This book seeks to give clarity to the theological convictions contained in that statement. Greg, can you explain what led to the writing of this book. We consider the efca statement of faith sof public domain. Tom mcdill, referring to olsons books as well as his oversight of the efcas original statement of faith. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the evangelical free church of america, relate to the statement of faith. The apostle paul wrote forcefully about christian liberty in the book of. Evangelical convictions kindle edition by efca, strand. Under requirements for ministerial credentials, it states that all must subscribe without mental reservation to the statement of faith of the efca. The evangelical free church of america shall be an association and fellowship of autonomous but interdependent congregations of like faith and congregational government.
This book seeks to give clarity to the theological convictions contained in that statementspelling. In 2008, the efca adopted an updated, strengthened statement of faith. Olsons this we believe, which for 50 years has served to clarify the 1950 statement of faith. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the efca efca spiritual heritage committee, greg strand, bill kynes, william j. All of the doctrinal definitions come from the book evangelical convictions.
The efca credentialing document spells out the role of boms in carrying out the conference decision on credentialing. I believe this removal of premillennialism takes the efca in an unacceptable direction. Speaking in broad strokes, the process of ordination in the efca involves 3 steps. The efca was formed in 1950 from the merger of the swedish evangelical free church and the norwegiandanish evangelical free church association. What kind of authority does ec have the board of ministerial standing boms has been asked this question, particularly as it relates to credentialing and the fiveyear reaffirmation of the sof. This book seeks to give clarity to the theological convictions contained in that statement spelling out what is affirmed and what is denied and what is not addressed.
In its statement of faith, the evangelical free church of america affirms the authority and inerrancy of the bible. Article iii of the articles of incorporation of the efca, the statement of faith. This policy sounds a bit loose, until you realize we have a clear statement of faith, which speaks to the essential truths of salvation as well as the other foundational truths of christianity. Please join us as we study through the book of exodus. Efca statement of faith with scripture references efca. In 2004 a process was initiated that provided an opportunity for those in the evangelical free church of america to reexamine and finally to reaffirm their central theological convictions. The central district is firmly committed to the following statements of the efca. Oneonone with greg strand on premillenialism and the efca. Unity when possible, fidelity when necessary the gospel coalition. Efca statement of faith, evangelical convictions and credentialing greg strand december 9, 2014 2 comments how does evangelical convictions. Evangelical convictions is a theological exposition of our statement of faith reflecting a consensus of the efca, as affirmed through the efca board of ministerial standing and the efca board of directors, regarding the meaning of our statement of faith, and it is the determinative guideline in responding to questions raised during the.
A biweekly roundup of news, events, resources and stories from the evangelical free church of america. The efca is committed to a congregational form of government as stated in our articles of incorporation. Efca statement of faith, evangelical convictions and. Efca statement of faith on occasion a part of the board is put in this location to help achieve the business s short term and longterm aims. A church can lean to either doctrine, and still be efca member churches in good standing. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by gods grace through faith alone in christ alone. In 2008 the efca adopted a newly revised statement of faith.
A lot of occasions, board members work for charitable organizations, which means they are often in work which s nonpaying or hardly pays. The evangelical free church of america efca has changed its position on end times doctrine. An audio version of the book, evangelical convictions. We now have an audiobook version of evangelical convictions. Efca now considers premillennialism a nonessential news. Evangelical convictions 9780911802481 nextstep resources. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the efca.
As one who has attended efca churches, i feel a deep sense of sadness at the decision. The evangelical free church of america efca changed its position on end times theology, voting this summer to drop the word premillennial from the denominations statement of faith. Statement of faith resource for your small group or bible study. May god bless the evangelical free church of america with a good day. Dave zierenberg is associate pastor of grace bible church efca in helendale, calif. Warren coe july 11, 2011 in 2004 a process was initiated that provided an opportunity for those in theevangelical free church of america to reexamine and finally to reaffirm their central theological convictions. The efca was formed in 1950 through the merger of two evangelical free church organizations. Following that update, the efca spiritual heritage committee wrote the book evangelical convictions. Greg strand, the efcas director of biblical theology and credentialing, worked on evangelical convictions. Other board members ought to bear in mind the resignations may signal problems or issues within the. If you would like some free resources to aid in your study please look at blue letter blue online or as an android or ios app. Each man retains the passion and sense of calling that led him to his unique point in historyleadership of the evangelical free church of america. Greg strand, director of efca biblical theology and credentialing, created an 11 week series that guides users through the efca statement of faithbeginning. Evangelical convictions serves the efcas pastors, leaders and members by conveying the theology, history and ethos of the broader efca movement.
The efca passed a substantial revision to its statement of faith on june 26, 2008. Read the referenced chapters to learn of the essential biblical and theological beliefs of these important doctrinal truths. Efca defends removing premillennial from statement of faith. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the evangelical free church of america is now available. The efca recently changed the term premillenial in their statement of faith.
A great resource to help teach the efcas statement of faith is the book evangelical convictions, available in both print and digital editions. The evangelical free church of canada is an association of autonomous churches united in a common commitment to gods evangelthe gospel of jesus christ, who died and rose again to give us eternal life. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the evangelical free church of america, relate to the statement of faith sof and credentialing. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the efca at. This book was drafted by members of the spiritual heritage committee, but its content was vetted by numerous efca pastors and others in various areas of efca. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the evangelical free church of america written by the spiritual heritage committee board of directors of the efca is about the statements of faith for the evangelical free church of america. The evangelical free church of america recently defended the denominations decision to remove the word premillennial from their statement of faith, arguing that it was not an essential teaching. The exposition of this statement in the book evangelical convictions. The efca has always been committed to ministry broader than the efca, those who are likewise committed to the gospel, which we hope is crystalized in our sof. Regarding the efca statement of faith sof discussion leading to adoption at salem, would you please explain what you did, i. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the efca 1st first edition hardcover. A number of people from the efca graciously agreed to read a chapter in the book and record it, which allowed us to compile and make available this audiobook.
Individual applicants desiring militar y service must give evidence that one is able to minister appropriately to military personnel and their families, or to the constituency served by the chaplaincy to which heshe is seeking endorsement. From 20032008, the efca was engaged in a revision of their statement of faith. On june 19, 2019, the evangelical free church of america efca voted to remove the word premillennial from their statement of faith. New efca statement of faith clarifies positions on controversial doctrines. Premillennialism is the belief that the second coming will bring forth a millenniumlong reign by jesus christ on earth, as described in the book. The book evangelical convictions a theological exposition of the statement of faith of the evangelical free church of america has good information to study and learn from. In this episode, pastor bill kynes reads the introduction from evangelical convictions for us. Evangelical free church of america is an association and fellowship of autonomous and interdependent churches united around the same statement of faith. The denomination drops end times doctrine from its statement of faith in a move to. Visit the efca national website statement of faith adopted by the conference on june 26, 2008 the evangelical free church of america is an association of autonomous churches united around. Strands of thought tag archive efca statement of faith.
A theological exposition of the statement of faith, a book. Efca statement of faith resources and teaching notes efca. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the evangelical free church of america. Below i talk with my friend greg strand, efca executive director of theology and credentialing, about this change. An exposition of the statement of faith of the efca to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe.
Efca defends removing premillennial from statement of. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the evangelical free church of america ec as part of that process, and what this meant. A theological exposition of the statement of faith of the efca 1st first edition hardcover on. They formed a unified statement of faith that focused on essentials and left out what they considered nonessential for christian fellowship in their churches. Write a 20page paper that engages with the efca statement of faith, and then defend your theology in a 2hour oral examination conducted by the credentialing council, which is composed of a dozen or so ordained local pastors. In many ways, the book s purpose is the same as dr.
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