Speak the Language
This vocabulary of ICoC terms, which in my opinion are excellent examples of how the ICoC uses "loaded language" (which is one of the characteristics of a coercive group) was written by Shalon Goldsby, former member of ICoC-San Francisco (UC-Berkeley campus ministry). There's definitely more than a grain of truth here. I find some of these definitions deliciously funny; with others, I am saddened to think that people are so deceived by ICoC members in regard to what God requires of us.
Hope you enjoy Shalon's work.
Part
"A": Index; Mandatory Events in the ICC; Conceptual
Distinctions;
Traits of the "Heart"
Part
"B": Fluff Words; Religious Concepts
Part
"C": Characteristics of a Good Disciple; Miscellaneous
Definitions
Part
"D": ICC Songs; Swear Words ICC Disciples Can Get Away
With; Places to
Meet; Calls and Responses (to sermons, etc.)
Part
"E": Essential Steps to Baptism Into the ICC; Groups
Within the Group; Numbers; Contributions; Blighted Concepts; Recruitment Terminology; ICC Hierarchy; Roles in the Hierarchy; Terms for Those Who Leave the ICC; More Songs of the ICC
My Own Contributions to the ICOC Vocabulary:
Song: "I Tried and I Tried, Until I Found the
Lord"
A simple, time- and use-worn tune frequently sung during the
earlier part of my time in the ICOC. One-word ICC concepts are
inserted and
chained together to suit a particular situation (e.g., I
"tried"...; I "prayed..."; I "cried"...; I "studied"...[as in
"Studying the Bible"] ). The focus of these made-up lyrics
typically emphasizes the "hard work" involved in the pursuit of
salvation.
Callout Phrase: "There it is!"
A variation on Tag Team's "Whoomp! there it is!" Used primarily
by men, it is called out in a service when a point made by the
evangelist, preacher, etc. is deemed to be particularly relevant
or "convicting."
Characteristic of a Good Disciple:
"Initiates/Initiator"
An "initiator" is very persistent in his/her efforts to develop
relationships in the ICoC. It's better to "initiate" up the
food chain rather than on your own level, because it's taught
that "initiators" can become "leadership material" if they work
at it hard enough. Initiating with leaders helps them to "stay
encouraged" and shows that you're not a selfish person.
Unfortunately, trying to "initiate" with a leader who's got 25 members + visitors standing around him/her after a service is a singularly self-defeating activity - don't even bother. Calling a leader (who isn't your discipler) at home to "initiate" isn't a great idea, either.
Former ICoC member Richard Helmbrecht submitted the following two terms:
Life Talk: A session between a "disciple" and his/her "discipler" or "zone leader," focusing on the "sin" in the disciple's life and how much he is in danger because of it. It can take as long as 2 hours [Richard's did!] and will leave you feeling very paranoid and afraid. The outcome very often will decide the "disciple's" position with the ICoC (i.e, whether or not he/she will be disfellowshipped or "marked").
Pumped: Excited about whatever event is about to take place, such as an outreach, or even things like a "life talk." Often used as a way of covering up or denying the apprehension one feels at the onset of something that is stressful so as not to be seen as being "rebellious".
Which reminds me [Sarah] of another one:
The Hot Seat: What YOU'RE sitting in when it's YOUR "sin" that's the focus of a Life Talk," a "D-group," etc.
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