International Church of Christ Overview

Group Name: International Church of Christ (ICOC)

Founder: Kip McKean

Current Leader: The organization operates with a decentralized leadership structure, with various regional and local leaders overseeing congregations.

Date Founded: 1979

Locations: ICOC has congregations worldwide, with a significant presence in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

Characteristics:

• Group endorses non-orthodox theology: Yes, the ICOC is known for its distinctive teachings and practices that deviate from mainstream Christianity, including its emphasis on a highly structured discipleship system and strict interpretation of biblical teachings.

• The Leader is an infallible authority: While Kip McKean was considered a central figure in the early development of the ICOC, the current leadership structure is decentralized, with no single leader holding absolute authority. However, local leaders often wield significant influence over their congregations.

• Leadership seeks control over members’ activities, behaviors, and finances: Yes, the ICOC is characterized by a strong leadership hierarchy that seeks to exert control over members’ lives, including their activities, behaviors, and financial contributions.

• Requires unquestioning faith and allegiance to the leader or group: Yes, members are expected to demonstrate unwavering faith and allegiance to the teachings and directives of the ICOC leadership.

• Suppression of Critical Thinking: Yes, questioning the teachings or practices of the ICOC is often discouraged, with members expected to conform to the group’s beliefs without questioning.

• Intimidation, fear, and shame are used to control members: Yes, former members and critics have reported instances of intimidation, fear, and shame being used to maintain control and enforce conformity within the group.

• Isolates or shuns former members, leading to loss of family connections and support: Yes, former members often experience shunning and isolation from their families and social networks, which can result in significant personal and emotional hardship.

• Allegations of financial abuse and lack of transparency: Yes, there have been numerous allegations of financial exploitation within the ICOC, including pressure on members to make significant financial contributions and a lack of transparency regarding the organization’s finances.

• Allegations of sexual misconduct: There have been some allegations of sexual misconduct involving leaders or members of the ICOC, though the extent and details of these allegations vary.

Narrative:

The International Church of Christ (ICOC) was founded by Kip McKean in 1979 with the goal of restoring what he believed to be the New Testament church. The ICOC quickly grew into a global movement known for its zealous evangelism and highly structured discipleship system.

While Kip McKean played a central role in the early years of the ICOC, the organization has since evolved into a decentralized structure with various regional and local leaders overseeing congregations. However, these leaders often wield significant authority and influence over their members.

The ICOC is characterized by its strict adherence to biblical teachings and its emphasis on discipleship and evangelism. Members are expected to demonstrate unwavering faith and obedience to the leadership, and questioning of the group’s beliefs or practices is often discouraged.

Former members and critics have raised concerns about the ICOC’s control tactics, including instances of intimidation, fear, and shame being used to maintain conformity within the group. There have also been allegations of financial exploitation and a lack of transparency regarding the organization’s finances.

Despite these controversies, the ICOC continues to maintain a presence worldwide, with congregations in numerous countries. However, former members often report experiencing shunning and isolation from their families and social networks after leaving the group, highlighting the significant personal and emotional toll associated with membership in the ICOC.