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August 27, 2010
Women Bible Study
Go deeper in your walk with God. Fridays at 7pm. More
Details.
August
29, 2010
Sunday Service
Join us this Sunday Pastor James Cater will continue the study of the book of
Leviticus.
September 11, 2010
Door to door evangelism
Be obedient to the great commission. Share your faith. More
Details.
September 18, 2010
Men's Breakfast
This is a time of edification, fellowship, and encouraging each other. More
Details
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Our
Distinctives
The Distinctives of the Evangelical Free Churches of America
"In essentials, unity. In
non-essentials, charity. In all things, Jesus Christ." -- Chrysostom
 In
essential beliefs - we have UNITY.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your
calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is
above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4.4-6 (NKJV)
In non-essential beliefs - we have
LIBERTY.
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls.
Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. So then
each of us shall give account of himself to God. Do you have faith? Have it to
yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he
approves. Romans 14.1, 4, 12, 22 (NKJV)
In all our beliefs - we show
CHARITY.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all
knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but
have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13.2 (NKJV)
1. The Evangelical Free Church of
America is INCLUSIVE not exclusive.
The great heritage of the Evangelical Free Church people around the world
includes the fact that fellowship and ministry opportunities in the local
church are based solely on one's personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and
Lord, trusting in Him alone for salvation. Membership requires commitment to
sound doctrine as expressed in our Statement of Faith. However, a person is not
excluded from membership because he or she does not agree on every fine point
of doctrine. Within the Evangelical Free Church, there is allowance for
legitimate differences of understanding in some areas of doctrine.
2. The Evangelical Free Church is
evangelical but not separatistic.
The Evangelical Free Church was born out of a heritage of commitment to the
authority and inerrancy of Scripture. We have deep convictions based on the
authority of God's Word, but we do not draw battle lines over minor points. Nor
do we make minor issues of doctrine a test of fellowship in the local church.
We are evangelical. We believe in separated living and personal holiness. But
we are not separatistic.
3. The Evangelical Free Church of
America is ecumenical in SPIRIT though not in structure.
We believe in the spiritual unity of the church, though not necessarily in
structural union. We join with other Christians and other denominations of like
precious faith in common goals and ministries to accomplish the Great
Commandment and the Great Commission. But we believe that there is strength in
diversity and that it is important to preserve our Distinctives. We recognize
that union in structure does not guarantee unity of spirit. Our foremost
concern is unity of spirit with our Lord, with each other and with other
Christians.
4. The Evangelical Free Church of
America believes in liberty with RESPONSIBILITY and accountability.
We believe in Christian liberty, but freedom always has its limitations.
Responsible Christians do not abuse freedom. The Apostle Paul wrote forcefully
about Christian liberty in the book of Galatians. He shattered the legalists
with the doctrine of grace. But in First and Second Corinthians and Romans, the
apostle also rebuked believers when liberty was abused. He declared boldly the
principles of Christian liberty but spoke with equal forcefulness about
Christian accountability. The Evangelical Free Church desires to preserve our
freedom in Christ and encourage our people to be responsible, godly men, women
and young people who desire to live under the control of the Holy Spirit, in
obedience to the principles and precepts of God's Word and in harmony with
God's will for life as revealed in the Scriptures.
5. The Evangelical Free Church of
America believes in both the rational and RELATIONAL dimensions of
Christianity.
We believe the Scriptures must be applied to our individual lives with warmth
of heart, warmth of message and warmth of concern. We believe it is essential
to have solid biblical content in our doctrinal understanding of faith, but it
is equally important to have a dynamic, vital relationship with God the Father
through Jesus Christ the Son and to live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sound
Christian doctrine must be coupled with dynamic Christian experience. Ours is a
ministry of love and reconciliation.
6. The Evangelical Free Church of
America affirms the right of each local church to govern its OWN affairs.
The Evangelical Free Church is committed to a congregational form of government
as stated in Article 10 of our Confession of Faith: "We believe that Jesus
Christ is Lord and Head of the Church and that every local church has the
right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs."
Strong pastoral leadership coupled
with discerning and well-equipped Christian lay people can produce spiritual
growth as well as significant church growth. The New Testament emphasizes the
importance of the Body of Christ ministering through the spiritual gifts that
have been given to each believer. "Congregational in government" means that
each local church governs its own affairs. Within the local church, the highest
human authority rests in the congregation.
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