International Christian Fellowship

ICF
Classification Evangelicalism
Orientation Neo-charismatic movement
Origin 1990
Zürich, Switzerland
Congregations 40
Official website www.icf.church

ICF (International Christian Fellowship) is a evangelical association of churches from Neo-charismatic movement, founded in 1990 to Zurich in Switzerland, the association has more members churches spread across several cities in Switzerland, of Germany, Austria but also in several countries of the world, including; Prague in Czech Republic, Leiden in Netherlands, Tirana in Albania, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Tel Aviv in Israel.[1] ICF has a Bible College affiliate, the ICF College.

The groups run off the basic principles of Christianity. Participants are encouraged to evangelize based on the Great Commission found in the New Testament of the Bible.

History

ICF was founded in 1990 by Heinz Strupler.[2] In 1996, leadership was taken over by Leo Bigger and Matthias Bölsterli, who emphasized an international policy of expansion.[3][4] Around 2005, worship attendance at the Zurich church was 2,000 participants. In 2017, it is 3,500. [5]

Small groups

Senior pastor Leo Bigger (b. 1968) with his wife Susanne introduced a hierarchical structure of groups, called "g|12", consisting of groups of 12 people of which every group leader was a group member in the superordinate group, terminating in the group led by Bigger. In 2004, official terminology was changed from "g|12" to "SmallGroup". The graphical representation was changed from presenting the Bigger couple at the center of a circle instead of at the top of a pyramid, but the topological structure of the system remains unchanged.[6] "g|12" is conceived as a pyramid scheme, urging each group member to strive to become the leader of a derivative group.[7]

Small groups are set in place to promote group discussion on biblical principles. Members are encouraged to start new groups if their own group becomes too large to the point of fair discussion being jeopardized.

Critics

ICF emphasizes "hipness", indulging in daring neologisms, consistently Denglish and prone to CamelCase, such as SmallGroup synonymous to the more pedestrian house church.

References

  1. ↑ "ICF Movement: Locations". Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  2. ↑ Georg Otto Schmid, relinfo.ch, ICF International Christian Fellowship, Switzerland, Retrieved February 4, 2017
  3. ↑ Sébastien Fath, Dieu XXL, la révolution des mégachurches, Autrement, France, 2008, p. 139
  4. ↑ LILLIAN KWON, Journal christianpost.com, Multi-Site Churches Spreading in Post-Christian Europe, USA, February 24, 2010
  5. ↑ Warren Bird, World megachurches, Leadership Network, USA, February 4, 2017
  6. ↑ relinfo.ch report
  7. ↑ livenet.ch article
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