Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family

Goodlow Evangelical Free Church

January 11, 2015

Welcome to the Family

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit

family...

http://www.twu.ca/efcc/efcc.htm

...in another city.


Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few

nuts.



PREVIEW

• Welcome to EFCC


PREVIEW

• Welcome to EFCC• EFCC Statement of Faith


PREVIEW

• Welcome to EFCC• EFCC Statement of Faith• Involvement in Congregation Life


Welcome – Overview

• EFCC defined


• EFCC defined• Historical background



• EFCC defined• Historical background• EFCC character and

calling



• EFCC defined• Historical background• EFCC character and

calling• EFCC Statement of Faith -

synopsis



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








• Protestant reformation – 16th

century



Three revolutionary principles of the

reformation:

1. Sola Scriptura (“only the

Scriptures”)




reformation:

1. Sola Scriptura (“only the Scriptures”)

2. Sola Gratia (“only by grace”)




reformation:

1. Sola Scriptura (“only the Scriptures”)

2. Sola Gratia (“only by grace”)

3. Sola Fides (“only by faith”)






• Protestant reformation – 16th century• Grass-roots movement away from

state-controlled churches – mid-19th

century



Grass roots issues addressed:• Dominance of the state over the

church



Grass roots issues addressed:• Dominance of the state over the

church• Deadness of the church



Grass roots issues addressed:• Dominance of the state over the church• Deadness of the church• Mandatory and open communion




Conviction regarding foundational

principles:• Church membership




principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture




principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture• Local church autonomy




principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture• Local church autonomy• Ordinances for believers only




principles:• Church membership• Tenets based on Scripture• Local church autonomy• Ordinances for believers only• Active involvement of lay persons




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.



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)



• 1884 saw the beginning of Evangelical

Free congregations in North America




• 1884 saw the beginning of Evangelical

Free congregations in North America• In 1950, the E. Free Church of

America was officially born



• As a result of revival movements

among Norwegian immigrants in

1911 in Winnipeg, the EFCC was

born



• 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


• 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



• 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)



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)



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.



Our Calling:• In essentials, unity;



Our Calling:• In essentials, unity;• In non-essentials, charity;



Our Calling:• In essentials, unity;• In non-essentials, charity;• In all things, Jesus Christ



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



...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 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.




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




2. God’s Gospel is authoritatively revealed in the Scriptures

3. God’s Gospel alone addresses our deepest needs



4. God’s Gospel is made known supremely in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.



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



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



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





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





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



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


Documents

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family