Great Commission Association

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Great Commission Assocation's official logo
Great Commission Assocation's official logo

The Great Commission Association of Churches (GCAC) is the current name of an Evangelical Christian movement started in the mid 1960's by Jim McCotter. The movement was first known as "The Blitz Movement," then later as Great Commission International (GCI), and finally renamed to its current name, with the campus arm being named Great Commission Ministries (GCM). [1] [2] It is also known as Great Commission Churches (GCC) and Great Commission Association (GCA). [3] [4]

Contents

[edit] Background

[edit] Early Years

In 1965, a 20-year-old Jim McCotter (James Douglas McCotter) left his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, against his father's will, and moved to Greeley, Colorado in an attempt to emulate the Apostle Paul's life, and to create a fully functioning "New Testament Church," which he believed other Christian denominations were not doing adequately.[1] [2] McCotter described his financial condition at this time as such: "I had one suitcase and- over a hangup bag, and $400 dollars in my pocket, and that was all I started with back in 1965." [1]

McCotter, whose family's religious background was with the Plymouth Brethren, has stated that his desire to form the movement stemmed from his interpretation of the Bible verses Acts 1:8 and Philippians 4:9. McCotter believed that Acts 1:8 ("But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth" New International Version) was a "strategy verse" specifically instructing Christians on how God wanted to use church planting to "reach the world for Christ" within one generation. This strategy came to be known as the "Heavenly Vision," and was a cornerstone belief of the early movement. McCotter also believed that the Bible was instructing every Christian to emulate precisely the actions of the Apostle Paul's life, which McCotter believed was the "model" life for all Christians to imitate. In 1984 he affirmed this belief at a conference when he said, "I'm out to be just like the Apostle Paul. And frankly, I think if every man and woman is not they're- whether they know it or not, they're in sin." [1] [2]

Early members believed they were returning to the lost lifestyle of the first century Christians, and that they were the "New Testament Church" reborn. Jerry MacDonald described the early members of the movement as "disenchanted with their own churches. They believed that the commitment and dedication required to obey what they considered to be the 'heavenly vision' could only be accomplished by breaking away from the organized church and returning to the goals, purposes, and lifestyles of the 'first century' Christians." [5] This lifestyle included a heavy emphasis on hierarchical discipleship, which has been criticized and compared to the "Shepherding Movement." [2]

After arriving in Greeley, McCotter began recruiting primarily from the University of Northern Colorado campus, which he also began attending. According to McCotter, at the end of the first year there were 12 people following him, after 1966 there were thirty, and the following years it "doubled and tripled." [1] Eventually a handful of men moved out to other cities in Colorado, as well as Las Cruces, New Mexico, to start other "works" as they were called back then. [2] [1] The size of these "works" were most likely small, as McCotter has stated that, "Most people wouldn't have called them churches. Most people never knew we were churches." [1]

McCotter dropped out of college to focus on ministry full time, and was planning to move down to Pueblo, Colorado to continue recruitment efforts; however, in 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the Army. During training, at a base in Fort Polk, Louisiana, McCotter met Dennis Clark, with whom he imparted his vision of God's "strategy" to reach the world. [2] [1]

Jim McCotter returned to Colorado after he had completed his service in Vietnam. In May of 1970, Dennis Clark returned from the service as well and joined Jim in Colorado. On a bus, while evangelising, Jim struck up a conversation with Herschel Martindale, who would join the movement shortly thereafter. [2] [1]

[edit] The "Blitz Movement"

In 1970, under the leadership of Jim McCotter, Dennis Clark, Herschel Martindale, and others, approximately 30 college-age Christians embarked on a summer-long evangelistic outreach known as "The Blitz" to several university campuses in the Southwestern United States. [6] [7]

"The Blitz Movement," as it was called, was named after the Blitzkrieg military offensive of World War 2. Military terminology was a regular part of the early movement's vocabulary, and comparisons to war tactics gave way to evangelical strategies derived from Communist revolutionary tracts as the movement gained strength. [5]

In the next few years, additional mission outreaches and training conferences took place as the movement expanded to many more campuses. By the summer of 1973, nearly 1,000 attended the movement's national conference held on an eastern campus. Fifteen new campuses were "Blitzed" that summer by hundreds of recruits fresh from the conference, and the movement continued to gain strength. By the end of 1973, there were about 15 "works" established. [6]

In the late 70's, newspapers, former members, and watchdog groups began to publicly criticize the movement's practices. This trend continued into the 80's and 90's. (See the Criticism section for more information.)

[edit] Great Commission International

In 1983, Great Commission International (GCI) was formed. Led by Jim McCotter and Dennis Clark, it was formed to provide services such as publishing and fund raising for the developing association. [6]

In 1983, GCI launched the first summer Leadership Training conference which attracted college students for a summer of intensive training in evangelism and discipleship. The LT program continues today under the leadership of Great Commission Ministries. [6]

In 1985, GCI undertook a mass outreach and expansion effort called Invasion '85. During this effort, teams were sent to 50 college campuses with a goal of starting new campus ministries. While many "works" were successfully established during Invasion '85, most of them did not continue. According to GCAC, "team members were not properly trained nor were they given adequate support." As a result, a large number of teams returned home. [6]

GCI continued to be scrutinized by the press and ex-members, and in 1985 several conferences were held to help former GCI members "recover from the emotional and psychological damage they'd experienced" while in the movement. [8] Shortly thereafter, Wellspring Retreat, the world's first accredited cult and abusive religion recovery center, was formed by several ex-members of the movement. [8]

In 1986, founder Jim McCotter announced his resignation from GCI, stating a desire to utilize his entrepreneurial abilities in an attempt to influence secular media for Christ as his reason. Two years later, Jim moved to Florida and has not attended a church affiliated with Great Commission since that time, with the exception of the 2004 Faithwalkers conference. [6] [9] [10]

In 1987, the national leadership (Dennis Clark, John Hopler, and Rick Whitney) focused on the basic ministry of prayer and teaching in churches and in a more regional manner, each being assigned a specific region of GCAC churches. [6]

[edit] GCAC and GCM

In 1989, Great Commission International changed its name to the Great Commission Association of Churches (GCAC), and is known today as the Great Commission Association (GCA) as well as Great Commission Churches (GCC).[11]

Also in 1989, Great Commission Ministries (GCM), under the initial leading of Dave Bovenmyer, was formed primarily to "mobilize people into campus ministry by training them to raise financial support and by equipping them for campus ministry." [6] [12]

[edit] Today

Approximately 80 churches in the United States are affiliated with GCAC. Outside of the United States, churches have been planted in Europe, Asia, South America and Latin America. GCA maintains an administrative support staff in Columbus, Ohio. As it was during the movement's early history, church-planting and Evangelism remain the primary focus of the movement.

As part of the GCAC affiliation, GCAC churches give a tenth of its budget to the association. Local churches are led by locally ordained pastors, and supported in ministry by locally nominated deacons. The GCAC places great emphasis on local leadership development, rather than the common Christian denominational practice of hiring pastors from other churches/cities. As a result of this, it is not common for a GCAC pastors to have formal seminary training.[13]

To facilitate unity and fellowship among its member churches, GCAC publishes the periodical "Daylights" and other doctrinal papers written principally by pastors within the movement. Regional and national conferences are attended by both leaders and adherents.

[edit] Criticism

GCA leadership has been accused of being overly authoritarian in the lives of church members. In the 70's, 80's, and 90's, several national newspapers published articles suggesting the movement exhibited authoritarian qualities sometimes attributed to cults.[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] There have also been multiple research papers critical of the movement [5][21] , and it has been named specifically in books on abusive Christian groups.[9][22]

In an article quoting Ronald Enroth's book on abusive churches he describes a typical experience at GCI (former name of GCAC) churches: "Remarkably, many intelligent Christians actually enjoy being told what to do. In GCI churches, people seek the elders for permission to go home and see their parents or friends, and to inquire for how long they may stay; they go to them for permission to go to a party with unbelievers..."[23] One ex-member that Dr. Enroth studied characterizes one of the church's practices as fostering a "learned helplessness" in members. [23]

The group has also been criticized for its past excommunication practices. An estimated 500 people were excommunicated and shunned between 1976 and 1986, many for reasons the movement later admitted were "not, according to scrip­tural standards, sufficient to merit it." [5] [24] Oftentimes these excommunications were performed on members who questioned leadership; Paul Martin wrote that, "critics were expelled for questioning or challenging this vision of the leadership. GCI was highly authoritarian, and demanded strict commitment from all followers." [9] Many of those excommunicated during this period experienced psychological damage. Jerry MacDonald, in his 1988 Master's Thesis on the movement, described the excommunicants of this time period as "victims of a psychological tragedy." [5] Paul Martin wrote in 1993, "Many ex-members have faced long years of therapy trying to recover from their experiences in this group. Some have attempted suicide. Still others, some ten years later, sustained such psychological damage that they have been unable to get on with their lives, often taking jobs well below their educational and intellectual qualifications." [9]

The practice of excommunicating those who questioned leaders stopped for the most part after Jim McCotter's resignation in 1986, however, modern critics of the movement contend that an unhealthy demand of submission to leadership is still taught in some GCAC and GCM churches. [25][26]

In 1989, officials at the University of Guelph banned the movement from campus following a three-month investigation into the group's "authoritarian" and "cult-like" practices.[27]

Although the movement has been referred to as a "cult" in the press, researchers more often categorize it as an "Aberrant Christian group." Paul Martin classified it as such in 1993, although he did note that (following the departure of Jim McCotter) "the group has made significant reforms in recent years and is not as abusive as formerly." [9] Martin J. Butz and Larry Pile have also classified the movement as aberrant. [21] [28]

Former members and leaders continue to express concerns about the movement's practices and beliefs, primarily though websites, blogs and listed letters and statements online.[25] [26]

[edit] The 1991 GCAC Statement of Church Error

In 1991, GCAC released a public statement acknowledging church error and weakness.[29] In the statement, GCAC clarified its position on many issues, and admitted responsibility for mistakes grouped into two categories; problems resulting from a "prideful attitude," and problems as "a result of a misapplication or misin­terpreta­tion of Scripture." Issues discussed in the statement include:

  • Failing to distin­guish between a command, and principle, and preference.
  • Authoritarian and insensitive leadership.
  • An "elitist attitude" towards other Christian organizations.
  • Excessive and unbiblical church discipline.
  • Improper response to criticism.
  • Lack of emphasis on formal education.
  • A belief that every man should become an elder.
  • Treating dating as a sin.

The statement also listed steps taken, or to be taken, to correct these issues. No specific people or incidents were named in the statement, other than Secretary David Bovenmyer, whose signature was printed at the end of it. There statement in its entirety is available here: [1].

[edit] Responses to the 1991 Statement of Church Error

The statement itself has been both criticized and commended. Critics have questioned the motivation and sincerity of the statement, pointing out that it was released at a time when the movement was under scrutiny in books, academic papers, and in the press. The distribution of the statement has also been questioned. According to former member Larry Pile, the paper "was not widely distributed within the churches, but apparently was given only to long-time members of four or five years or more."[30] In reflection, Pile wrote (March 2006), "By and large we were encouraged by what we have heard from these men, though we have felt that more needs to be done, mainly in regard to acknowledging the early abuses and fully apologizing to the men and women who were hurt ... More needs to be done, and in at least a semi-public way .... It seems virtually impossible for [Christian leaders and others outside the movement] to believe in the sincerity of the current GCA leadership without a more vigorous statement along the lines I have suggested .... Other churches and Christian movements with problemed pasts have been much more candid about their former errors." [30] Paul Martin wrote, "The admissions of error so far have been mainly confined to a position paper, the circulation of which has been questioned by many ex-members .... There has been some positive movement in that direction, but most ex-members that I have talked to are not fully satisfied with the reforms or apologies ..." [9]

In 2005, speaking at pastor's conference, nationally-recognized GCA leader Rick Whitney acknowledged the 1991 paper, stating that, "It showed a certain humility and a willingness to admit our mistakes." [31]

[edit] Subsidiary Organizations

[edit] Great Commission Ministries

Great Commission Ministries' official logo
Great Commission Ministries' official logo

Great Commission Ministries (GCM) is the campus arm of Great Commission Association of Churches.

[edit] Funding

The largest financial supporters of GCM are individual donors. In 2002, 92% of GCM's income came from contributions of this nature.[2] Its missionaries are required to raise 100% of their support goal, which includes their base salary, benefits, and ministry expenses. 12% of all funds raised goes toward administrative overhead.

[edit] Great Commission Latin America

Great Commission Latin America's official logo
Great Commission Latin America's official logo

Great Commission Latin America is a Latin American outgrowth of Great Commission Ministries founded and directed by Nelson Guerra.

[edit] Great Commission Churches

Great Commission Churches (GCC) is a fellowship of churches in the Great Commission Association, which helps coordinate ministry activities in the U.S., including Great Commission Leadership Institute (GCLI), GCLI "Going Deeper" Regional conferences, Faithwalkers National Conferences, and national GCA Pastor's Conferences. [32]

[edit] Funding

Since 2002, GCC has been financially accountable to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, having its financial records audited every year since then by that organization.[33]

[edit] Regional subsidiaries

Great Commission Northwest (GCNW) is a regional association of North American GCA churches, spanning from Chicago to Seattle. [34]

GCC Regional Ministries (GCC-RM) coordinates church planting, leadership training, and church coaching in to GCC churches in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. [35]

Great Commission Northlands (GCN) – Coordinates church planting, leadership training, and church coaching in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. [35]

[edit] Other subsidiaries

During the 1980's, a number of subsidiary organizations were formed in an attempt to "penetrate key centers of influence:" [6] [2]

  • American's for Biblical Government (government)
  • Great Commission Academy (education)
  • Alpha Capital (media)
  • THEOS (The Higher Education Opportunity Service) (media)
  • Communication Forum (media related)
  • Students for Origins Research (media related)

[edit] Publications

Under the direction of Jim McCotter in the 70's and 80's, the movement started several magazines and newspapers, including The Cause, America Today, Today's Student, U.S. Press, Potential, and the Life Herald. These projects were short-lived or were discontinued in the late 1980's. [36] [6] [2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i

    . (1984). "Church History" (Tapes 1-4)

  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pile, Lawrence (2002). MARCHING TO ZION: A Personal History and Analysis of the "Blitz Movement" aka Great Commission Association of Churches, 2nd (in English), Albany, Ohio: Christians United to Remedy Error (CURE).
  3. ^ Great Commission Churches. Retrieved on 12-3-2006.
  4. ^ Great Commission Association. Retrieved on 12-3-2006.
  5. ^ a b c d e MacDonald, Jerry (1988). "Reject the Wicked Man: Coercive Persuasion and Deviance Production: A Study of Conflict Management". Cultic Studies Journal.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j GCAC Executive Director John Hopler. "GCLI Document, Church History: Great Commission".
  7. ^ Maria Agrelo. "Have Bible-will travel", Ohio State Lantern, late July/early August 1973.
  8. ^ a b Wellspring Journal Vol 3, No. 1, Spring 1992. Retrieved on 12-3-2006.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Martin, Ph.D, Paul (1993). Cult-Proofing Your Kids. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House. ISBN 0310537614.
  10. ^ Rick Whitney. Letter To Dads "On The Wall". “And Jim and Barb McCotter and their family were a surprise, late addition. It was good to talk with them. Jim wrote, "How my heart was blessed to hear each of you share what God put on your hearts this last week. I felt so unworthy . . . and so humbled . . . and at the same time so overjoyed."”
  11. ^ Who is Fellowship Church. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  12. ^ Great Commission Ministries : History. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  13. ^ . (12/2004). The Great Commission Story Faithwalkers 2004:
  14. ^ "Ex-members say religious group controls, intimidates its followers", Columbus (Ohio) Lantern, 1982-10-11.
  15. ^ "Iowan tells cult experience", Des Moines (Iowa) Register, 1985-01-12.
  16. ^ "Silver Spring Fundamentalists: Church or 'Cult'?", Silver Spring (Md.) Montgomery County Sentinel, 1985-02.
  17. ^ "Jean's story: Why she joined GCI, how she got deprogrammed", Silver Spring (Md.) Montgomery County Sentinel, 1986-02-06.
  18. ^ "New Life policies scrutinized", Towson (Md.) Towerlight, 1985-05-09.
  19. ^ "'I think I was brainwashed': Religious group criticized as cult-like is now at KSU.", Manhattan (Kan.) Daily Kent Stater, 1982-12-03.
  20. ^ "ISU Bible Study group: 'Wonderful' or 'a cult'?", Des Moines (Iowa) Register, 1980-03-13.
  21. ^ a b Martin J. Butz (1991). "An inquiry into the paradox of aberrant Christian churches: orthodoxy without orthopraxy".
  22. ^ Enroth, Ronald (1992). Churches That Abuse. Zondervan Publishing House. ISBN 0310532906.
  23. ^ a b "How to Spot an Abusive Church", Group Magazine, 1992-03.
  24. ^
  25. ^ a b GCMWarning.Com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  26. ^ a b De-Commissioned. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  27. ^ "Bible club evicted from U of Guelph campus: Group accused of authoritarianism, cult-like control over members", Toronto Globe and Mail, 1989-09-27.
  28. ^ (April 2002). ""Just Who Is Jim McCotter?" North & South".
  29. ^ Great Commission Association of Churches (7/1991). "A Statement Recognizing Early Errors And Weaknesses In The Development Of The Great Commission Association Of Churches".
  30. ^ a b Larry Pile (3/2006). "Statement about Great Commission Association of Churches/Great Commission Ministries" (paper and online).
  31. ^ (June 28, 2005). "National Pastor's Conference "Pastor's Loyalty" Sermon Notes".
  32. ^ GCC : About : Relationships. Retrieved on 11-28-2006.
  33. ^ Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability : GCC. Retrieved on 11-28-2006.
  34. ^ GCNW: About. Retrieved on 2006-11-28.
  35. ^ a b Great Commission Churches - Regional Ministries. Retrieved on 11-29-2006.
  36. ^ Richard Harvey (1986). The Cause And Effect: A Closer Look. Christians United to Remedy Error (CURE).

[edit] External links

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