International Council of Christian Churches

An interdenominational council of churches of strong fundamentalist beliefs characterized by militant opposition to the World Council of Churches, to Communism, and to defections from orthodox Christianity. The principal founder of the movement was Carl McIntire, an American Presbyterian minister who led also in the founding of the Bible Presbyterian Church, Faith Theological Seminary, Shelton College, and the American Council of Christian Churches.* The ICCC was founded at Amsterdam in 1948 and includes constituent bodies (national church groups), consultative bodies (local churches), and associated bodies (such as missionary societies and Bible leagues). In 1972 there were 155 “Bible believing Protestant denominations” in ICCC membership, most of them small. Throughout its history there have been some defections, usually stemming from disagreements with McIntire.

The missionary arm of the council is known as The Associated Missions (TAM). The ICCC operates also International Christian Relief, and its youth movement called International Christian Youth offers a separatist alternative to ecumenical programs. The ICCC holds regional and national council meetings yearly, and in 1973 held its eighth world congress in Cape May, New Jersey. The international headquarters is in Amsterdam; national offices are maintained in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, the Far East, Canada, the USA, and Europe. The main organ of the movement is McIntire’s Christian Beacon, a weekly publication from his headquarters in the Bible Presbyterian Church of Collingswood, New Jersey, of which he is pastor. McIntire is also widely known for his controversial “Twentieth Century Reformation Hour” radio broadcast.