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8 responses to “Reflections: One Month After Leaving The International Christian Church”

1. 

   Crystie

   February 7, 2023

   To God be the glory! What a blessing it is to see more and more people, having true hearts for God – leave the ICC churches. After nearly 20 years of membership, we too approached leadership with doctrinal concerns that fell on deaf ears. As shepherds we regularly had members confide in us. A few campus sisters came to me in utter despair after being molested by another campus member – a regional leaders son. The sisters were terrified but agreed we needed to bring all of this into the light, especially so that other sisters could be warned. After many meetings with our direct leaders, we lastly met with both Kip & Elena. Although they did make it clear that they did not condone the sin, it was not in the best interest to bring the brother in front of the church or warn anyone else of his actions. Their concern was more for how this would impact the reputation of the regional leader and their family. We were basically told to support this decision and stay quiet about the incidents. Directly following this last meeting, we sadly experienced very mean spirited treatment. Members with whom we were in leadership with started ghosting us. We were told by other members that we had stepped down from our shepherding roles because we were struggling in the faith etc. That was 2018, and to this day – many people with whom I had shared my life with, raised our children together with – have not once contacted me. For years I was plagued by depression, 20 years of my life – gone. We wanted to stand up for the truth and we too, could not sit idle. Not just for that specific situation but also many other doctrinal concerns and situations that went against our conscience. I agree with you that we benefited greatly from the friendships we had in the church and we miss them dearly. We understand what it’s like to be led by fear in everything you do and it was not easy facing that truth.

   Much love to you and your family. I still remember your baptism and the others that same day – whom I won’t mention since they no longer associate with us. We have nothing but love.

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2. 

   Pharm R. Memburr

   January 22, 2023

   Well said, a. Blackwell! I am in the same boat; no longer religious in the traditional sense of the word. You could say that my “holy trinity” consists of Science, Reason, and Logic 🙂

   BTW, are you related to the same high-profile Blackwell I’m thinking of?

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3. 

   a. Blackwell

   January 22, 2023

   Love this for y’all. I am no longer a strong believer in religion and I have certain disdain for biblical etymology coming from being a “kingdom kid” but I respect your dedication to your beliefs and practice. Moreover, I love that you stood up for what you know to be true. You and Colton where always kind to me and i believe that the treatment you received was partial. Please continue to remain true to yourself and align yourself with goodness and kindness always.

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4. 

   Pharm R. Memburr

   January 16, 2023

   The hypocrisy of Kip and of so many at the top if the ICC pyramid knows no bounds.

   For example: while Kip pushes ordinary members to make all kinds of financial sacrifices, even up to canvassing at traffic intersections, he and his wife live in an expensive condo in one of West LA’s most upscale neighborhoods. Perhaps he doesn’t own a Learjet or live anywhere near as lavishly as, say Joel Osteen or Benny Hinn or other charlatans – but even still, his lifestyle is way out of reach to the average CAICC member. And the entire premise of the ICC is that they’re *not* like the rest of the religious world and that its leaders are humble “servant leaders”

   Have you ever seen Kip tagging or shaking a donation bucket on a street corner? (Unless maybe he was making a token appearance). Nuh-uh – he’s too busy shmoozing with the prominent professionals and celebrity wannabees in his luxury condo building.

   Furthermore, the entire methodology behind “tagging” and “shaking buckets” is deceitful: givers are told merely that their donations go towards “missions” instead of the reality, which is that most of the funds go towards administrative costs, salaries, etc., and only a small percentage ends up in the hands of actual missionaries in third-world countries.

   Another area of hypocrisy is in the area of evangelism: ordinary members are expected to spend several hours each week “sharing their faith” in public places like shopping malls, parking lots, etc. Do Kip or any other top-level evangelists ever do this? Have you ever seen Kip publicly preaching the gospel to random crowds in parks or street corners? Probably not….even though that is exactly what the apostles did, and is precisely what the definition of the word “evangelist” means.

   Finally – regarding the ICCM. I think that, if you are painfully honest with yourself, you will admit that the level of “scholarship” there is less than trivial; the PhD degree is barely academic equivalent of a first-year freshman undergrad semester at a real seminary. It was created merely as a way to paint a veneer of respectability and officiality onto the organization. Kip was even gauche enough to bestow a doctorate onto himself!

   The story of your journey out of the ICC is a moving one. It is, however, the very tiny top of a massive iceberg when it comes to the reality of this organization.

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   1. 

      International College of Coercion and Manipulation

      January 17, 2023

      To Pharm R. Member-You’re being too generous when you say an ICCM doctorate degree (or any degree ICCM mills out for that matter) is “barely academic equivalent” to a freshman undergrad semester. The guys they have presenting the material, as well as, many ICCM “presidents” barely graduated high school let alone completed a legit college course (case in point Philadelphia ICC evangelist ). Like dozens of others he got his position through a practice rampant in the ICC-

      cronyism: the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications.

      ICCM, GLC(s), Mission Conferences, Women’s Day, Sold Out Press, Ignite, etc. are all side hustles that generate multiple streams of income for top ICC leaders. These leaders then grease the palms of their cronies to keep the sham going.

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      1. 

         It’s A Family Affair

         January 17, 2023

         Not only cronyism but nepotism! John Causey, Luke Speckman, Dave Swann (just to name a few) put their kids on staff and got them appointed as evangelists/wml (ahem-Jordan Swann, Jonathan Causey, Taylor Garner née Causey). In the ICC, it’s not what you know but who you know (or in this case) who you’re related to that gets you places. Sketchy. ALL. OF. IT.

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5. 

   Kit

   January 16, 2023

   Thanks Mandee! I really appreciate how you emphasised that it was due to unreconcilable doctrinal disagreements that has led to your resignation and departure. From what I’ve read (including from your own story), the ICC leadership always spins it in a way that lays the blame solely on the people leaving. It is always due to their sinfulness that has caused them to leave, and it’s never the leadership’s fault.

   Keep it up Rohn family!

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6. 

   Tom Dickinson

   January 15, 2023

   You are putting God First. You are living Matthew 6:33. You’re standing on God’s word and sometimes you have to stand alone. I’m proud of you guys. But you already know that.

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