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The International Church of Christ (ICC or ICOC) is not to be confused with the mainline denomination “Church of Christ”. Prior to 1993, the ICC went by the name “Boston Church of Christ” disciples movement. This organization came under great scrutiny in the body of Christ for its cult-like behavior and practices. There was a change in leadership and a new approach which warranted a new name. The original Boston Church of Christ was founded by Kip Mckean (pictured) of the Crossroads Church of Christ movement in 1967, itself an offshoot of the mainline Church of Christ.
Unlike the mainline Churches of Christ who do not have a “headquarters” per se, The ICC has a main HQ location in Los Angeles called the Los Angeles International Church of Christ. The ICC Disciples church takes the anti-denominationalism of the early Church of Christ a step further, actually referring to the denominations as “sin”. There is a very rigid and strict observance of McKean’s discipleship programs which borders on hyper-control and legalism. The ICC believes in Baptism by immersion for salvation, a tenant of faith that has been rejected by mainline Churches of Christ. There is a strict control over the lives of disciples and they have been known to employ cult-like practices of recruitment like disguising or hiding the name of their organization to prospects (prevents looking into their reputation) and also the practice of “love-bombing” whereby recruits are overwhelmed with friendliness and acceptance upon first arrival until they are in the fold (c.f. Mormonism)
However, aside from these somewhat unorthodox beliefs and practices, the ICC adheres to the essentials of the Christian faith that would call for its inclusion in the pale of orthodoxy.The ICC is considered by many in orthodox Christianity (including some mainline Church of Christ leaders) to be a cult, others like the website CARM.org, simply consider it to be orthodox in doctrine but problematic in its control over its believers and its belief to be the one true restored church (cultic in behavior). I tend to agree with carm.org regarding the International Church of Christ. The Boston movement claims to have planted 175 churches in 70 countries with over 70,000 members worldwide. However, the group is in decline due to a lack of recruitment which is contrary to its early days. In 1994 alone 20,000 people left the Movement due to the cult-like control and manipulative “love-bombing” to new prospects.
No one receives eternal life and eternal presence with God (from Whom all good things come – James 1:17), by belonging to the right church, denomination, world religion, or by having a particular world view. Rather only those who trust in the Lord Jesus (preached by the Apostles in the Bible) for their own sin. We will not trust in a Savior for sins that we either don’t believe we have or that we think aren’t deserving of hell. But the Bible says that ALL have sin and the wages of that sin is eternal separation from God (death). The good news is that the Bible says that you can know that YOU have eternal life. Click the button below to see if you are genuinely saved from your sins according to the Bible: