In practice, members find it difficult, if not impossible, to successfully object to a discipler's orders on those grounds. In addition, a special contribution is taken up once a year, which is expected to be from twelve to twenty times the member's normal weekly gift. Close tabs are kept to ensure that members are giving what they are supposed to give. Members report been pressured to give even when circumstances have changed. Psychological and spiritual abuse.
Former members report psychological, spiritual and even physical abuse from disciplers.
In some cases this abuse was clearly condoned and even ordered by the leadership. We advise students to be aware that the ICC exerts a tremendous level of control over the lives of its members and is largely unaccountable to anyone for its actions, which is perhaps why there have been abuses. We advise those who are approached to be aware that this seemingly attractive church leads not to that freedom that is opened to us by faith, but to an enslavement by an oppressive organisation, and those who have been to meetings to be aware of the first signs of manipulation, and to leave before they are drawn in any further. If anyone would wishes to speak to us further, and in the strictest of confidence, we are available and can be contacted as directed in the students handbook.