International Christian Church
ClassificationChristian, Restorationist, Christian Fundamentalism, Non-Denominational
OrientationWhole Bible, Discipleship
Politynon-congregationalist
AssociationsMERCYworldwide, UpSideDown21, Discipleship Media, International College of Christian Ministries, & Sold-Out Press International.
Region170 churches within 66 nations [1]
FounderThomas McKean & Elena McKean
Origin2006[2]
Portland, Oregon
Separated fromInternational Churches of Christ
Members11,500 per Kirshner [1]


Friday Campus Devotional at The University of Southern California (2018)

The International Christian Church (ICC) is a restorationist, conservative , fundamentalist , Christian non-denominational church.[3] One of the foundational beliefs of the church is "the evangelization of all nations in one generation." Beginning in 2006 with 800 members in 16 churches, now twelve years later the ICC claims a worldwide membership of approximately 11,500 members, across 170 churches, in 66 nations. [1] [4] The ICC's primary pillar church is in Los Angeles California and is currently lead by Jason & Sarah Dimitry per the December 18th 2022 Christmas bulletin in the Caicc.


History edit

Origins in the Stone-Campbell Movement

The ICC has its roots in a movement that reaches back to the period of the Second Great Awakening (1790–1870) of early nineteenth-century America. Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell are credited with what is today known as the Stone-Campbell or Restoration Movement. There are a number of branches of the Restoration movement and the ICoC was formed from within the Churches of Christ.[5] Specifically, it was born from a "discipling" movement that arose among the mainline Churches of Christ during the 1970s.[6] This discipling movement developed in the campus ministry of Chuck Lucas.[6]

In 1967, Chuck Lucas was minister of the 14th Street Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida (later renamed the Crossroads Church of Christ). That year he started a new project known as Campus Advance (based on principles borrowed from the Campus Crusade and the Shepherding Movement). Centered on the University of Florida, the program called for a strong evangelical outreach and an intimate religious atmosphere in the form of soul talks and prayer partners. Soul talks were held in student residences and involved prayer and sharing overseen by a leader who delegated authority over group members. Prayer partners referred to the practice of pairing a new Christian with an older guide for personal assistance and direction. Both procedures led to "in-depth involvement of each member in one another's lives".[7]

 
Early leaders of the Restoration Movement (clockwise, from top): Thomas Campbell, Barton W. Stone, Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott

The ministry grew as younger members appreciated many of the new emphases on commitment and models for communal activity. This activity became identified by many with the forces of radical change in the larger American society that characterized the late sixties and seventies. The campus ministry in Gainesville thrived and sustained strong support from the elders of the local congregation in the 'Crossroads Church of Christ'. By 1971, as many as a hundred people a year were joining the church. Most notable was the development of a training program for potential campus ministers. By the mid-seventies, a number of young men and women had been trained to replicate the philosophy and methods of the Crossroads Church in other places.[8]

[ 2006-7 ] Two years removed from the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) McKean sent out a mission team to begin a new congregation in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2006 and then led a team of 42 to Los Angeles on 5/6/2007 to start the City of Angels ICC.[9]

future updates....use Ron's book of the PDF

yt link : mwJ6I3Jbyqw listed plantings, need cot chat too.

[ 2008 ] [ 2009 ] [ 2010 ] [ 2011 ] [ 2012 ] [ 2013 ] [ 2014 ] [ 2015 ] [ 2016 ] [ 2017 ] [ 2018 ] [ 2019 ] [ 2020 ] [ 2021 ] [ 2022 ] Kernan replaced by Dimitry's after. I'm their tenure, 660 disciples were sent out. gnn epi: 01/2023. Year of miracles. [ 2023 ]


Beliefs and practices edit

Bible Study

Each potential new member is taught the elementary teachings of the Bible through a series of studies that emphasize a personal relationship with God. These studies cover how to seek God with your whole heart, what the Word of God is, what the kingdom of God is, the necessity of discipleship, the purpose of a Christian, the function of the church, and the importance of being involved in a Christian community. If the individual's heart is soft to the Word of God, studies about baptism, miraculous gifts, the Holy Spirit, and forgiveness of sin or also done. Additionally these studies are taught in a class format annually to the church as a whole to refine members on how to conduct them within their individual communities.[10] An alternate variation of this course is done in more of a peer to peer coaching manner to maximize personal growth and application.

Good News Email

A general practice of the church was to publish a monthly "Good News email" which discusses the people joining the church, weddings, graduations, charitable events & related themes. This series discontinued with the creation of the international Good News Network.

Good News Network

The Good News Network is a local news tailored media channel presenting the activities of the Sold-Out movement. Similarly to the GNE, the GNN discusses the people joining the church, weddings, graduations, charitable events & related themes. [11]

Perception of Persecution

The ICC emphasizes that Jesus' church in the Bible was persecuted, and therefore, members should not be concerned when outsiders refer to the ICC as a sect, cult, or with other emotionally-charged terminology. In fact, the ICC teaches that having detractors due to righteousness is great evidence that they are effectively imitating the teachings and practices of the church of the first century.

Money

Each member gives a weekly offering but it is distinct from the Judaism practice of the tithe. Twice per year there is a voluntary special missions contribution which is typically a multiple of the regular weekly contribution based on need. These funds are majority utilized for the direct funding of missions teams that are unable to self-sustain. This goal varies annually based on the needs of the future and sustained church plantings worldwide. "In 2015, most SoldOut Movement Congregations gave a minimum of 27X for missions – 20X in May (1X went to local weekly needs) and 9X in November (1X went to local weekly needs). In 2016, we have laid a plan for each church to give 25X for missions – 3X in February (1X to local needs), 20X in May (1X to local needs), and 5X in November (1X to local weekly needs)" [13] During midweek services, an optional internal collection called benevolence is taken up for emergency needs within the church.

Tenets of the church edit

The Five Foundational Sold-Out Movement Convictions

  • We believe all scripture is inspired by God*[14]
  • We believe where the Bible speaks we are to be silent, and to speak where the Bible is silent[15]
  • We believe the Church is composed of only Sold-out disciples in discipling relationships[16]
  • We believe in a centralized leadership with a centralized leader[17]
  • We believe we will evangelize all nations in this generation[18]
File:Crown of Thorns Phase 1 Map.jpg
Crown of Thorns, Phase 1 Map

[note, this is the location of the former CoTP1 Map Rob sent me. Add if/when nessessary]

Phase 1 to evangelize the world is referred to as "The Crown of Thorns Project." It involves planting 12 churches in 12 pillar global locations worldwide. The final planting to complete phase one is was completed August 2017 with the Manila Philippians Mission team leaving for Hong Kong.

Phase 2 of international evangelization includes the following cities: [ list or detail proximity churches to the COT)

Phase 3 of international evangelization includes the following cities: [ list or detail proximity churches to the p2)

The full outline of basic beliefs are available for study in the church's published doctrinal guide, called "First Principles."[10]

Current Scope of Locations edit

Add a 1-liner with perhaps a still shot?

https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1rQp6yVKVAOv4vCp8VXIW1g0vkEAeo93k&ehbc=2E312F

Meetings and ministries edit

Worship Services

Sunday worship services are held every week with singing, prayer, communion, contribution for ministry expenses, sermon, announcements, and fellowship.

Wednesday worship services are held every week with singing, prayer, contribution for benevolence, sermon, announcements, fellowship & discipleship groups.

Bible Talk

Bible talks are small group discussions throughout the week on college campus, home, or public setting designed for open public discussion of scripture. Members are encouraged to use these as fishing holes to attract potential new members. Daily discussions are the modern version of Paul the Apostle's daily activity in the Hall of Tyrannus in first century Ephesus.

 
Campus Bible Talk held at The University of Southern California (2018)

GLC

 
Global Leadership Conference in Palm Springs CA, Hilton (2012)

The Global Leadership Conference (GLC) is an annual conference for members in leadership roles or those who aspire to leadership within the church.[19]

Chemical Recovery Ministry

ICC churches have an internal Chemical Recovery Ministry aimed at helping people with addictions to alcohol, drugs and nicotine similar in format to other successful church programs.[20]

Ministerio Latino

Spanish for "Latin ministry" and are Spanish-speaking groups within some ICC churches.[21]

Women's Day & Men's Forum

 
Unfading Beauty- Pasadena CA, Women's Day (2018)

Once per year, each region has a conference focusing on the particular challenges for men or women respectively in life. Each year follows a theme such as Victory in the Brotherhood 2017 or Unfading Beauty 2018. These events generally include food, vulnerable testimonies, performances, and guest speakers.

Associations & Internal Programs edit

The International College of Christian Ministry (ICCM)

 
Iccm Graduation in The Anaheim CA, Hilton (2015)

The California Bureau of Postsecondary Education approved the founding of the ICCM, and the university received “Verification of Exempt Status” which allows the ICCM to grant Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Ministry according to their own Biblical doctrines and standards in various ministry tracks.[22] The internal seminary of the church has received some criticism[23] because their degrees are not transferable to department of education regulated 4-year universities.[22]

Discipleship Media

Discipleship Media (DM) & SoldOutPress Int'l are the nascent publishing arm of the ICC and currently publishes "First Principles" church booklets & Elena McKean's book, "Elevate."[24]

Good News Network

The Good News Network (GNN) is the film-making arm of the ICC, and has produced the short film, Eyes Wide Open and Respect.

MERCY Worldwide

 
Mercy Day Conference Meeting, Anaheim CA Hilton (2015)

Founded in 2008 and based on HOPE Worldwide, Maximizing Efforts for Relief Care and Youth (MERCY), is the benevolent arm of the church and organizes charitable events. Currently Nick & Denise Bordieri serve as Executive Director[25] and Executive Vice President.[26] Currently, Nick and Denise oversee the daily operations of an orphanage in Phenom Phen Cambodia. Some of the events run by MERCY include: an international toy drive[27] and a blood drive across the US in partnership with the Red Cross.[28] MERCY Worldwide recently acquired the Workforce Developer Network of Chicago, a network of over 35 agencies throughout Chicago that works to find jobs for people with mental disabilities.[29][30]

See also edit

Hidden text below to avoid NOCAT


References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Admin_Membership_Data_Sheet".
  2. ^ kip-mckean.com – Get Your Answers Here!
  3. ^ "Icc Origins". Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  4. ^ http://www.disciplestoday.org/commentary/perspectives/item-49-kip-mckean-starts-the-international-christian-churches
  5. ^ Stanback, C. Foster. Into All Nations: A History of the International Churches of Christ. IPI, 2005
  6. ^ a b Douglas Allen Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, 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, 854 pages, entry on International Churches of Christ
  7. ^ Paden, Russell (July 1995). America's Alternative Religions. Albany: State University of New York Press. p. 133-136. ISBN 978-0-7914-2397-4.
  8. ^ Wilson, John F. "The International Church of Christ: A Historical Overview." Leaven (Pepperdine University), 2010: 1–5.
  9. ^ tocbsm
  10. ^ a b http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/FirstPrinciples_Eng.pdf
  11. ^ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-9wFrjetvL8ZpPQVw7GOg
  12. ^ http://www.caicc.net/2014/03/08/tear-down-this-wall-by-kip-mckean/ Kip McKean, CAICC.net website, March 8, 2014
  13. ^ http://www.caicc.net/we-are-family/
  14. ^ http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140817-JMC-Sermon-AllScriptureIsInspired.pdf
  15. ^ http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/video/2014Series-FiveFoundationalConvictions/20140824-JMC-Sermon-BeSilentWhereTheBibleSpeaks.pdf
  16. ^ http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140831-JMC-Sermon-ChurchIsComposedofSoldOutDisciples.pdf
  17. ^ http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140907-JMC-Sermon-CentralLeadershipCentralLeader.pdf
  18. ^ http://www.phxicc.org/media/2014/mp3/Sunday/20140914-JMC-Sermon-AllNationsInThisGeneration.pdf
  19. ^ "Report: 2012 Global Leadership Conference – Chosen". Washington DC International Christian Church. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  20. ^ The Chemical Recovery Fellowship. "Misc - ChemicalRecovery.Org". chemicalrecovery.org.
  21. ^ http://www.caicc.net/loyal-latins-2/
  22. ^ a b "City Of Angels International Christian Church (ICC) Blog". Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  23. ^ http://www.exicc.org
  24. ^ https://soldoutpressinternational.com/author-book/elenagarciamckean/
  25. ^ "Nick Bordieri". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  26. ^ "Denise Bordieri – Contact - MERCYWORLDWIDE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  27. ^ "TOY DRIVE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  28. ^ "BLOOD DRIVE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  29. ^ "Workforce Developer Network Finds Jobs for 101 People with Disabilities, Gets Acquired by MERCYWORLDWIDE". MERCYWORLDWIDE. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  30. ^ http://www.mercyworldwide.org/about-us/

External links edit

Category:Christian denominations established in the 21st century Category:Evangelical denominations in North America Category:Religious organizations established in 2006 Category:Fundamentalist denominations


Timeline edit