrounds the practice of "discipling", in which each member was assigned to a "discipling partner" with whom the member was expected to discuss every aspect of his or her life including, but not limited to, individual Bible study, sins, daily habits, relationships, financial contribution to the church, and efforts in evangelism. This practice, related to the Shepherding Movement first begun by the Fort Lauderdale Five in the mid-1970s, was once mandatory in every International Church of Christ. However, since the changes that began in 2003, there have been adjustments to the practice, and it is not manditory in the churches. Although many congregations have retained the former practices, others are using alternative means of "discipling", such as giving the members some measure of choice in who their assigned "discipleship partner" will be. Some current members admit that some members have abused discipling. In light of the 2003 events, many churches have reevaluated what the Bible says about discipling and this is the reason that it is a choice of the individual as to who their disciplship partner is.
Members of the ICOC have asserted that they are the only "true church" following the Bible. This includes but is not limited to denouncing "not true, 'just religious' Christians" and that not all ex-members are not disciples (they are not "real" followers of Christ now). It was once official doctrine that only the ICOC was the "true" church; and that very few, if any, people outside the group were saved; true disciples would ultimately join the ICoC. Since the 2003 change in the leadership structure, some members and a few congregations have "admitted" that there are "true" Christians outside the ICOC, while a number of the leadership deny ever holding to the "One True Church" doctrine altogether. However, there has been no formal statement issued by high-ranking leaders declaring that any other denomination of Christianity is a "true" form of Christianity. Some members of some of the ICoC churches, however, are now trying to spread the good news and convert people to just plain Christianity, regardless of which church people choose to be in.
There have been accusations of financial impropriety including allegations made by International Churches of Christ critics, former International Churches of Christ staff and even current International Churches of Christ leaders. Many of these people or groups above claim that International Churches of Christ staff live lavish lifestyles with members' monetary donations. In these situations, it is asserted that there was a double standard being practiced by the leadership; demanding sacrificial lifestyles from the rank and file and putting a huge emphasis on giving by the general membership while enjoying an affluent church-funded lifestyle themselves.
The International Churches of Christ's principle: Leaders can not really fully devote themselves to leadership and evangelism while encumbered by another job. The viewpoint of members: The members to engage full time leaders for the gospel propagation, for the members' spiritual preparation, and for Church program to serve.
"Elitist belief"
Sometimes members of the Church referred to non-members as "in the world" and discourage interaction with these people for any purpose other than to recruit them into the church. Members have been be encouraged to go to other members businesses and remain a close knit network of "Disciples".
It was standard doctrine, prior to 2003, that only members of the ICOC were saved and going to heaven, except for a "rare" individual that managed to get saved without them. Since 2003, some congregations have renounced this doctrine, while others maintain it.
While some may believe that there was a standard doctrine, the ICOC has never had any official written policy or dogma other than the Bible.
Cultural, philosophical and doctrinal changes
Since the period of time in late 2002/early 2003, many of the International Churches of Christ have gone in different directions. Some have chosen to stay with the distinctive International Churches of Christ characteristics and practices, whereas some have pursued reformation. Results of each course of action vary from church to church; some thrive, while others stagnate with traditional International Churches of Christ methodology, while some thrive and others stagnate, having chosen to utilize a reformed or progressive approach.
As of 2005 there are three (sometimes overlapping) groups within the International Churches of Christ. There are those who have held firmly to what has traditionally distinguished the International Churches of Christ: discipling, Bible Talks (small groups), baptism and evangelism. Other churches are gravitating toward Evangelicalism and Protestantism.
The Circle City Church (formerly the Indianapolis Church of Christ) is now an independent and non-denominational congregation, but has made several overtures to open dialog with the now largely independent congregations of the International Churches of Christ, including the Indianapolis International Church of Christ congregation.
- Evangelization Proclamation document
- The most recent 2005 statistics for church membership
- Kip McKean Resignation Letter Wednesday, November 06, 2002
- Smallest groups that current affiliated with Kip McKean and the "Portland movement"
- HOPE Worldwide
- Chemical Recovery Ministry
- First Principles Study Series (by West Region of The Los Angeles Church of Christ)