Then International Churches of Christ

The International Churches of Christ, International Christian Church

The Barnabas Ministry website was originally started in 1999 with the International Churches of Christ in mind. It was to help those who had been hurt in that movement, and also I had hopes that the website could help that movement change things that had led to many being hurt. The Story of Barnabas was one of the first articles on the website and elaborates on this initial intent.

In May of 1986, my wife and I helped start the Denver Church Christ. Eighteen years later, in May of 2004, we ended our memberships. At that time my wife and I wrote letters to the membership and leadership of that congregation, explaining our reasons for the decision.

Since leaving, I haven't really concerned myself too much with that movement of churches. I have no interest in being an "ICC watchdog" or the like. Some of the articles below are somewhat dated. They are retained on the website because of my past membership in the ICC, my past efforts towards its defense and influence, and the wide distribution some of these writings have received. And they may prove to be of great use to anyone researching the ICC or examining the dynamics discussed.

- John

Barnabas Ministry Writings Concerning The International Churches of Christ

My Old Yearbooks and the One-Suitcase Challenge (March 2007)
On Recent Developments in the ICC (August 2005)
John Engler's Testimony (Includes details of how he came to leave the ICC)
The Engler's Resign from the Denver Church of Christ (2004) John Engler DCC Resignation Letter Patricia Engler DCC Resignation Letter Denver Church of Christ Elders and Evangelist's Response to Resignation Letters
Articles written prior to departure from the ICC in reverse chronological order (most important articles in bold): Four Year Report- Update on my perspetive on the ICC and the website at that point in time (2003) The Theological Imperative- Editorial on addressing the theological issues within the ICC. (2003) Response to "From Babylon to Zion"- A response to Kip McKean's 2003 statement on the state of the International Churches of Christ (2003) Now What? Editorial by John Engler on the current state of the International Churches of Christ (2003) Simple Thoughts at Trying Times- Some things to keep in mind during this time in the International Churches of Christ (2003) A Question of Balance- Analysis of issues facing the International Churches of Christ. (Written in 2000, released publicly in 2003) What About First Principles? (2002)- Part of a larger series examining the gospel proclamations and reponses in Scripture. The Heart to Change- Leadership willing to face its own mistakes (2001) A Hole in the Bucket- Discussing the "fallaway" rate (2000) Greatness, Exclusivity and the Movement of God- Just one way? (2000) Divine Mandates- The difference between man's ideas and God's ideas (2000) The Era of Image- The issue of image in the church (2000) Jesus and Criticism (11k). Observations about Jesus' criticisms of Judaism.(2000) A Biblical Perspective on Persecution (29k). A examination of persecution from the New Testament (2000) Comments concerning The International Churches of Christ in relation to Lifton's Thought Reform Model (2000) The International Churches of Christ and Lifton's Thought Reform Model What We Can Learn from Lifton's Research The Institutional Church. Just what is the institutional church for, anyway? (1999) A New Look At Discipleship- Introduction to articles on discipleship (1999) Another Look at the Discipleship Study- Suggested changes for the "discipleship" study. Suggested Changes- Considerations towards implementing changes in the discipleship paradigm in the church (1999) Fellowship- Addressing the need for real fellowship in the church today (1999, 2000) Comments concerning The International Churches of Christ in relation to Hassan's Thought Reform Model (1999) Answering Hassan's Questions in the ICOC How to be a Better Leader and Better Christian in Response to the Issues Raised By Hassan My ICOC- The history and hope of the ICOC (1999) Is the ICOC a Cult?- A discussion of cultism, Christianity, and the ICOC (1999) An Historical Perspective on Persecution (6k). "Christian" criticism and persecution through the years.(1999)

Public Letters/Writings by Others

Honest To God Honest to God (French Translation) By Henry Kriete, used by permission. An open letter to the elders, teachers, and evangelists in our fellowship of churches (The International Churches of Christ).
Castles In the Air Anonymous document discussing ICC doctrines
A Wanderer's Progress A personal perspective on the restoration paradigm and the gospel. By Todd Priestley.
Consensus Leadership By Gordon Ferguson
Letter from the Denver Church of Christ Elders and Evangelists Released 3-14-2003 following several "town meetings"
Presentation to the Denver Church of Christ 11/22/02 In the wake of the McKean resignation
Denver Church of Christ Invitation/Apology Letter, 1/1/1996