This church was absolutely awesome in that there was a pure desire to live holy in daily living and the brother/sister-hoods were so pure and wholesome. ICOC offered great accountability for living holy lifestyles. However how much accountability is too much?
Years later into 2010, I randomly met the children of a woman who was selling puppies. I could not get the puppies but I extended an invitation to their mother to host a jewelry party for me in exchange for her choice picks in free jewelry. Somehow, I ended up speaking with the mother and we had a great connection. By the end of the conversation she invited me out to church. I of course agreed to attend that mid-week. Upon hanging up, I thought to myself, "she was pretty forward with her invitation" and it felt familiar somehow. I admit that I was a bit leery but not enough to decline her invite.
So she comes to pick me up and I decide to simply listen to her conversation. She sounded soooo familiar. I couldn't shake the feeling. I asked her the name of her church again but it didn't sound familiar. As we continued to speak, I had to admit to her my suspicions; that her church was none other than the ICOC. She was only slightly reminded of ICOC as I described it to her. Come to find out, she was with the church that split from that church; and the side that she split with was the side that I was with those years ago.
What to do if you doubt this church...
- Pray to be filled with God's holy Spirit to be able to take on the mind of Christ. (Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus...Phillipians 2:5)
- Compare and challenge their "church" study as well as the other studies by the scriptures within the Bible itself. Don't simply study what they give you to study. Read everywhere God leads you to read in His faithful Bible. (Study to show yourself approved, a worker who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth...2 Timothy 2:5)
- Keep a journal of your walk; what God shows you and what happens in the church that goes against your better judgment. (1 Peter 3:15)
- Don't be afraid to ask the common sense questions.
- See what happens when you tell them no to many times. You will feel the pressure.
- Don't judge them. Judge the scenarios. And if you can, back it up with scripture if you see something unjust or unrighteous. Journal it.
- Remember that Jesus was already here. He came and left us His holy spirit to follow in His Word. Even Paul said "Follow me as I follow Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1) So if you see that something is out of line with scripture, don't follow it.
