ICF International Congregational Fellowship

Welcome to the new online home of the International Congregational Fellowship

The Congregational churches trace their roots to sixteenth-century England. Freethinking Christians motivated by the Reformation wanted change in their ways of worship. The Puritans wanted to "purify" the Church of England by demanding an educated clergy and the right to hire their own minister. They also believed that a church should be a simple gathering of Christians with Christ as the only head of their church created for the purpose of hearing God's Word and governed by a covenant written by its members.

Some of those church reformers stayed in England while others became Separatists and joined the Pilgrims on the Mayflower for their journey to New England in 1620. From those humble beginnings evangelism and mission movements caused the Congregational churches to spread from one end of the world to the other.

Since 1977 the ICF has hosted international conferences bringing together adults, youth, clergy and laity from our churches all over the world. The Congregational Way calls us to fellowship with each other. It is truly amazing what like-minded Christians can learn when we take the time to share our experiences and our faith journey. We hope you will spend some time getting to know us here on this website and, perhaps, even join us for our next Quadrennial Conference. No matter what, who or where you are, in the name of Jesus Christ you are most welcome here.

Meet our ICF Moderator

As the current Moderator of the International Congregational Fellowship, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the ICF website.

Bruce hails from South Africa and a third generation offspring into the ordained ministry. He received his theological training at the ecumenical ‘Federal Theological Seminary of Southern Africa.’ He started his ministry in a small gold mining town called Toekomsrus, which is west of Johannesburg. Other congregations served was Port Elizabeth, Durban and currently in his 11th year in Kuilsriver. He obtained two post graduate degrees from the university of South Africa. In 1999 he attended a Church Leadership Training Programme in the USA. On completion of this he was awarded an international scholarship and completed a D.Min in 2003.

He married Celester in 1980. She is currently the personal assistant to the principal of a high school. Four children were born out of the marriage. One son and three daughters. Only the three daughters remain. Carlin the eldest is a banking analyst, Shirlene is an economist with the Reserve Bank and Ilse is a medical doctor. The couple also dote over their grandson and granddaughter.

Bruce, together with Dr Coenie Burger, then moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church spearheaded Ekklesia, an ecumenical body affiliated to the Faculty of Theology of the University of Stellenbosch. Ekklesia currently has a membership of nineteen denominations. Out of this ecumenical venture has emerged Word and Worship, a sermon and liturgy guidelines based on the Revised Common Lectionary and has a circulation of 1500 copies.

Though no formal hobbies, Bruce enjoys cooking and together with Celester they enjoy spending time with their children.

Revd Dr Bruce Theron

Click here for more information about Bruce Theron

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