Ichthus Christian Fellowship

Ichthus Christian Fellowship is a Christian church movement based in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the British New Church Movement (BNCM),^[1] and has links with other BNCM leaders and movements, especially Gerald Coates and Pioneer. The movement is made up of a number of churches; it has a training school, and is involved in overseas mission.

History and Vision

Ichthus Christian Fellowship was founded in London in 1974 by Roger Forster. By 1982 the Forest Hill congregation had grown to around 400 people, and two new congregations were planted. At its height in 1992, Ichthus had 47 congregations, and was split into three areas. After some rationalisation the number of congregations dropped to around 30. In 2002 a further reorganization involved a number of churches disaffiliating and forming a separate group known as the Transform Network; still others became independent. Ichthus related congregations exist across London, in Essex and Kent.

As well as this approximately 130 other churches and movements across the UK and Europe are linked with the Ichthus fellowship. In comparison to other BNCM streams, the Ichthus link relationship is reasonably loose, going as far as related theology, vision and values. Ichthus theology is non-Calvinist, and shares much with Open Theism; believes in the practice of spiritual warfare and is positive about women's ministry. Ichthus identifies Anabaptism as the Christian tradition that has been most influential in its development. These are some of the distinctives around which Ichthus and its link churches gather.

For many years the notable Christian musician Graham Kendrick was a member of Ichthus, and it was here that March for Jesus, the world-wide movement of street proclamation, began.

Conferences

Each year Ichthus hosts several conferences, one or two specifically for its leadership and the rest open to the public. The main gathering point of the year is a summer Bible Camp known as "Revive," which is an opportunity for those sympathetic with Ichthus theology and distinctives to come together.

Vision

Ichthus followers aim to spread evangelism and their churches on other continents as well as developing the current congregations.

They claim 3 core values at the heart of their belief:

Love
Humility and openness to the Holy Spirit
Evangelism

Church Structures

An Ichthus church consists of 3 levels; Cell, Congregation, and Celebration.

Cell: Cells are smaller groups meeting weekly in order to pray for the local neighbourhood and to promote the religion on a local level (for example via door to door).

Congregation: The Congregation meets on Sunday mornings and is a much larger group (made up of cells). The Congregation also works on projects in the community (as volunteers).

Celebration: Celebrations are held on Sunday evenings and involve the whole church in worship and prophetic preaching.

Links

Official site: http://www.ichthus.org.uk/

References

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