Hello from KC
Hello from KC
I am not sure if I joined the right board but I am a former member of the ICOC churches of Christ ( The one people consider a cult) By reading some of the posts here it looks like the mainstream COC was a bit rough as well. When I left it was before the internet and cell phones ... etc so I thought I was suffering in silence thinking my soul is damned for running away from what I felt was abuse, extreme manipulation and control. I would like to know if there are other former ICOC members here. I was with the Kansas City ICOC branch from 1988 to 1991.
Re: Hello from KC
Welcome! I am from just the mainstream CofC. But very interested in hearing about your experiences....
Re: Hello from KC
Hi hls!
You are certainly welcome, but yes, this particular support board is primarily for people out of the 'standard' variety of coC churches, rather than the ICOC. But of course, that's almost trivial information - the two do have a lot in common. All I'd suggest is, when you post about ICOC things, please don't use acronyms/terms which are peculiar to the ICOC - spell things out!
Most ex-coc folks on this site won't recognize some of the ways words were used in the ICOC that are distinct to that group.
But the overall UNDERSTANDING of the KINDS of things - yes, there is a lot of overlap between the more controlling CoC churches and the ICOC, certainly - and the doctrinal elements carry over just fine (unfortunately).
You are certainly welcome, but yes, this particular support board is primarily for people out of the 'standard' variety of coC churches, rather than the ICOC. But of course, that's almost trivial information - the two do have a lot in common. All I'd suggest is, when you post about ICOC things, please don't use acronyms/terms which are peculiar to the ICOC - spell things out!
Most ex-coc folks on this site won't recognize some of the ways words were used in the ICOC that are distinct to that group.
But the overall UNDERSTANDING of the KINDS of things - yes, there is a lot of overlap between the more controlling CoC churches and the ICOC, certainly - and the doctrinal elements carry over just fine (unfortunately).
History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That's why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.
Re: Hello from KC
Welcome to the board! We are glad to have you!
Moogy
NI COC for over 30 years, but out for over 40 years now
Mostly Methodist for about 30 years.
Left the UMC in 2019 based on their decision to condemn LGBT+ persons and to discipline Pastors who perform same-sex marriages
NI COC for over 30 years, but out for over 40 years now
Mostly Methodist for about 30 years.
Left the UMC in 2019 based on their decision to condemn LGBT+ persons and to discipline Pastors who perform same-sex marriages
Re: Hello from KC
I am a bit familiar with the ICOC, my husband and I visited with folks who had left. They were traumatized. So controlling. They had to report on who they had proselytized that day. They were not allowed to date outside the church.
My husband and I were ostracized from the non-institutional branch of the regular CoC. His family withdrew from him and wrote him up in a brotherhood publication as a false teacher.
My husband and I were ostracized from the non-institutional branch of the regular CoC. His family withdrew from him and wrote him up in a brotherhood publication as a false teacher.
Re: Hello from KC
Welcome, KC!! Yes, you are welcome here.
From what I've heard, the ICOC is kind of like the non-instrumental church of Christ (NICOC) on steroids!!
There is also an ex-ICOC group, or several, somewhere on the internet, that you might relate to more than this one. Hopefully you can locate one of thsoe too. I don't know that we have any ex-ICOC folks on here right now; we have usually told them about the option of a true ex-ICOC group in the past. That's only because we felt that might be more relatable for an ICOC ex.
From what I've heard, the ICOC is kind of like the non-instrumental church of Christ (NICOC) on steroids!!
There is also an ex-ICOC group, or several, somewhere on the internet, that you might relate to more than this one. Hopefully you can locate one of thsoe too. I don't know that we have any ex-ICOC folks on here right now; we have usually told them about the option of a true ex-ICOC group in the past. That's only because we felt that might be more relatable for an ICOC ex.
Last edited by Ivy on Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
~Stone Cold Ivyrose Austin~