Evangelical Free Church - A Community Of Faith
When folks talk about the Evangelical Free Church, they are really talking about a collection of many local groups, all linked together by some deep, shared beliefs. It's a way for these individual church communities to stand together, working toward a common aim, and that, is that they want to bring glory to God. They do this by helping new churches get started and by helping existing ones grow into places that truly change lives for all sorts of people, from every walk of life, more or less.
This association, which has quite a number of congregations, somewhere around 1,300 to 1,600 across America, is not just a loose gathering; it’s a connection built on a set of core ideas about faith. Each church within this larger group has a good deal of freedom to operate on its own, but they all agree on these fundamental convictions, which really tie them all together. It's a bit like a big family, where everyone has their own home, but they share a family name and some very important values, you know.
The story of these churches reaching out and making a difference is quite a long one, with roots stretching back a good while, actually. They provide help and encouragement to local churches, offering practical ways to grow and opportunities for training, all with the goal of supporting the work God wants done in and through each individual church, and stuff. It's a genuine effort to help communities thrive and share a message of hope.
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Table of Contents
- What is the Evangelical Free Church, anyway?
- How Churches Connect in the Evangelical Free Church
- Where did the Evangelical Free Church come from?
- The Early Story of the Evangelical Free Church
- What does the Evangelical Free Church believe at its heart?
- Core Convictions of the Evangelical Free Church
- How does the Evangelical Free Church support its mission?
- Building Up Communities in the Evangelical Free Church
What is the Evangelical Free Church, anyway?
So, when we talk about the Evangelical Free Church of America, we're describing a collection of local church bodies, roughly 1,300 of them, maybe a few more, all joined up. These groups are independent, meaning each one makes its own decisions about how it runs things, yet they are tied together by a shared promise. This promise is to serve Jesus Christ, relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance, and paying close attention to the teachings found in the Bible. It's a bit like a group of friends who each have their own homes but come together for a shared purpose, you know.
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Their main purpose, the thing that truly drives them, is to bring honor to God. They aim to do this by helping new, life-changing church communities come into being and by helping existing ones grow stronger among all kinds of people. This idea of multiplying churches that really make a difference in people's lives is central to what they do, and it's actually a pretty big undertaking. They believe that by creating more places where people can connect with faith, they are fulfilling their mission, in a way.
How Churches Connect in the Evangelical Free Church
The way these separate church bodies connect within the larger Evangelical Free Church is through a set of shared theological convictions. It's like a common ground of belief that everyone agrees on, and this helps keep them united even though they are autonomous. These are the deep, important ideas about faith that form the backbone of their collective identity. They have a statement of faith that lays out these beliefs, and it’s a document that helps everyone understand what they stand for, essentially.
For anyone who might have more questions after looking at their statement of faith, there are some extra materials available. These resources are put together to help people get a better feel for what the Evangelical Free Church is all about. They include things like "Where we stand in the EFCA," and "What we believe," which offer more detail on their positions. There's also a video and a booklet called "This is the EFCA" that can help a local group get to know the larger association better, as a matter of fact. These tools are really helpful for building a common understanding across the many churches.
Where did the Evangelical Free Church come from?
The story of the Evangelical Free Church in America has its beginnings quite a while ago, tracing back to the 1880s, more or less. Its heritage comes from a movement known as the Swedish Evangelical Free Mission, which was later just called Swedish Evangelical. This background gives it a certain flavor, a particular way of looking at faith and church life that has been passed down through the years. It's like a family history that shapes who you are today, you know.
This group, the Evangelical Free Church of America, is considered an evangelical Christian denomination, and it comes from what's called the radical pietistic tradition. This tradition emphasizes a deep, personal faith and a commitment to living out one's beliefs in everyday life. It’s a way of being Christian that focuses on the heart and on practical actions, rather than just on formal rules or rituals. This focus on a living faith is something that has always been a part of their identity, pretty much.
The Early Story of the Evangelical Free Church
The very foundation of the Evangelical Free Church was built upon a strong commitment to the Bible. They believe in the Bible's complete truthfulness and its authority in all matters of faith and life. This dedication to Scripture is not just a minor point; it’s a central part of their beginnings and continues to be a guiding principle for them today. It’s what shaped their early steps and continues to inform their path, you see.
They are also connected to a larger network, being affiliated with the International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches. This means they are part of a broader family of similar church groups around the world. This connection shows that their particular approach to faith isn't isolated but is part of a wider movement, which is pretty interesting, actually. It's a global family, in a way, sharing similar convictions and ways of doing things.
What does the Evangelical Free Church believe at its heart?
At the very core of what the Evangelical Free Church believes is the idea of one God. This God is seen as the creator of everything that exists, someone who is completely holy, without any imperfections, and who has always existed in a loving togetherness of three equally divine persons. These three persons are known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This belief in a triune God is a fundamental part of their understanding of who God is and how God relates to the world, very much so.
Their commitment to being "evangelical" means a few key things. It means they hold firmly to the idea that the Bible is without error and has ultimate authority in guiding their lives and beliefs. It also means they are deeply dedicated to the main points of the gospel, which is the good news about Jesus Christ. These are not just casual ideas for them; they are deeply held convictions that shape everything they do, you know, every single bit of it.
Core Convictions of the Evangelical Free Church
It's worth noting that beliefs can sometimes evolve or be clarified over time, and the Evangelical Free Church is no different. For instance, in 2019, they made a change to their statement of faith regarding the "end times." They removed the word "premillennial" from that section, confirming that this particular view on future events was not a necessary belief for someone to be part of the denomination. This shows a flexibility in acknowledging what is essential and what might be considered a non-essential point of view within their shared faith, in some respects.
The resources they provide, like their full statement of faith, are put together with local churches in mind. They are meant to be helpful tools for congregations to understand and share what the Evangelical Free Church stands for. These materials are there to answer questions and to help people grasp the core ideas that unite all the different churches. It’s a way of making sure everyone is on the same page about the really important stuff, basically.
How does the Evangelical Free Church support its mission?
In support of their main goal, which is to glorify God by helping more life-changing churches come into being, the Evangelical Free Church has national and international efforts. These ministries are set up to give practical help, offer chances for people to get involved, and provide training. All of this is aimed at helping God's work happen in and through the local church communities. It’s a way of providing the tools and support that individual churches might need to grow and make a difference, you know.
For example, if a community doesn't have an Evangelical Free Church nearby, there's often an interest in helping someone start one. The question "Are you interested in planting one?" is a real invitation for people to consider beginning a new church in an area where there isn't one yet. This shows their active commitment to their mission of multiplying churches, as a matter of fact. They're not just waiting for things to happen; they're actively encouraging new beginnings.
Building Up Communities in the Evangelical Free Church
When you look at a specific example, like Grace Community Church, you find that it's an Evangelical Free Church. This particular church traces its roots in America back to the 1880s, which connects it directly to the historical journey of the denomination. This connection to the past helps ground the present work and gives a sense of continuity to their efforts, actually. It’s a way of understanding where they came from to see where they are going, pretty much.
Across America, there are nearly 1,500 Evangelical Free Churches, and about 50 of those are located in the New England district of the association. This gives you a sense of the reach and presence of these churches across different parts of the country. Each one is a local expression of the broader movement, contributing to the overall mission of glorifying God through the growth of transformative church communities. It's a network that spreads out, but remains connected by those core beliefs, you see.
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