The ICOC understands every baptized member as a minister — an evangelist responsible for sharing the gospel and discipling others. This egalitarianism of calling and responsibility is one of the movement's defining features: there is no passive pew-sitting. All members are expected to actively participate in evangelism and mutual accountability.

In terms of formal church leadership, the ICOC follows the mainstream Churches of Christ pattern: elders and deacons are male, consistent with 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Women serve prominently in discipling, women's ministry, and other areas but do not hold the office of elder. This complementarian leadership structure is maintained alongside an activist expectation for all members regardless of gender.