Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers

Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers (CMFT) is an evangelical Christian educational organization. The headquarters is at Capernwray Hall, Carnforth, Lancashire, England.

CMFT's goal is to provide practical Christian education to develop personal spiritual growth, prepare people for an effective Church life, and teach a working knowledge of the Bible. The organization works by providing a number of bible schools and Christian conference centres around the world. Their mission statement is: "Our Mission is to proclaim the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through Biblical teaching and practical training, equipping men and women for service in His Church worldwide."

CMFT was founded by Major W. Ian Thomas, an evangelical teacher often identified with the Keswick Convention. [ [http://www.frontlinemin.org/higherlife.asp A Critique Of The Higher Live Movement ] ] The main thrust of their theology is that of the Higher Life movement. [ [http://ravencrest.gospelcom.net/htmls/about_us/about_thrust.html Ravencrest Chalet: The Main Thrust ] ]

Theology

Central to Torchbearers theology, is the belief that the way in which one lives the Christian life is by quieting or extinguishing the self, and allowing Christ to live his life through you in a very literal way. Major W. Ian Thomas states it in the following manner:

There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who "was" and the Jesus who "will be" they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have! [From the foreword of Classic Christianity by Bob George, Eugene: Harvest House Publishers. ©1989.]

It is also seen in the above quote that it is part and parcel of Thomas' theology to reject the theology of Lordship salvation. In Thomas' view, one may be a believer saved from eternal hell, but not truly living as a full Christian. In this view those who are saved, but live as if they were unsaved are referred to as "carnal" Christians. This doctrine has been heavily criticized by Evangelical teachers such as Brian Schwertly:

In such a scheme, professing Christians who refuse to submit to Christ as Lord and who refuse to lead lives characterized by obedience and holiness are called 'carnal Christians.' This heretical teaching has been called 'easy believism' and 'the carnal Christian heresy.' Sadly, such teaching has led countless thousands of poor souls down the broad path that leads to destruction. [The Necessity of Sanctification: A Brief Refutation of the Carnal Christian Heresy by Brian Schwertley Copyright 2001 Brian Schwertley http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/articles/full.asp?ID=37%7C37%7C90]

This doctrine has also been criticized for creating a division in the church of first-class "spiritual" Christians and second-class "carnal" Christians. As those who have found the principals of the "Higher Life" and put them into practice are those who are "Spiritual", and those who disagree with the "Higher Life" are carnal, they have come under the charge of having a certain spiritual smugness, [ [http://www.frontlinemin.org/higherlife.asp A Critique Of The Higher Live Movement ] ] and an unwillingness to entertain debate and discussion.

Man in NORMALITY is to be distinguished from the animal kingdom by a quality of life and behavior, that can have no possible explanation apart from God Himself in the man.

This fact is TRUTH! It is not subject to debate nor dialogue [ [http://ravencrest.gospelcom.net/htmls/about_us/about_thrust.html Ravencrest Chalet: The Main Thrust ] ]

It is further observed that it is man's consent that is the efficacious will that moves GOD to accomplish sanctification in the life of the believer:

The One who calls you to a life of righteousness is the One who by our consent lives that life of righteousness through you! [The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1961]

Capernwray Bible Schools

Capernwray Hall

Capernwray Hall was first used as a Bible School in Autumn 1947, to meet a demand for sound Bible teaching for the many new converts from holiday conferences held at the hall. The school has matured and grown over the years so that in the 2000s decade, each Winter, the Hall fills to its capacity of 190 students, from sometimes as many as 30 different nations. During the Summer, Easter and Christmas breaks the facilities are used for Christian conferences and holidays.

Capernwray Harbour Bible School

Capernwray Harbour Bible School was established by a Capernwray Hall alumni, Charles Fordham, in 1979. The school offers a unique mix of indoor and outdoor classes, hosting about 140 students each year from up to 20 countries. Over the summer recess period, over 3,000 participants are usually hosted for predominantly Christian-oriented holiday courses.

The site of Capernwray Harbour Bible School was first settled by Henry Severn in 1886. Severn built a log cabin on the property; the subsequent owner, H. Burchell, added Preedy Hall, one of the largest buildings on the Gulf Islands at the time, and home to a store, a chapel, and a ballroom. [Oke, Kevin [http://www.gulfislandsguide.com/history/thetis.htm" History of Thetis Island"] , "Gulf Island Guides", retrieved April 17, 2008 ] In 1924 the property was sold to Hans Hunter, who built the Main Hall in 1926 after a devastating fire. Current School buildings and facilities include a gymnasium, lecture hall, outdoor amphitheatre, climbing tower, several kilometres of trails, and accommodations for 150. [Joslin, Elizabeth [http://capernwray.ca/lo-facilities.htm" Capernwray Harbour Facilities"] , retrieved April 17, 2008 ]

The primary purpose and ministry of Capernwray Harbour Bible School is Christian education. Its goal is to offer students training in Bible study, evangelical outreach, leadership development, community living, and personal discovery through discipleship. According to school founder Charles Fordham, the mission of Capernwray Harbour is the "training of men and women to be equipped for full-time Christian service, regardless of their occupation," [Fordham, Charles [http://www.capernwray.ca/ab-mission-statement.htm" Capernwray Harbour Mission Statement"] , retrieved May 1, 2008 ] following the ideas expounded by Major W. Ian Thomas. [The Mystery of Godliness. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1974]

One of the principal ideas forwarded by Thomas, "simplicity in Christ" [The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1961] , is emphasized in the curriculum at Capernwray Harbour. [Fordham, Charles [http://www.capernwray.ca/bs-course-description.htm" Capernwray Harbour Bible School Curriculum"] , retrieved September 29, 2008 ] Students are encouraged engage in discipleship to enable personal discovery, eschewing academic merit in Bible study. As Thomas wrote, "If there is any situation from which you are not prepared to step back, in recognition of the total adequacy of Christ who is in you, then you are out of the will of God." [The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1961]

Student creativity outlets include music teams, community outreach, and personal growth journals; student ministry opportunities include overseas travel to Europe, Central America, and Asia. Capernwray Harbour Bible School hosts a variety of intramural sports, including soccer, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, and softball. Students have opportunities to participate in other outdoor adventures such as climbing wall activities, ropes course challenges, biking and mountain hiking. [Jensen, Lawrence [http://www.capernwray.ca/bs-FAQ-extracurricular.htm" Capernwray Harbour Extracurricular Activities"] , retrieved May 1, 2008 ] The inclusion of these activities reflect Thomas' teaching of the "adventurous life" [The Fullness of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1965] and his view that "If you will but trust Christ...for the life that He lives and waits to live through you, the very next step you take will be a step taken in the very energy and power of God Himself." [The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1961]

Students attending the Bible School must agree to refrain from using tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. A limited curfew is enforced on campus. Students are required to attend church service on a weekly basis.

Programs at Capernwray Harbour also include the outdoor education and Holiday Bible Weeks sessions attended by thousands each summer. [Wichert, Christine [http://www.capernwray.ca/lp-conferences.htm" Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre Conferences"] , retrieved September 29, 2008 ] Youth groups from throughout North America engage in Christ-centred Bible teaching integrated with outdoor recreation.

Bible Schools

*Albania
** [http://www.torchbearers-albania.org/english/ Udhëkryq] - Erseka, Kolonjë
*Australia
** [http://www.torchbearers.com.au/ Wongabri]
*Austria
** [http://www.fackeltraeger.at/ Tauernhof] , Schladming, Styria
** [http://www.schlossklaus.at/ Schloss Klaus] , Klaus, Upper Austria
*Canada
** [http://www.capernwray.ca/ Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre] , BC
** [http://www.capernwrayquebec.ca/ Porteurs du Flambeau] , Quebec
*Costa Rica"'
** [http://www.portantorchas.org/ Portantorchas] , San Jose
*England
**Capernwray Hall, Lancaster
*France
** [http://www.champfleuri.org/ Champfleuri] - Le Champ prés Froges
*Germany
** [http://www.bodenseehof.de/ Bodenseehof] , Lake Constance
** [http://www.fackeltraeger.de/ Klostermühle] , Koblenz
*Greece
** [http://www.kingfisherproject.org/ Kingfisher Project]
*India
**Himalayan Torchbearers
*Indonesia
**Pondok Kepenrey
*Japan
** [http://www.capernwray.org.uk/worldwide/japan.html Torchbearers Yamanaka] , Mount Fuji
*New Zealand
** [http://www.capernwray.org.nz/ Monavale] , Cambridge
*Romania
** [http://www.pdf.ro/ Purtatorii de Faclie] - Brasov
*Spain
** [http://www.riovida.org/ Rio Vida] , Alicante
*Switzerland
**Hinterholz
*Sweden
** [http://www.holsby.org/ Holsby Brunn]
*U.S.
** [http://www.hishill.org/ His Hill] , Texas
** [http://ravencrest.org Ravencrest Chalet] , Colorado
** [http://www.timberlinelodge.org/ Timberline Lodge] , Colorado

References

* [http://www.capernwray.org.uk/ CMFT's official website]

Footnotes