Independent Fundamental Baptist and Bible Churches: There are no specific requirements to be a pastor within the IFB, but when men from the colleges/university graduate they are encouraged to start churches around the country. They most likely line up in like-faith and practice with Bob Jones University, Pensacola Christian College or Hyles Anderson depending on which college they graduated from. If they don't line up with any school in like faith or practice they are most likely considered a "New Evangelical" which is considered "disobedient brother" and "impure."
Group Homes: Group Homes are funded by the churches within the IFB. These are homes where "wayward teens" are sent if they are having a difficult time following the rules. Not all teens within IFB are sent to a home if they don't conform to their parents, but a percentage of teens are. Many group homes continue to remain unlicensed by the state and insist that if they became licensed the government could come in and steal their philosophy away. It was interesting to me to find out that the "Reclamation Ranch" went completely undetected for years because of its location in the back woods of Alabama. ****Seclusion is a key in silencing the victims of unlicensed homes and the leaders of these homes seem to try to ingratiate themselves with law enforcement and politicians (Take notice how some of these officials are hesitant to come to terms with the abuse allegations).
Homeschoolers: Bob Jones University and Pensacola Christian College have created their own homeschooling curriculum. A large percentage of the IFB followers homeschool their children, but there is a distinct difference between an evangelical homeschooler compared to an IFB homeschooling family.
Note this important distinction: James Dobson would be considered the leader of the "homeschooling movement" amongst those in evangelicalism (which include a plethora of denominations such as: Lutherans, Methodist, Catholic, etc.), but he is considered a "disobedient brother" and "impure" by those within the IFB sect. James Dobson has absolutely no ties/connection to Independent Fundamentalism. Evangelical homeschoolers tend to be balanced, whereas the IFB homeschoolers can be (but are not always) radical in their beliefs (daughters can't attend college, etc.).
Christian Schools: Many Baptist/Bible churches in the IFB run their own church schools. This idea came about in the 70's to prevent children from being "indoctrinated" by the "worldly/humanistic government system." Most/if not all of these schools are not accredited and many of them follow the same rules and regulations as the colleges, just in a day-school format.
Note this important distinction: Evangelicals run their own Christian day-schools as well and these are much different then the IFB schools. They (the evangelical schools) are often accredited and have limited rules and regulations for the students. Just because there is a Christian day-school in your area, it does not mean it is a part of this IFB religious sect.
Christian Camps: There are summer/winter camps run by the IFB offered for children/teens. Evangelists (traveling preachers) come to the camps to do the preaching. These are places across the country that the young people go where they experience games, food, and a lot of good activities for about a week each summer. They are also required to attend several "preaching sessions" each day as well. Some of their younger converts to the IFB come out of experiences at summer camps within this sect.
Note an important distinction: There are many church-run or denomination run summer camps across the country. The IFB has their own group of "acceptable" camps that can be recognized by their very distinct rules and regulations (Ban on Christian Contemporary Worship Music, Rock Music of any kind, etc.). It is "off limits" for an IFB church to send their teens to an Evangelical camp that uses contemporary worship, has relaxed clothing standards, etc.
Things they all have in common (to one degree or another):
1. Authoritarian leadership style (Top/down, Patriarchical society)
2. Strict restrictions on musical style and information control (books, etc.)
3. Heavy emphasis on which version of the Bible should be used
4. Commonalities in discipline of children (heavy emphasis on corporal punishment, breaking the will of a child)
5. Most either homeschool or put their kids in an IFB Christian School connected to an IFB church.
6. Low view of women (emphasis on submission and obedience)
7. Some groups (particularly in the homeshool segment of the IFB- i.e. Bill Gothard) do not believe girls should go to college. Many people within the sect are not in support of women working outside the home.
8. Very low salaries for Christian school, college/university, and ministry employees
9. Seek to ingratiate themselves with law enforcement and politicians
10. Specific rules and regulations about lifestyle choices (mandated work, etc.)
11. Unhealthy striving for purity and holiness
12. Lack of Accreditation, legitimate credentials, and licensure
13. Pervasive fear of Government Control and the outside world
14. Apocalyptic/coming doom and destruction of the world mentality
15. Very little (if any) accountability for leaders within the sect. A common idea: "Touch not God's Anointed."