International Churches of Christ

International Churches of Christ
An International Church of Christ worship service
ClassificationProtestant[1]
OrientationRestorationist
PolityCongregationalist
Associations
  • HOPE Worldwide[2]
  • Disciples Today[3]
  • IPI Books[4]
RegionGlobal (144 nations)[5][better source needed]
Official websiteInternational Churches of Christ

The International Churches of Christ (ICOC) is a body of decentralized, co-operating, religiously conservative and racially integrated Christian congregations.[6][better source needed][7] Originating from the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, the ICOC emerged from the discipling movement within the Churches of Christ in the 1970s. Kip McKean, a key figure until 2003, expanded the church from Gainesville to Boston and it quickly became one of the fastest growing Christian movements with a heavy focus on US college campuses. Under his leadership, the ICOC experienced rapid growth but also faced criticism. In March 2024, the ICOC numbered their members at 112,000.[6][better source needed]

The ICOC is organized with a cooperative leadership structure broken down into regional families that have their own representative delegates. Viewing the Bible as the sole authority, the ICOC emphasizes being a non-denominational church united under Christ. It advocates salvation through faith and baptism, rejects "faith alone", and emphasizes global unity. Historically, the church practiced exclusive baptism and strict "discipling", but since 2002, has shifted to a more decentralized, voluntary discipling approach. The ICOC also promotes racial integration, opposes abortion and recreational drugs, and engages in international service through the HOPE Worldwide.

David V. Barrett noted in 2001 that in the 1990s the ICOC "attracted a huge amount of criticism and hostility" from the anti-cult movement. The church has been barred from recruiting students on campuses or has been denied student organization status at numerous universities.

  1. ^ “Though some in the Movement have been reluctant to label themselves Protestants, the Stone-Campbell Movement is in the direct lineage of the Protestant Reformation. Especially shaped by Reformed theology through its Presbyterian roots, the Movement also shares historical and theological traits with Anglican and Anabaptist forebears." Douglas Allen Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, "Protestant Reformation", in 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
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NBC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ross Jr-2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "IP > Featured Items". ipibooks.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2007.
  5. ^ "Leadership". 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  6. ^ a b "About the ICOC". "Disciples Today" – official ICOC web site. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jenkins-2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).