Ichthus Christian Fellowship
Encyclopedia
Ichthus Christian Fellowship is a neocharismatic Christian
church movement and Apostolic network based in London, United Kingdom
. It is part of the British New Church Movement (BNCM) and has links with other BNCM leaders and movements, especially Gerald Coates
of Pioneer Network.
in 1974 by Roger Forster
. By 1982 the Forest Hill congregation had grown to around 400 people, and two new congregations were planted. In 1990 Ichthus had 43 congregations; in 1992, Ichthus had 47 congregations, and was split into three areas. After some rationalisation the number of congregations dropped to 27. In 2002 a further major change involved a number of churches disaffiliating and forming a separate group known as Transform Network; still others became independent. Ichthus congregations meet across London, in Essex
and Kent
.
As well as this approximately 130 other churches and movements across the UK
and Europe
are linked with Ichthus Christian Fellowship. In comparison to other BNCM streams, the Ichthus link relationship is reasonably loose, denoting shared theology, vision and values, rather than an attempt to create a larger identity (like Newfrontiers
or Pioneer).
. Ichthus theology is also non-Calvinist, and shares much with Open Theism
; believes in the practice of spiritual warfare
and takes an egalitarian
position on the issue of women's leadership, (both formal and informal), with congregations led by women. Ichthus identifies Anabaptism
as the Christian tradition that has been most influential in its development. Ichthus has committed itself to social action, which has included starting a primary school, a launderette, action for the unemployed, pregnancy advice and other similar projects.
Ichthus has not identified with the "Restorationist" stream within the BNCM. Forster differed with them on their anti-denominational stance, stating that the current multiplicity of church identities was not in itself, a key problem. Even though he had been part of the core group that developed around Arthur Wallis
, he became uneasy with their emphasis on separation. Hewitt says: "Any emphasis on 'new' churches to the virtual exclusion of the 'old' seemed to him both ignorant and arrogant." Instead of being distant from other churches, therefore, Ichthus has tended towards ecumenism and cooperation. Indeed, for many years the notable Christian musician Graham Kendrick
was a member of Ichthus, and it was here that March for Jesus
, the worldwide cross-church movement of street proclamation, began.
and the rest open to the public. Ichthus also hosts a Bible School, running on the first Saturday of each month from September to April, open to all. The main gathering point of the year is a summer Bible Camp known as Revive!, held at Ashburnham Place
, which is an opportunity for those sympathetic with Ichthus theology and distinctives to come together.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
church movement and Apostolic network based in London, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is part of the British New Church Movement (BNCM) and has links with other BNCM leaders and movements, especially Gerald Coates
Gerald Coates
Gerald Coates is the founder of Pioneer, a Christian community established to "develop new churches across the UK and engage in mission globally." The Pioneer network is a neocharismatic group of evangelical churches. It is part of the British New Church Movement and can also be described as...
of Pioneer Network.
History
Ichthus Christian Fellowship was founded in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1974 by Roger Forster
Roger T. Forster
Roger Thomas Forster is the leader of Ichthus Christian Fellowship, a neocharismatic Evangelical Christian Church that forms part of the British New Church Movement. In 1965 he married Faith Forster and has three children.-Cambridge:...
. By 1982 the Forest Hill congregation had grown to around 400 people, and two new congregations were planted. In 1990 Ichthus had 43 congregations; in 1992, Ichthus had 47 congregations, and was split into three areas. After some rationalisation the number of congregations dropped to 27. In 2002 a further major change involved a number of churches disaffiliating and forming a separate group known as Transform Network; still others became independent. Ichthus congregations meet across London, in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
.
As well as this approximately 130 other churches and movements across the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
are linked with Ichthus Christian Fellowship. In comparison to other BNCM streams, the Ichthus link relationship is reasonably loose, denoting shared theology, vision and values, rather than an attempt to create a larger identity (like Newfrontiers
Newfrontiers
Newfrontiers is a neocharismatic apostolic ministry network of evangelical, charismatic churches founded by Terry Virgo. It forms part of the British New Church Movement, which began in the late 50s and 60s combining features of Pentecostalism with British evangelicalism...
or Pioneer).
Vision
Ichthus is characterised by "social and racial inclusiveness," according to Peter HockenPeter Hocken
Father Peter Hocken is a historian of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and the Pentecostal movement in the twentieth century.Hocken was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church in 1964. He was ordained for the Diocese of Northampton. He lectured in moral theology at Oscott College,...
. Ichthus theology is also non-Calvinist, and shares much with Open Theism
Open theism
Open theism is a recent theological movement that has developed within evangelical and post-evangelical Protestant Christianity as a response to certain ideas that are related to the synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian theology...
; believes in the practice of spiritual warfare
Spiritual warfare
Spiritual warfare is a range of activity by various Christian groups whereby Satanic demons are combatted, using a variety of methods depending on the group, but typically through prayer.-Range of practice, history, and methodology:...
and takes an egalitarian
Christian Egalitarianism
Christian Egalitarianism , also known as biblical equality, is a Christian form of the moral doctrine of Egalitarianism. It holds that all human persons are created equally in God's sight—equal in fundamental worth and moral status...
position on the issue of women's leadership, (both formal and informal), with congregations led by women. Ichthus identifies Anabaptism
Theology of Anabaptism
Anabaptists are Christians of the Radical Reformation.-Overview:The leading elements of Anabaptist theology are:...
as the Christian tradition that has been most influential in its development. Ichthus has committed itself to social action, which has included starting a primary school, a launderette, action for the unemployed, pregnancy advice and other similar projects.
Ichthus has not identified with the "Restorationist" stream within the BNCM. Forster differed with them on their anti-denominational stance, stating that the current multiplicity of church identities was not in itself, a key problem. Even though he had been part of the core group that developed around Arthur Wallis
Arthur Wallis (Bible teacher)
Arthur Wallis : itinerant Bible teacher and author. Through his teaching and writing, most notably his book The Radical Christian , Wallis gained the reputation of ‘architect’ of that expression of UK evangelicalism initially dubbed ‘the house church movement’, more recently labeled British New...
, he became uneasy with their emphasis on separation. Hewitt says: "Any emphasis on 'new' churches to the virtual exclusion of the 'old' seemed to him both ignorant and arrogant." Instead of being distant from other churches, therefore, Ichthus has tended towards ecumenism and cooperation. Indeed, for many years the notable Christian musician Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick is a prolific British Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader. He is the son of a Baptist pastor. He now lives in Croydon and is a former member of Ichthus Christian Fellowship...
was a member of Ichthus, and it was here that March for Jesus
March for Jesus
March for Jesus is an annual interdenominational event in which Christians march through towns and cities.March for Jesus began as City March in London in 1987. It emerged out of the friendship of three church groups: Pioneer, led by Gerald Coates; Ichthus led by Roger Forster; and Youth with a...
, the worldwide cross-church movement of street proclamation, began.
Conferences
Each year Ichthus hosts several conferences, one or two specifically for its leadershipLeadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
and the rest open to the public. Ichthus also hosts a Bible School, running on the first Saturday of each month from September to April, open to all. The main gathering point of the year is a summer Bible Camp known as Revive!, held at Ashburnham Place
Ashburnham Place
Ashburnham Place is an English country house, now used as a Christian conference and prayer centre. It can be found five miles west of Battle in East Sussex...
, which is an opportunity for those sympathetic with Ichthus theology and distinctives to come together.
Further reading
- Roger Forster, Ray Mayhew "Organising a Caring Church," Christian Brethren Review 35 (1985) 25-38.
- Anthony O'Sullivan, "Roger Forster and the Ichthus Christian Fellowship: The Development of a Charismatic Missiology" Pneuma 16 no 2 Fall 1994, 247-263.