Historically, the Evangelical Free Churches were
Lutheran in theology and background but explicitly rejected state control but this has evolved today to a broadly Evangelical movement that is free from ecclesiastical control. This is expressed in the nature and function of the EFCM which operates as a national coordinating body without authority over the local churches. In its
Statement of faith, EFCM affirms the absolute authority and
inerrancy of the
Bible for all Christian faith and practice, the
Trinitarian nature of God;
atonement in the
sacrificial death of
Jesus Christ and his
resurrection;
original sin; Christ as head of the church and the local church's right to
self government; the personal,
premillennial, and imminent
return of Christ; the bodily
resurrection of the dead; and the two
ordinances of water
baptism and the
Lord's Supper. In addition, the EFCM also claims the following characteristics or distinctives: •
Evangelical - committed to the essence of the Gospel as affirmed in their Statement of faith •
Free - asserts the autonomy and independence of the local church, and the liberty of the individual believer to adhere to aspects of the faith which
does not affect one's salvation •
Reformed & Pietistic - values both the rational and relational, i.e. to have a clear head when it comes to doctrine and a warm heart when it comes to devotion •
Inclusive - membership consists of those who have a personal faith in Jesus Christ but does not exclude those who are not baptised, not confirmed or in complete agreement with every point of doctrine •
Congregational - affirms the right of each local church to govern its own affairs free from ecclesiastical control as the best expression of the
priesthood of all believers •
Ecumenical - passionately believes in the unity of all believers and is willing to join Christians of other traditions in accomplishing the
Great Commission while preserving their distinctives ==Affiliations==