LOVE IS PREACHED BUT...
ACTS AND DEEDS WITHIN THE CHURCH ARE REWARDED.
Love is talked about a lot in the church. But love is rarely truly shown to those who really need it. There are many times I saw people being harshly "rebuked" or scolded and belittled because they had been "lazy" or not met the standards set up, NOT by the Bible but by the ICC's internal moral meter.
Each person that becomes a member is weighed and measured by the leadership. If you have the potential, personality, talent or money to be a leader---you are feverishly trained to be a leader. If you have doubts, responsibility is thrusted upon you, so you do not have time for doubts. If you have fears, you are instructed step by step what to do and say as you are trained.
The number one goal of the ICC is to "make disciples." I was told by everyone including on a KNN video (KNN (Kingdom News Network) is a news program/video that is distributed by the ICC throughout all the sectors around the world) by Kip McKean, �there is no time to be cuddled ...we are at war....we must find the lost...'
The ICC attitude toward recruiting (or what I sometimes refer to as �begging for disciples'), studying the Bible, and the way the leadership focuses on who and how one is controlled, is deceptive. Everything has a purpose and there is very little left to chance.
For example: When I was a Bible Talk leader, one of my jobs was to make sure my group had at least a minimum of one person coming to church each Sunday. If we had no one coming, if was frowned on and sometimes in the Discipling Group meetings, individual Bible Talk Leaders would be scolded and berated in front of others. One time, one of the women, lets call her Rhonda, in my group met someone called Terri. Rhonda called me and told me everything about Terri. Say Terri had a troubled childhood, stemming from a bad relationship with a parent. Rhonda gives me all of the information and sets up a movie meeting without Terri's knowledge. Rhonda and Terri go to the movies. I just �happen' to walk up as Rhonda and Terri walk into the movies. Rhonda greets me in surprise and introduces me to Terri and then precedes to ask me to join them. After the movie, at a coffee shop or restaurant, I start talking about my life. I casually bring up my troubled childhood and parents. Of course Terri can relate to everything that I am saying. What I am saying to Terri will be true, the leadership will not tolerate fabrications but the deception is in the chance meeting and the discussion about our similar childhoods. Terri will think its a great coincidence and I will poignantly point out "it has to be God that has brought us together." This is not uncommon. I have had very similar experiences in being both the one brought in to encourage Terri or the one with the friend, or just studying the Bible with the recruit later. Its all subtle and deceptive and smells of business dealings, corporate coverups or marketing strategies. The Bible studies are business pitches and the baptisms are the signing of the contracts.
I do not believe Jesus would be pleased with the attitudes or deceptions involved. But when I discussed this with disciples, they said, "whatever works, as long as we seek and save the lost!" I understand that that is the goal of Christianity but lying is not how Jesus wanted us to do it. "The ends DO NOT justify the means."
Exhaustion is one way the church uses people to stay apart of the "ICC family." When you have spent the entire day recruiting (you are suppose to have a minimum of ten (10) names and phone numbers at the end of the day in the hopes of one or more coming to Sunday service); when you stay up all night, after a full day at your job, studying the Bible (if you are not actively apart of a Bible study---at least once a month----you are struggling); when you leave work to go to meetings, socials, studies, and other on-going responsibilities, most are suffering from extreme fatigue. When I see members of the church on the street, which is often (I live across the street from an apartment that has my ex-ICC-roommate and few others from the church.), I ask them how are THEY doing. Most of the time, I get the reply of "Great but I am SO tired!" The look of exhaustion in the stance, under their eyes and in their posture is very apparent. I know how they feel. I have been there. And it saddens me.
IN CONCLUSION...
I have spoken of several things I have seen, examples that I have either personally experienced, witnessed or was told about. Everything here is NOT an exaggeration or a fabrication of my experience with the ICC. I am saddened to know that there are those who are still involved with this organization. I know that present-members and ex-members alike will read this article and My Story and see the truth. I want you to know I am praying. I am praying hard for those still stuck in the deception, confusion, and control of the ICC. I am praying for those of us who have left it all behind, praying we do not lose faith in God, praying we do not allow people to rob us of the salvation God has for us all. I am praying for the many others who are right now studying the Bible with some smiling, hugging ICC-member and will forever be devastated by the malevolence that taints the ICC.
It may be hard to believe but, the ICC has some true points. The family atmosphere, the love-bombing, the exciting parties/get-togethers, and especially the diligent and prolific Bible studies are all wonderful! If more of this were a part of the true Christian world, there would be less people attracted to the ICC. But the truth is Jesus was the most influential, incredible and loving person that EVER walked this Earth. I am saddened that there is a group who taints His mission but I know that His Love will win out over all wrongs.
As the late Princess Diana once said: "I am going to own myself and be true to myself. I no longer want to live someone else's idea of what and who I should be." Her haunting words definitely ring true to me after leaving the International Churches of Christ.
Thanks for reading! God Bless!
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