Biblical and Missional. United and Free.

If I called you at 3:00 a.m. and asked you to tell me what the Evangelical Free Church of America is all about, what would you say? Could you answer? Would you try to recite the mission statement? Perhaps our Foundation Stones? Would you recount some of the stories from the EFCA's 75-year history?

I suspect this exercise would be a challenge—even if I asked you at 10:00 a.m. If we, leaders who are invested in the ministry of the EFCA, have a hard time articulating the EFCA's identity, how much more will the people we're called to shepherd? 

This is why I initiated the creation of a new tagline for the EFCA.

Since my introduction to the movement, I have known two things to be abundantly clear about the Evangelical Free Church of America. First, we are a people of the Book; we love and cherish the Word of God. Second, we are a people who live out our evangelical heritage with an unwavering commitment to the Great Commission. Free Church people are biblical and missional. Tethered to the Text, committed to our calling.  

I witnessed this back in 1981 through Pastor Mike Andrus’ biblical preaching and heart for church planting, and I’ve continued to see it as I intersect with leaders from across the EFCA in my current role as acting president.  

One thing, among many, that I love about our biblical and missional DNA is how significant they have been to our identity as a movement. These core traits keep the Evangelical Free Church of America united doctrinally, relationally and missionally, even in the midst of disagreement. They provide a solid foundation, which frees each pastor, each congregation, each community to bring the gospel to their unique context. 

God, in His providence, has knit together a movement of churches who value the gift of our freedom—spiritually and organizationally—but our unity is a choice. One of our favorite words as a movement is “autonomy.” However, coupled with autonomy is the importance of “interdependence.” We willingly and joyfully choose to unite around our theological convictions to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission. 

This summarizes what we all know about the EFCA: We are biblical and missional, united and free. It is because of these inherent traits, inseparable from the identity of the EFCA, that I believe we will see God continue a work of transformation in and through our movement. I pray this new statement will equip ministry leaders, missionaries and staff with a clear and memorable way to articulate the identity of the EFCA. 

I encourage you to read the latest edition of The Movement magazine—and I hope you catch a glimpse of that core identity of the EFCA. Of biblical truths transforming lives as they move from head to heart. Of individuals, churches and ministries responding to the Great Commission. Of autonomous and interdependent congregations united in our core convictions and free to follow the Great Commandment in our local contexts.

Together, let’s remain tethered to Scripture, to our mission and to one another as we meet needs in the spaces God ordains for those of us who call the EFCA “home.” As we do, I believe we will fulfill our mission to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people.