People are Questioning the ICoC

This site concerns the International Churches of Christ (ICoC), also known during the 1980's as "The Boston Movement."

Is the ICoC the they only true "Kingdom of God," and can only their own members be "saved"? Or is the ICoC a dysfunctional and ultra-legalistic religious system that is producing a generation of what I refer to as "spiritual codependents"?

Please review as much evidence as possible on both sides of the story and decide for yourself. In my experience, there is both false doctrine and coercive/manipulative taking place in the ICoC which is hidden from the casual observer.

Among other purposes, this site represents a CALL TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY for false teachings and abusive practices on the part of those who direct the ICoC, whether it's on a worldwide or local level. Actually, in the ICoC, it's all the same - everything comes down from Kip McKean (who is supposedly getting progressive revelations from God) at the top - this trickle-down of doctrine and policy in the ICoC is quite similar to multi-level marketing.

So much evil has already to this date been inflicted upon people in this world in the name of Christianity - it is sad to see that this questionable religious group, the ICoC, deceives and places into legalistic bondage so many good-hearted people. Don't be fooled - *anyone* can be vulnerable to the lure of a cult or abusive group.

Non-Revisionist" History

The ICoC is a sect which was, basically, born of the "mainline" churches of Christ, which have their roots in Stone and Campbell's "Restoration Movement." However, the ICoC of today should not be confused with the "mainline" churches of Christ, as these two groups have disassociated themselves from each other. The Crossroads Movement, which is one of the ICoC's predecessor groups, has also disassociated itself from the Boston Movement/ICoC. Additionally, the ICoC should not be confused with similarly named groups such as the "Disciples of Christ" or the "United Church of Christ."

On the local level, ICoC congregation names can be misleading or confusing to the unsuspecting visitor - for example, the ICoC uses names as diverse as the "Boston Church of Christ," the "Metro Manila Christian Church," the "Dallas-Fort Worth Church of Christ Jesus," or simply "The Charlotte Church" to designate their churches. Be sure to get as many facts as possible when visiting or researching similarly named religious groups - you might not be getting what you think you're getting! The ICoC's members very often classify themselves as "just a non-denominational church" - but a look at any dictionary will show that for any ICoC member to say so is extremely misleading, at best. Actually, some newer ICoC members don't even seem to be *aware* that their local church's policy is legislated from Los Angeles, CA (where Kip McKean, the acknowledged leader of the ICoC, resides)!

To review a more detailed history of the International Churches of Christ/Boston movement, you may wish to visit this link.

ICoC Evokes Strong Emotions in Many

The majority of this site was written in 1997, when I was dealing with some pretty raw emotions, having left the ICoC three years earlier and having "stuffed" my feelings about all the things (a.k.a., "Stupid Pet Tricks") that happened while I was a part of this religious group. However, I feel I would be doing the public a disservice to soften my story now simply because I have recovered to the degree that I have - that would not be right. So, I have left the original emotions I was feeling while writing this story intact.

An ICoC member feels typically feels just as strongly that the ICoC's position is correct and that all others who call themselves Christians are lost and bound for hell. They feel just as strongly that those who leave are, without exception, "prideful," "bitter," "returned to a life of sin," and other equally judgmental ideas.

There IS Life After the ICoC

The Dance-Away Zone! tells about where I've been, as far as this questionable "church" is concerned - and in order to get a full picture of me and my life now, please visit the "Always and Forever" section of this website.