Just what is the IFCA?

Almost from the very beginning of my Many years as pastor at Acton Faith Bible Church, I have been involved with the IFCA. In fact, I would never have learned about AFBC apart from the IFCA. So, what is the IFCA and why does it matter? While the IFCA is not a denomination, it is a formal affiliation as a nation-wide, and world-wide…

Almost from the very beginning of my Many years as pastor at Acton Faith Bible Church, I have been involved with the IFCA. In fact, I would never have learned about AFBC apart from the IFCA. It was an IFCA representative that told me about our church, and an IFCA man kept the church going by filling the pulpit before a pastor was found. Over the years, I have been on the pre-ordination examining committee, served as Vice-President and then Treasurer. But in January, through no fault of my own, I was made Regional president. There is a committee to handle and oversee the ministry and needs of the southern California region. And suddenly, I am responsible to see that committee function.

 

Just days ago, as part of my new duties, I joined numerous pastors to lay hands on and ordain Dr. Richard Bargas, a respected IFCA pastor of sixteen years and a seminary professor. He never took the time to be ordained! It was a nice service and I was glad he took the step. The next day I got a letter in the mail announcing Dr. Bargas was to be voted on at the National convention as the new Executive Director for the IFCA nationally! Not a word about it at the ordination (though some men knew about it), but what a pleasure to see such a good man moved to that important position – and someone from California! The IFCA is a national organization.

So, what is the IFCA and why does it matter? Well, “IFCA” is a nice way to avoid a lot of syllables — Independent Fundamental Churches of America (and in recent years, add “International”). By the time you say all that, you definitely need to take a breath. But many syllables or not, it is important. The IFCA is not a denomination like a Methodist or an Episcopalian, because each church conducts its own affairs without interference from the top. There is no authority “over” the local congregation. That’s the “Independent” part. While the IFCA is not a denomination, it is a formal affiliation as a nation-wide, and now world-wide, body of like-minded churches.

The IFCA was started in 1930 by pastors and ministry leaders who left (or were kicked out of) their church groups because of their convictions that the Bible was true. Many of them were Presbyterians who would not compromise God’s Word. From the beginning, many IFCA churches, like ours, have “Bible” in their name. The nation is divided up by regions, and California has a northern and southern region. There are about 1,000 IFCA churches in the United States, of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. But they have one thing in common… a commitment to the Scriptures.

There is a basic doctrinal statement of the IFCA, affirming all the major doctrines of the faith, doctrines denied by the churches the founders came out of, and some other theological positions that more narrowly define the movement’s core beliefs, such as cessationism (the conviction that miraculous sign-gifts of the Apostles are no longer in operation) and pre-millennialism (the belief in Christ coming to set up His reign on earth at the Second Coming). While there is a national doctrinal statement which member pastors and churches must affirm annually, there is room for disagreement on many other non-essential matters.

Why belong? Because a local church needs a broader affiliation. We are part of the larger body of Christ, and that needs to be acknowledged in some tangible way. Local churches also, sadly, can get off track, both doctrinally and relationally, and it is valuable to have someone to be accountable to and someone to turn to in times of crises. The IFCA, at the regional level, mentors and helps churches through difficult periods. And we do things together. Small churches can’t put on a conference alone, but they can band together and do them. And so in our Regional we have faithful Men and Undivided. Pastors need pastors to talk to sometimes, and Regional meetings help build those relationships.

I have been told that being Regional President “can be a full time job if you let it.” Since being the pastor of AFBC is my full-time job, I will try not to let it become that. But my time will be more precious I am sure. Already a lot of mental energy goes to IFCA matters. But don’t let that stop you from calling or seeking me out. Being available to our members is important to me. Just be ready for me to look a little distracted sometimes! And pray for me, and the IFCA. We need it!

Yours in Christ,

Originally printed in The AFBC Pony Express. Vol. XI, No. 3, March 2018.