Why Do People Call the International Churches of Christ a Cult?

What Are the Characteristics of a Religious Cult?

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

A few months ago, Roy Clemenz interviewed me on his podcast, “Clemenz With a “Z”. At the end of the interview he asked me if I thought the International Churches of Christ were a cult. I responded “If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and looks like a duck, then yes, it is a duck”. Some people took offense at that statement. To this day, people who most likely did not listen to the full interview, and its follow-up podcast episode, bring up the fact that “Nadine Templer is calling the ICOC a cult”. Most likely also, those critics have not read my blog. I would encourage them to do so. It will explain a lot of why I say the things I say. I am not just shooting in the dark. I have receipts!

Some prefer the term “high-control religious group” as opposed to “cult”. Fair enough, but in my opinion, that minimizes the suffering and the real trauma way too many have experienced. The more stories I hear, the more I think we need to call a spade a spade and avoid euphemisms. I venture to say that those who balk at the word “cult” are usually in a privileged position, and have not been the victims of horrible abuse.

I recently spoke with an elder in a church somewhere in the world. This elder had been critical of my writings, and someone asked him if he had read my blogs. He admitted he had not and was just going by what he had heard. He was challenged to read my posts before passing judgment. He then proceeded to do so. When we spoke, he was actually very supportive of what I was saying. The lesson here is to read (listen) before judging.

So let’s take a deep dive into this topic. Why do people call The International Churches of Christ a cult? But first, we need to clarify what a cult is. When people think of a cult, they think of the Moonies, the Jonestown mass suicide, or the Children of God. You don’t have to drink the literal Kool-Aid to be in a cult. Most cults are much more insidious and less obvious.

There are various checklists of what a cult looks like, but here is one I compiled based on other lists, including one by Psychology Today, a reputable publication. It is probably not exhaustive but I think it contains most elements:

• A grandiose goal or purpose

• An authoritarian leader

• Elitist status of the group (they are the only ones with the truth)

• Obsession with growth and bringing in new members

• Lack of accountability

• Zero tolerance for criticism or questions

• Isolation of and retaliation against dissenters

• Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget

• Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions

• A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave

• Control, exploitation, and abuse of members

• Mind-altering practices

• Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group

• Followers feel they are never able to be “good enough”

So let’s go through those and consider whether the ICOC deserves the label of cult.

• A grandiose goal or purpose: historically, absolutely yes. The International Churches of Christ wanted to change the world in one generation. My husband and I were on the front line of that effort, planting churches in dangerous places where we risked our lives and the lives of our children in order to reach that goal. Today, not so much, but I still hear sermons about “changing the world”. Sounds ambitious and somewhat arrogant in my opinion. Of course, we can have an impact but “changing the world”?

• Authoritarian leader: historically absolutely yes. We had one man at the top, telling everybody else what to do. Today, yes and no. Locally, some churches have moved away from that model, however, too many churches still function that way. Bullies still run the show in many places, and the damage continues. As a global institution, there is not one leader anymore, but instead, a group of leaders who can still exercise authority and have their way, even when people object. I could provide many examples, but I may save that for another post.

• Elitist status of the group (they are the only ones with the truth): Historically yes. We believed and proclaimed we were the only “true Christians” in the world. Looking back, how in the world did we believe that? And what about today? Well, the ICOC does not claim it is the only true church any longer. Good. But the real test is what if someone starts dating a person who is not a member of the ICOC? What is the reaction? I know some churches are now really cool with that, but definitely not most! In many places, dating outside of the ICOC leads to being disfellowshipped. Another test would be, do we welcome speakers from other churches in our congregations?

• Obsession with growth and bringing in new members: historically yes. Nowadays it is still the case in most ICOC churches. There are exceptions of course but the “good news” is still usually about numbers, baptisms, attendance, etc.

• Lack of accountability: Historically yes, and today also yes. Of course, we now know the founders got away with horrific behavior but this continues to this day. There are people leading ministries who should be disqualified. Again I have receipts.

• Zero tolerance for criticism or questions: historically this has been a serious problem, and nowadays, it is still a rare occurrence to find a leader who takes or invites criticism willingly. There are leaders who do, but I would venture they are in the minority. Before we get defensive, let us ask the members how easy it is to bring up concerns. And ask the minorities (women, young people, people of color, indigenous people, differently-abled people, etc) if they think their voices are heard.

• Isolation of and retaliation against dissenters: getting disfellowshipped, church discipline, and retaliation against whistleblowers have been a characteristic of the ICOC since the beginning. It continues to this day. I have plenty of examples.

• Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget: that was definitely a problem in the past. Nowadays I would say it is a mixed bag. There are groups that are still very secretive about their finances, and others that are very open. It varies. But overall, as an institution, we have been very bad at that.

• Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions: definitely in the past, and still today. How many sermons do we hear referring to the evils and dangers of “the world”? The us-versus-them rhetoric.

• A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave: yes, in the past and still today. There are few churches that support members when they leave looking for a different church for example, or people going on their spiritual journey. It happens, but it is rare.

• Control, exploitation, and abuse of members: one of the biggest problems. Much has been written about that. I don’t need to go on and on about this issue. It is still happening today. Some are trying to change but it is still a mark of ICOC churches in general. The thousands of stories I have heard in the last couple of years are recent events, not pre-2003.

• Mind-altering practices: yes, the crazy schedules, the shame-inducing culture, the guilt-inducing practices, the denial of mental health issues, etc. Again, much has already been said about that. It is still going on, less than before, but still. Campus ministries seem to be more prone to that.

• Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group: that should have been a red flag but we were insistent that we were not a cult. Of course, in the past, there was all the media attention. These days, podcasts, social media, and of course lawsuits should wake us up to the fact that something is way off. When so many people say it, digging our heels in and living in denial is crazy.

• Followers feeling they are never able to be “good enough”: this one is painful and convicting. The number of people who feel they don’t measure up, live with guilt and shame, the traumatic discipling groups (yes, they still take place), the public humiliation, the resulting mental illnesses and PTSD and worse, etc. Of course, some places have stopped doing that, but it is still prevalent throughout the organization.

And you say, no, you’re exaggerating. My question to you would then be, “Who have you been talking to lately?” I have traveled all over the world, and I still speak with members (or ex-members) on a daily basis all around the globe. Those unhealthy practices are still prevalent. Just in the last week, I have received phone calls and messages from the Caribbean, the UK, the US, South Asia, and Australia. I do not initiate those conversations by the way. I am quite busy with my regular work, and I have plenty on my plate. I also have five children and several grandchildren. I am not looking for more activity to fill my time. And yes, I do hear the positive things also, but the good does not negate the bad, and the bad is very bad.

Are all ICOC churches cultish these days? Absolutely not. Has the organization been a cult historically? Looking at the checklist, the answer is pretty obvious. I say yes. These days, there are congregations and church leaders who do not subscribe to those practices, and I know from talking to many of them that they often feel uncomfortable with being known as ICOC churches. My encouragement would be to take a stand and speak up loudly and clearly, and without fear. As a denomination though, the ICOC is still very cultish to this day. Why do I say that? Because we have not denounced those practices or stopped implementing them.

When I did the podcast with Roy, the fact that many reacted to the word “cult” speaks volumes. If the ICOC were not a cult, the reaction would be different. It would be one of concern and curiosity instead of one of defensiveness. We should ask the question, “Why do so many think we are a cult? What can we change?”, instead of vilifying those who point out that the emperor has no clothes. The reaction is proof in itself.

I also have to add that I am receiving a huge amount of support for what I am saying and writing, and not just from former members. In fact most of the support comes from within the church, including many leaders and long-time members. I know my blog resonates with a lot of people. So can we please stop the dysfunction, the abuse, and the cultish practices? That may mean breaking away. If a church wants to be different, they may have to renounce their ICOC affiliation.

I want to end this post by saying that I fully acknowledge my role in all of this over the years. As I have said before, one of the reasons I am still engaging and speaking up is because I feel responsible and I want to make amends. I have heard too many heartbreaking stories. I have seen too much. I am really sorry for the part I played. Some say I waited too long. I hear that. When I left the ICOC a year ago, it was a painful step, but the last year has validated that decision. So much has come out to prove I made the right choice. I have not cut ties with my friends. In fact I have not lost any of my relationships, surprisingly so. But you know that when I spend time with people, I do not mince my words. And the fact that people have not cut ties with me tells me that deep down in their hearts, they know that what I am saying makes sense.