The Evangelical Free Church of America is a pietistic Protestant denomination formed in 1950, when the Swedish Evangelical Free Church merged with the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association merged.
However, the EFCA is a member of the International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches, which includes Evangelical Free Churches in more than thirty nations, most of which originated in Europe and North America. English-language websites representing any of these denominations are appropriate for this category.
The Evangelical Free Church of America has historical ties with the Christian bodies that formed the Swedish Evangelical Covenant Church, now known as the Evangelical Covenant Church, but that denomination is covered in its own parallel category.
Doctrinally, the Evangelical Free Church of America modifies the common Pietist statement: "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, charity. In all things, Jesus Christ." The EFCA's constitution emphasizes faithfulness to evangelical beliefs while avoiding disputes over minor matters. Sound Christian doctrine should be coupled with dynamic Christian experience.
The EFCA holds that the Bible is inerrant and authoritative.
God exists in three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The original sins of mankind are atoned for through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. The denomination also holds to the premillennial, imminent return of Christ, and the bodily resurrection of the dead.
The Evangelical Free Church of America recognizes the ordinances of baptism with water and the observance of the Lord's Supper.
The denomination does not ordain women. The EFCA will not credential men who engage in homosexual conduct, or who do not believe that homosexual behavior is sinful, even if they remain celibate.
Local churches within the Evangelical Free Church are autonomous and free from state control. The governing body of the denomination is the Leadership Conference, which is held annually. Delegates may include credentialed ministers, chaplains, tenured university faculty, and representatives from each member church. A board of directors, elected by the Leadership Conference, manages the business of the denomination between annual Conferences. The denominational President is responsible for the oversight of pastors within the body and for the review, licensing, and ordination of ministers.
The headquarters of the Evangelical Free Church of America is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its function includes education, publications, senior housing programs, children's homes, and camp facilities.
The EFCA provides support for Trinity International University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity Law School, and Trinity Western University.
The EFCA consists of regional districts which consider and approves applicants for ordination.
The Evangelical Free Church of America has been growing steadily. The largest number of congregations are in California, although its overall membership is concentrated in the Midwestern United States.
The focus of this category is on the Evangelical Free Churches. English-language websites for the EFCA, as well as any the other national denominations of the Evangelical Free Church, are appropriate for this category, including its districts, associations, missions, educational facilities, and associated organizations or corporations.
Websites representing local congregations or churches should be submitted to the Local & Global category that corresponds to its geographical location, however.
Recommended Resources
Serving member churches of the Evangelical Free Church of America in Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, and southeastern South Dakota, the district was founded in 1898. Member churches may be located through the site, and a history of the denomination and region are given, along with pastor resources, church and layperson resources, retreats, campgrounds, and a calendar of events. Members may register for events online.
http://www.efcacentral.org/
Challenge is a youth program of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and a national gathering for students in the 7th through 12th grades. Its location, schedules speakers and artists, a planning guide, and registration and waiver form are presented. Area hotels are suggested, and its daily equipping labs are published to the site. Registrants may apply online, update their reservations, and receive a confirmation packet.
https://www.experiencechallenge.org/
The biennial national conference of the Evangelical Free Church of America is open to pastors, leaders, and leadership teams, as well as other members of the denomination. A promotional video is presented, along with an overview of its sessions, musical experiences, workshops, and fellowship opportunities. Its location is given, and shown on a map, along with directions and contacts.
http://www.efcaone.com/
Evangelical Free Church of America
The EFCA was formed from the merger of the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association and the Swedish Evangelical Free Church in 1950. The denominational website offers an overview of its identity, faith, mission, and history, as well as a description of its global and national missions, crisis response services, internships, and employment opportunities. Member churches may be found online.
https://www.efca.org/
Created as the Free Church Ministers and Missionaries in 1971, FCMM assists churches and ministry organizations of the Evangelical Free Church of America to provide retirement and other benefits to pastors, staff members, and missionaries within the denomination. Its history, mission, vision, and testimonials are published to the site, along with an overview of its products and services, contacts, downloadable forms, and documents.
https://www.fcmmbenefits.org/
New England District Association
NEDA is an association of churches in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and portions of New York that are affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America. Member churches may be found by location or name, leadership contacts are posted, along with conference schedules, a calendar of events, prayer calendar, and job opportunities.
http://efcneda.org/
One of seventeen in the Evangelical Free Church of America, the North Central District is made up of member churches in Minnesota. General information about the denomination, the district, and its programs and services are set forth, including its church multiplication programs, credentialing ministries, pastoral care, and placement services, conferences, a calendar of events, and a blog.
http://ncdefca.org/
