The Family Integrated Church Movement (FICM) is having a growing
impact within fundamental Baptist churches. Since the mid-1990s an
increasing number of families within fundamental churches have
gravitated toward the family-integrated approach. In addition, families
entrenched in the movement have been drawn to fundamental churches
because of their emphasis on Biblical preaching and conservatism. At
first glance the influence of the FICM might seem entirely beneficial
for traditional churches, but unfortunately not all of the impact has
been positive. The FICM mindset can divide churches.
Understanding the FICM
The FICM is comprised of evangelical churches, pastors, and laymen
who share a distinct philosophical approach toward the family and
church. Advocates of family-integrated churches (FIC) believe that
families should always worship and fellowship together in age-integrated
(i.e., multigenerational) services and activities. Conversely they
insist that virtually all age-segregated ministries and activities at
church, such as Sunday School or youth ministries, are unequivocally
unbiblical. Also, they often speak of the father as the conduit of
spirtual growth in the family.
The FICM is not a denomination but rather a loose association of
churches and organizations represented by a variety of denominational
perspectives. Some key leaders are the following:
- Scott Brown, director of the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches (NCFIC)
- Doug Phillips, president of Vision Forum Ministries
- Voddie Baucham Jr., professor, author, and pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church near Houston, Texas
- Eric Wallace, president of the Institute for Uniting Church and Home (IUCAH).
The NCFIC, founded in 2001, is the flagship organization for the FICM
and has a national network of more than 800 churches. It should be no
surprise that the FICM has close ties to some currents of the
homeschooling movement. While homeschooling is not essential to the
FICM, the vast majority of families in FIC homeschool their children. Continue at Sharper Iron
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