In 1968 the Society of Priests for a Free Ministry (what would later become FCM) began to give voice to priests looking for church reform, especially for optional celibacy.

In 1973 SPFM changed its name to Fellowship of Christian Ministries (FCM) reflecting the growing interest in small communities of faith as a more ecumenical and professional religious organization with its own certification program in ministry. FCM acknowledged that each Christian has a charism to share, and that certification or recognition of that charism can have a public and civil dimension as well as an ecclesial aspect in preaching, presiding at liturgies, witnessing marriages, conducting funerals and providing pastoral and spiritual care as chaplains.

In 1981 FCM became the Federation of Christian Ministries to include people of various religious traditions, and to affirm women as equals and partners in ministry. FCM had diversified its membership through the Committee on Denominational Concerns and allowed for a variety of interfaith expressions in community, ministry and worship.