Kip McKean did come out of what was a mainstream church, the Crossroads Church of Christ in Gainesville, FL. When I was in junior high, there was much talk and fear of the Crossroads movement. By the time I was in college, it was called the Boston Movement and the Discipling Movement. I had a friend who moved several hundred miles away from home after college and got caught up in it. Back then there was no scientific proof that they used brainwashing techniques, but many in the mainstream churches realized they were. I could never understand how my friend got caught up in it. She was so intelligent and strong willed. Once she had a close family member die in her hometown (her brother or her grandfather), and her mentor or elders or whoever had to approve her actions would not let her come home. I spent many hours looking at reveal.org about a year ago when someone pointed me to it and wondering whatever happened to my friend. I've lost touch with her.
What a shame. I just do not understand how people get hooked into a cult.
Years ago our Church of Christ had a series of lessons on how to identify a cult. This was after the Jim Jones massacre I think.
One of the main indicators was that a cult will try and break family ties while a true church supports families.
Other indicators are excessive control of lives, your funds. Apparently they use the mentoring to dwelve into the lives of members and teach that they are to obey that mentor.
So signs of a cult....
Loss of freedom to make own decisions
Efforts to break family ties
Having to obey another member
No encouragement for the individual to verify teaching with the Bible.
I just do not understand how a person could fall into such a cult. I would run as fast as I could as the hair on the back of my neck would be standing up.