Priority #1: Pastoral Authority
This is the issue upon which all else hangs
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."
Lord Acton, 1887 (see here for reference)
The "Holy Grail" for CFCMI is Pastoral Authority and Power. (Don't believe me? Just take a look at some of the leadership quotes in the Media section)
Without it, the entire organization crumbles. CFCMI exists because of, and to support, the Pastors.
When LR Davis formed CFCMI, he constructed the organization, its teachings, policies and procedures, in such a way as to maximize his personal influence and control. Everything CFCMI teaches supports this goal.
Once the pastor is established as the ultimate authority on earth, he is then free to abuse the power any way he likes. In LR Davis' case, the abuse was sexual. I have no doubt that he designed the entire organization with this end in mind.
Conversely, threats to the power base of the leadership always draw the most vigorous and intense response.
Here are a few of the key teachings that support Priority #1.
Prophecy: The teaching that the pastors (at least LR Davis, for sure) can "prophesy" the direct, unfiltered "Word of God", is the ultimate power source. If the pastor's word is equivalent to God's word, in a legalistic, fundamental congregation, then everyone is going to be subservient.
Pastorship: If you back up the prophecy teaching with Bible Studies that are designed to create an obligation to "the man of God over you" and show him as someone who bears an enormous burden for your soul, then you create a dependent relationship coupled with one of respect and intimidation. The pastors can interpret God's will, so they can't be questioned.
Communication: This is something LR Davis was VERY effective in utilizing to his advantage. Communication is interpreted as informing the pastor on every aspect of your life, such as decisions about major purchases, career decisions, vacation decisions, interactions with "unsaved" family/friends, etc. Thus, the leaders can keep the parishioners vulnerable by how much they know about them. They can also recognize risks and threats early on and take swift action against them.
Abiding in your Calling: This is the last straw. The argument goes that (1) God placed you in this ministry, it was not your choice, (2) God placed you under the Man of God (pastor) and (3) you must abide where you are called (i.e., stay within CFCMI and under the authority of your pastor), or else you will be lost and go to hell.
So, the pastor is God's direct representative, his authority is absolute, the parishioner's obligation to obey cannot be questioned and every life decision or event must include the advice of the pastor.