4 defining values

1. Centrality. We are intentionally Christ-centred.

Like the Swiss flag, with its blood-red background and a cross centred on it, we are similarly centred. We are intentionally and unapologetically Christ-centred. He brings us together and he keeps us together. We are not self-centred; issue-centred; institutionally-centred; or even, as some might suspect, language-centred.

2. Priority. Keeping the main thing the main thing.

We want to focus on what Jesus prioritized. One way we express this, in ICL, is to say that we are committed to keeping the main thing the main thing. Most division among believers occur when we forget to do that.

3. Diversity. Unity in diversity.

Switzerland is a diverse, multilingual, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, geographically divided country, which under normal circumstances would have never become a single nation. The Swiss have their language frustrations; regional preferences; demographic tensions; ideological differences, and religious concerns. However, there are points which hold Switzerland together despite its diversity. There are values they hold in common which are stronger than their differences.

That accurately sums up ICL. Our diversity is obvious. Our unity is precious We come from many nations, cultures and church backgrounds, and we treasure our unity in diversity.

4. Community - We are here for each other.

Life is hard and can be filled with trouble and obstacles. This is particularly true for people who are far away from “home.” We are not meant to go it alone. That’s why Jesus’ church exists. Not as an institution of power, but a fellowship of travellers: Encouraging, equipping, engaging, and guiding one another. We are on this journey together as a Christ-centred fellowship. We are a worshipping body of believers. Our great desire is to encourage and help to one another on this journey.

3 Core beliefs

1. Christ

We believe and preach the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for our sins, once - for all time. (1 Peter 3:18) Accepting his death for our forgiveness is the basis of our relationship with God and our capacity to forgive others. (Eph 4:32-5:2) His burial, stresses the reality of Jesus’ humanity. He is God who took on human flesh and lived among us. (John 1:1-18) Jesus is fully God and fully human. (Heb 2:14-18, 4:14-16) As such, he knows what we go through as human beings.

The central claim of Christ’s first followers was that he rose from the dead. They boldly proclaimed, in the power of the Holy Spirit: “This same Jesus you crucified, God has raised from the dead.” (Acts 2:22-24)

This is why they claimed that Jesus was both Lord and Saviour.

This is why they believed his words could be trusted and obeyed.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, those who trust in him will be raised, in the last day. The immediate implication of this resurrection reality, is that we trust in him to enable us to live in newness of life. (Romans 6)

2. Scripture

Paul stresses that these “matters of first importance” are “according to the Scriptures”. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are divine in their origin and sufficient for their intended purpose.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

We seek to understand life, faith and present-day issues and struggles “according to the Scriptures”. We seek to interpret the Scriptures in the light of Jesus Christ, who is the living Word of God. (John 1:1, 14) He is God’s full and final revelation of himself. (John 14:9 and Hebrews 1:1-4)

3. Grace

Paul stresses that this is all by God’s grace. In Ephesians 2:8-10 he says,

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Grace is the basis of our salvation, sanctification, and service. 2 Peter 3:18 calls us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” In ICL, we make it our aim, to “see to it that no one misses the grace of God.” (Hebrews 12:15)

Our Story

The building we meet in, was built over 100 years ago by the Swiss Evangelical Methodist Church. That church was formed in Lucerne in the late 1800’s, as one of the few Protestant churches in Lucerne.

In 1978, a group of teachers at the American College of Lucerne were encouraged to gather for worship in English. Students from the Baptist Seminary, near Zurich, came to preach. In 1980, the English group became an independent English church, called the International Fellowship of Lucerne. Students ministered until 1984, when Pastor Herm Luben from the USA, was called as our first full-time minister.

In 2008, the Swiss Methodist Church closed their Lucerne congregation. ICL was invited to take over the use of the entire church facility. The rent we pay goes into the retirement fund for Swiss Methodist pastors. We are blessed with the full use of this well-maintained, well-located facility.