ICOC Blogspot: 04/01/2012

Friday, April 06, 2012

ICOC roots in Erhard's EST and Human Potential Movement

I participated in the Landmark Forum a few months ago, a seminar that is pseudo-well known. Many of you may have been "invited" to one. Sound familiar? While there I noted both ICOC and Landmark's roots in Erhard's EST, as I was very struck by the similarities. Insights are developed through long, intense large group seminars, as well as small group and individual coaching. Emphases on sharing - in a pyramid scheme model for the organization, yes - but it is the way to move insights from your head into real life. How much it actually does, depends on whether you interpret it as doing what someone told you to do, vs. choosing to take truly deeply felt insights and share them with others in a transformative way- in a way that makes an impact. Again - sound familiar?

More on Erhard's est and the human potential movement (HPM) here: http://www.believermag.com/issues/200305/?read=article_snider

Let me know what you all think.

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ICOC Blogspot tracks hot threads on the ICC Discussion forum and other Delphi ICOC discussion forums. The ICC DF is dedicated to topics pertaining to the Christian church and purported cult known as the ICOC or Church of Christ, Boston movement.

The International Churches of Christ (ICOC or ICC) is a radical remnant of the Churches of Christ started by Kip McKean. Technically the ICOC has been "dissolved" but in practice the ICOC is alive and well, and still led by McKean who is now with the Portland Church of Christ.

The ICOC is known for its Discipling hierarchy, its primary mechanism of control justified to assist members in holding to a Biblical standard of living. The control achieved is said to be comparable to that of oppressive cults and governments.

The ICOC can be found in most major cities around the U.S. and the world. Many of the mentioned leaders are either from NYC or LA. The ICOC was thrown into chaos in February 2003 arising from a letter ("HKL") written by one of its own leaders, Henry Kriete.

For more background info, check out Reveal. I also strongly recommend clicking on the May 2003 archives, especially for the "Relevant Historical Links" that appear below the articles. You will learn a lot!

These posts include links to the site where the author posted. My comments are in italics.

About the author

I left the ICOC in 2001 after being a member for 7 years in two of the largest churches in the U.S. I happen to be an Ivy League grad with a busy life, although it doesn't take too much time to post to this blog.

I also happen to be unapologetically passionate about the hypocrisy of the ICOC. This site is a collection of emails I received and sent out from the advent of HKL (and some pre-HKL) from the 2002 to 2003. I found blogs to be a much better dissemination tool, and I still update this site periodically though not as often as I'd like.

I am not a Christian. For those of you ICOC members who want to keep venting at me, I suggest you just go pray to God. I do appreciate decent feedback from intelligent people.

Best,

ICOC Blogspot (icc)