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Goodlow Evangelical Free Church
January 11, 2015
Welcome to the Family
PREVIEW
• Welcome to EFCC• EFCC Statement of Faith• Involvement in Congregation Life
• EFCC defined• Historical background• EFCC character and
calling
Welcome – Overview
• EFCC defined• Historical background• EFCC character and
calling• EFCC Statement of Faith -
synopsis
Welcome – Overview
EFCC Defined
The Evangelical Free Church of Canada
(EFCC) is an association of over 150
churches
joined together by common
purposes, principles and practices.
Evangelical refers to our commitment to the authority of Scripture as being
inerrant in the original autographs and the only safe and sufficient guide to faith and practice. It also speaks to our belief that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ form the only basis upon
which, by God’s grace, we can be reconciled to our Heavenly Father.
EFCC Defined
Free • not a state-controlled church• congregational church government• local congregations maintain their
autonomy• they voluntarily band together
interdependently and freely
EFCC Defined
Historical Background
• The Evangelical Free
Church movement in
North America began
in the Scandinavian
countries of Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
• The Evangelical Free Church movement
in North America began in the
Scandinavian countries of Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.• Grounded on two historical events
Historical Background
Historical Background
• The Evangelical Free Church movement
in North America began in the
Scandinavian countries of Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.• Grounded on two historical events
• Protestant reformation – 16th
century
Historical Background
Three revolutionary principles of the
reformation:
1. Sola Scriptura (“only the
Scriptures”)
Historical Background
Three revolutionary principles of the
reformation:
1. Sola Scriptura (“only the Scriptures”)
2. Sola Gratia (“only by grace”)
Historical Background
Three revolutionary principles of the
reformation:
1. Sola Scriptura (“only the Scriptures”)
2. Sola Gratia (“only by grace”)
3. Sola Fides (“only by faith”)
• The Evangelical Free Church movement
in North America began in the
Scandinavian countries of Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.• Grounded on two historical events
• Protestant reformation – 16th century• Grass-roots movement away from
state-controlled churches – mid-19th
century
Historical Background
Grass roots issues addressed:• Dominance of the state over the
church
Historical Background
Grass roots issues addressed:• Dominance of the state over the
church• Deadness of the church
Historical Background
Grass roots issues addressed:• Dominance of the state over the church• Deadness of the church• Mandatory and open communion
Historical Background
Historical Background
Conviction regarding foundational
principles:• Church membership
Historical Background
Conviction regarding foundational
principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture
Historical Background
Conviction regarding foundational
principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture• Local church autonomy
Historical Background
Conviction regarding foundational
principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture• Local church autonomy• Ordinances for believers only
Historical Background
Conviction regarding foundational
principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture• Local church autonomy• Ordinances for believers only• Active involvement of lay persons
Historical Background
Conviction regarding foundational
principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture• Local church autonomy• Ordinances for believers only• Active involvement of lay persons• Missionary activity
“Believers affirming these principles began to develop informal and unofficial
gatherings within the larger State Church. But as these new groups began to
implement some of the principles, church authorities pressured them to abandon
their ways or withdraw from the established Church.
Historical Background
They chose to withdraw and began establishing new ‘Free Churches’ on their own. Hence the ‘Free Church’ was born.
Welcome to the Family (p. 7)
Historical Background
• 1884 saw the beginning of Evangelical
Free congregations in North America
Historical Background
Historical Background
• 1884 saw the beginning of Evangelical
Free congregations in North America• In 1950, the E. Free Church of
America was officially born
Historical Background
• As a result of revival movements
among Norwegian immigrants in
1911 in Winnipeg, the EFCC was
born
Historical Background
• As a result of revival movements
among Norwegian immigrants in 1911
in Winnipeg, the EFCC was born• The first EFCC congregation was
established in Alberta in 1913
Goodlow
Historical Background
• The first EFC church in B.C. was organized in 1938
• The first EFC church in B.C. was organized in 1938
• For many of the formative years, EFCC congregations were part of the EFCA
Historical Background
Historical Background
• EFCC was incorporated under a federal charter in 1967
• The first EFC church in B.C. was organized in 1938
• For many of the formative years, EFCC congregations were part of the EFCA
• EFCC was incorporated under a federal charter in 1967
• EFCC became autonomous in 1987 (Rev. D. Kroening served as the first President)
Historical Background
EFCC Character and Calling
Our Character:...Every local church,
denomination and ministry organization is a part
of the Kingdom [of God] and carries some responsibility in the work of
the Kingdom. As a part of the Body of Christ, EFCC desires to
understand and fulfill its particular calling in the work
of the Kingdom.Welcome to the Family (p. 10)
EFCC Character and Calling
Our Character:The EFCC will seek to live out our
calling to be a community in Christ, reflecting the fullness of
His vision for the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in heaven.” We will do this by putting aside the
prevailing values of our time and replacing them with the
radical demands of the gospel of God’s grace.
Welcome to the Family (p. 10)
Our Calling:• In essentials, unity;• In non-essentials, charity;
EFCC Character and Calling
Our Calling:• In essentials, unity;• In non-essentials, charity;• In all things, Jesus Christ
EFCC Character and Calling
THE LAW OF THE PENDULUM
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)A pendulum can never return to a point higher
than the point from which it was released – because of friction and gravity...
EFCC Statement of Faith
Galileo Galilei
“...the universe dwarfs us both in age and extent, and this teaches us of the majesty
of God...Even while humans are the highest member
of God’s creation, we must not lose sight of the fact that
God is in the center of creation,
not us.”D. Snoke
EFCC Statement of Faith
...there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone
preaches any other gospel to you than what you
have received, let him be accursed.Galatians 1:7-9
EFCC Statement of Faith
EFCC is committed to God’s evangel – the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Who died and rose again to give us eternal life.
To God’s glory, the Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Our essential theological
convictions are vitally connected to this Gospel.
Welcome to the Family (p. 25)
EFCC Statement of Faith
1. God’s Gospel originates in and expresses the wondrous perfections of the eternal, triune God
EFCC Statement of Faith
1. God’s Gospel originates in and expresses the wondrous perfections of the eternal, triune God
2. God’s Gospel is authoritatively revealed in the Scriptures
EFCC Statement of Faith
1. God’s Gospel originates in and expresses the wondrous perfections of the eternal, triune God
2. God’s Gospel is authoritatively revealed in the Scriptures
3. God’s Gospel alone addresses our deepest needs
EFCC Statement of Faith
4. God’s Gospel is made known supremely in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
EFCC Statement of Faith
4. God’s Gospel is made known supremely in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. God’s Gospel is accomplished through the work of Christ
EFCC Statement of Faith
4. God’s Gospel is made know supremely in the
Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. God’s Gospel is accomplished through the
work of Christ
6. God’s Gospel is applied by the power of the
Holy Spirit
EFCC Statement of Faith
7. God’s Gospel is now embodied in the new
community called the church
EFCC Statement of Faith
7. God’s Gospel is now embodied in the new
community called the church
8. God’s Gospel compels us to Christ-like living and witness to the world
EFCC Statement of Faith
7. God’s Gospel is now embodied in the new
community called the church
8. God’s Gospel compels us to Christ-like living
and witness to the world
9. God’s Gospel will be brought to fulfillment by the Lord Himself at the end of the age
EFCC Statement of Faith
7. God’s Gospel is now embodied in the new
community called the church
8. God’s Gospel compels us to Christ-like living
and witness to the world
9. God’s Gospel will be brought to fulfillment by the Lord Himself at the end of the age
10.God’s Gospel requires a response that has eternal consequences
EFCC Statement of Faith
What Next?
6 …without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek
Him.
Hebrews 11:6
What Next?
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the
saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard
before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
What Next?
6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard
and knew the grace of God in truth; We...do not cease to pray for you,
and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
What Next?
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being
fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,
for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
Colossians 1:3-6;9-11
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