The International Church of Christ

Big Idea: The International Church of Christ uses manipulative recruitment, mandates baptism for salvation, enforces authoritarian structures, and isolates members, asserting it is the only true church.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

Key Facts

The International Church of Christ operates 274 churches across 105 nations, with a total worldwide attendance of 138,302. Its original goal was to establish a church in every nation with a city of at least 100,000 people by the year 2000.

Each congregation typically takes on the name of its city (e.g., the Toronto Church of Christ). A significant portion of its recruitment efforts focuses on university and college campuses.

The International Church of Christ, also known as the Boston Movement or the Boston Church of Christ, split from the mainline Churches of Christ.

History

In the early 1970s, Kip McKean, the movement's founder, was a student at the University of Florida, where he learned radical discipleship methods from Chuck Lucas, pastor of the Crossroads Church of Christ. These methods, based on Robert Coleman's The Master Plan of Evangelism, focused on close discipleship relationships and strict control.

In 1976, McKean applied these methods in Charleston, Illinois, but faced resistance due to their perceived manipulative nature. By 1979, he relocated to Lexington, Massachusetts, where his approach rapidly grew the church from 30 members to 1,000. In 1983, the congregation was renamed the Boston Church of Christ.

In 1981, the "Boston Movement" began an aggressive church-planting effort, creating new congregations under the Boston Church's authority and its discipling model. One such church, the Toronto Church of Christ, was planted in 1985.

Beliefs

• Baptism: Baptism is required for the forgiveness of sins; faith alone is deemed insufficient. It must be performed by the “true church.”
• Discipleship: The call to make disciples, as outlined in the Great Commission, is a core focus.
• Confession of Sins: Members are encouraged to confess their sins to one another, following James 5:16.
• Submission to Authority: Leaders’ authority is viewed as God-given, and disobedience to them is equated with disobedience to God.
• Orthodoxy: In many other doctrinal areas, their beliefs align with those of evangelical churches.

Methods

Initiation

Newcomers are paired with a senior church member, known as a discipler, and encouraged to recruit others. The process includes:

• An invitation to a non-denominational “Bible talk.”
• Experiencing a warm and caring community.
• Receiving follow-up calls of encouragement.
• An invitation to a weekly Bible study led by a discipler.

The weekly Bible study covers five core lessons:

• Word of God – Affirming the Bible’s authority.
• Discipleship – Emphasizing commitment to following Christ.
• Light and Darkness – Highlighting the need for salvation.
• The Cross – Creating a sense of urgency for repentance.
• The Church – Claiming the ICC as the only true church.

Baptism is required before one is considered saved or a member. Once baptized, members are strongly encouraged to invite others.

Control

Members are held accountable to a discipler within a hierarchical structure. Submission is expected in personal areas such as work and relationships.

Sin Lists

Detailed records of confessed sins are kept and shared with leaders. This practice has been reported in media outlets, including ABC’s 20/20.

Exclusion

Leaving the church is equated with abandoning God. Members may be instructed to sever ties with non-members, including family members.

Responding to the International Church of Christ

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

• Be mindful of their focus on recruitment. Appreciate their friendliness, but guard against manipulation.
• Be prepared to clearly articulate the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone, rejecting the notion of baptismal regeneration.
• Stay alert to any signs of authoritarian practices (2 Corinthians 11:20).

Warning Included in Ryerson’s Student Manual (1992)

The Ryerson Students' Union decided not to recognize the Toronto Church of Christ because of concerns about its recruitment methods and connections to traumatic experiences among students.

The RSU stated that groups focused solely on recruitment or worship are not recognized. If being harassed, security should be contacted.

Resources

Christianity Today recently published an excellent news article on the International Church of Christ.

Triumphing Over London Cults offers an archive of articles and reports on the controversial London Church of Christ and International Church of Christ (ICOC).