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,[6][better source needed] religiously conservative and racially integrated Christian congregations.[3][7] In March 2024, the ICOC numbered their members at 112,000.[3][better source needed] A formal break was made from the Churches of Christ in 1993 with the organization of the International Churches of Christ.[8]: 418 

Former members of the church have alleged that it is a cult.[9][10] Janja Lalich, an academic expert on cults and coercion, has stated that in her view, the ICOC has at minimum some of the "hallmarks of a cult".[9]

  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. ^ "HOPE worldwide". hopeww.org. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2006.
  3. ^ a b c "About the ICOC". "Disciples Today" – official ICOC web site. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  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. ^ ICOC Cooperation Service Team Chairmen (28 August 2009). "Plan for United Cooperation Summary". icocco-op.org. International Churches of Christ Co-operation Churches. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kathleen E. Jenkins-2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ 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
  9. ^ a b Borecka, Natalia (19 March 2023). "US Christian group accused of covering up sexual abuse of minors". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  10. ^ Jenkins 2005, p. 2.

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