Vol. 6, No. 8, 1989

Crossroadism

Craig Branch

All across the United States and several foreign countries, people are being recruited by the thousands by an aggressive and relatively new "Bible based" cult. There are hundreds of its shattered casualties left in the wake of its growth.

The group is known by various names -- Crossroads movement, Boston Church of Christ, Discipling Ministries and Multiplying Ministries. The movement has its roots in the Church of Christ (Campbellite) tradition; yet, today most Churches of Christ disavow them.

Chuck Lucas was the minister of the Crossroads Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida, who had achieved rapid growth, especially with students at the University of Florida. Lucas has adopted a very controversial shepherding methodology, with intense accountability, controlling/authoritarianism techniques.

The current "evangelist" of the Boston Church of Christ is Kip McKean, was "converted" at Crossroads and discipled by Lucas. In 1979 McKean moved to Boston to work with the small Lexington Church of Christ. The same problem occurred there that was taking place in every church which employed Crossroads trained ministers; namely, dissention, division and eventually, splits. The older members who responded negatively to the intense regimen of the Crossroads group were considered dead, uncommitted and were thought of and probably really not Christians, (The Discipling Dilemma, Flavil Yeakley, pp. 6-8).

With resistance out of the way, the Lexington/Boston Church of Christ began to experience phenomenal numerical growth. From 1979 to 1987 they baptized over 4000 members. They now meet in the Boston Gardens (Ibid).

Early in McKean's career he decided that the multiplication methods could not work among any existing churches. Therefore, his method was to gain control of other split churches and, in addition, to begin to plant new churches with teams trained in his methodology. They now have churches in all 50 states and in several foreign countries (Church Growth Institute; Abilene, Texas).

Along with the growth there are appearing an alarming number of emotional and spiritual casualties. There are reports from all around the country of families broken up, nervous breakdowns, depro¬grammings and colleges banning their presence. Most of their members are in their 20's. In Toronto, two ex-members attempted suicide and were hospitalized. The parents are contemplating a lawsuit (Cult Awareness Network News, July 1988, p. 7).

The multiplication ministries is a cult from two perspectives. First, they embody the normal Church of Christ heresy of a different gospel, mixing works with grace (Galatians 1:6-9). Secondly, they employ coercive mind control practices to such an extent that even the mainline Churches of Christ consider them cultic. The system uses psychological force, group pressure, fear and guilt for manipulation.

Total commitment is the word. On the surface it appears to be commitment to Christ, but a subtle shift takes place. Total commitment to Christ actually means commitment to the group or system. The system entails being invited to a house Bible talk and to a church service. Here one is bombarded with attention and lengthy exuberant singing. One is encouraged to go through a one-on-one eight week study. Through the study one learns he must "count the cost," repent of all sins, give up everything to follow Christ and be baptized before one can truly become a Christian. One also learns that all other churches are apostate or dead and this is the only group God is using in the Great Commission.

Once a member, you are expected to attend all of the many meetings, be involved in constant recruiting (reaching out), be submitted to a discipling partner (usually to an equally immature "Christian"), to keep a daily Quiet Time and to attend many seminars. Most any other activity is considered unspiritual. Doubts and questions are stifled and criticized.

Watchman Fellowship in Birmingham, Alabama, became involved when parents became concerned over their daughter's sudden personality change and estrangement. Because of the hierarchial command structure, Boston ordered Birmingham to move the congregation to Atlanta for "more training," as the Birmingham growth was too slow. Members were told that the only spiritually alive church in Birmingham was being absorbed into Atlanta. The members had to decide to transfer college, quit their jobs and relocate. The implication was that if one was totally committed and, thus, truly Christian, then one would move.

Watchman Fellowship has been able to help nine of those members leave the cult thus far. Contact us for a list of the Boston Churches of Christ affiliates in your area or for any personal help.