I recently made the decision to join the IFCA International as an individual vocational member. It was not a commitment that I entered into lightly. And, quite frankly, I was not really looking for an organization to join! Yet I became convinced over time that this was simply the right and wisest thing to do.
My connection to the IFCA goes back to my teenage years when I began visiting an IFCA-member Bible church. Coming out of a confessional Lutheran background, this was quite a culture shock at first, but I quickly became persuaded by the emphasis I saw on the exposition of the Scriptures and literal Biblical interpretation. I was fascinated with the ministries the church promoted, including the IFCA. I remember especially being intrigued by the IFCA’s VOICE Magazine—not only because of its Biblical content but also through the news and initiatives it publicized.
Now, mind you, I was certainly not spiritually or theologically mature when this process began. I’ve often wondered how my life would have been affected differently if I had visited a charismatic church or a hard-line Calvinistic or Reformed church. I wonder if I might have made the same connection with a group that upheld a very different sort of theology. But God, in His providence, directed my steps to a congregation that affirmed numerous teachings, which, honestly, had already fascinated me for years.
Interestingly, I never formally proceeded with ministry in the IFCA, but I was also never too far away. I’ve had much ministry experience among the independent Baptists. When we moved to Iowa, I became intricately involved with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches—a cousin organization to the IFCA, both historically and theologically—and learned to enjoy much regarding its ministries. All the while, especially in seminary, I continued to hear occasionally about the IFCA.
Later, I served for more than a decade as an associate with a home mission board called IMI/SOS International. IMI/SOS is a member organization of the IFCA, and in that capacity, I ministered in numerous IFCA churches—including serving as an interim pastor in a midsize IFCA-member church. It was during that time that I began faithfully attending the IFCA Regional meetings in Wisconsin, and I have done so in earnest since I became a representative of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.
We have been in lots of different churches and different kinds of churches in our nearly six years with FOI. I would have to say, by and large, that the warmest receptions we receive often come from IFCA churches.
FOI and the IFCA have really been intertwined in so many ways throughout each of their storied histories, which date back to 1938 and 1930, respectively. Such longevity combined with Biblical faithfulness is, of course, exceedingly rare in the evangelical world. Most organizations, over such a period of time, succumb to what Dr. John Whitcomb called the “Second Law of Ecclesiastical Thermodynamics.”
And I have my own theory as to why these two organizations have been exceptions to the rule: Like FOI, the IFCA (ever since it began as the Independent Fundamental Churches of America—out of a previous organization called the American Conference of Undenominational Churches) has focused on the top of the theological pyramid, on issues like premillennialism, dispensationalism, prophecy, and Israel. When one is resting his weight up there at the peak, it would seem he would be less likely to be chipping away at the bricks down at the bottom, at the very foundation of the structure.
I joined the IFCA now primarily because of its unique and important theological emphases and the direction it is heading at this very serious and significant moment in history. I believe the IFCA places a stronger emphasis on traditional dispensational theology than any other comparable organization.
A second reason for joining is the fellowship and the increased opportunities for service that accompany it. I’ve had the privilege of attending the past four IFCA Annual Conventions. At these gatherings, I’ve encountered virtually no ecclesiastical politics. The meetings are heavy on encouragement—almost like a spiritual family reunion—and very light on business. Administrative details are handled with a spirit of cooperation, not contention. We know we have an enemy who does not desire this ethos to endure, but it is present right now—and I need to be part of that. As I’ve witnessed it firsthand, the question really changed from why would I join—to why wouldn’t I join?
The IFCA has really matured since my earliest memories of it. There are an increasing number of practical avenues open to young people who seek to establish themselves in lifelong ministry. I only wish such doors might have been open to me when I was just starting out. I want to be involved in enhancing those types of initiatives.
The IFCA allows for individual, church, and organizational membership. If you or your local church are doctrinally aligned with the IFCA and yearning for greater possibilities for fellowship and service with like-minded believers, I would encourage you to consider the benefits available to you through membership in IFCA International.
FOI has given me the responsibility of keeping this vital and historic ministry in front of the hearts and minds of the people of the IFCA. I cannot image a greater honor or anything I would rather do at this critical juncture in the late history of the church age. Please pray for God’s protection and provision to remain and increase upon both of these time-honored ministries.
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Paul J. Scharf (M.A., M.Div., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) is a church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, based in Columbus, WI, and serving in the Midwest. For more information on his ministry, visit sermonaudio.com/pscharf or foi.org/scharf, or email pscharf@foi.org.