A Detailed Response to Doug Brown’s Critique of the FICM

Doug Brown has joined a long list of pastors, professors, bloggers, theologians, and otherwise interested parties in writing a critique of the Family Integrated Church Movement (FICM).1  This critique comes from a “Fundamental Independent Baptist” perspective.  His motivation is the fact that “The (FICM) is having a growing impact within fundamental Baptist churches.”  Brown notes:

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.”

And of course, like other critics, Brown found an eager audience of both readers and bloggers ready to link to yet another piece pointing to the dangers of this ‘divisive’ movement.

Brown is very fair-minded toward the FICM from a theological perspective.  He writes, for example:

“those in the FICM have a high view of Scripture and correctly see it as the sole authority for doctrine and practice in the church. Second, they place a high value on expository preaching. Third, proponents should also be commended for staying in the church. Their ecclesiology reflects the New Testament more closely than other family movements such as some cell churches and home churches who have virtually abandoned a full ecclesiology. Fourth, those concerned with worldliness in the church will find an affinity with FIC authors.”

Brown also gives an affirming nod to the FICm on the practical ministry/family discipleship side, noting:   Continue at Voddie Baucham

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