International Churches of Christ


    I. Profile Report

    1. Name: International Churches of Christ (aka: Boston Church of Christ)

    2. Founder: Kip McKean

    3. Date of Birth: circa. 1952

    4. Birth place: Unknown

    5. Year founded: 1979, Boston

    6. Brief History: After assisting in establishing the Multiplying ministries in Gainesville, Florida which linked students with church elders for discipling, Kip McKean, in 1979, was asked by a Church of Christ in Lexington, MA to help revitalize the church. Using the Multiplying ministries program, McKean increased church membership enough to move the growing church to Boston.

    7. Sacred or Revered Texts: The Bible, specifically Matthew 28: 19, 20 and John 15:5

    8. Cult or Sect:
      9. Negative sentiments are typically implied when the concepts "cult" and "sect" are employed in popular discourse. Since the Religious Movements Homepage seeks to promote religious tolerance and appreciation of the positive benefits of pluralism and religious diversity in human cultures, we encourage the use of alternative concepts that do not carry implicit negative stereotypes. For a more detailed discussion of both scholarly and popular usage of the concepts "cult" and "sect," please visit our Conceptualizing "Cult" and "Sect" page, where you will find additional links to related issues.

    9. Beliefs: The Boston Church of Christ beliefs are essentially evangelical in the Baptist tradition. They believe in the Trinity and the Virgin Birth. They believe scripture to be inerrant and authoritative. The group base their traditions on John 15:5 which they interpret to mean true Christians will bear fruit (work to convert disciples). They make the claim of Christian exclusivity and that all group members have to be discipled and re-baptized to prove discipleship. Church leaders are called "Disciplers" and the organizational structure pivots on "Sheparding." Sheparding involves ongoing monitoring of the spiritual growth of new members. Submission to a hierarchial pyramid of leadership, with God at the top, is expected of members.

    10. Size of Group: Claim international Sunday attendance exceeded 100,000 as of January, 1995

    11. Remarks: Much of the controversy of this group results from the practice of sheparding. The group has an ambitious international church growth plan that would plant a church in every nation with a city of 100,000 population by the year 2,000. As of July, 1996 they claim 255 churches worldwide in 97 nations.

    II. Links to Boston Church of Christ Web Sites

    International Churches of Christ Home Page
    This site features dense graphics and background screens that can make the text difficult to read. The substance is thin.
    http://www.intlcc.com

    Watchman Fellowship's Expository of Boston Church of Christ

    An informational site about the beliefs and practices of the Boston Church of Christ from the point of view of an evangelical Christian organization which provides information on various cults and sects. This is a counter cult organization.
    http://rampages.onramp.net/~watchman/bostnpro.html

    TOLC's information on the London/Boston Church of Christ
    The group called "Triumphing Over London Cults" or "TOLC" presents information, articles, and opinions about the London/Boston Church of Christs alleged attempts, as a sect, to take member's personal freedom. This is an anti-cult page.
    http://www.ftech.net/~hamrag

    Controversy in the Boston Church of Christ
    Controversy in the Boston, Church of Christ -Part 2
    David Zimmerman discusses the controversial doctrine and practices. Written as an academic paper, Zimmerman provides information in a concise format that may clear up many questions about the group.
    http://www.fishnet.net/~lesid/icc/paper1.htm
    http://www.fishnet.net/~lesid/icc/paper2.htm

    The Unofficial International Church of Christ Information Web Pages
    This site states that it will attempt to portray the Boston Movement in a fair manner, neither supporting it nor condemning it. With this disclaimer, the page prompts visitors to voice thoughts about the church without "bitterness or hatred."
    http://www.magicnet.net/~marshal/icc/disclaim.html

    Cult Alert! The International Church of Christ
    An anti-cult site that provides "facts" and warnings about the destructive nature and style of the Boston Church of Christ's theology and practices. Written by an apostate, this site is not only negative but also accusatory. Anti-cult.
    http://www.wam.umd.edu/~hsiah/ftp/boston_church_of_christ.txt

    Responding to the Boston Movement by Rick Bauer
    This lengthy site is a diatribe by an apostate and his wife about their experiences with the Boston Movement. Bauer attempts to answer the most common questions asked about the group from his perspecitve as a former elder. Anti-cult.
    http://www.access.digex.net/~ex-cult/Groups/Boston-CC/respond.txt

    III. Selected References

    Articles:

    Bjornstad, James. 1993.
    "At What Price Success? The Boston (Church of Christ) Movement." Christian Research Journal. 15:24-28, 29-31. (counter cult publication)

    Dart, John. 1990.
    "Boston Church Keeps Revival Movement Low-Key in Southland." Los Angeles Times. August 4. F:16:1

    Griest, Stephanie. 1995.
    "Campus Crusaders: The Fast -Growing International Churches of Christ Welcomes Students with Open Arms. Does it Let Them Go?" The Washington Post . September 3. Sunday, F1

    Guggenheim, Ken. 1994.
    "Church's Membership Rises: So Does Criticism." Los Angeles Times. September 25. Sunday, A1.

    Hill, Carlene B. 1988.
    "Boston Church of Christ grows amid controversy." Christianity Today. Februrary 19. 32:53.

    Martin, Edward. 1990.
    "The Boston Movement as a 'Revitalization Movement.'" D. Min. Thesis, Harding Graduate School of Religion.

    Masters, Brooke A. 1994.
    "Small Church Causes a Stir on Campuses: Boston Group's Tactics Banned." The Washington Post. April 24. Sunday, B1

    Ostling, Richard N. 1992
    "Keepers of the flock." Time. May 18. 139:62

    Paden, Russell. 1995.
    "The Boston Church of Christ." America's Alternative Religions. Timothy Miller, ed. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, pp. 133-140.

    Yeakley, Flavil R., ed. 1988.
    The Disciplining Dilemma: A Study of the Disciplining Movement Among Churches of Christ. Nashville: Gospel Advocate Co.


    Prepared by Rebecca Chelson
    New Religious Movements Student, Spring 1996
    Last modified: 07/17/01