An Evangelical Free church is a Protestant Christian church that belongs to the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) denomination. The EFCA was formed in 1950 as a merger of the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association.
Here are some key characteristics of Evangelical Free churches:
- Emphasis on the authority of Scripture – The Bible is viewed as the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the ultimate authority for faith and practice.
- Salvation through faith in Christ alone – Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by good works or sacraments.
- Believer’s baptism – Baptism is practiced as a public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ, not as a means of salvation.
- Autonomy of the local church – Each EFCA church is self-governing under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
- Congregational governance – Major decisions are made by the vote of the local church members.
- Importance of evangelism and missions – There is a strong emphasis on spreading the gospel and making disciples.
- Conservative theology – Evangelical Free churches adhere to historic Protestant beliefs and a conservative evangelical theology.
- Cooperation between churches – While autonomous, EFCA churches cooperate together for missions, relief efforts, church planting, education, etc.
- Affirmation of the spiritual gifts – The Holy Spirit empowers believers with spiritual gifts for ministry. Speaking in tongues and prophecy are practiced by some.
The name “Evangelical Free Church” highlights two important distinctions. First, the term “evangelical” identifies the church’s commitment to the authority of Scripture, salvation by faith alone, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Secondly, the term “free” refers to congregational self-governance and autonomy – each Evangelical Free church is free to govern its own affairs under the lordship of Christ.
History
The Evangelical Free Church has roots in 19th century Scandinavia. In the 1840s, several believers came together in independent “free church” movements who felt that the state churches of Sweden and Norway had drifted from biblical faith.
One group of believers in Sweden began meeting together for worship, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. This group officially organized in 1856 as the Swedish Evangelical Free Church. In 1884, Norwegian-Danish groups joined together as the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association.
These free churches emphasized salvation by faith in Christ alone, the authority of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, and autonomy of local congregations. At the turn of the century, many Scandinavian immigrants brought their Free Church roots to North America.
In 1950, the Swedish Evangelical Free Church merged with the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association to form the Evangelical Free Church of America. The EFCA has grown from about 35,000 members in 1950 to over 400,000 members today.
Beliefs
Evangelical Free churches adhere to historic evangelical theology and Protestant beliefs. Their Statement of Faith outlines primary doctrines:
- The Bible is fully inspired by God and is the supreme and final authority for faith and practice.
- There is only one true God who eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will one day return.
- The Holy Spirit indwells believers when they put their faith in Christ. The Spirit gives spiritual gifts and empowerment for Christian living and ministry.
- Humans were created in God’s image but rebelled against God and are corrupted by sin. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
- The Church is the body of Christ made up of all true believers. Local churches gather for worship, discipleship, service, and fellowship to glorify God.
- There will be a future physical resurrection of the dead – believers to eternal life with God and unbelievers to eternal separation from God.
In addition to these core doctrines, Evangelical Free churches hold to other orthodox Protestant positions like believer’s baptism, the priesthood of all believers, congregational governance, etc. They allow differing views on some secondary issues like the timing of Christ’s return, the extent of the atonement, etc.
Governance and Polity
Evangelical Free churches are congregational in their governance. Each local EFCA church is self-governing under the lordship of Jesus Christ. There are no higher ecclesiastical courts or bodies that dictate to the local church.
Decisions are made through a congregational form of government. Members vote on major decisions like adopting the annual budget, purchasing property, calling a pastor, doctrinal positions, etc. Elders often oversee the church’s spiritual matters while executive and administrative councils oversee day-to-day ministries and business.
While autonomous, EFCA churches freely associate with one another for fellowship, accountability, resource sharing, and cooperation in areas like church planting, missions, relief efforts, education, youth ministries, conference planning, etc.
The Evangelical Free Church of America serves as a service and resource ministry that coordinates cooperative efforts among churches in the denomination. However, the EFCA office and leaders have no governing authority over the local churches.
Worship and Practices
Worship services in Evangelical Free churches reflect both their evangelical and free church roots. There is generally a focus on Biblical preaching, prayer, and congregational participation.
Music is usually a blend of contemporary praise songs and traditional hymns. Some churches are more liturgical while others have a more informal worship format. The EFCA has no mandated liturgy or order of service that churches must follow.
Most Evangelical Free churches practice only adult or believer’s baptism by immersion. This serves as a public declaration of faith in Christ rather than conferring salvation. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated regularly as a memorial of Christ’s death on the cross.
There is an openness to the present-day operation of the spiritual gifts like tongues, prophecy, and healing. However, practices vary from church to church. Some churches actively encourage use of the gifts while others rarely practice them.
Preaching and teaching generally has a strong emphasis on Biblical exposition and practical application to daily living. Discipleship, small groups, and Bible studies are common practices to foster spiritual growth in the church.
Outreach and Missions
Evangelism and missions are strongly emphasized by Evangelical Free churches. Congregations support local and international missions work financially and by sending short and long-term missionaries.
EFCA’s ReachGlobal ministry coordinates outreach efforts like church planting, discipleship training, community development, and sharing the gospel in over 100 countries worldwide. Many local churches commission and support missionaries directly as well.
There are also EFCA affiliated schools, camp ministries, campus ministries, pregnancy resource centers, and other outreach focused organizations. While each local church determines their own outreach, cooperation enables greater impact.
Affiliated Ministries and Organizations
Here are some of the key ministries that operate within the EFCA:
- ReachGlobal – oversees EFCA’s international missions work
- ReachNational – coordinating church planting and revitalization in North America
- EFCA Seminary – trains pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders in Chicago
- ReachStudents – collegiate church planting and discipleship ministry
- EFCA Challenge – high school and college campus ministries
- EFCA Women’s Ministry – resources and conferences for women
- EFCA Today – official denominational magazine
- EFCA Foundation – manages church extension funds and planned giving
There are also four EFCA affiliated universities in Minnesota and California and around twenty EFCA camp ministries across North America.
Membership and Church Life
Individuals become members of a local Evangelical Free church by making a public profession of faith in Christ and being affirmed by the local congregation. Members commit to serving, giving, and participating in the church’s mission.
There are weekly Sunday services for worship, preaching, music, prayer, and fellowship. Programs throughout the week include small group Bible studies, youth and children’s ministries, men’s and women’s groups, senior activities, outreach events, and more based on each church’s unique ministries.
Leadership roles like pastors, elders, and ministry directors are available only to men based on the EFCA’s understanding of appropriate gender roles in the church. However, women actively serve in many ministry and volunteer roles.
There is typically a strong sense of community within Evangelical Free churches. Members display a unity that comes from shared beliefs and commitments while still celebrating diversity within the congregation.
Association with Other Denominations
While autonomous and nondenominational in governance, Evangelical Free churches share kinship with a number of other evangelical groups:
- Fellowship with churches in the National Association of Evangelicals
- Close ties to fellow Scandinavian rooted Free Churches like the Baptist General Conference
- Partner with International Fellowship of Evangelical Students campus ministry
- Cooperate with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship campus outreach
- Share core doctrines with mainstream evangelical denominations
There is also limited cooperation at times with more liturgical Protestant traditions on issues of shared concern like pro-life advocacy, religious freedom, disaster relief, etc.
Conclusion
Evangelical Free churches are evangelical in commitment to the authority of Scripture, salvation by faith alone, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. They are free in congregational governance, diversity in non-core issues, and liberty of conscience.
Rooted in Scandinavian Free Church movements, Evangelical Free churches today share core doctrines with the wider evangelical world while maintaining a distinct identity. There is a blending of current and traditional expressions of faith within a congregationally governed denomination.