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I love studying church history, especially the history connected with fundamentalism.
I recently came into possession of the minutes of the Ohio Regional Conference of the Independent Fundamental Churches of America, the predecessor to the current Ohio Bible Fellowship. I’m going to work at posting the minutes as recorded in the official minutes.
For me, this will be fun. For others, it might be the cure for insomnia! 🙂
Hi Dan
I was under the impression that the OBF had Presbyterian roots. Your post makes me wonder if that is correct. I certainly wasn’t aware of the IFCA connection. Do the minutes you have carry through the point at which the OBF was formed?
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Hey Don,
Yes, I have the minutes from their inception to the most recent meeting (last weekend). The OBF severed ties with the IFCA in 1968. I wrote an article on the history of the OBF here. You can also read the statement explaining their withdrawal and forming the OBF here.
The “Presbyterian” roots are found in a few of the local churches that came out of the liberal denominational structures and joined the IFCA (e.g. Calvary Bible Church in Columbus, OH).
So, it’s more correct to understand the roots of the OBF in connection with the IFCA, not a Presbyterian denominational structure.
I see, thanks.
I think that impression came from my friendship with the Howards and Dr. Ashbrook. Dr. Ashbrook’s father was the pastor of CBC in Columbus, right?
I look forward to your further posts on the minutes. Should prove to be interesting. I’ll read those articles later today. Thanks for the links.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Correct; Pastor John Ashbrook (he gets a laugh at the number of honorary doctorates he’s earned over the years!) is the son of William E. Ashbrook.
See, you’re correcting me all over the place!
If anyone is worthy of an honorary, I’d say Pastor Ashbrook would be one.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
Dan Greenfield 
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