Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International
Encyclopedia
The Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International (FGBMFI) is a fellowship of lay businessmen. Its main purpose is to arouse interest in the gospel. Theologically, the organisation has its roots in Pentecostalism
. It is currently active in 160 countries around the world.
, a Californian dairy farmer of Armenian descent. After a difficult start, it steadily grew, and after a few years branches were set up in other countries as well.
After Demos Shakarian died in 1993, his son Richard became the leader. Many FGBMFI leaders, however, did not recognize the legitimacy of Richard's leadership. Several FGBMFI leaders seceded and formed Business Mens Fellowship (BMF), with the support of Rose Shakarian, Demos' widow, and Steve Shakarian, Demos' son. Later, the major FGBMFI National Offices in Asia, namely Singapore and Hongkong, withdrew from FGBMFI and allied itself with the BMF.
. Emphasis is on faith-related personal experiences, showing that faith is much more than just a culture and/or a set of rules. Doctrines that are not essential to the very heart of the Gospel, are kept out of discussion within FGBMFI. As a consequence, there are basically no denominational restrictions to membership.
FGBMFI mainly operates in local groups, so-called chapters. These chapters organise meetings, usually once a month, in hotels, restaurants etc. In such meetings, one or more members tell about their faith experiences. Such experiences often have supernatural elements. 'Churchy' jargon is avoided as much as possible. Most chapters start their meetings with a dinner. At the end, it is possible to have a talk, people can be prayed for and if they wish so. In addition to the local meetings, regional and international conferences are held from time to time.
FGBMFI targets at "business men" in the broadest possible sense. Originally, this was limited to men, but today in a growing number of countries membership is open to women as well.
The meetings are open to everybody. Membership, however, is reserved to those who agree with FGBMFI's doctrinal statement. Church leaders may become ordinary members, but are not accepted as board members, so as to avoid any denominational bias.
(CBMC) and International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC). CBMC, which was founded before the 2nd World War, has a broader theological background. ICCC was founded by FGBMFI members in Sweden, but is has a different purpose. Simultaneous membership of two or more of these organsiations is generally not considered a problem.
There is some resemblance with Aglow
. The latter, however, which is a fellowship of evangelical women, puts more emphasis on spiritual growth, while FGBMFI primarily focuses on spreading the gospel.
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
. It is currently active in 160 countries around the world.
History
FGBMFI was founded in 1952 in Los Angeles by some twenty people led by Demos ShakarianDemos Shakarian
Demos Shakarian was a Christian businessman of Armenian origin from Los Angeles who founded the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International...
, a Californian dairy farmer of Armenian descent. After a difficult start, it steadily grew, and after a few years branches were set up in other countries as well.
After Demos Shakarian died in 1993, his son Richard became the leader. Many FGBMFI leaders, however, did not recognize the legitimacy of Richard's leadership. Several FGBMFI leaders seceded and formed Business Mens Fellowship (BMF), with the support of Rose Shakarian, Demos' widow, and Steve Shakarian, Demos' son. Later, the major FGBMFI National Offices in Asia, namely Singapore and Hongkong, withdrew from FGBMFI and allied itself with the BMF.
Geographical spread
FGBMFI is active in several countries. In some countries, it uses a version of its name translated in the local language. In Germany, e.g., Christen im Beruf (“Christians in professional life”), in Finland Suomen Täyden Evankeliumin Liikemiesten Kansainvälinen Veljesliitto (STELK), in several Spanish-speaking countries Fraternidad Internacional de Hombres de Negocio del Evangelio Completo (FIHNEC), in Poland Miedzynarodowa Spolecznosc Biznesmenow Pelnej Ewangelii - Chrzescijanie w Biznesie.Purpose
Attention is drawn toward the “Full Gospel”, a term which often is used as more or less a synonym for the gospel as preached within the Pentecostal movementPentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
. Emphasis is on faith-related personal experiences, showing that faith is much more than just a culture and/or a set of rules. Doctrines that are not essential to the very heart of the Gospel, are kept out of discussion within FGBMFI. As a consequence, there are basically no denominational restrictions to membership.
FGBMFI mainly operates in local groups, so-called chapters. These chapters organise meetings, usually once a month, in hotels, restaurants etc. In such meetings, one or more members tell about their faith experiences. Such experiences often have supernatural elements. 'Churchy' jargon is avoided as much as possible. Most chapters start their meetings with a dinner. At the end, it is possible to have a talk, people can be prayed for and if they wish so. In addition to the local meetings, regional and international conferences are held from time to time.
FGBMFI targets at "business men" in the broadest possible sense. Originally, this was limited to men, but today in a growing number of countries membership is open to women as well.
The meetings are open to everybody. Membership, however, is reserved to those who agree with FGBMFI's doctrinal statement. Church leaders may become ordinary members, but are not accepted as board members, so as to avoid any denominational bias.
Similar organisations
FGBMFI should not be confused with Christian Business Men's CommitteeChristian Business Men's Committee
Christian Business Men's Committee is an international evangelical Christian mission organization to reach out to businessmen. CBMC began in United States in 1930. There are 18,000 members in 700 teams in the US. Internationally CBMC has its branch in 70 countries with over 50,000 members....
(CBMC) and International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC). CBMC, which was founded before the 2nd World War, has a broader theological background. ICCC was founded by FGBMFI members in Sweden, but is has a different purpose. Simultaneous membership of two or more of these organsiations is generally not considered a problem.
There is some resemblance with Aglow
Aglow International
Aglow International is an interdenominational organization of Christian women and men. Formerly known as Women's Aglow Fellowship, it is one of the largest Christian associations in the world, with more than 200,000 members meeting together each month through local Aglow groups in 171 nations. More...
. The latter, however, which is a fellowship of evangelical women, puts more emphasis on spiritual growth, while FGBMFI primarily focuses on spreading the gospel.
Literature
- Demos Shakarian, John & Elisabeth Sherrill: The Happiest People on Earth. Old Tappan, N.J.: Chosen Books: distributed by F. H. Revell Co., c1975. ISBN 0912376147. 187 pages.
- Val Fotherby: The awakening giant. London (UK) (Marshall Pickering), 2000. ISBN 0-551-03234-0. 200 pages.