So I first posted on the history of the restoration movement and the ICOC, today I will focus on the history of the Cincinnati Church of Christ.

The Cincinnati Church of Christ formed from a church split in the early 80's.  They were originally called the Gateway Church of Christ, I believe. I do firmly believe that they men and women who started this church wanted nothing but the best.  I would imagine that they were coming from a pretty stale environment. 

They had a large campus presence, as did much of the ICOC, and their devotion to the Lord got them some bad press through the years.  Actually believing in Jesus in the USA campus is not something that is embraced.  Not just giving it lip service, but actually believe it.

Over the years they matured a bit, and many of those founding members are still around.  And the vast majority are still faithful to the King. 

But it wasn't all good news.  They were members of the ICOC and many of the teachings of the ICOC that got and deserved the criticism that followed.  They had a few evangelist who were bad news in the long run.  They, like much of the ICOC, embraced youth.  During my time at the CCOC there were many young staff members who came and went, and when they went they went in a bad way.  Some even losing their faith.  The ICOC and the CCOC did not put a value on an official education on being a minister, and while I don't think this education is required, I'd say the person that can do it without the education is not a normal thing but a rarity. 

The 80's are a bit of an unknown for me, but the 90's were a time of growth for the CCOC.  Peaking at 750+ members at one time they were a happening place to be.  Then things started to change in the late 90's and 00's.  Around that time the CCOC did something that isn't normal for the ICOC, they bought a building.  A member had died and left the CCOC a substantial amount of money, which they used to buy the building. I don't know what the root cause of this was, but around this time they started losing about 100 people per year.  Then came 2002, the Henry Kriete letter, a letter pointing out the flaws in the ICOC.  They held 'open forums' that, in hindsight, a really bad idea.  This was a time for people to air their grievances about the CCOC.  Very damaging, and they continued to lose about 100 people a year.  Finally in 2004 my family left the CCOC and after a few more years of losing members they are finally starting to get on the same team as a congregation and making progress toward their goal. 

They are still more like an ICOC church then they are like a typical restoration movement church. 

Next I think I will post on my time in the CCOC.