Jump to content

International Churches of Christ: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
SmackBot (talk | contribs)
3,734,324 edits
m Date/fix the maintenance tags or gen fixes using AWB
m this ref was only supposed to be linked to the 'evangelical' classification, corrected.
Line 7: Line 7:
| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| orientation = [[Evangelical]] <small><ref name="ARDA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/US_2000.asp|title=Religious Affiliations, 2000|accessdate=2007-12-11|publisher=The Association of Religion Data Archives|year=2006|work=U.S. Membership Report}}</ref><small>
| orientation = [[Evangelical]] <small><ref name="ARDA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/US_2000.asp|title=Religious Affiliations, 2000|accessdate=2007-12-11|publisher=The Association of Religion Data Archives|year=2006|work=U.S. Membership Report}}</ref><small>
| polity = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]] <small><ref name="ARDA" /><small>
| polity = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
| founder = [[Kip McKean]]
| founder = [[Kip McKean]]
| founded_date = [[1979]] [[June 1]]
| founded_date = [[1979]] [[June 1]]

Revision as of 15:10, 12 December 2007

This article is about the denomination known as "International Churches of Christ." For other churches that have the words "Church" and "Christ" in their name, see Church of Christ (disambiguation).
International Churches of Christ
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationEvangelical [1]
PolityEpiscopal
Regionglobal (159 nations)
FounderKip McKean
Origin1979 June 1
Lexington, MA
SeparationsPortland Movement
Congregations543 (2005)
Members95,751 (2005)
ICoC official statistics[2] New Religious Movements[3]

The International Churches of Christ, sometimes called the Boston Movement because of its original ties to the Boston Church of Christ,[4][5] is a controversial Protestant sect which splintered from the mainline Churches of Christ in the late 1980s under the leadership of Kip McKean.[6] Rather than basing doctrine on post-first century church doctrine or modern denominational conventions, the ethnically-diverse congregations of the ICOC regard the New Testament of the Bible as the supreme authority on doctrine, ecclesiastical structure, and moral beliefs – while acknowledging the historical accuracy and divine inspiration of the non-binding Old Testament – and thus claim the distinction of being "pre-denominational".

In the past, its aggressive recruitment tactics, high commitment expectations of members, and use of "discipling" partnerships have caused some researchers, observers, and ex-members to label the organization a ‘cult,’ [7][8][9][10] and it has been sanctioned or banned by 39 college campuses and the country of France.[11][12] Historically church officials have been unapologetic for their energetic evangelism, believing this to be the duty of all true Christians, but have renounced any allegations of impropriety as unfounded.[7][13] In recent years a faction has emerged within the organization which acknowledges these critiques and advocates reform – a process already undertaken by many congregations, some of which have seceded, others which have remained affiliated with the ICoC but revised their policies.[14][15] Many local churches have become entirely autonomous after the recent disbandment of the central leadership, and today it is difficult to make any generalizations about the organization collectively.

Once the fastest-growing Christian movements in the United States,[16] membership has dwindled since the unceremonious departure of McKean in 2002 and subsequent internal turmoil, with total membership falling 23% between 2002 and 2004. Even so, the ICOC still boasts nearly 100,000 members in 160 nations around the world.[2]

History

Roots

The Boston Movement can trace its roots to the American Restoration movement of the nineteenth-century, which sought a return to first-century Christianity by eliminating denominational divisions and honoring the Bible as the sole source of church authority, surmised by the axiom: “where the scriptures speak, we speak; and where the scriptures are silent, we are silent.” But by the 1860s, some felt that the movement had become polluted by the institution of missionary societies and use of musical instruments in church. A schism developed, and the mainline Churches of Christ officially broke away in 1906 with some 160,000 members, growing to 1.2 million by the end of the century.

In 1967, Chuck Lucas – minister of the 14th Street Church or Christ in Gainesville, Florida (later renamed the Crossroads Church of Christ) – instituted 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, this 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,” and critics accused Lucas of fostering cultism. [17]

Origin

The Evangelization Proclamation, issued in 1994 pledged that the ICoC would establish a church in every major country within six years.

In 1972 (the fifth year of the Campus Advance program), the Crossroads Church recruited a young freshman at the University of Florida. His name was Thomas ‘Kip’ McKean, and his encounter with the church would forever alter the destinies of both. The son of an admiral, McKean was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is purportedly named after his ancestor Thomas McKean (a signer of the Declaration of Independence).[18] McKean completed his degree program while training at Crossroads and afterwards served as campus minister at several other mainline Churches of Christ locations. His most prolific commission came in 1979, when he was offered the position of pulpit and campus minister at a struggling Boston-area congregation called the Lexington Church of Christ. Under McKean’s hegemony the church – renamed ‘Boston Church of Christ’ – witnessed remarkable resurgence, growing from 30 members at the time of his arrival to 300 in just two years.

McKean believed that the true measure of a church’s value was its growth rate, and that the Churches of Christ and other ecclesiastic institutions were too lethargic in this area.[19] Chronicler Russell Paden explains, “While [McKean and his followers] would probably concede that there are false religions that experience growth, they would contend that a true church of God must be experiencing growth.” [17] Once among the fastest-growing religious movements in the country, expansion of the mainline Churches of Christ had stagnated by 1970. McKean sought to reverse this.[20]

Growth

A map showing the locations of ICoC congregations in 2000.
A map showing the locations of ICoC congregations in 2000.

At the start of the 1980s, Kip McKean came to feel that the Lord had given him a “vision for the world,” which required the establishment of ‘pillar churches’ in key metropolitan centers to spread the faith globally. With this in mind, he oversaw the establishment of sister churches in Chicago and London in 1982, and in New York City one year later. But as it grew in size, it also grew away from the mainline Churches of Christ. Members of each organization viewed the other with increasing displeasure,[21] and by 1988 the two had irrevocably separated.[22]

With a strong consistent emphasis on evangelism and church-spreading – a process termed planting – membership skyrocketed, reaching 42,855 in 130 congregations by 1993 (including 15,800 members in 58 congregations overseas). Boston and New York remained the two key centers, each boasting an average Sunday morning attendance of over 5,000 parishioners.[17]

In 2000, the ICOC announced the completion of its six-year initiative to establish a church in every country with a population over 100,000.[23][24] Two years later, membership peaked at 135,046 in more than 540 congregations across the globe.[2]

Reform

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. By the official website church had 135,039 members in 434 congregations by January of 2003. Currently, the total membership of International Churches of Christ is around 96,000. [25]

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.

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 and though this was not the only issue for the sabbatical, 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.

McKean’s Resignation

Controversies over financial abuse and administrative mismanagement compelled Kip McKean to take a thirteen-month sabbatical, ultimately resigning from his supreme position in November of 2002.[26][19][27] McKean himself attributes the resignation to his daughter’s decision to leave the ICoC, which “along with my leadership sins of arrogance, and not protecting the weak caused uncertainty in my leadership among some of the World Sector Leaders.” [28][20] Later in 2002 the remaining central leadership was officially dissolved at the 2002 ‘Los Angeles Unity Meeting’.[28]

Aftermath and the ICOC Today

What followed was a period of increased sovereignty among local churches, what McKean calls a “reactionary ‘new vision’ of autonomous congregations, consensus leadership with no lead evangelists, the elimination structured outreach (Bible Talks) and the elimination of discipleship partners.” Many in leadership positions issued public apologies for their participation in authoritative abuses, and some resigned or were asked to leave. By 2004, Boston, Atlanta, and New York City had lost over 30% of their members, and some entire congregations severed their ties with the ICOC.[29]

Local fellowships varied in their reactions to the power vacuum. ICOC Chronicler Chris Lee asserts that three factions emerged, still extant today: a conservative group which seeks a return to the former, authoritarian structure; a moderate group that, “while they recognize that reform is necessary, feel that the current rate of reform is sufficient;” and a reformist group which advocates radical restructuring.[14] The latter group is exemplified by Henry Kriete of the London Church of Christ, who penned an influential[30] 2003 letter criticizing the “four systemic evils … [of] our corrupted hierarchy, [namely] our obsession with numbers, our shameful arrogance…[and] our seduction by mammon.”[15]

According to the 2004 International Leadership Conference of affiliated churches, the ICOC no longer exists as an organization with a headquarters, structure, or hierarchy where a single church is set up over any other churches; it exists today in a diverse and decentralized state.[31] Some churches have drastically changed their practices (and, in some cases, their names); others carry on in the traditional ICOC fashion of aggressive evangelism and total immersion,[14] and the practices of some churches have caused national controversy as recently as June of 2007.[32]

Beginnings of Portland Movement

In 2003, Kip McKean was invited to return to Oregon’s failing Portland International Church of Christ, no longer affiliated with the ICOC.; he preached his first sermon on July 23 to a congregation of some 60-70 parishioners. Six months later, membership had doubled, and by mid-2005 an average of 425 coreligionists visited the church every Sunday.[28]

Its subsequent revitalization and the continuing uncertainty within the ICOC movement prompted other congregations to break from the ICOC and rejoin with McKean.[20] This new movement, currently numbering twenty congregations in eight nations, has been termed the ‘Portland Movement’ or ‘International Christian Churches’;[33][34] it comprises an estimated 800 members.[35]

Bolstered by his recent successes, McKean set his sights on establishing a Portland Movement church in his former capitol city of Los Angeles. In preparation, he dispatched an anonymous email in October 2006 to Angelino ICOC members, deceptively inviting them to a ‘bible talk’ session where he attempted to recruit them to the Portland Movement. This came to the attention of ICOC leaders who responded with a letter advising members to avoid contact with McKean’s new organization.[36] Four months later, McKean led a ‘mission team’ of 42 Portland-area parishioners to Los Angeles where they joined with fourteen local supporters to found the new City of Angels International Christian Church. The movement continues to focus heavily on recruiting from area campuses.[37]

Church organization and services

The ICoC directly administers or partners with over a dozen organizations. Some function as appendages of the church, others are entirely unrelated in their mission and activities. Of these, the largest and most well-known is “LOVE,”a charitable foundation run by ICoC which serves as the primary beneficiary of the church’s charitable donations (though it is funded through other sources as well). Founded in London in 1986, LOVE moved to a global scale the following year.[24] It sponsored the largest blood drives in Brazil and Mexico in 1994, and opened an orphanage in Hong Kong that same 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. 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.

Evangelist

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.

Congregational autonomy

Church leadership is congregational rather than denominational. The International Churches of Christ have no formally recognized headquarters, councils, or hierarchal church government. Rather, the independent congregations are a network with each congregation [38] participating at its own discretion in various means of service and fellowship with other congregations.[39] [40] [41]

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. [42] 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.

It should be noted that many ICOC leaders were members of the Hope board of directors. [citation needed]

Chemical Recovery Ministry

The goal of the Chemical Recovery Ministry is to help the addict have a hope and a future. [43]

Other affiliated organizations

The following companies and institutions are also operated by the ICoC:

  • Discipleship Publications International – official ICOC publishing company, which prints mostly spiritual literature. [44]
  • KNN/Disciples Today.net is a production of KNN Kingdom News Network, an Illinois non-profit religious corporation based in Chicago.) [45]
  • Upside Down, the official monthly publication of the ICoC.
  • llumination Publishers International (IPI) - is committed to producing the very best in Christian writing and audio teaching. [46]
  • FunInTheSon.org
  • International Missions Society, Inc. (IMS)[47]
  • Florida Missions Council
  • Baltic Nordic Missions Alliance
  • Taiwan Mission Adventure
  • European Bible School
  • Athens Institute of Ministry [48]


Institutional Description

Self-identification

Members do not consider themselves either Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant.[citation needed] They hold to the biblical and historical belief that the church was founded by Jesus Christ, and that its doctrines and practices were established long before these other traditions, movements, structures, councils, etc. Members also do not typically consider themselves to be members of a denomination, but prefer to simply be known as "Christians" (in contrast to, for example, a Catholic Christian, a Presbyterian Christian, a Baptist Christian, etc.), with no other religious title needed or preferred. Thus, a collective group of Christians is a church of Christ.

Ideology & Sacred Rituals

In many ways, the belief-system and rituals of the International Churches of Christ are comparable to other American evangelical traditions. Members accept the virgin birth, the substitutionary atonement, the bodily resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Trinity, and the Second Coming.[9] But despite the apparent similarities, the movement is exceptionally exclusivist, believing that it is the most ‘pure’ form of Christianity and that followers of all other faiths (including other Christian sects) will not be granted access to heaven.[49] McKean explains, “[We are] very fundamental in our following of the Bible, so we have convictions that are narrower than some groups about what it means to be a Christian. We don't apologize for our beliefs.”[26]

Like the mainline Church of Christ, the ICoC recognize the Bible as the sole source of ecumenical authority, and extrapolate from it that there should only be a single, unified Christian denomination, though the ICoC goes a step further to say that there should be only one church per city or town. Both organizations accept the Nicene Creed and the necessity of baptism by immersion for spiritual salvation; neither allows infant or childhood baptism (one must first reach the “age of accountability” [50]). The ICoC teaches that only those “baptized as a disciple” (i.e., through the ICoC) will receive salvation.

The ICoC does not affirm the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, original sin, the perseverance of saints, predestination; it does acknowledge incarnation, atonement, eternal conscious punishment, the final judgment, and amillennialism. Its view on Ephesians 2:8-9, or works-based salvation, is somewhat more complex: though ostensibly denying works-based salvation, in practice “works of faith” (like baptism) are deemed requisite of salvation.[51]

Practices

Sunday Worship
Prior to the building’s demolition in 1998, the Massachusetts congregation held Sunday services in the Boston Garden stadium.[17]

Sunday morning prayer involves singing (without use of instruments[52]), praying, preaching, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.[9]

One of the most unique elements to ICC tradition is the lack of established church buildings. Congregations meet in rented spaces: conference rooms, schools, public auditoriums, conference centers, small stadiums, or rented halls, depending on the number of parishioners; the location may vary from month to month.[53][54][9] Though the church is not static, neither is it "ad hoc" – the leased locale is often furnished with an elaborate stage and sound-system.[53] Parishioners are proud of these unrooted tabernacles, negatively referring to traditional churches as “religious.” [55] “From an organizational standpoint, it’s a great idea,” observes Boston University Chaplain Bob Thornburg. “They put very little money into buildings…You put your money into people who get more people.” [53]

House Church

Each congregation is divided into House Churches (formerly called Family Churches) of thirty to fifty members, which meet separately several times during the week. [56]

Bible Talks

Bible Talk groups consist of some six to fifteen coreligionists who gather several times weekly. They can meet almost anywhere, including college dormitories, restaurants, and member’s houses. All are encouraged to bring at least one guest per week to these sessions, which are often promoted as low-key nondenominational Christian socials but actually designed primarily to recruit new parishioners.[56]

‘Discipling’

The practice of discipling is one of the most defining – and controversial – elements of the ICoC methodology. Members believe that this practice is based upon and encouraged by biblical passages.

Kip McKean: “I believe it is biblical for us to imitate the relationship Jesus had with the apostles and the relationships they had with one another. For example, the apostles had a student/teacher or younger brother/older brother relationship with Jesus. They also had adult/adult relationships with each other. Jesus paired the apostles for the mission. (Matthew 10) Both types of relationships are essential to lead people to maturity. Another text that demonstrates the student/teacher relationship is in Titus 2 where the older women are to train the younger women.”[57]

All new members are assigned a discipler to facilitate one-on-one training and interaction. One of the first steps in becoming a member is meeting with the discipler for a comprehensive confessional, whereby the new recruit is encouraged to reveal his or her most intimate secrets, especially those of a sexual nature. The confessor is often unaware that the outcome of this confession is recorded on a so-called ‘sin list,’ which is passed on to church leaders.[58] Al Baird initially denied the existence of such lists in a 1993 interview,[13] but justified their usage five months later during another interview by explaining that "the leader of the group must know his people."[59] Some former members have claimed these sin lists were used to break reluctant prospective, and as a form of control on members.[13][58]

One of the most criticized aspects of discipling is the degree of control possessed by the discipler. They are tasked with monitoring the spiritual growth of their apprentices, and some members say the partnership was more like having a good friend than anything else.[6] But the practice has been called “dictatorial” because the discipler may also supervise the secular daily activities of their subordinates and sometimes give ‘advice’ which involves severing family ties, breaking off relationships, or dropping out of school programs.[60][26][7]

Political Hierarchy

The hierarchal structure of the ICoC at the time of McKean’s resignation, indicating which positions were salaried.

By 1988 the budding Boston Movement had congregations in more than eight cities across the globe, and Kip McKean found that running the organization single-handedly had become unwieldy. He selected a handful of men that he had personally trained and assigned each a number of churches in a geographic region, naming them ‘World Sector Leaders’ and taking the title of ‘Leader of the World Sector Leaders’ for himself. In 1994, the subservient position of Geographic Sector Leaders was added. [24]

The leader of each congregation is referred to as an Evangelist, and the Evangelists at in the several ‘pillar churches’ outrank the others. Larger churches may have an Assistant Evangelist or some number of elders – older, married men with at least one baptized child.

Since each city has a single church, its membership may be large and geographically disperse; if so, it was divided into regions and then sectors of perhaps a few small suburban communities, overseen by Region Leaders and Sector Leaders (known collectively as Zone Leaders). The Sector Leader was usually the lowest-tier salaried official, with those below him being volunteers only.[56]

This governing system attracted criticism as overly-authoritarian,[6] but the ICoC denies this charge. “It’s not a dictatorship,” said Al Baird, former ICoC spokesperson; “It’s a theocracy, with God on top.”[57]

This distinct structure, which defined the church’s polity for most of its history, may longer represent an accurate characterization of its actual functioning. In the years following McKean’s resignation, the central leadership was shaken and largely disbanded, and local churches have become increasingly autonomous. Some no longer report to the Los Angeles headquarters, others have ceased to collect Special Missions Contribution for the central administration. Local opinion of Kip McKean varies, with some congregations still (unofficially) supporting him and others condemning the man and his past influence on the organization, often with veracity.[56]

Controversy and criticism over Kip McKean

Since its inception, the International Christian Churches have drawn criticism from school officials, members’ families, and former parishioners. The primary sources of complaint are the pushing recruitment techniques, and the pressure placed both on recruiter and recruitee; the high commitment expected of members in terms of time and money, and resulting social isolation. 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.

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.

Much of the criticism has focused on:

One true church

Until 2003 the members of the ICOC have asserted that they are the only "true church" following the Bible. [61] 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 convert people to just plain Christianity, regardless of which church people choose to be in.

Elitist beliefs

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.

High commitment expectations for members

Though a self-admittedly immersive organization (which leaders say more closely duplicates the type of religiosity advocated by the Bible), some have argued the ICoC goes too far. Former convert Sarah Cope-Faulkner recounts, “I attended 20 meetings a week and became estranged from my family and friends. I was up at 4am for Bible study, and I spent all my time trying to please everyone.”[62] A psychological survey of several dozen former parishioners found that almost three-quarters were told that going home to be with family, or spending time with non-members, could cause Satan to get a foothold on them; an equal number were advised to move out of present living situations to be more proximal to coreligionists. The ICoC advises that worshipers spend no more than two weeks at a time with family members.

Personality changes

It has been documented that ICoC members tend to shift towards personality type ‘ESFJ’ (one of sixteen possible types) once joining the church. McKean has suggested that this simply indicates Jesus was of this personality type. The response to McKean was that one cannot apply a personality test to divinity; God, having no psychological weaknesses, would have full strength in all dimensions of personality.[63]

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.

ICOC and Churches of Christ relations

As part of the cultural, philosophical and doctrinal changes within the former International Churches of Christ (pre-2002), efforts are being made by some Progressive International Churches of Christ members to also reconcile with mainstream Churches of Christ and Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. In March 2004, Abilene Christian University (affiliated with the mainline Church of Christ) held the "Faithful Conversations" dialog between members of the Church of Christ and International Churches of Christ. Those involved were able to apologize and initiate an environment conducive to building bridges. A few leaders of the Church of Christ apologized for use of the word "cult" in reference to the International Churches of Christ. The International Churches of Christ leaders apologized for alienating the Churches of Christ and implying they were not Christians. Although a better atmosphere for cooperation and understanding was generated, there are still fundamental differences within the fellowship. Early 2005 saw a second set of dialogs with greater promise for both sides helping one another.

Harding University (affiliated with the mainline Church of Christ) is contemplating a distance learning program geared toward those ministers who were trained in the International Churches of Christ.[64] However, the Worldwide Church of Christ (www.wwcoc.org) has chosen not to be affiliated with the ICOC or the mainline Church of Christ.

ICOC plan for United Cooperation

The most recent development is the effort to rebuild and restructure the overall leadership organization for the entire International Churches of Christ. Solicitations for governing structures and methods of inter-congregational relationships were requested by November 1, 2005, with the goal of completing a final proposal by February 1, 2006. This effort is seen to have a purpose only to reorganize and coordinate missionary efforts across independent organizations by the now authority-phobic churches, many of whom can trace their roots back to their old egalitarian Church of Christ days, where a major ongoing issue was opposition at almost any cost to any sort or organized, centralized "missionary society". Yet, attitudes vary from church to church as to how much authority, if any at all, the new leadership structure should possess. It seems only a small band of churches welcome the old style back, while many prefer, and wait, for a "new improved" version that could provide an overall vision for this group of churches. According to www.icocinfo.org, an independent International Churches of Christ survey group, [65] the membership of International Churches of Christ in 2005 is 92,474, which declined 12.5% from 2004.[66]

As of May 15,2006 a total of 343 Churches agreed to and committed to the Plan for United Cooperation. [67]

Plan for United Cooperation document

Within the ICOC, there is a current push to have churches sign up for the "Unity Plan". This plan is in no way connected to the churches deciding to follow Kip's teachings." [68]


See also

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Religious Affiliations, 2000". U.S. Membership Report. The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
  2. ^ a b c "Data and Analysis". ICOC Info. International Churches of Christ. 2006 April. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  3. ^ {{Cite web | url=http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/icc.html%7Ctitle=International Churches of Christ, a.k.a. Boston Church of Christ|accessdate=2007-07-08|publisher=University of Virginia|year=2001 [[April 23]|author=Justin Cooke|work=New Religious Movements}}
  4. ^ Central Auckland Church of Christ "Boston Movement"
  5. ^ Boston Church of Christ "About Us"
  6. ^ a b c Davis, Blair J. (1999 Mar 4). "The Love Bombers". Philadelphia City Paper. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  7. ^ a b c Fox Files. Fox, 1999 January 21.
  8. ^ Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. (2001 November 7). "An Investigation of a Reputedly Psychologically Abusive Group That Targets College Students". Cultic Studies Review. {{cite journal}}: Check |authorlink= value (help); Check date values in: |year= (help); External link in |authorlink= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  9. ^ a b c d Qin Wang (1996 April 25). "International Churches of Christ". {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  10. ^ see lists of books, video programs, and news articles concerning the International Churches of Christ.
  11. ^ Kleiner, Carolyn (2000 Mar. 13). "A Push Becomes a Shove". US News & World Report. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  12. ^ Randall, Colin (2006 Aug. 17). "Family Battle Between France and Canada". Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  13. ^ a b c "Believe It Or Else". abc2020. ABC. 1993 Dec. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  14. ^ a b c Lee, Chris (2005 Sept). "Three Major Factions". REVEAL. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  15. ^ a b Kriete, Henry (2003 Feb. 2). "Honest to God". Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  16. ^ Schroedel, Jenny (1999 Mar. 18). "Controversial Group Recruiting on Campus". University of Portland Beacon. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  17. ^ a b c d Paden, Russell (1995). "The Boston Church of Christ". In Timothy Miller (ed.). America's Alternative Religions. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 133–36. ISBN 978-0-7914-2397-4. Retrieved 2007-08-07. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  18. ^ Autobiography of Kip McKean
  19. ^ a b {{Cite web |url=http://www.rickross.com/reference/icc/ICC325.html%7Ctitle=The Christian Chronicle interviews Kip McKean|accessdate=2007-07-09|publisher=Christian Chronicle|year=2004 Jan. 21|author=McBride, Bailey & Erik Tryggestad}
  20. ^ a b c "Biography of Kip McKean". 2007 Jan. 23. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  21. ^ Norton, Howard W. (1987 Feb). "Second Thoughts on Boston". The Christian Chronicle. 44 (2): 22. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  22. ^ "1979&ndash1987: The Boston Era". REVEAL. 2001. Retrieved 2007-07-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  23. ^ McKean, Kip (1994 Feb. 4). "Evangelization Proclamation" (PDF). International Churches of Christ. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  24. ^ a b c "Brief History of the ICOC". KipMcKean.com. 2007 May 6. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  25. ^ The most recent 2005 statistics for church membership
  26. ^ a b c The Associated Press (2004 Jan. 27). "Church prompts concern on university campus". {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  27. ^ {{Cite web|url=http://www.kipmckean.com/Documents/sabbatical.pdf%7Ctitle=Kip & Elena McKean to Take Sabbatical|accessdate=2007-07-09|year=2001 Nov|author=McKean, Kip|format=pdf}
  28. ^ a b c McKean, Kip (2005 Aug.21). "The Portland Story". Portland International Church of Christ. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  29. ^ Greeson, Timothy (2005). "ICOC Update 2005: Is the Threat Resurfacing?". New Covenant Publications. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  30. ^ http://tolc.org/falters.htm
  31. ^ http://www.newcovpub.com/icc/update2005.htm
  32. ^ {{cite journal | author=Phelan, Shane| title=International Churches of Christ cult killed my brother!| journal=Daily Mail, UK| year=2007 [[June 13]| url=http://www.factnet.org/?p=119}}
  33. ^ CyberEvangelist (2007 Feb. 26). "Church Directory". City of Angels International Christian Church. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  34. ^ Disciples Today Editorial Advisory Board, Roger Lamb (publisher) (2006 Dec. 1). "Kip McKean Starts The International Christian Churches". Disciples Today. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  35. ^ "International Christian Churches". Steven Alan Hassan's Freedom of Mind Center. 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  36. ^ The LA Leadership Group (the elders and region evangelists of the LA Church of Christ) (2006 Oct. 6). "To: The Ministry Staff and Small Group Leaders of the LA Church of Christ" (pdf). Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  37. ^ McKean, Kip & Elana (2007 Apr. 7). "Heartfelt Letter from Los Angeles: by Kip and Elena McKean". Eugene International Church of Christ. Retrieved 2007-07-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  38. ^ News and connections for the Co-operation Churches of the International Churches of Christ
  39. ^ Restoration Unity.com
  40. ^ Central Auckland Church of Christ " Whilst there is no central leadership functioning anymore"
  41. ^ " SCOC is an autonomous congregation, with historical links to the International Churches of Christ (ICOC). "
  42. ^ HOPE Worldwide
  43. ^ Chemical Recovery Ministry
  44. ^ bigchurchdirectory.com -about DPI
  45. ^ disciplestoday.com/about us
  46. ^ IPI
  47. ^ IMS
  48. ^ icocinfo.org affiliated Organizations
  49. ^ "What is the International Church of Christ?". Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry. 2003. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  50. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/19970617021342/http://www.du.edu/~sullyatt/icc/
  51. ^ "International Churches of Christ Doctrinal Positions". RESOURCE. 1998 Sept 16. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  52. ^ http://cnview.com/on_line_resources/international_church_of_christ.htm
  53. ^ a b c David Frey (1999 July). "The Fear of God: Critics Call Thriving Nashville Church a Cult". InReview Online. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  54. ^ Pam Martin (2001 April 27). "Church or Cult?". WSB-TV Action News 2. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  55. ^ Steven E. Rauch (1994). "International Church of Christ". Christian News & Views. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  56. ^ a b c d "The Organization of the International Churches of Christ, prior to the Henry Kriete Letter, 2003". REVEAL. 2006 Jan. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  57. ^ a b Ostling, Richard N. (1992 May 18). "Keepers of the Flock". Time. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  58. ^ a b "A Church of Christ Or Cult of Cash". New York Daily News. 2000 Oct 22. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  59. ^ "untitled". Inside Edition. 1994 May. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  60. ^ Gordon, Seth (1989 Oct 20). "Disciples; doctrine-Obey, bear fruit, be happy". The Tech. 109 (44). {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  61. ^ Frequently Asked Questions On the One Church Teaching
  62. ^ Wallis, Lynne (1 Oct 2003). "Let us Prey". The Gaurdian (UK). {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  63. ^ Yeakley, F. (Ed.). (1988). The Disciplining Dilemma. Nashville: Gospel Advocate Company. p 19.
  64. ^ The "Church of Christ" and the International Churches of Christ
  65. ^ icocinfo.org about us
  66. ^ ICOC Plan for United Cooperation.
  67. ^ List of Churches agreed to and committed to the Plan for United Cooperation.
  68. ^ Plan for United Cooperation document

International Churches of Christ cooperation websites

News and opinions

The growth, methodologies and goals of the ICOC have engendered a great deal of contention, with the church (and its past and present leaders) gathering both vocal adherents and vociferous critics. Consequently, online resources devoted to the ICOC tend to fall into one of three categories:

Generally neutral

  • Icochotnews.com created by Justin Renton and Mike Taliaferro
  • ICOC Info.org Latest Updates on the International Churches of Christ -Unofficial information.

Generally critical

(International Churches of Christ are not part of Portland International Church of Christ (Portland Movement)

Generally positive

Several International church sites:

Restoration Unity pages:

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Churches_of_Christ&oldid=177439644"