This is our second and final segment of our conversation with Sherri. She talks to us about the culture of dating within the organization. She talks about expectations and restrictions that were placed on people. Sherri mentions that these restrictions were placed on people in the name of being pure and maintaining purity. Sherri talks about the notion of church members having to have certain elements of their lives approved by leaders in the organization. Sherri and her husband were able to cre...
Oct 12, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 13
In discussing what we've discussed for the past one hundred or so episodes, sometimes we have to remember why people get involved with certain organizations. Today we meet Sherri. Sherri joined the Boston Movement in 1980 as a college freshman. Sherri tells us about her life before joining the church and how things were after joining the church. Sherri was intrigued by how the Bible was taught to her in a practical manner. In addition to enjoying what she learned, she was also impressed by the p...
Oct 09, 2022•23 min•Season 3Ep. 12
In this episode, Elena from 3B shares her thoughts on our conversations with Mr. Norton, Gene Vinzant, James Lloyd, and El. Aldo might even say a word or two... Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or ...
Oct 07, 2022•29 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In the second and final installment of our conversation with El, she tells us about an event and the impact that the event had on her life. She also discusses how the event impacted her relationship with the church going forward. El had demonstrated a lot of courage and bravery in coming forward with her story. TRIGGER WARNING: The following episode contains conversations revolving around sexual assault and suicidal ideations. If you or anyone you know need support regarding sexual assault, supp...
Oct 05, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Today we meet El. El was what we would call a Kingdom Kid. Her parents were disciples in the ICOC. She never became a baptized member of the church, but she grew up in the organization as her parents enrolled her in the youth ministry. For a variety of reasons, El states that she believed that she never really fit in with the church. Upon turning 18, she made the decision to not return to the church. El begins to share with us an event that had a profound impact on her life going forward. Some o...
Oct 02, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 9
We continue our conversation with James Lloyd. He talks to us about the legacy of the Crossroads Movement and the impact that it had on the Boston Movement (which would eventually become the International Church of Christ). James begins to tell us about eventually leaving the organization and what his thoughts are on what he was a part of. James talks to us about perspective, the value of honesty, self forgiveness, and learning from others. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and fut...
Sep 28, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Today we meet James Lloyd. James was an evangelist with the International Church of Christ. James is also one of the famed "30 would be disciples" that began the ICOC in Lexington, MA in 1979. James got baptized into the traditional Church of Christ and then joined the Boston Movement. James eventually went on to be on the mission team that planted the church in London in 1982. James sits down with us today and recounts his early years with the Boston Movement and what it was like at that time. ...
Sep 25, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This is our second and final segment with Gene Vinzant, one of the authors/contributors to "The Discipling Dilemma." Gene tells us how the Boston Movement reacted to Dr. Yeakleys' study. One of the most telling statements regarding the impact of the Boston Movement is when the book is quoted as saying "in the years since this book was written, counselors in virtually every city, where this radical movement exists, are now being flooded with clients who are psychological, emotional, and spiritual...
Sep 21, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Today we speak with Gene Vinzant. Gene is one of the contributors to "The Discipling Dilemma." Gene was a research assistant at the time that the book was written and published. In this episode, he helps us to decipher some of the meanings behind the results of the personality study that was conducted with the ICOC in the mid 1980s. He also explains to us what the term "ESFJ" means as it pertains to the Boston Movement at that time. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future proj...
Sep 18, 2022•24 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In the second and final installment of our conversation with Mr. Norton, he tells us why he thought the Boston Movement's autocratic and authoritarian approach was harmful. Mr. Norton recalls his interactions with members of the Boston Movement and how those interactions gave him glimpses into how the Boston Movement operated in the lives of its members. "The Discipling Dilemma" was published in 1988. This book is a serious, documented study that analyzes the discipling movement objectively, poi...
Sep 14, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Today we are joined by Mr. Howard W. Norton. Mr. Norton is one of the authors of "The Discipling Dilemma." Mr. Norton worked closely with Dr. Flavil Yeakley, Don Vinzant, and Gene Vinzant to put this project together. Although Mr. Norton has never been a member of the ICOC, he has been a member of the traditional Church of Christ for about 70 years. He sits down with us and offers us some insight to the creation of the book. "The Discipling Dilemma" was published in 1988. This book is a serious,...
Sep 11, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Christina from season 1 joins us as one our co-hosts this season. Our discussion begins with a comparison between two words: spirituality and personality. Was the church led by an ethos that was based off of spirituality or personality? Was one's good standing with the church based off of spirituality or personality? Was the status of one's relationship with God based off of spirituality or personality? Join Aldo and Christina as they discuss these concepts, persecution, yellow pants, and more. ...
Sep 07, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Season 1 began with a story. Season 2 began with "the letter". Season 3 begins with "the book." The book is called "The Discipling Dilemma" by Dr. Flavil Yeakley, Jr. and it is about the Boston Movement, which would eventually become the International Church of Christ. The book puts into question the practices of the church from its beginnings. People join religious groups all of the time; this isn't a new concept. Some religious organizations are branded with the term "cult" on a frequent basis...
Sep 04, 2022•29 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Season 3 premiers on September 4, 2022 Support: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aldobmartin Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Aug 18, 2022•4 min
Thank you for listening. We hope that you've enjoyed the program. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Aug 05, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 58
The process of leaving the church was not a simple one for Aldo. Everything in Aldo's world began to change. He was in a new school. He was in a new part of the church. He interacted with people who were not who they professed to be. He interacted with people that he had misjudged thus causing him to question his beliefs even more. The emergence of the letter and its subsequent effects on the church, would also have an effect on Aldo. As the church changed, it caused Aldo to question why he was ...
Aug 03, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 57
As we begin to wrap-up season 2, Elena joins us for her final recap of the season. She shares her thoughts on Robin from Oklahoma, Chris from Los Angeles, Del from New York, and Jenn from Los Angeles. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you c...
Jul 31, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Jenn embarks on a new chapter in her life. She remarried. However, before getting married she was met with much opposition from the church. The church did not view Jenn’s eventual husband as a christian because he belonged to a different church. The church taught Jenn that her late husband was not a christian because he was not a member of the ICOC. The church taught her that the only way for her children to become christians was through the ICOC’s system of teachings. She was taught that her ev...
Jul 29, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Jenn begins the second part of our conversation by telling us of a tragedy that befell her family. The church rallied around Jenn and her family as they helped her to cope with what happened. However, the tragedy also sparked a new found courage in Jenn that caused her to view the church in another light. Jenn began to view the church and God as two separate entities. She no longer saw an allegiance to the church as being the same as having a relationship with God. She became confident and vocal...
Jul 27, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 54
In what is now episode 53 of season 2, we meet Jenn from the greater Los Angeles area. Jenn became a member in 2001 in her early twenties. Unlike the rest of our guests, she joined the organization with her husband - who happened to baptize her. Jenn’s story is complicated as her life has gone through a variety of ups and downs; tragedies and happy occasions. In the first part of our conversation, Jenn reflects on the factors that lead up to her joining the church. She tells us about her frame o...
Jul 24, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 53
As Del concludes his story, he continues to tell us about the process of leaving. Del began to place his eggs in other baskets to help himself prepare his exit. Del tells us about having a conversation with church leadership and other church members about his leaving. He made his break a formal one as he informed those around him whereas many people just leave. However, upon informing the leadership they took it upon themselves to announce that Del was kicked out of the church, which was a false...
Jul 22, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Del from NY talks to us about the early days of his conversion as a high school student. Del describes himself as a loner at his core. However, because the church was all encompassing, or high committment as it has been called, being a loner was not regarded favorably in the ICOC. Del believed that his being a disciple was his mission and his calling. He begins to talk about the red flags that he noticed. Like many of us, he noticed the red flags, but did not act on them right away. Del talks ab...
Jul 20, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Del from NY rejoins us. We met him in week 1 of season 2 when he recounted his recollection of the events surrounding the letter in 2003. Today, Del speaks with us about being an advocate for mental health as it pertains to men. He talks about volunteering for a non-profit organization that is geared towards creating awareness and providing resources regarding mental health. Del tells us about living with depression and anxiety and how he takes the necessary measures to ensure that he is living ...
Jul 17, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 50
In the final installment of our conversation, Chris talks about how it was unfair for the regular members of the church to struggle financially while leaders in the church lived in posh neighborhoods off of the backs of the membership. Oddly enough, Chris talks about how being in the ministry had taken away his confidence. One would not think that to be the case, but Chris explains to us how that happened. Despite this, Chris talks about some of the positives that he learned while in the full ti...
Jul 15, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 49
Chris and his wife became in charge of the children’s ministry in Los Angeles. He was also a part of the church’s legal team. He was also a teen ministry, singles ministry, and married ministry leader. Chris talks to us about the red flags that he noticed while he was a leader in the church. He began to realize how the church resembled corporate America in how it was run on the inside. Although he stayed on for many years, these red flags presented themselves slowly over time. When asked why Chr...
Jul 13, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Today we meet Chris. He is a former member of the ICOC. He was baptized in 1991 and was raised up to be in the ministry almost right away. Chris has spent time as lawyer for the church, and as a youth ministry leader. Chris was converted in Los Angeles as a third year law student. Chris describes himself as being in a desperate point in his life before becoming involved with the organization. Chris became enamored and impressed with the diversity and purpose that the ICOC provided. Chris states ...
Jul 10, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Robin talks to us about the idea of "spiritual independence." Robin has allowed her self to be open to the possibility that "teachers' can exist outside of the religious structure that she was accustomed to. Robin and Aldo discuss how they both entered into controlling organizations through different vantage points. Robin takes on an academic approach to her religious practice and thought process. Robin talks about the concept of fear and how it can limit someone's ability to develop another lev...
Jul 08, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Robin discusses the idea of Christians being punished by other Christians and this practice being grounded in fear. Robin talks about Christians having to keep up appearances in front of other Christians. Sometimes people use Christianity or religion as a powerful controller of people. Robin also introduces the idea of power dynamics where your personhood is controlled by a variety of people. Robin still identifies herself as a Christian, but rejects the constricting brand. Robin talks about cla...
Jul 06, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Today we meet Robin Mitchelle-Stroud, Phd. She, along with her co-host Debra Martinelli, host the Incarcerated Christian Podcast. Robin discusses the concept of carceral christianity. She is of a southern baptist background. Although she is not a current or former member of the ICOC, she can relate to some of the hinderance of the ICOC’s brand of christianity. Robin discusses how one’s negative experience is usually brought about by well meaning people. She experienced a lot of rules that she wa...
Jul 03, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 44
We pause the show for a moment to hear Elena's thoughts on all of this season's episodes up to this point. Support the show Stay updated on Aldo's current and future projects by signing up for his Newsletter Other Podcasts by Aldo B. Martin: Finding James Baldwin: The Magpie Years Jammin' on the One The Fatherhood Project YALD. The Podcast So...Tell Me About Your Podcast To get in touch with Aldo, you can find him on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook...
Jul 01, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 43
