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Jennifer* I am not a member of ICoC, nor have I ever been. I recently was taken in by the friendship of an ICoC member and now cannot get away from the covert means of trying to convert me. Brief background ... at Lamaze class, my husband and I met a very nice couple. After the birth of each of our children, Angela* invited me to lunch. Since we were new to the area, I asked her what church she belonged to -- we were looking to join a church. That opened it all up. I was soon swept into bible studies, prayer walks, and many different services all over the San Francisco Bay area. Angela would invite me to lunch, walk, playdates for our kids and miraculously, another church member would show up, Bible in hand (as well as a notebook that she continually referred to to answer my questions). Conversations always came back to ICoC Bible studies and my beliefs. They continually pressed me for personal details of my sins and continually told me that I was not saved. To get me feeling a bit more guilty, or maybe just to push things along a little faster (as I did not convert in the 1 or 2 week plan) they brought in my infant son. "He is not saved. You don't want your son and husband to go to hell? You need to be saved and bring them to the light." When it came to being baptized, I'd had enough. "We can do it right now," they said. I did not go through with it and began questioning many of the Bible lessons we had studied. Other church members were brought in. UGH!!! My husband and I have since joined a [non-ICoC] local church and are very comfortable with our decision and the faith we have in God. I did not hear from Angela for approximately three months. That hurt me very deeply. How could I have been suckered in? I thought she was my friend. Angela has [now] resurfaced, although using the same tactics - inviting me to lunch and then having another church member show up. I revert the conversations back to topics other than their limited Bible verses, which as most of you know, is not easy. I look forward to a day very soon that I can simply say straight out - "go away." But I am hoping that through my actions Angela will see what a hold the [ICoC] church has on her. She is serving the church, not God. I will be her friend no matter what. 19 February 1999 |