One Christian Organization Not Going Woke 

The IFCA is a solid organization and just proves to people out that there are churches sticking with their biblical convictions. I've been going to a solid IFCA church for years and couldn't be more blessed with the fellowship and organization (Association) as a whole. Let us all press on with biblical convictions to the Glory of God Alone

IFCA is the old acronym: Independent Fundamental Churches of America (Now simply: IFCA International). The IFCA being dispensationalist simply means that we are committed to a consistent, literal, historical, grammatical hermeneutic.

I agree with Answers in Genesis recommendation. My daughter just started a job with this ministry, and they are staying true to the Word. They have both Fault Lines and Owen Strahan's book on display in their bookstore. Perhaps they would be an outlet to check for distribution of your book as well!

This was such a helpful overview - thank you! After listening to so many of your interviews I have decided to re-take the pre-membership intro class at my local Bible church next month. I became a member and participated in this process many years ago, but . . . the world is a very different place these days and I'm curious to hear how my church explains its doctrine and mission these days! Thank you for your work in equipping Christians to see through modern culture's secular demands.

Thank you Jon for making your listeners aware of this organization. My husband and I left a wonderful church we've attended for decades that went woke after covid. We have been looking for a good church for over a year. I agree with IFCAs doctrinal statement and this will help tremendously with our search!

As an IFCA pastor, I want to complement Richard for his excellent interview. (He spoke for me as well--except for his "shaming" of those of us who go golfing each Thursday of the Convention!) Thanks, Jon, for giving the IFCA some airtime!

I'm joining the IFCA International, and this is ONE of the reasons why. I love that they are committed doctrinally and they're willing to speak about matters that are controversial, and come to a unanimous decision on it. I'm looking forward to joining this fellowship!

I attend an IFCA church in Washington state, and without it I'm not sure I'd even be living here anymore. It is a wonderful church, small, with a great pastor and elder leadership. He preaches straight from the word. My first Sunday at the church was a great experience and I've never looked back. Every sermon begins with: "If you can take out your Bibles..." or something similar. I haven't listened to this podcast yet, but am going on a road trip for work and look forward to what you have to say.

You could also do a video about the organization Answers in Genesis as well. Have you ever been to their Creation Museum or Ark Encounter John?

Thank you for this interview! Great to see there are alternatives for institutions like the SBC. It is great to have the option to leave an organization to have something to go to instead of just leaving.

Very interesting interview, Jon! I’ve been looking forward to your podcast about the IFCA. I definitely appreciate any organization that has taken a clear and strong stance against CRT. I want to share my experience for anyone considering being a part of the IFCA. I believe it demonstrates exactly what you have to believe (at least Pastors/Elders) regarding limited atonement. It’s clear that you cannot reject dispensationalism at all from #13 on their doctrinal statement. That is one of their highest commitments, and it is clear from their statement of faith, but limited atonement is where they are muddy in their stated beliefs. The doctrinal statement does not explicitly say anything about it. The line on salvation (#6) is a single sentence and makes no mention of the extent of the atonement. I was contacted by an IFCA church a few years ago asking about interest in pastoring the congregation. I was also contacted by someone in the rural area where I was pastoring, asking about starting an IFCA church plant. I looked into the beliefs and emailed the IFCA office. I asked about a few issues, including Calvinism and it was made clear to me that you cannot be a 5-point Calvinist. You must reject limited atonement (aka: definite atonement (which I believe is a better name to describe the belief)). I found the email from 2019 and the executive director at the time that I corresponded with was Les Lofquist. He stated that a person absolutely cannot be a 5-point Calvinist and pointed to this portion of the doctrinal statement: “3 The Person and Work of Christ b. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for all mankind as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that the sufficiency of this atoning sacrifice to accomplish the redemption and justification of all who trust in Him is assured by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24,25; 4:25; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 2:9; I Peter l:3-5; 2:24; and 2 Peter 2:1).” He bolded the words “for all mankind.” However, I believe that both an Arminian and Calvinist can believe this statement. As a Calvinist, I believe that Christ died on the cross “for all mankind.” His atonement is "sufficient” for the free offer of the gospel to everyone! However only the elect (“all who trust in Him”) will believe because they have been bought by the blood of Christ. He also sent me documents written by the board of directors regarding doctrinal matters and an article that he wrote in the VOICE magazine in July/August, 2017 regarding the extent of the atonement that expounded upon the issue. They should really make an explicit statement in their doctrinal statement regarding the extent of the atonement. I felt like Dr. Bargas was trying to provide a work around for the limited atonement issue but it seems clear to me that they will not welcome a 5-point Calvinist. You must deny limited atonement. This is what their unclarity about the issue can lead to: I declined to be involved in the IFCA church plant that I was approached about, so the organizer had an IFCA missionary come preach to a core group for a few months. I was contacted by the man again after they had a falling out to convince me to join them. I still wasn’t interested but he explained that the falling out was on the issue of limited atonement. The man was a staunch supporter of MacArthur and probably held to his form of dispensationalism but when the issue of limited atonement came up (which apparently wasn’t discussed much at first) they broke fellowship and were looking into other church planting organizations. Btw: It was the IFCA man that broke the fellowship with much disdain that they believed in limited atonement. So, I don’t believe that there is a workaround for the limited atonement issue. They are staunchly opposed to limited atonement and Covenant Theology. The IFCA might be worth considering if you are a diehard dispensational, cessationist, and don’t believe in limited atonement but you better be able to line up precisely with their doctrine for it to be a fit. I know that was an extremely long comment but I thought it was worth sharing my experience and hope that it benefits someone. (And that you take the time to read it, Jon). If an IFCA board member reads this, they might consider adding some clarity to the doctrinal statement regarding the extent of the atonement because it was sad to hear about the church plant that abandoned the mission after months of meeting because of the issue of limited atonement.

I grew up in a IFCA church. It was very good- a lot like being part of a Baptist church but without the actual affiliation and convening process. I remember back when IFCA made the "fundamental" part more obvious and even tried to make Christian fundamentalism a popular selling point. It didn't really work. There was a turning point where the head of IFCA was checking into a hotel for a convention, and the lady at the desk made small talk about what was going on and what people were in town for. He told her it was a gathering of independent fundamental Christian pastors and leaders, and she looked at him like he was a terrorist. From that point on IFCA started to lean a lot harder into the IFCA acronym and they don't talk about what the F stands for nearly as much.

According to my research, in 2017 John Macarthur was asked to resign from IFCA and did resign. This was over his clear exposition of scripture relating to limited atonement. So, if you're interested in the IFCA, be sure you read their website AND their suggested links.

IFCA. What does it mean?

It is all about the Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 with no additions or subtractions. No men's teachings!

Gonna be a big no for me

I'm glad to hear they are more open when it comes to Calvinism/Arminians. I accept only the T and the P myself as well. There is a lot of room for disagreement on this, unlike a lot of other issues. It's a secondary issue unlike indirect primary issues such as social justice/voting Democrat etc...

What do the letters IFCA stand for?

CREC, Vanguard Presbytery, and OPC have not gone woke. What this guy is describing sounds like a denomination to me and a Baptistic Arminio-Dispy one at that.

I listened to Pastor Tommy Nelson (Denton Bible Church) and his take on Calvinism (He is a Calvinist) - and he said that he would probably be a 4.4 Calvinist because of the bible verses like John 3:16 (loved the world). He said that he wasn't to the point yet of resolving the Limited Atonement point of Calvinism. Then I read a statement by Dr. David Jeremiah and this is what he said. Quote from Dr. David Jeremiah from his study guide, "The Word", page 135-136 I often have people ask me, “How does ‘whoever’ fit with the doctrine of election?” The Bible does teach election, but it also teaches “whoever.” Therefore, both are true. I do not pretend to understand how all of that works out in the mind of God, but that is not my job. My job is to make the Gospel attractive to the thirsty - whoever is thirsty-and trust God to work out the election part. There are thirsty people all over the world wherever I go. So there is no shortage of opportunity to be salt to create thirst and then offer living water through the Gospel of Christ. Whether they get saved of not is not my business; I leave that part to God. All I have to do is say to a thirsty person, “Jesus Christ loves you and died for you and wants to fill your life with the meaning and purpose God created you to enjoy.” The Bible places no restrictions on my ability and my responsibility to do that wherever I go. If you think there is someone you have witnessed to who is “unsavable,” you need to read the “whoever” verse again. Anyone who wants to be saved can be saved. His text is Revelation 22:17-21 and the study guide lesson 12 in entitled, “The Last Invitation in the Bible”

LOL this guy gave a better answer on limited atonement than 98% of Reformed Calvinists!

Jon, I Should also point out The Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship puts out The Sovereign Grace Messenger which in past issues has had articles against “wokeness”.

Is anyone else having difficulty getting this video to play?

What is the issue with the Social Justice articles, My church gets a copy

Be aware there is also the Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals (FIRE) as well.

Why would and church want to join a denomination?

World would mean that He died for people from all over the world, not just the Jew. Yet it is limited.He came to seek that which is his own.

Many good brothers and sisters in the IFCA, especially Richard!

IFCA starting in Chicago, denouncing the Social Gospel was difficult to do then. . .amd there is still a struggle. They are so close to Wheaton Graduate School which is just west if there in Du Page County . The moderates there on campus may be losing their ground to the progressive left. But the alumni would still have allies within the : North American Baptist Seminary, Greater European Mission

Is Wheaton Bible Church , Wheaton, Illinois a part of your organization?

I've returned by ordination with the EFCA, and share much with the IFCA but I am not dispensational, though I am premil. This was the same issue when I met with the then Director back in 1987. I was only unsure of dispensational eschatology then, but became convinced of post-trib, pre-mil. IFCA is where John MacArthur was ordained. Still may be, I don't know.

Your local church is what takes precedent. Why would any man uproot his entire family when he has solid relationships in a great church. The association doesn't matter, it matters the convictions and beliefs of the church. Plus, the IFCA's dispensationalism is a HUGE red flag.

So if someone is Evangelical Free Church ordained, one could not be aligned with your organization?

Wonderful to see an organization united in purpose and without compromise. My only qualm would be strict cessationism. I think it is a position one can loosely. But it has no place as a firm belief. I am skeptical anyone would arrive at a cessationist position simply reading through the new testament without preconceived ideas. It is, at best a weak argument. But the real danger is when holding firm to this position, you are telling another brother and sister that speaks in tongues that it is not a work of the Spirit. What is it is? Are you 100% sure that Scripture teaches this? Because if you are wrong you are essentially calling a work of the Spirit a work of man. That's dangerous territory to be in. Of course speaking in tongues publicly needs to be orderly (as in accordance with Scripture), and most use it only during their private prayer time. These brothers and sisters are disqualified from fellowship with you because you hold firmly to the teachings of relatively modern theologians in contrast to the writings of Paul? If nothing else, I think this anti Christian culture is going to help some realize what the important dividing lines are, I don't think your organization is there yet. I am glad to see that you don't limit Arminians from fellowship.

Biblical calvinists? How so? Seems to be a contradiction.

What is IFCA?

12:00 Shame they are dispensationalist. Guess I need to keep looking. And a note for SBC. The SBC has zero power over the local the church or pastor. Even the resolutions are mere suggestions. Yes the only thing to be SBC is giving a couple hundred dollars per year to the convention. but that's all. My commitment to the SBC and their influence is very very small if any

Masters university? Bye now.

Must hold to once saved always saved? Must hold to total depravity? Is it the flavor of total depravity that requires efficacious grace or prevenient grace before faith? And even the answer to that is troubling, it's focused enough to remain vague. Not going woke is a good thing, the other views? not so much.

Shame about the dispensationalism. Otherwise solid group.

Hi John, the IFCA is a denomination. I graduated from an IFCA college and Seminary. Really didn't know them other than a non-denominational institution. The school was strong to promote they are non-denominational. Hence those students being trained as pastors could only be pastors in an IFCA church. That is very telling! Their philosophy toward finances is another story. Just grew in my knowledge of them over the years while there. Many of the staff and students were strongly oppossssed to reformed theology. I knew that based on the conversations I had there. By God's provision and grace the director of my program was reformed and brought in several prof's to teach. I also know of a couple IFCA local churches that closed in WA when they were told to close. One in KS also closed by the pastor I attended seminary with. Just giving a small insight.

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