"BBC Jodie was surrounded by smiling faces at her 21st birthday party, but most were people she had not known for more than a month. The party had been organised for her by the London International Christian Church - a Bible-based non-denominational church, according to their website - into which she had recently been baptised. She was told by her "discipler", or church mentor, she says, that she could not invite any friends from outside the church - only a handful of family members."
"The website of the London ICC describes it as being part of a global movement of more than 130 churches worldwide. The London church is one of the churches which the London ICC website says has been "planted", along with others in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin. There are smaller operations in Oxford and Essex. In sermons seen by the BBC, the London ICC - which is the largest - said it was aiming for 400 "disciples" by the end of 2025."
A student named Jodie experienced social isolation after the London International Christian Church organized her 21st birthday and restricted her guest list to mostly church members. Other students reported similar isolation after moving into "Brother" and "Sister" households with church members. London ICC describes itself as part of a global network of more than 130 churches with planted locations across several UK cities and aims to grow membership. Allegations include pressure to make unaffordable donations, requests for private financial information, and encouragement to recruit other students. Questions have been raised about adherence to fundraising practice codes.
Read at www.bbc.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]