THE ASSOCIATION

The International Christian Medical & Dental Association is an association of National Christian Medical and Dental Societies. Where no National Society exists, then individual Christian doctors and dentists may have their names registered on a list of interested individuals.

THE AIMS

• To deepen the spiritual life of Christians practicing in the medical and dental professions, worldwide, and to encourage them to share their faith within their national medical professions.
• To provide a regular means of exchanging views, information and experiences in the fields of medicine and dentistry, especially where these concern Christian faith and ethics.
• To promote friendship and cooperation amongst Christian doctors and dentists throughout the world.
• To encourage and support Christian medical and dental students as they, too, seek to fulfill the aims of the Association.
• To encourage and support the work of Christian Medical Missions at home and abroad.

THE BASIS OF BELIEF

• The Association is strictly interdenominational.
• The Basis of Belief is the Revelation of God in the Person of Jesus Christ as we meet Him in the Bible. John 14:6

HISTORY

Societies, or meetings of Christian doctors and dentists, have existed in some countries for over a hundred years. In the early 1950’s personal contacts developed into meetings between existing Christian Medical Fellowships, and then in 1963 the first International Congress of Christian Physicians (ICCP) was held in Amsterdam. Further Congresses were held in Oxford and Oslo in 1966 and 1969, during which the constitution and committee structures were finally agreed. From these beginnings the Association grew rapidly. The nature of the organizations changed from a movement which held just triennial conference to one which was a truly International Association with an ongoing work between major congresses by which relationships between Christians in both medicine and dentistry could be strengthened, and national movements assisted to attain their aims. This change in concept was reflected in the change of name to International Christian Medical and Dental Association, adopted in 1986, at the Cancun Congress.

STUDENTS

Undoubtedly, those ICMDA member bodies which support and encourage their students, become the strongest and most influential. An International student movement developed alongside ICCP/ICMDA, and a great number of conferences primarily for students have been held. At times these have been held concurrently with the doctor’s conferences, thus allowing joint sessions and fellowship. Because of the difficulties of maintaining an entirely independent student organization, it was agreed in 1990 to merge the student movement into the ICMDA and develop the work from a Student Section within the Association. The students are entitled to be represented on the Executive Committee.

ICMDA (UK) Trust

In accordance with the constitution, the trust was formed in 1996 to support the work of the Association. It is a registered charity No. 1059750.

THE LOGO

The logo was inspired by the passage in the Gospel of St John 13:4-16, where Jesus in humility washed the feet of his disciples and wiped them with the towel with which he was girded. The cross symbolizes Christ, the Great physician, as our Supreme Example, while the basin and towel signify our service to mankind. “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (verse 15). It is a reminder to Christian doctors and dentists, the world over, that “no servant is greater than his master” (verse 16).

THE ACTIVITIES

Conferences

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  • A world congress is held every four years.
  • Regional conferences are held at other times. These conferences center upon the teaching of the Bible to deepen personal faith and the application of Christian faith to medical and dental practice.

 

Exchange of Information

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  • Information and literature are exchanged between individuals and societies on a regular basis.
  • Colleagues meet together in different countries as they travel for professional purposes.
  • A quarterly newsletter is circulated to all who request it.

 

Resources

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  • Information, guidelines and advice are available, for example on the formation of a National Society or the organization of a conference.
  • Publications - These include :
    • “DOCTOR’S LIFE SUPPORT” - A short reading and commentary for each day of the year, intended for the recently qualified but appealing to many others.
    • Proceedings of all the world congresses.
    • “AMAZING” - The story of the first 25 years of the Association.

AN INVITATION

If you would like further information please contact the ICMDA:
International Christian Medical and Dental Association
P O Box 1540
KLOOF 3640
Republic of South Africa

Tel: +27 (31) 764-6858
Fax: +27 (31) 764-6857
Email: icmda@webstormsa.co.za
Web: www.icmda.net