Independent Fundamental Churches of America
Encyclopedia
The Independent Fundamental Churches of America was founded in Cicero, Illinois in 1930. The name was officially changed to IFCA International in 1996. It is an association of nearly 1000 independent Protestant churches located largely in the United States
and up to three times that number of associated churches in 26 countries outside the U.S. It also has over 1100 individual members: pastors, missionaries, professors, church planters, chaplains, and other vocational Christian workers. In the U.S there are 5 member colleges/Bible Colleges, 11 home mission agencies, and 12 church planting agencies. It also has 8 foreign mission agencies ministering outside the U.S.
Organised in June 1930 as a successor to the American Conference of Undenominational Churches, it sees its roots in the rejection of theological modernism
and the reaffirmation of the traditional, fundamental doctrines that it believes to underlie Biblical Christianity: Biblical inerrancy, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the literal resurrection of Christ, the Second Coming of Christ, the eternal joy of those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and the eternal judgment of those who are unredeemed. It also holds to the Pretribulational Rapture of the Church and the Premillennial Return of Christ to establish His 1000 year reign on earth before the eternal state.
The shift to the use of initials rather than its original name reflects a rejection of much of what is currently described by the label fundamentalist and a rejection of any nationalist focus rather than a softening of its message. Nonetheless, it is doctrinally quite conservative, strongly rejecting ecumenism
and what it construes as liberalism within Christianity.
The IFCA International purpose statement is: "Enhancing the strength of the Church by equipping for, and encouraging toward, ministry partnerships to accomplish Great Commission objectives." Its organizational ambition is to become healthy churches who work together.
There are five IFCA International core values: Biblical Doctrine (contemporary importance of the historic Fundamentals) + Biblical Leadership (Christ-like integrity, humility, zeal, and sacrifice) + Biblical Outreach (evangelism at home and abroad) + Biblical Partnerships (accomplishing more together than separately) + Biblical Excellence (doing the best possible for God's glory).
IFCA International establishes an organizational structure to coordinate and encourage joint participation in ministry activities. IFCA International provides this while guaranteeing the autonomy of congregational government. The Constitution and By-Laws of IFCA International provide for a voluntary membership for churches, organizations and individuals. Membership is reaffirmed annually. Member churches may not join any denomination
and continue to be member churches.
The association is administered by a paid Executive Director and Home Office staff in Grandville, Michigan. This staff is overseen by 12 unpaid, elected Board of Directors (who serve four year terms) led by the President of the Board who serves a four year term. IFCA International holds an annual convention to decide on the issues before it. This convention rotates around the U.S. and has met in places such as Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, York PA, Schroon Lake NY, Grand Rapids, Tacoma, Colorado Springs, St. Petersburg, Baltimore, Louisville, Tulsa, Eugene, and Springfield IL.
Past Executive Directors have included Dr. William McCarrell, Dr. Nye J. Langmade, Dr. Ernest Pickering, Rev. Glen Lehman, Rev. Bryan Jones, Rev. Harold Freeman, and Dr. Richard I. Gregory. The current Executive Director is Dr. Les Lofquist, a 1976 graduate of Grand Rapids (MI) School of Bible & Music, a 1979 graduate of Grace College
(Winona Lake, IN) with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a 1982 graduate of Grace Theological Seminary
(Winona Lake, IN) with a Master of Divinity degree, and a 2005 Doctor of Divinity degree from Calvary Bible College
& Theological Seminary (Kansas City, MO). The current President of the IFCA International Board of Directors is Rev. Earl Brubaker.
Notable members have included
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and up to three times that number of associated churches in 26 countries outside the U.S. It also has over 1100 individual members: pastors, missionaries, professors, church planters, chaplains, and other vocational Christian workers. In the U.S there are 5 member colleges/Bible Colleges, 11 home mission agencies, and 12 church planting agencies. It also has 8 foreign mission agencies ministering outside the U.S.
Organised in June 1930 as a successor to the American Conference of Undenominational Churches, it sees its roots in the rejection of theological modernism
Liberal Christianity
Liberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically and biblically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onward...
and the reaffirmation of the traditional, fundamental doctrines that it believes to underlie Biblical Christianity: Biblical inerrancy, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the literal resurrection of Christ, the Second Coming of Christ, the eternal joy of those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and the eternal judgment of those who are unredeemed. It also holds to the Pretribulational Rapture of the Church and the Premillennial Return of Christ to establish His 1000 year reign on earth before the eternal state.
The shift to the use of initials rather than its original name reflects a rejection of much of what is currently described by the label fundamentalist and a rejection of any nationalist focus rather than a softening of its message. Nonetheless, it is doctrinally quite conservative, strongly rejecting ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
and what it construes as liberalism within Christianity.
The IFCA International purpose statement is: "Enhancing the strength of the Church by equipping for, and encouraging toward, ministry partnerships to accomplish Great Commission objectives." Its organizational ambition is to become healthy churches who work together.
There are five IFCA International core values: Biblical Doctrine (contemporary importance of the historic Fundamentals) + Biblical Leadership (Christ-like integrity, humility, zeal, and sacrifice) + Biblical Outreach (evangelism at home and abroad) + Biblical Partnerships (accomplishing more together than separately) + Biblical Excellence (doing the best possible for God's glory).
IFCA International establishes an organizational structure to coordinate and encourage joint participation in ministry activities. IFCA International provides this while guaranteeing the autonomy of congregational government. The Constitution and By-Laws of IFCA International provide for a voluntary membership for churches, organizations and individuals. Membership is reaffirmed annually. Member churches may not join any denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
and continue to be member churches.
The association is administered by a paid Executive Director and Home Office staff in Grandville, Michigan. This staff is overseen by 12 unpaid, elected Board of Directors (who serve four year terms) led by the President of the Board who serves a four year term. IFCA International holds an annual convention to decide on the issues before it. This convention rotates around the U.S. and has met in places such as Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, Los Angeles, York PA, Schroon Lake NY, Grand Rapids, Tacoma, Colorado Springs, St. Petersburg, Baltimore, Louisville, Tulsa, Eugene, and Springfield IL.
Past Executive Directors have included Dr. William McCarrell, Dr. Nye J. Langmade, Dr. Ernest Pickering, Rev. Glen Lehman, Rev. Bryan Jones, Rev. Harold Freeman, and Dr. Richard I. Gregory. The current Executive Director is Dr. Les Lofquist, a 1976 graduate of Grand Rapids (MI) School of Bible & Music, a 1979 graduate of Grace College
Grace College
Grace College is an evangelical Christian college located in Winona Lake, Indiana. The college is associated with Grace Theological Seminary and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.-Accreditation:...
(Winona Lake, IN) with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a 1982 graduate of Grace Theological Seminary
Grace Theological Seminary
Grace Theological Seminary is an evangelical Christian seminary located in Winona Lake, Indiana. GTS is joined with Grace College and is associated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. The seminary enjoys a history that dates back to its 1937 organization by Alva J. McClain, the...
(Winona Lake, IN) with a Master of Divinity degree, and a 2005 Doctor of Divinity degree from Calvary Bible College
Calvary Bible College
Opened in 1932, Calvary Bible College has become a nationally-known Bible college. Calvary Bible College is located in Kansas City, Missouri and offers several associate and bachelor degrees, including a bachelor degree completion program called Excel for older students...
& Theological Seminary (Kansas City, MO). The current President of the IFCA International Board of Directors is Rev. Earl Brubaker.
Notable members have included
- J. Oliver BuswellJ. Oliver BuswellJames Oliver Buswell, Jr. was a Presbyterian fundamentalist educator and institution builder.-Education:...
(President of Wheaton College) - M. R. DeHaan (Calvary Undenominational Church, Grand Rapids + Radio Bible Class)
- William McCarrell (Cicero Bible Church + Moody Bible Institute)
- William Pettingill (Editorial Committee, Scofield Study Bible)
- Louis Talbot (President of BIOLA)
- Charles L. FeinbergCharles L. FeinbergCharles Lee Feinberg was an American Biblical scholar and professor of Semitics and Old Testament. He was an authority on the Jewish history, languages and customs of the Old Testament and Biblical prophecies....
(Academic Dean of Talbot Theological Seminary) - Lance LathamLance LathamLance Brenton Latham, 1894-1985, was a prominent preacher, evangelist, youth minister, and musician in the early to mid-20th century in Chicago, Illinois....
(Founder of AWANA Childrens' ministry + New Tribes Mission) - John WalvoordJohn WalvoordJohn F. Walvoord was a Christian theologian, pastor, and president of Dallas Theological Seminary from 1952 to 1986. He was the author of over 30 books, focusing primarily on eschatology and theology including The Rapture Question, and was co-editor of The Bible Knowledge Commentary with Roy B....
(President of Dallas Theological Seminary) - J. Vernon McGeeJ. Vernon McGeeJohn Vernon McGee, Th.D., LL.D, was an ordained Presbyterian minister who later pastored an interdenominational church, a Bible teacher, theologian, and was also a radio minister.-Early Years and Education:...
(Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles + BIOLA + Radio ministry) - Merrill UngerMerrill UngerMerrill Frederick Unger was a Bible commentator, scholar, and theologian. He earned his A.B. and Ph.D degrees at Johns Hopkins University, and his Th.M and Th.D degrees at Dallas Theological Seminary. After serving as a pastor at several churches, Unger taught for a year at Gordon College...
(Dallas Theological Seminary) - Charles Caldwell RyrieCharles Caldwell RyrieCharles Caldwell Ryrie is a Christian writer and theologian who served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and as president and professor at what is now Philadelphia Biblical University...
(Dallas Theological Seminary) - John F. MacArthurJohn F. MacArthurJohn Fullerton MacArthur, Jr. is a United States evangelical writer and minister noted for his internationally known and broadcast radio program titled Grace to You...
(Grace Community Church, Los Angeles + The Master's College & Seminary + Radio ministry)