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MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION
2018 MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Those Who Have Gone to Be with the Lord in 2018
Name City, State
Dr. Bradley Bacon Wheeling, IL
Dr. Roy Bebee Colorado Springs, CO
Rev. Alfred Bishop Altoona, FL
Rev. Gale Fister Missoula, MT
Dr. William Hamel Farmington, MN
Rev. David Hamm Dallas, OR
Dr. William Hannaford Darien, IL
Dr. David Hesselgrave Rockford, IL
Rev. Edsel Lindquist Westminster, CO
Dr. Howard Matson Wheaton, IL
Rev. Edgar Munyan Bethlehem, PA
Dr. Emery Nester Lihue, HI
Rev. Charles Olsen Plymouth, MI
Rev. Raymond Olstad Medford, OR
Rev. Daniel Petker Yakima, WA
Pastor Galen Reames Elk Grove, CA
Rev. Dale Schanely Lake Placid, FL
Rev. Charles (Bill) Shaffer Georgetown, KY
Rev. Frank Simcik Temple, TX
Rev. Rockne Stewart Post Falls, ID
Rev. Joe Valtinson Fridley, MN
New Members in 2018
Name City, State Category
Kirk Albrecht Irwin, PA Regular Member
Jedediah Brown Salt Lake City, UT Regular Member
Stephen Caldwell Lake Pleasant, NY Associate Member
Justin Christian Arroyo Grande, CA Regular Member
Timothy Etherington Lancaster, CA Regular Member
Jordan Gowing Spencer, IA Regular Member
Steven Gregg Gainesville, FL Regular Member
Edwin Hart Speculator, NY Associate Member
Martin Kang Albany, CA Regular Member
Clay Myatt Gainesville, FL Associate Member
Scott Nelson Chula Vista, CA Regular Member
Michael Roop Gainesville, FL Regular Member
Terrance Zink Princeton, MN Regular Member
Memberships Removed in 2018
Name City, State Charles Dake Medina, MN Andrew Gilbert Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi-Ken,
Marcus Johnson Round Lake Beach, IL
Roger Martin West Jordan, UT
Kevin Navarro Centennial, CO
James Toy Mason, OH
Myron Crockett Tacoma, WA
Mark Liesch Thermopolis, WY
Wilburn Owens Gaffney, SC
Jay Swanson Spokane, WA
David Asch Yorba Linda, CA
Steven Hjelle Des Plaines, IL
MEMBERS OBTAINING LIFETIME STATUS DURING 2018
Name City, ST Name City, ST
William Abernathy Morristown, TN Paul Phair Boca Raton, FL
Mark Bendell Chaska, MN Harold Roesler Rose Hill, KS
John Bodnar Racine, WI Keith Rohrer Gordonville, PA
Gary Bowman Chula Vista, CA Fernando Ronci San Antonio, TX
Neal Brown Palm Harbor, FL Kirk Russel Stafford, VA
Hebron Burke Carlsbad, CA Randall Scheil Cedar Rapids, IA
Mark Cain Chagrin Falls, OH Terry Schoenfeld Saint Louis, MO
Bruce Campbell Kailua Kona, HI Glen Schrieber Jacksonville, FL
David Carlson Danville, IN Gary Schulte Lincoln, NE
William Cripe Waterville, ME Richard Schwartz Billings, MT
Richard Cryder Hamilton, OH Melvin Sich Lincoln, NE
Ralph Erickson Eagle Bend, MN Mark Smeltzer Glenwood, IA
David Groleau Dix Hills, NY David Sotelo Turlock, CA
Brian Harris Dundas, MN David Staff Ames, IA
Gary Hesse Leavenworth, WA Richard Starcher La Mirada, CA
Steven Hobson Quezon City, MM Richard Thompson Osceola, IN
Randle Huddleston Claremore, OK Gary Walker Franklin, IN
Gary Hvass Northfield, MN William Wick Northfield, VT
James Kallam Charlotte, NC Jack Wilson Orefield, PA
Randy Larson West Salem, WI Eugene Wilson Chambersburg, PA
Douglass Miller Wethersfield, CT James Wolfe Taylorville, IL
Dennis Painter Nevada, MO
EFCA Network 2019 Budget 2018 Beginning Fund Balance - $125,162 2018 Ending Fund Balance - $148,765.49 Revenues - $40,000 projected from EFCA Leader contributions
● 2017 actual was $40,512 ● 2018 actual was $33,787.50
Expenses
● 2017 actual was $43,700 ● 2018 actual was $11,378
Budget
● Board meeting and travel $2,000 Travel and lodging for Theo Conf., live mtg one day before
● Printing Materials $200 For annual meeting handouts
● MA Promotion $3,000 Videos to promote Network vision and values - heroes, recovery, leader health etc.
● Recovery Church $20,000 Support National office admin of RC through RC leader travel, funding gathering of RC leaders and District Care leaders etc.
● District Support $15,000 Provide around $1,000 per District for projects most helpful to each District, such as copies of Evangelical Convictions, scholarships for leaders to retreats, etc.
● Theology Conference Annual Meeting Dinner $5,000 Visibly invest in bringing EFCA leaders together
● Board Discretionary for Projects $4,800
Freedom for Network Board to invest in new / unforeseen projects to support the Network’s purpose
● Administration $5,000 National Office Support
TOTAL: $55,000
November 6, 2018
Dear Member of the Ministerial Association,
We thank God for your faithfulness to the Lord and His church and we pray for you, trusting that
God is working through you to bear much fruit for His kingdom and glory!
For the last several years the MA Board has been discussing and refining a proposal to
repurpose and re-energize our association. We have shared the ideas and motivations at the
last two MA meetings (read the details and watch the Jan. 2017 proposal at
efca.network/strategy). An overview and detailed proposal to change our MA Constitution and
By-Laws is available at efca.network/proposal. At our next MA meeting at TIU on February 7,
2019, we will have a final discussion and then vote on this proposal. Please contact us if you
have trouble accessing the proposal or have any questions about it!
We sincerely hope you will be there for this historic moment. Registration for the Theology
Conference is now open - please join us there! If you cannot make it in February, please let us
know your thoughts.
Since 1894 the Ministerial Association has brought EFCA pastors together to encourage and
support one another. We intend to build on this legacy while expanding it to include all leaders
in our movement. The new MA, called The EFCA Network, will be about connecting all of us
because we need each other and we are “better together.” It is not designed to duplicate or
compete with the structures and programs provided through our District and National offices
but rather to support them. (Watch a two minute video at efca.network).
As a leader in the movement, you are a part of our broader association. This Network is about
fostering our shared identity as Free Church leaders and not about running programs or events.
It is about enhancing our culture as God-glorifying, Bible-believing, gospel-saturated,
partnership-minded brothers and sisters. Whenever you call a missionary to encourage them or
meet with a fellow ministry leader over coffee you are living out the vision of the Network. It is
simply about connecting leaders to pursue our mission together.
The MA expresses the movement that is the EFCA in distinction from the institutions set up in
the district and national offices. Those structures provide programmatic support and the MA
helps infuse them with life. Here are some of the initiatives the MA is committed to:
● SUPPORTING RECOVERY CHURCH - administered through the National office but
partially funded from MA members because we care for our wounded and want to
provide hope and healing for them.
● PROVIDING EVANGELICAL CONVICTIONS BOOKS - delivered through Districts but
funded by and provided with a letter from the MA board so it's clear it's coming from
ministry peers (grassroots, bottom-up) and not administrative directors (top down).
● EMPHASIZING CREDENTIALING - administered through District and National, but
encouraged by the Evangelical Convictions books, letters and through the structure of the
new MA that ties voting membership to possession of an active credential.
● HELPING MAKE PHONE CALLS – a supplemental resource offered to Districts that might
need additional help contacting and caring for pastors and leaders, showing the spirit of
teamwork on the MA board with a desire to try to support where we can.
● FUNDING A FELLOWSHIP DINNER at the theology conference – provided by the National
team but funded by the MA as a gift to one another and expression of our desire to tie the
movement together.
● CURATING RESOURCES – we manage a dynamic blog (efca.network/blog) with posts by
EFCA leaders related to personal health and ministry effectiveness to serve EFCA leaders
in various stages and roles. If you have something helpful, please send it to us to share!
● FUNDING LEADER HEALTH GATHERINGS - as requested by District Superintendents,
we subsidize or provide scholarships to events that promote spiritual renewal, marriage
enrichment, etc. for EFCA leaders.
If the proposal is affirmed then in 2019 you will not have to pay dues to be a part of the EFCA
Network/MA. (This year - in 2018 - you still do!) We will still invite you to contribute every year
to support our efforts to serve and strengthen one another. For example:
● $36 would purchase two copies of Evangelical Convictions for new pastors, ministry
directors, chaplains or missionaries.
● $50 would provide books for an ethnic leader to begin their theological education through
Gateway.
● $75 would provide a partial scholarship for a bi-vocational pastor and his wife to attend a
retreat in their District.
● $100 would fund a partial scholarship toward the EFCA Theology Conference.
● $150 would provide a 50% scholarship toward the cost of Gateway 1.
● $250 would cover the cost to fly a Recovery Church leader to meet in person with a pastor
in serious pain. (See our 2018 budget at efca.network/archive.)
The Lord is at work in dramatic ways throughout the EFCA. You are a part of that and we praise
God for you. May the Lord Jesus be exalted in and through every one of us as we “stir up one
another to love and good deeds.”
Yours in Christ, The Ministerial Association Board
Darin Anderson Tampa, FL [email protected] 847.243.7703
Paulo Freire Wantage, NJ [email protected] 862.500.1266
Todd Hessel Ankeny, IA [email protected] 515.822.5678
Kelly Larson Bishop, CA [email protected] 714.448.2786
Ministerial Association The EFCA Network Bylaws
Article I – Introduction
A. Name
The name of the organization is The Ministerial Association of The Evangelical Free Church of America EFCA
Network, hereafter referred to as the Association Network.
B. Purpose
As an organization of pastors and ministerial leaders of the Evangelical Free Church of America, this Association
Network exists to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical well being of its members in ways that
enhance their overall effectiveness in ministry support district, national, and international initiatives for the care and
effectiveness of all EFCA leaders.
Article II – Confession Statement of Faith
The Statement of Faith of the Network shall be the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, as may be amended by the EFCA
from time to time, and currently states as follows:
The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of autonomous churches united around these theological
convictions:
God
1. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three
equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has
graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
The Bible
2. We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As
the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for
salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it
is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
The Human Condition
3. We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam,
human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving
work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Jesus Christ
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel's
promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified
under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our
High Priest and Advocate.
The Work of Christ
5. We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient
sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
The Holy Spirit
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He
regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also
indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
The Church
7. We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone.
They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local
churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and
the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when
celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Christian Living
8. We believe that God's justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us
to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the
poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to
combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always
bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Christ’s Return
9. We believe in the personal, bodily and premillennial return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time
known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial
service and energetic mission.
Response and Eternal Destiny
10. We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving
the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to
condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new
heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Article III – Membership
A. Qualifications
Membership opportunities are available to those seeking the mutual benefits and responsibilities offered by participation in
this Association.
1. Full Membership is open to those who hold a ministerial credential with the Evangelical Free Church of America.
A. Full membership provides the following benefits consists of those ministry leaders who:
(1) the right to vote in the association’s business and to participate as a voting delegate at the EFCA National
Leadership Conference.
(2) the opportunity to serve on the Ministerial Association board or other committees and councils established
by the Board.
(3) the opportunity to identify oneself as a supporting participant with other Association members in various
cooperative ministry efforts.
(4) access to EFCA benefits programs such as the FCMM Retirement Plan.
(5) discounts on various conferences, placement services, training materials and the like as provided through the
Association.
(1) hold a current ministerial credential in good standing with the EFCA or have been granted LIFE
membership in the Network; and
(2) are members in good standing of an EFCA church; and
(3) subscribe without mental reservation to the Statement of Faith of the EFCA; and
(4) demonstrate a cooperative spirit with the purposes and policies of the EFCA and a lifestyle consistent
with the biblical standards of Christian conduct.
B. Full Membership also carries with it certain responsibilities to maintain one’s membership in the Association by
provides the following benefits:
(1) maintaining one’s EFCA ministerial credential.
(2) keeping one’s membership dues current.
(1) the right to vote in the Network’s business and to participate as a voting delegate at the EFCA National
Conference;
(2) the opportunity to serve on the Network board or other committees and councils established by the Board;
(3) the opportunity to identify oneself as a supporting participant within the Network in various cooperative
ministry efforts.
2. Associate Membership is available to those individuals who are presently serving as pastors in the Evangelical Free
Church of America or in other recognized EFCA ministerial positions. This would include such individuals as: (1) those
serving in the EFCA without credentials but intending to pursue credentials with the EFCA. (2) those serving in the
EFCA and holding ministry credentials with other credentialing groups. (3) those serving in the EFCA (whether
credentialed or not) who are formally recognized for their ministerial position by the local EFCA church in which they
serve.
A. Associate Membership provides the following benefits consists of those leaders within the EFCA who do not
hold ministerial credentials with the EFCA but who are engaged in vocational or bi-vocational ministry and
includes, but is not limited to, senior pastors, associate pastors, youth pastors, children’s pastors, administrative
pastors, pastors of music/worship, ministry directors, seminary professors, chaplains, church planters,
missionaries, institutional ministry leaders, and parachurch ministry leaders. In addition, associate members
must::
(1) the opportunity to identify oneself as a supporting participant with other Association members in various
cooperative ministry efforts.
(2) access to EFCA benefits programs such as the FCMM Retirement Plan.
(3) appropriate discounts on various conferences, placement services, training materials and the like provided
through the Association.
(1) be members in good standing of an EFCA church; and
(2) subscribe without mental reservation to the Statement of Faith of the EFCA; and
(3) demonstrate a cooperative spirit with the purposes and policies of the EFCA and a lifestyle consistent
with biblical standards of Christian conduct.
B. Associate Membership also carries with it certain responsibilities to maintain membership in the Association
provides the following benefits:
(1) a signed affidavit at enrollment indicating one’s full agreement with the EFCA Statement of Faith, one’s
desire to be supportive of EFCA Ministerial Association ministry endeavors, and an ongoing affirmation of that
commitment throughout one’s associate membership.
(2) keeping one’s membership dues current.
(1) the opportunity to identify oneself as a supporting participant within the Network in various cooperative
ministry efforts.
3. Change of Membership Status - At the time that an Associate Member receives a ministry credential with the EFCA,
that person’s status will be changed to Full Membership, and he or she will be eligible for all the benefits of full
membership.
B. Procedure
Upon receiving an application for membership at the Association office, pending membership will be granted by the
Executive Director. The approval of an application is completed when the Board of Directors presents it to the annual
business meeting of the Association and it is received by a majority vote.
C. Annual Dues B. Annual Contributions
Annual dues A voluntary contribution will be requested of each member. The amount Suggested amounts will be
proposed by the Board of Directors for approval by the members. Reduced membership dues will be established for
those with limited annual income. All gifts are tax-deductible.
D. C. LIFE Membership
Members will be granted LIFE membership following their 65th birthday.
D. Voting Membership
In order to have voting rights in the Network, an EFCA leader must meet the qualifications above and hold a
ministerial credential in good standing. Only voting members may be elected to the Network Board.
E. Dismissal from Membership
Members will be dismissed from either full or associate membership if:
1. A Full M member’s EFCA ministerial credential is surrendered or revoked.
2. An Associate M member’s conduct is such that it would call for surrender or revocation if he or she had an EFCA
ministerial credential.
3. A Full or Associate member fails to remain current in payment of Association dues. A member transitions from
vocational or bi-vocational ministry apart from being granted LIFE membership.
Article IV - Officers
A. The Board of Directors
1. Composition.
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Chairman of the Association, four other members, and the Executive
Director of the Association Network and no less than three nor more than eight voting members. The Chairman
will appoint a Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer from the Board of Directors.
Duties.
a. The Board of Directors shall arrange for an Annual Meeting of the Association Network. to be held in conjunction
with the Annual Conference of The Evangelical Free Church of America. They shall oversee the activities of the
Association, Network and establish and appoint members to all committees needed for the work of the Association,
and review annually the work of the Executive Director of the Association. Network.
b. The Chairman will preside at the annual meeting of the Association Network, provide leadership for the Board of
Directors and serve or appoint a representative from the Board of Directors to the on the Board of Ministerial
Standing of The Evangelical Free Church of America.
c. The Vice-Chairman shall preside in the absence of the Chairman.
d. The Secretary shall keep minutes and records of all business meetings of the Association Network and the Board
of Directors.
e. The Treasurer shall oversee the financial affairs of the Association Network.
2. Election.
a. A nominating committee will present nominees for Chairman and Board of Directors. Candidates may also be
nominated from the floor. All candidates must be voting members of the Association. Network, holding a
ministerial credential in good standing.
b. The Chairman and the Board of Director shall serve for three years. The Chairman may be reelected for one
additional term. Board Members may be reelected for one additional term. A Board Member may be elected as
Chairman of the Association. Network.
c. Vacancies in the office of Chairman or on the Board of Directors shall be filled by election at an Annual Meeting.
Those elected will serve the remaining years of the vacated term and will be eligible for re-election.
B. The Executive Director
1. Election.
a. A candidate for Executive Director shall be nominated by the Board of Directors which may seek the assistance
and recommendation of a search committee.
b. The Executive Director shall be elected by the Association for a term of three years.
2. Duties.
The primary duties of the Executive Director shall be defined in a job description approved by the Board of
Directors. In general, the Executive Director shall provide vision and administrative leadership to the Association.
Article V – Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting at an annual
meeting, provided that any such amendment shall have been published and distributed to all members no less than ninety
days before that meeting, with an invitation for comments and suggestions. Any such published amendment may itself be
amended by a majority vote before its approval at the meeting, except that no such secondary amendment may materially
expand the subject matter or the scope of the published amendment.
Article VI – Dissolution
Dissolution of Association the Network may be accomplished only by the vote of two-thirds of the members at an Annual
Meeting. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Association remaining after the payment of or provision for debts shall
be conveyed to such other organization or organizations as are, in the judgment of the members at the meeting which effects
the dissolution, best suited to carry out the purpose and objectives of the Association Network, provided, however, that any
such successor organization, at the time of conveyance, must be exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of said Code, as amended, or under any
successor federal law that may then be in effect.
Adopted – June 1994
Amended – June 2009
Amended – February, 2019
1
TheMinisterialAssociationoftheEFCAASummaryoftheHistoryandGoalsofourAssociation
1894-2016DarinA.Anderson
HISTORICALBACKGROUNDOFTHEFREECHURCHMOVEMENT
OurScandinavianforefathersweretheviolentandfearedheathensknownasVikings.Around
theninthcenturytheCatholicChurchbroughtbothcivilizationandChristianitytoourlands.Following
theProtestantReformationinEurope,LutheranscametoSwedenandlatertoNorway.“Thepriests,
accompaniedbysoldiers,weresentoutbytheking,GustavVasa,andthepeoplemustchoosebetween
acceptingtheestablishedfaithandbeingbaptized,orbeingputtodeath.Themajoritychosethe
former.”1
Whiletheseforcedconversionwerelamentable,theWordofGodreachedthepeopleintheir
ownlanguage,andthisfactalonequicklyborefruitbothinlaypeopleandministersalike.Linesbeganto
bedrawnbetweentrue“awakened”believersandtheunregeneratemajoritywhowereattending
worshipandcommuniononlybecauseitwas,atthattime,requiredbylaw.217thCenturypietism,
flowingfromtheHalleSchoolinGermanyandtheGenevaschoolofRobertHaldanebroughtstreamsof
revivalthatbegantoforcegroupsoftruebelieverstoindependence.3MethodistmissionaryGeorge
ScottservedinSwedenfrom1830-42,hostingillegalgospelservicesthattheLordblessedwithrevival.
ScottwentontopublishthePietisten,aperiodicalthat“wouldbeaninstrumentofrevivalandfree
churchpromotionwellintothe20thcentury.”4
SomeoftheconvertedremainedintheLutheranStateChurchbutothersbegantoformsmall
communionsocietieswhere“believersonlybutallbelievers”5couldshareintheLord’sSupper
together.“Someofthesecommuniongroupswouldeventuallybecomefreechurchcongregations.The
yearsbetweentherelaxingoftheConventicleLawin1858andtheUppsalaincidenttocomein1878
wouldgenerallyberegardedasthewatershedintransforminggroupsofbelieverswithintheChurch
1TheFreeChurchActivities,Aug.H.Modig,1924.2WhatitMeanstobeFree.CalvinB.Hanson,1991,p.37.3Hanson,p.27:EuropeanleadersoftheFreeChurchmovement(GuassenandD’aubigne)“illustratewhatwastobecomethenormwithfreechurchfounders:adesiretoreformthechurchfromwithinandfoundingfreechurchesonlyasaresultofbeingforcedoutoftheestablishedchurch.”TheinfluenceofPietismwasstrongenoughthattheSwedishparliamentissuedtheConventicleLawin1726topreventgatheringsoutsideoftheStateChurch(Hanson,p.34).4Hanson,p.36.5Hansonusesthisphraseto“verysuccinctlycaptureoneoftheover-ridingdistinctivesoftheEFCA,”p.17.
2
intofreechurchesassuchandwouldbeyearsofremarkableblessingandunusualrevivals.”6TheseFree
Churchesquicklycameunderattack,withmanyoftheirleadersabusedandimprisoned.Farfrom
stoppingthemovement,thepersecutiononlyservedtomakethelinesofdemarcationclearer,resulting
inmoreindependentchurchesandthentheformationofindependentdenominations.
The1878incidentfeaturedPeterPaulWaldenstrom,whosemostcontroversialsermonactually
deniedthesubstitutionaryatonementevenashecoinedtheFreeChurchrallyingcry,“Wherestandsit
written?”WhenthisordainedLutheranPastorwasnotallowedtousetheUppsalaCathedralfora
communionservice,“22,000convertedchurchmemberssigneda‘communionpetition’requesting…a
‘closed’communionserviceforbelieversonly.Therequestwasdenied.Theresultofthisdenialissuedin
theorganizationoftheSwedishMissionCovenantin1878,”aparallelinSwedenoftheFreeChurch
movementtakingshapeatthattimeinAmerica.7
“WhataretheScandinavianspringsfromwhichthedistinctlyAmericanEvangelicalFreeChurchriverrises?Theyareatleastfourinnumber:first,thehomegatheringsforBiblereadingandbelievingindividualswhostoodagainstthedeadorthodoxyofthestateLutheranChurches;second,thegreatsweepofthePietistmovementspringingfromtheUniversityofHallewhichsurgedfromHelsinkiintheeasttoCivilWarAmericainthewest;third,therevivalfiresoftheMoravianBrethrenandMethodistgroupswhichledmanywould-beemigrantstoChrist;andfourth,thepolitical-economic-religiousfermentwhichunleashedupontheshoresoftheUnitedStatesourhardyScandinavianforebears:Lutheran,FreeChurch,andVikingpaganalike.”8“About1840theSwedishpeoplebeganimmigratingtotheUnitedStatesingreatnumbers.Thiswascausedbythehardtimesthenexistinginthehomeland,thepersecutionoftheChristians,andthecompulsorymilitarytrainingwhichwassodetestabletoagreatnumberoftheyoungmen.ThusmanyChristians,aswellasnon-Christians,soughtrefugeinAmerica…During1845-1860manyindependentchurchessprangup.SomeofthesewerefashionedaccordingtothetypeoftheSwedishStateChurchwithbelieversandunbelieversasmembers,othersacceptedonlytrueChristians…Theindependentchurchessoonfeltthenecessityofmutualfellowship,andaccordinglyBibleConferencesandMissionmeetingswereheld.Thesedidnotprovequiteefficientasaconnectinglink.ThereforetheMissionSynodwasestablishedinKeokuk,Iowa,May22,1873.AsthisdidnotsatisfyalloftheChurches,athirdorganizationwasformedinGalesburg,Ill.,May18,1874,namelytheAnsgariiSynod.”9
6Hanson,p.37.7Hanson,p.40,citingDiamondJubileeStory,H.WilbertNorton,p.45.8ALivingLegacy.SpiritualHeritageCommittee,1990,p.20.9TheFreeChurchActivities,Aug.H.Modig,1924.
3
Theimpulsesthatbroughttheseindependentpastorsandchurchestogetherwere(1)fellowship
amongothertruebelievers,(2)thedesiretolearnaboutandencourageoneanotherwiththeassurance
oftheLord’simminentreturnandtherefore(3)theurgentneedtosendoutevangelistsand
missionariesintotheharvestfields.ThusanotherFreeChurchdistinctive,“togetherweminister”was
builtintoourfoundingDNA.
Theindependentspiritofthosefounders,however,madeunifiedeffortsachallenge.Attempts
tounitetheMissionSynodwiththeAnsgariiSynodfailed,butthepropheticandmissionalgatherings
providedsufficientrelationshipandmotivationtoproduce“TheChristians’ConfederatedActivities,”at
thelandmarkconferenceheldinBoone,Iowa,in1884,whichisconsideredthebirthoftheSwedish
EvangelicalFreeChurchofAmerica.“TheFreeChurchisnotaproductofdissensionfromanyother
denomination.Itoriginatedinthisway,thatanumberofindependentchurchesorganizedintoa
commonConferenceinviewofconductinghomeandforeignmissions.”10
TheNorwegian-DanishrootoftheEFCAdevelopedalongsimilarlines.“Inthe18thcentury
GermanPietism,emphasizingtheregenerateChristianlifethroughfaithinChristandpromotingthe
studyoftheBibleinsmallgroups,madeinroadsintoNorwayandDenwark…Beingbrandedastheworst
kindofheresy,PietismmetwithfierceoppositionfromtheStateChurch…Withagrowingawarenessof
theradicalchangeconversionbrought,moreandmorebelieversfelttheneedofgatheringswhere,
apartfromthemixedmultitude,warmfellowshipwithothersoflikepersuasioncouldbeenjoyed...Here
asinSwedenthedefinitivefactorinbringingaboutabreakfromtheestablishedChurchandthe
foundingoffreechurchesprovedtobethematteroftheLord’stable.”11
FredrikFransonisthethreadunitingGod’sworkintheFreeChurchMovement:“aSwedewho
camefromAmericatoministerinNorway!”12Fransoncameinthemiddleofthemassemigrationthat
broughtoveramillionSwedesandnearlyasmanyNorwegianstoAmericabetweentheCivilWarand
WWII.13HisparentshadbeenimpactedbytherevivalsinSweden,andasFransonbegantoreadabout
themhimself,he“becameaSwedishcloneofDwightL.Moodyandministeredwithamazing
effectivenessintheMoodystyletoScandinaviancommunitiesacrossAmerica.”14Notonlyanevangelist,
butalsoanorganizer,FransonlefttwelveFreeMissioncongregationsbehindhimafteronlythirteen
10Modig.11WhatitMeanstobeFree,CalvinB.Hanson,p.41,44.12Hanson,p.45.13“Between1846and1932,387,000Danes,854,000Norwegians,and1,203,000Swedesemigrated.”ALivingLegacy,SpiritualHeritageCommittee,1990,p.20.14Hanson,p.45.
4
monthsofrevivalministryinNorway(1881-1883).15FransonembodiedthespiritoftheEFCAofwhich
hewasaforerunner,withhisgospel-centeredrevivalpreaching,hiscommitmenttochurchesfor
“believersonlybutallbelievers,”andhiszealtomobilizemissionariestotheendsoftheearth.16
TheprimaryfounderoftheFreeChurchinDenmarkwasJensJensen-Maarwhoestablishedfour
principles“toformaunionoftrulyfreechurches:…touniteinthecommontaskofgospelproclamation
andwinningthelostbothathomeandoverseas;toencourageandedifyoneanother;amembership
composedoftruebelieversonly;freetoadministeritsowninternalaffairs.”17Thedevelopmentofthe
earlyFreeChurchmovementinScandinaviaandinAmericarevealsthesefourcommonpurposes,
expressedbyJensen-Maar,allonthefoundationofanunwaveringcommitmenttotheauthorityof
ScriptureasGod’sWord.
ConfidentintheinspirationandinerrancyoftheBibleasGod’sHolyWord(“Wherestandsit
written?”),andthereforeurgedonbytheGreatCommissionandtheknowledgethatJesusiscoming
soon,18theFreeChurchfounderswerecommittedtocooperatingwithotherlikemindedministersand
churchesinpursuitofthesefourgoals:
1. MOBILIZEMISSION:Tosendevangelistsandmissionariestoproclaimthegospelandreach
thelostbothathomeandabroad.“Intotheharvest!”2. PROTECTINTEGRITY:Toensurethatallpreachersandmissionariesintheassociation
adheretokeystandardsofcharacterandtheology.“Allbelieversbutbelieversonly.”193. EDIFYONEANOTHER:Togatherforfellowship,Biblicaltrainingandtosupportoneanother.
“Togetherweminister.”204. PRESERVEINDEPENDENCE:Tomaintaintheautonomyofthelocalchurchandavoid
creatingacumbersomedenominationalbureaucracy.21“Eachchurchitsownsynod.”22
15Hanson,p.46.16AsignificantfigureinFreeChurchhistory,Fransonisalsoclaimedas“thefounderofBaptist,CongregationalandCovenantchurches.Fartoolargeamantobeconfinedtoanysinglegroupofhistime,FransonisclaimedbytheFreeChurchmoreintermsoftheecclesiologyhetaughtandpracticedthanintermsofdenominationaladherence.Asamatteroffact,aswillbeseen,theFreeChurchwasnoteventhoughtofasadenominationuntilwellintoitshistory.”Hanson,p.62.17Hanson,p.49.18ItisdifficulttooverestimatetheimpactofEndTimespropheciesontheearlydaysoftheFreeChurchinAmerica,withtopicsaddressedatconferencesin1881-1883suchas“TheimportanceofthedoctrineofChrist’sSecondComing;TheDayoftheLord;Antichrist;Israel;TheBride,theWifeandtheLamb;andTheMillennialKingdom.”Hanson,p.62.19FromthebeginningtherewasgreatconcernoverholinessthatproducedstrongconvictionsagainstpublicvicessuchaspolygamyandalcoholsothattheFreeChurchessupportedprohibition,“ineveryeffortputforthtoquellsuchiniquitiesineveryhonorablepurposeandplan.”Hanson,p.67,citingthefoundingcharterofthe1884meetinginBoone,IA.20ALivingLegacy.1990SpiritualHeritageCommittee,p.16.
5
TheironyofAmericaisthatmanyofthecolonistswhoarrivedwiththedesiretoworshipfreely
didnot,infact,providethesamefreedomforothersamongthem.Mostcoloniesinsteadestablished
theirownofficialreligionswithchurchessupportedbytaxationandlittletoleranceforthosewith
divergentviewsorpractices.TheideawasthatAnglicansshouldsettleinVirginia,Puritan
congregationalistsinNewEngland,QuakersinPennsylvaniaetc.RogerWilliamsinProvidence,Rhode
Island,andThomasHookerinConnecticutweretwoprominentexceptionstothisrule.Hooker’ssimple
constitutionpavedthewayforthenationalConstitutionnearly150yearslaterasWilliamPenn’s
guaranteeof“religiousfreedomforall”inPennsylvaniawouldeventuallybecomeU.S.policy.23
CarlAugustBjorkillustratestheparallelsoftheFreeChurchmovementinAmericawiththoseat
thesametimedevelopinginSwedenandNorway.BjorkarrivedinSwedeBend,Iowa,in1864.He
becamea“truebeliever”byreadingthePietistenand,thoughonlyacobblerbytrade,immediately
begantosharehisexperiencewithothers.AfaithfulmemberoftheSwedishLutheranChurchintown,
BjorkhostedsimplehomegatheringsthattheLutheranPastorfullysupported.AtthesemeetingsBjork
ledthesingingofhymnsandreadfromthePietisten.
BjorkandhisfollowersgrewincreasinglyuncomfortablewithsharingtheLord’sSupperwith
othersintheLutheranChurchtheyknewtobeunregenerateandsobegantohostprivategatheringsfor
believersonlytoobservethissacredordinancetogether.Atthesametime,theyformedaMission
Society“forfellowshipandedificationandmostofallasameansformissionaryendeavors,butitwas
notyetthoughtofasachurch…SomethingsimilartowhattookplaceatSwedeBendwashappening
hereandthereacrosstheland.WhilesomeofthesegroupsofMissionFriendswouldbecomeapartof
theEvangelicalFreeChurch,manymorewoulddevelopintoEvangelicalCovenantchurches.”24
JohnG.PrincellwasanordainedLutheranpastor.WhileservingachurchinManhattanin1877
wherearevivaltookplace,Princellattemptedtochangethechurch’spracticeandlimitmembership
andparticipationintheLord’sSuppertobelieversonly,followingtheNewTestamentpattern.Princell,
21“Weshouldnotfollowthemethodofthedenominations,however,insolvingthisproblem,namelybymultiplyingoforganizations,andorganizationswithinorganizations,untilalotofmachineryisneeded.”Hanson,p.66,citingChicagoBladet,August12,1884.22“Franson’ssimpleslogan,eachchurchitsownsynod,hadgreatimpactonchurchgroupswhobelievedthateachlocalchurchhadtherighttogovernitsownaffairs;thatactingasitsownsynodthelocalchurchcouldordainitsownministers;andthatfreeandindependent,thelocalchurchwasalsofreetoassociatewithothergroupsoflikeconvictiontoaccomplishitsmissionarytasks.”Hanson,p.63.23SeeHanson,pp.52-53.24Hanson,p.55-56.
6
greatlyinfluencedbyWaldenstrom,wascommittedtotheauthorityofScripturebutheldhismentor’s
deficientviewoftheatonementand,asaresult,wassuspendedfromtheLutheranministry.25
ManybelieverslefttheLutheranchurchandcamewithhimtofoundBethesdaMissionChurch
inNewYorkCity.AsFransonbecametheprimaryevangelistfortheFreeChurch,Princellbecamethe
primaryprofessor.26PrincellbecameakeywriterfortheChicago-Bladet,27anewpublication(in1877)
thatgavenationalvoicetoFreeChurchideasontheauthorityofScriptureand,aboveall,the
independenceofthelocalchurch.PrincellandotherBladetwritersproducedstrongandconsistent
attacksondenominationsingeneral.28EFCAPresidentArnoldT.Olsonsummedituplikethisin1984:
“WestillfollowthesloganintroducedbyFranson:thecongregationshallbeitsownsynodandshould
joinwithotherstocarryouttheLord’swork…”29
SothefoundersoftheEvangelicalFreeChurchdidnotsetouttostartadenomination.30Rather,
theycametogetherasasmallbandoflike-mindedGospelpreachersrecognizingthattheycouldbetter
fulfilltheGreatCommissiontogetherastheylaboreddiligently,anticipatingtheLord’sveryimminent
return.
“Theneworganization[in1884]wascalled‘KristnasGemensammaVerksamhet”[TheChristians’ConfederatedActivities].Andastheverynameimplies,thisneworganizationwasestablishedonaverybroadbasis.TheideawastomakeanorganizationwithroomforallwhobelievedinChristandwhoacceptedtheBibleastheWordofGod.Itsoughtnoseparatingshibbolethsindoctrineorconfessiontowhichapplicantsformembershiphadtosubscribe.ThesimplestatementoftheNewTestamentthatallwhobelievedwereaddedtothechurchwastheguidingprinciple.Thisprinciplehastoagreatextentbeenmaintainedeversince…
25PrincellemphasizedtheloveofGodanddeniedthewrathofGodortheneedforpropitiation.26Princellwas“therealfounderoftheFreeChurchwork,whoformorethanthirtyyearshasnotonlystoodwithusbutgonebeforeusasaprinceinourspiritualwarfare–ourteacher,ourfriendandafatherinChrist,who,byhisdeepandgenuinepietysetabeautifulexampleforallofus,andwho,throughhisexceptionalknowledgeandgifts,alongwithhisdevotiontoGod,gaveameasureofrespectandrecognitiontotheentireFreeChurchwork.”
MAChairmanAndrewModig,annualreporttotheconference,1915.CitedinThompson,‘AHistoricalSketchoftheMA,’p.3,1969.27“ItwasProfessorPrincell’sinfluenceasanassociateeditorofthatpaperduringtheyears1880-1884thatledtotheformationoftheSwedishFreeChurch.”RoyA.Thompson,“AHistoricalSketch,”p.5,1969.28“From1879on,FransonandPrincelljoinedMartenson[editoroftheChicagoBladet]ina‘concertedefforttoabolishexistingorganizationsamongtheLutheranMissionFriendsandtopreventtheestablishmentofanynewones…’”Hanson,p.59.29TheSearchforIdentity,A.T.Olson,p.130-131,1984.30“Princellwasafierceandarticulateproponentoftheabsoluteautonomyofthelocalchurch.Hisstandwasverystrongandhighlyindividualistic.Hetirelesslytaughtthatnolocalchurchshouldsalaryitsministers,adoptanycreedbeyondtheBibleitself,orkeepanylocalrecordsofbusinessmeetingsormembers.(AnyonewhohastriedtoworkonlocalFreeChurchhistoriesknowshoweffectivethisstaunchadvocateoflocalautonomywas!).”ALivingLegacy,SpiritualHeritageCommittee,p.23,1990.
7
“TheFreeChurchhasthereforebeenverycosmopolitanastoitsdoctrinalmake-up.Variousformsandmethodsofbaptismhave,forexample,beentolerated,evenpracticed…“PrayerandaconsistentanddiligentstudyoftheBiblewerecardinalvirtues…ThiswasparticularlytrueconcerningthepropheticportionsoftheBible.ThepersonalandimminentreturnoftheLordwasperhapstheforemosttruththatgrippedtheheartsandmindsoftheFreeChurchpioneers.Itbecamenotmerelyadoctrine,buttomanyananticipatedevent.Itbecametomany‘theblessedhope’andtheirguidingstar.Everythingtookshapeandformwiththateventstronglyinmind.Aglorioustruthitwas,andis…“ItcreatedanurgentandspeedycallforChristianworkers.Thegospelmustbepreachedandthetimeinwhichtodoitwasverylimited.Hencearushwasmadefortheharvestfields.Trainedanduntrainedworkerslaboredtogether.TheyallclamoredfortheopportunitytogathersomesheavesbeforetheLordoftheharvestshouldappear.”31
MOBILIZINGMISSION
Savingsoulswaswhatbroughttheindependentpreacherstogetherinthelate1800s.“Those
whoplayedamajorroleinthismovementweremostlyyoungpreachers;menwithstrongconvictions,
ferventinspirit,zealousforthegloryofGodandeagertowinthelostforChristandHisKingdom.They
werecapableofhardworkandwouldnotbedeterredintheirearnestpursuitsbythemostbitter
opposition.”32
Inthelate1800s,FreeChurchesblossomedandspreadalloverAmerica,fueledbyasteady
streamofimmigrantsand,aboveall,bytheflowingwatersofrevival.“Nootherrationalexplanationwill
suffice.Revivalwasafrontierphenomenon.”33Thepioneerpreachersweremoreevangeliststhan
pastors,bothbynecessityofhavingsomanytoreachinsoshortatimeandbyconvictiontoavoid
complacencyandconformitytotheworld(i.e.theliberalchurches).“Thebrethrenwereanxioustoget
asmanyworkersintothefieldaspossible,andwhenevermenofanytalentwerefound,theywere
urgedupontojoininthework.Thusmanyweresentforth.”34
“TheFreeChurchwasnotorganizedasadenomination.Primarilyitwasintendedtobeamissionaryenterprise…Althoughnodefiniteorganizationwasaccomplished[atthe1884Boonemeeting],yetenoughwasdonetomarkthebeginningofamoredefinitework…Allwerealive
31TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p.29-30,1934.32LaborersTogetherwithGod.Dahlen,Anderson,p.7,1945.33Hanson,p.77,forexample:“Thepowerfellonthespeaker.Withdeepgroaningshesaggedtothefloor…HebroughtthehearerssoclosetotheCrossthateveryheartfeltthesolemnityoftheoccasion…EveryunconvertedpersonpresentsurrenderedhimselftotheLord.”34TheFreeChurchActivities,A.H.Modig.
8
totheblessingsbestowed;allwerethrilledbythepreciouslightsheduponandthroughthepropheticword,andallwereonfireforthesavingofasmanysoulsaspossible,andinasshortatimeaspossible.Jesuswascomingsoon–thatwastheheart-throbbackofitall.Andthatwassufficient.”35ThemissionalcommitmentoftheFreeChurchwascentralinthe1884gatheringinBoone,Iowa.
AcouplewasidentifiedatthatconferencewiththehopeofsendingthemasmissionariestoIndia.This
plandidnotmaterialize,butin1887thenewlyformedassociationsentitsfirstmissionary,J.H.Von
Qualen,toCanton,China,wheretheworkwouldcarryonwithmuchfruitforgenerations.
Itisalsovitaltorememberthatuntilthe1930ssuchasteadystreamofimmigrantswouldcome
fromSweden,NorwayandDenmarktoAmerica(sometimesasmanyas15,000eachyear)thatreaching
themrequiredanintentionalmissionarystrategyemployingnativespeakersofeachlanguagewhocould
bringtheGospelintotheirimmigrantcommunities.ThiswastheimpulsethatledFransontoUtah–not
toreachMormonsbuttoreachtheSwedeswhohadsettledinUtahbeforetheMormonsgottothem.
ThiswastheguidingprincipleoftheCongregationalChurchwhich“madethetrainingofimmigrant
preachersthecenterpieceoftheirstrategy,”andtherebyhelpedtrainandsendmanypreachersand
missionarieswhowouldbecomeleadersintheFreeChurch.36
“TheprimarypurposeofthenationalorganizationwastohelpthecongregationsbettercarryouttheGreatCommissionandprovidefellowship.Itwasstartedandismaintainedasanorganizationformissions.Inthis,thepartsaregreaterthanthewholeforwithoutthepartsthewholewouldneverhavecomeintoexistencenorwouldithavesurvived.Thehighestauthoritywasandisinvestedinthelocalcongregationswhosedelegatesmakethedecisionsofmutualconcerninaccordancewiththepurposesoclearlystatedatthebeginningandrecognizeforthelastcentury:‘TheEvangelicalFreeChurchofAmericanshallbeanAssociationandFellowshipofindependentcongregationsoflikefaithwhoseonlyobjectivesshallbethesalvationofsoulsandtheedificationofbelieversinfaith,hopeandlove.’”37
The1950merger38oftheSwedishFreeChurchwiththeNorwegian-Danishbranchaffirmedthe
centralityofmissionasthereasonforthedenomination’sexistence:“Thepurposeoftheorganization
35TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p.27,1934.36Hanson,p.72-74.37TheSearchforIdentity,A.T.Olson,p.128,1984.38“318SwedishEFCmembersoftheMinisterialAssociation;185churcheswithapproximately12,000members.TheNorwegian-DanishEFChad134pastorsandmissionariesonitsMinisterialListand90churcheswithanestimatedconstituencyof6,000people.”ProposedMergerPlan,1949AnnualReportoftheNorwegian-Danish,p.18-19.
9
shallbetopromoteandextendtheworkoftheLordbytheproclamationoftheGospel;alsoto
encourageChristianfellowshipamongthoseministeringintheEvangelicalFreeChurchofAmericaand
inawholesomeandlovingmannerbuildoneanotherupinthefaith…membersareexpectedtolive
GodlylivesandproclaimfaithfullytheWordofGodwithinthehistoricframeworkoftheEFCA…An
applicantformembershipmust‘workinharmonywiththeprinciplesoftheEFCA.”39Thispurpose
statementshowstheinterconnectednessofmission,integrityandmutualedification,withindependent
churcheschoosingtopartnertogethertothegloryofGod.
PROTECTINGINTEGRITY
By1893itbecameapparenttotheFreepastorsandchurchesthatsomerecognitionhadtobe
giventowhowasaknownandworthypreacherintheassociationinordertofilteroutimpostorsand
heretics.
‘Untiltheyear1893,theFreeChurchwasonlyapartlyorganizedassociation.Consequently,worthyaswellasunworthypreachers,tooktheprivilegeofidentifyingthemselveswithourmission,andfromtimetotime,suchpresentedthemselvesas,bytheirunworthyconduct,broughtourownbrethrenintodisrepute.Thusourorganizationwasofttimesforcedtoserveasaplaceofrefugeforundesirables.Formanyyearsthisconditioncausedourpioneersgreatconcern,tillatlastamotionwasmadetoorganizeaMinisterialAssociationthatmightserveasabarrierbetweenouruprightbrethrenandthosewho,foranyreason,wereunworthyofconfidenceandfurtherance.’40SothesecondmilestoneinFreeChurchhistory,afterthe1884“GospelCoalition,”wasthe
organizationoftheMinisterialAssociationonOctober11,1893withanoriginalgroupof37pastors.“It
haseversinceservedasaprotector,givingfurtherancetotheworthyandexcludingtheunworthy.”41
Affiliationwithbrethrenof“kindredfaithandprinciplesforthepurposeofmutualhelpand
encouragement…providedprotectionfromundesirableelementsposinginthegarbofChristianliberty,
whilemisrepresentingthecauseofChrist.”42
FortheSwedishEvangelicalFreeChurch,anofficialstatementoffaithwasnotestablisheduntil
justbeforethe1950merger(andthatconfessioncreatedbytheMinisterialAssociation).43Butthe1894
39TheSearchforIdentity.A.T.Olson,p.133,1984.40TheFreeChurchActivities.,Modig,citingRev.A.A.Andersonin‘FrikyansMinnesskrift.’41Modig.42LaborersTogetherwithGod.,Dahlen,Anderson,p.8,1945.43“TheresolutionadoptedattheBoonemeeting:‘Withoutherewithwishingtodeclareaconfessionoffaiththatinanywayshallbebindingforourselvesorothers,otherwisethanasanexpressionofwhatwefindthedivine
10
Associationsetupanordinationprocess“uniqueatthattimeamongAmericanchurches,butwhichis
stillfollowedinfourstepstoday[in1990]:(1)Thelocalchurchsponsorsthecandidate.(2)TheDistrict
examines.(3)TheNationalMinisterialapprovesandrecords.(4)Thedistrictandlocalchurchtogether
ordaininthelocalchurch.1893-1894heldEFCApastorstoatripleaccountabilityunderGod’scall.”44In
1909“TheNorwegian-DanishgroupsadoptedthefirstAmericanFreeChurchstatementoffaith…They
votedtoadoptanine-pointparenttothetwelve-articlestatementoffaithwhichwasadoptedforty-one
yearslateratthemergeroftheSwedishandNorwegian-Danishgroups.”45
Inthiswaytheyoungmovementprotectednotonlythetheologicalintegrityofitspreachersbut
alsotheircharacter.TheNorwegian-Danishside,forexample,hadthissafeguardingpolicybuiltinto
theirConstitution:“Membersofthissociety,whoselifeandpracticearenotinaccordancewiththe
abovestatedprinciples,orconcerningwhomcomplaintsofimproperconductarecirculated,maybe
summonedtoappearbeforetheboard,wheresaidcomplaintsshallbeinvestigated,and,iffound
necessary,referthemattertorevokethemembershipofsuchaperson,afteradecisionhasbeen
reachedbythemajorityvoteofmemberspresent.”46
“Theaccrediting,governinganddisciplineofministers,missionaries,andinmanycases,professors,hascalledforlocalFreeChurchestoseekcommonidentityinthedevelopmentofanationalministerialassociationchargedwiththelicensing,ordaining,credentialing,anddiscipliningofChristianworkers.Thispassionforministryinmissions,highereducation,andpersonnelhascalledustogetherandshapedouridentity:‘togetherweminister.’”47“Beitsaidofthisorganizationofbrethrenintheministry,thatithasinnosmalldegreebeeninstrumentalinmaintainingahighstandardofconductandChristianethics,inpromotingatrulyspiritualandscripturalministryinsponsoringBibleandpropheticconferences,inprovidingmaterialforBibleinstructionforchildrenandtheyoungpeople,andextendingahelpinghandtooneanotherintimeoftrialandneed.TheMinistersAnnuityandAidPlan,nowapprovedandacceptedbytheFreeChurchandendorsedbythelocalchurcheseverywhereonourfield,islargelyaresultofeffortsputforthbytheassociation.
wordteachesincertainthings,andwhichisofimportancetoallChristians…theWordofGod,especiallytheNewTestament,istheConstitutionofthechurchanditsunforgettablerule,thereforeitbehooveseachgroupofbelieverstostandfastinthelibertywherewithChristhasmadeusfree(Gal.5:1);i.e.individually,aswellascollectivelywehavetherightandobligationtoremainindependentofallformsofchurchauthority.”CitedinTheGoldenJubilee,p.28.44ALivingLegacy.SpiritualHeritageCommittee,1990,p.26.45ALivingLegacy,1990,p.27.46ConstitutionoftheEFCAssociationofAm,Norwegian-Danish,printedintheAnnualreportof1935-36,p.2.47ALivingLegacy.1990SpiritualHeritageCommittee,p.16.
11
“ItiswithgratitudetoGodwehereaffirmthatwhilethebrethrenoftenhavedifferedastotheinterpretationofcertainBibledoctrines,theyhaveneverthelessalwayspresentedasolidandunitedfrontagainstmodernismorunscripturalteachings.ThegreatfundamentalsorbasicdoctrinesoftheBiblesuchasthevirginbirth,theatoningdeathofourLordJesusChrist,theefficacyofHisblood,Hisphysicalresurrection,Hishighpriestlyofficeandfunctioninheaven,HisreturnforthemthatloveHisappearing,andHisvisiblereturntoearthtoreignandruleinrighteousness,havenotonlybeendefendedbutboldlyandemphaticallydeclaredbothinpreachingandteaching.”48
WithoutadoubtthesinglefactorthatguardedtheintegrityofFreeChurchpastorsandchurcheswasafoundationalcommitmenttotheinspirationandauthorityofGod’sWord.“Wherestandsitwritten,”ringsthroughthepagesofourhistory.LongtimeEFCAPastorandTEDSprofessorTedOlsensharedaboutoneofhisearlymemoriesasayoungpastor.49ArrivingearlyforaMinisterialAssociationConferencein1953,hecameuponagroupofgodlyolderpastorsinameetingtopreparefortheevent.Heheardstrainsofmusicand,ashegotcloserhecouldhearthatthesongtheyweresingingwas,“TheB-I-B-L-E,yesthat’sthebookforme.IstandaloneontheWordofGod,theB-I-B-L-E.”Itwasavividimpressionthathasstuckwithhimthroughhisover60yearsofministry.EDIFYINGONEANOTHER
TheFreeChurchmovementbeganasawakenedbelieversstartedmeetingwithoneanotherto
celebratetheLord’ssupper.Therewasafellowshipamongtheconvertedthataddedfueltotherevival
firesofthe19thCentury.Similarly,aspreachers,evangelistsandmissionarieslaboredintheharvest
fields–travelinglongdistances,combatingtheelements,dealingwithseparationfromlovedonesand
enduringallmannerofotherdangersandthreats–theyneededtimesofrefreshingwiththeirfellow
ministers.
“Thepioneersarrivedonthesceneinthedaysofyouth...Thevastnessofthetaskbeforethemconstitutedatremendouschallengeforstrengthandendurance.Manyofthemwerenewlymarriedpeopleandthefamilyincreasesbroughtnewresponsibilities…Vastareasoflandlaybetweenthesettlers,orimpenetrablewoods.Theywereprettymuchalone,andthrownupontheirownresources…neverthwartedexceptbytheforcesofGodornature…“Inthesedaysoffinancialdistress[in1934]folksshouldrecollectthepioneerdays.Itwouldlessenthefeelingofhardshipconsiderably.Peoplefeellikemartyrsiftheyarecompelledtowalk12blocksonsmoothsidewalks.Walking36milesthroughthickwoodsandbrush,carryingallthenecessitiesoflife,isadifferentstory…Thepioneer’sspiritualexistencewasabattle,aswashisphysicalexistence…Nothingcameeasy.Nooneexpecteditto.Thelittlepioneerchurch
48LaborersTogetherwithGod.Dahlen,Anderson.,p.7-10,1945.49IinterviewedPastorTedon12/14/15.
12
wasroughandsimple.Soweretheservices.Andsowerethesermons,thesongs,prayersandtestimonies.Noonewanteditotherwise.Anditfilledtheneedofthehour.”50
Inaddition,manyoftheearlypreacherswereuntrained,thinkingtheLord’sreturnwasso
imminenttherewasnotimeforextendedstudy.Untilformalschoolswerefoundedintheearly1900s,
“mostministersweredependentonBibleconferencesand2-3weekMinisterialInstitutestostrengthen
theirknowledgeoftheBibleandimprovetheireffectivenessinministry.”51
“TheSchoolworkintheFreeChurchisyetinitsinfancy[in1934].Itisregrettablethatitshouldbeso.ShortercoursesinBibleteachingandChristiantrainingweregivenfromthebeginning,asneedsandmeansseemedtoofferthemselves.Theleadersofthoseearlydays,althoughthemselvesfairlywelleducated,didnot,forthemostpart,encourageschoolworkwithintheorganization.Asbeforestated,greatstresswasputonevangelisticandmissionarywork,whichworkcouldbedonewithoutagreatamountofeducation.Atleastitappearedthatwayforanumberofyears.Onegreatrevivalafteranothersweptoverthechurchesandcommunitiesandoftentimestheinstrumentswereunlearned,thoughgifted,men.“Notuntiltheseseasonsofrefreshingceasedandtheworkinthechurchesbecamebetterorganizedandestablished,didtheactualneedofbettertrainedpreachersappear.Itwasabouttheyear1900thatRev.P.J.Elmquist,thensuperintendentofmissions,tooktheinitiativeinestablishingaBibleInstitute…ProfessorPrincellwascalledtoassistintheworkandbecametheleadingspiritintheworkuntilhisdeathin1915…Intheyear1926theFreeChurchvotedtoenlargeitsschoolfacilitiesbyaddingafouryearacademicorhighschoolcourse…LaterathreeyearSeminarywasaddedforthosedesiringtoentertheministry.”52
Evenasmoreformaltrainingbecameavailableforpastorsandmissionaries,theMinisterial
Associationcontinuedtoprovideopportunitiesforfellowshipandeducation.“BesidesourAnnual
Conference,theMinisterialAssociationsponsorsaMinisterialInstituteintheFall,duringwhichtimea
programofdevotional,doctrinal,propheticandpracticalmessagesaregivenfortheedificationand
inspirationofthebrethren.”53Thispracticecontinuestoday,thoughin2015responsibilityforthe
TheologyConference(formerlytheMid-WinterMinisterial)washandedtotheCredentialing
DepartmentofthePresident’sOffice.Committeeswereformedatvarioustimestoaddressissuesof
pressingconcernssuchastheordinationofwomenanddivorceandremarriageasitrelatestothe
50TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p.44,1934.51Thompson,p.4.52TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p.33-34,1934.53WillardJ.Eckman,SecretaryoftheMA,1954Yearbook,p.93.
13
credentialingofministers.54Andattheforefrontwasthedesiretohelponeanotherimprove
effectivenessinministry:
“Thinkofthequestionsthatconfrontusthesedays.ShallwebusstudentstoourSundaySchools,leavingtheirparentsinbed,orshallweinsistonwholefamiliescoming?Shallwebeginaseriousprogramofvisitationevangelism?Ifso,shallwevisitalaCampusCrusadeLayInstitute,orshallwegotheJamesKennedyroute?Shallwegiveourselvestoorganization,orshallwe‘hangloose’?IstheanswertobefoundinsmallgroupBiblestudiesandindepthsharing,orshallweinsistonthetraditionalstructuredservices?Shallwepush‘bodylife’?Shallwegearourchurchestotheseventies,growbeards,getwithit,andmaketheyoungcrowdhappy,orshallweslipbackintothepatternofthefortiesanddelighttheseniorcitizens?TherearetimeswhenIfeelconfusedspelledwithacapitalK,andIamtempted,likeStephenLeacock’shorseman,tomount,andrideoffinalldirections.”55
Inadditiontofellowshipandtraining,FreeChurchministerswerecommittedfromthe
beginningoftheirassociationtosupportandassistoneanotherasmuchaspossible.IN1909the
purposeoftheMinisterialAssociationwasexpanded:“topromoteandextendtheworkoftheLordby
thepreachingoftheGospel;alsotofostermoreintimatefellowshipamongthebrethren,andinan
affectionateandlovingmannerbeofassistanceonetoanother.”56
Theassistancewasinformalandspontaneousintheearlydaysand,bynecessity,limited.The
ideatostartanOldPeoples’Homein1910illustratesthispointwell:
“Rev.E.ThorellwastravelingfromUtahtotheyearlyConferenceheldinBoone,Iowa,1910.Onhisway,hestoppedoffinKearney,Nebr.,toconductameetingandcallonfriends.Herehefoundoneofourveteranpreachers,theusuallyhappyandcontentedbrother,L.M.Ekman.Butwhythesorrowandanxietypicturedinthekindface?Whythetearstricklingdownthefurrowedcheek?“Listtotheanswer:Ourvenerablebrotherisgrowingoldandfeeble.HisyearsandstrengthhavebeenspentinserviceoftheLordandtheFreeChurch…Hisfutureonearthseemsdarkandgloomy…HissorrowfulplightmadeadeepimpressionuponbrotherThorell.ArrivingatthemeetinghetoldofEkman’sworriesandrecommendedthatahomebebuilttocareforagedministersandotherswho,perchance,mightberenderedhomeless.
541980EFCAYearbook,MinisterialAssociationReport;recommendationsmadebytheMA“incooperationwiththeCommitteeonMinisterialStanding.”55JamesR.Leonard,ChairmanoftheMA.,1974yearbook,p.247.56Dr.RoyA.Thompson,“AHistoricalSketch,”1969,p.2.Henotesthatthiswordingwaspreservedunchangedupthrough1969.
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“Readyheedwasgiventohisappeal,andasaresultabeautifulhomewas,inashorttime,erectedafewblocksfromthebirthplaceoftheSwedishEvangelicalFreeChurch,underthecareandprotectionoftheMotherChurchinBoone…ReverendEkmanwasoneofthefirstinmatesoftheHomeandspenthere,inquiet,happinessandcontenthisremainingyears,afterwhichhepeacefullyfellasleepinthearmsofhisSaviour,andwaslaidtorestinthebeautifulcemeteryatBoone,aboutamilefromtheHome…”57“Thecareoftheagedwasalsothoughtof,thoughnotasearlyastheorphanagework.PerhapsthegreatestincentiveforerectingtheOldPeople’sHome,locatedatBoone,Iowa,wasthefactthattheFreeChurchhadseveralelderlypreachers,whohadservedwellintheirday,butwhonowlackedthecomfortsofahome.Aworkableplanofpensioningoldministershasnotyetbeendevised[by1934].Thenecessaryfundstocarryoutsuchaplanarealsohardtoobtain.Itissomuchharder,ofcourse,whenthedenominationissmall,tofindadequatemeanstocarefortheworn-outworkersofthevineyard.Asafirststep,therefore,inprovidinghelpforthoseministerswhowereinimmediateneed,thesaidhomewaserected.ThefirsttoenterthenewhomewasRev.E.L.Ekman,anelderlyveteranfromNebraska.TheHomeisabeautifulthree-storybrickbuildingaccommodatingaboutfortypeople,eachmemberhavinghisownprivateroom.”58
Aretirementprogramwasfinallysetupin1944,theproductofmuchdiscussionthroughthe
difficultfinancialdaysofthe‘30s.59“Agedmembers,orwidowsofministers,inneed,havereceivedhelp
regularlyaswellascertainonesexperiencingdistressingsituations.”60
“SinceSocialSecurityisnotavailableforpastors,itisimperativethatthePlanfollowthepresentprogram,asithasinpastyears.ShouldtheSocialSecurityprogramcovermoreministers,adjustmentscanbemade,buttheprobabilityisthatalargenumberwillnotqualifyeventhoughtheymightseektoenteronavoluntarybasis.“Ashasbeenpointedoutfrequentlybyyoursecretary,theMinister’sAnnuityandAidPlanoffersonlytheminimumofaidtoministersastheyreachthedecliningyears,butatleastwehaveaworkablePlanwhichmeetstheneedsofministerswithinthecapacityoftheFreeChurch.TheBoardofTrusteesispleasedindeedwiththesupportofthePlanbychurches,institutionsandministers.GodhasblessedthisaspectoftheFreeChurchworkinseekingto
57TheFreeChurchActivities,A.H.Modig,1924.58TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p.32,1934.59“TheMinistersAnnuityandAidPlanstartedaftermuchpromotionfromRev.ArthurG.Lindquist–amissionaryhomeonfurloughfromChina.DiscussionontheneedforthiskindofprogramstartedintheearlythirtieswiththeonsetoftheDepression,butnoplanwasagreedupon.”Dr.RoyA.Thompson,“AHistoricalSketch,”75thAnniversaryoftheMinisterialAssociation,1969,p.7.60JohnE.Dahlin,SecretaryoftheBoardofTrusteesforMAAP,1964Yearbook,p.197.
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meetaneedwhichhadbeenneglecteduntiladecadeago.Weaskyoudelegatesandpastorstoremainenthusiasticsupportersoftheplan.”61
In1971theFreeChurchMinisters’andMissionaries’plan(FCMM)wasestablished.This
retirementprogramwasadministeredthroughtheEFCAhomeofficeuntilincorporatingindependently
in2012andsubsequentlyexpandingtoaddbenefitslikeLongTermDisabilityInsurance.62
Fellowship,educationandmutualassistancewerefacilitatedthroughvariousgatherings,
conferencesandotherinitiatives,manyformallysponsoredbytheMinisterialAssociationandits
subcommittees.Forexample,theMAoftenpromotedseasonsofprayer.63AsE.A.HalleenputitinThe
GoldenJubilee,“Prayerwaseverybody’sbusiness.”64
“AResolutiontotheGeneralConferencefromtheMinisterialAssociation:‘ThataweekofprayerbeheldataveryearlydateinallourchurchesatthesametimetouniteinaskingGodforagraciousrevivalsentbytheHolySpirit(Jude33,3;2Chr.7:14)…Inviewofthreateningdangersandthechallengeofthepresentneed,wefurtherrequestthattheGeneralConferencemayseefittoappointaweekofprayerintheearlyFall,andcalluponallourMinistersandpeopletomeettogetherindefiniteandearnestprayerandsupplicationforafreshoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,thattheJubileeYearmaybeaseasonofconsecrationandsoul-winning.
“Wefeelthataweekofunitedprayerwoulddomuchtostrengthenourarmsinourfightagainstapostasy,worldliness,andspirituallethargy.AsagroupofChristianswhostandfortrueChristianityendeavoringtoholdforththeGospelLightinadarkeningage,wehaveagreatandimportantplacetofillinthismidnighthour.MaytheholyflamethathascontinuedtoburnuponthealtarsofourFreeChurchessincetheearlyyearsofthework,blazeanewwithdivinepresence,fromcoasttocoast.”65
AstheDistrictsbecamelargerandtheneedsofthemovementmorecomplex,additional
structureswerecreatedtoservetheministers.In1991theMinisterialAssociationapprovedthe
creationofanExecutiveDirector’soffice.“Thepurposewastogiveadministrativeleadershiptothe
variousministriesthathadgrownuparoundtheMinisterialAssociation.Theboardoftheassociation61JohnE.Dahlin,SecretaryoftheBoardofTrusteesfortheMAAP,70thAnnualConferenceoftheEFC,1964.62http://fcmmbenefits.org/history63“Itisnotenoughthatwebe-moanourfailuresandshort-comingsorevenrestuponanylaurelsthatwemayhaveaccumulated.OurneedisthatthepowerandunctionofGodrestsuponusinthesedarkdaysofspiritualdeclinationsothatwemaybefaithfultothetasksthatareathandandlieahead.”1954yearbook,p.93.64“AtsuchoccasionstheyoungerbrethrenintheministrywouldbeusedtoopenthesessionswithScripturereading.(Prayerwaseverybody’sbusiness.)Prayerandsupplicationswouldcomefromallpartsoftheroom,andalwaysofferedonbendedknees…”Halleen,p.38-39,1934.651934YearbookoftheSwedishEvangelicalFreeChurchofAmerica,50thAnniversary,CommitteeonResolutionsChairman,AxelJ.Thorwall,p.122,124.
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alsoenvisionedthecreationofministriesthatwouldstrengthenpastorsandtheirfamiliesforalifetime
ofservicewithintheEFCA.”66Dueswereraisedto$50peryearatthispoint(theoriginalcontribution
was$5intheearlydays)andhaveincreasedperiodicallytothe$75annualcontributiontoday.
MatchingpastorswithchurchesbecameeasierwhenMinisterConnectionwasintroducedin
1994as“aprayer-driven,consultant-assisted,‘fittedness’approachtoplacementthatusesthe
technologyoftheInternettocommunicate…Thesystemdoesnot‘doplacement.’Whatweoffer
requirestheinvolvementofapersonwhoisassistingintheprocess.Itprovidesthatpersonwith
relevantinformationthatisaccurateandabletobeupdatedregularly.”67
“‘Weseeitaspartofourresponsibilitytochallengeandencourageeachpastortodowhatisnecessarytocontinuetodevelopthestrength,endurance,flexibility,andstrategyrequiredto[runwellandfinishwell].Wecannotaffordtobeontheplayingfieldillequippedoroutofshape.’AstheBoardoftheMAhasworkedontheconcept,theyhaveconcludedthatthePastoralCareProjectshouldbeaframeworkofopportunitiesandexperiencesthatwouldencourageeveryMinisterialAssociationmembertocontinuallydevelopinthreecriticalareas:Spiritualformation,Personalwell-being,andMinistryexcellence…ThePastoralCareProjectisessentiallya‘self-careproject’wearevoluntarilyundertakingasanassociation.”68
OneofthekeymilestonesinthecareofEFCAministerswastheRecoveryChurchnetwork
developedintheearly1990s.By1995,ExecutiveDirectoroftheMAJohnHermancouldwrite:“With
morethanadozenEFCAchurcheshavingembracedatleastonehurtingorministry-wearypastoral
couple,wefeelwearereadytoofferthisopportunitywheneveritseemsappropriate.Fourchurchesare
preparedtoserveonanon-goingbasisthroughidentifiedteammembersandhousingoptions.The
ministryhasbeguntoreceivenationalattentionasamodelforotherdenominations.Severalcouples
haveactuallycompletedtheirrecoveryandareservingChristinsatisfyingministries.Additionalmaterial
andtrainingwillbemadeavailablein1995.”69
Asubtlebutsignificantshifttookplacein2003when,“themembersoftheEFCAMinisterial
Associationgavetheirsupporttoacommitmenttoserveanexpandedconstituency.Whileretainingan
identifiablemembershipasasolidbasefortheministry,additionalresourceshavebecomeavailable
throughthecreationofapastoralcaredepartment.”70Inessence,PastoralCareMinistrieswaslaunched
66JohnHerman,1994AnnualreportBook,p.76.67JohnHerman,1994AnnualReport,p.77.68JimRamsak,chairmanoftheMA,1994Yearbook,p.77.69JohnHerman,1995ReportBook,MAAnnualReport,p.107b.70JohnHerman,2004ReportBook,PCM/MAAnnualReport.
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toextendtheresourcesandcaretheMinisterialAssociationhadhistoricallyofferedtoitsmembersto
allministersintheEFCAmovement.
“TheroleofPastoralCareMinistrieswithintheEFCAmovementistoassurethatallEFCApastors[emphasisadded]haveaccesstothepracticalresourcesandthepastoralcarethatwillenablethemtoservewithexcellenceoverasustainedperiodoftime.If,byGod’sgrace,theEFCAexperiencesthemultiplicationofhealthychurchesamongallpeople,oneofthekeyfactorswillbethefaithfulministryofadiversegroupofhealthypastorswhoservewithaclearsenseofGod’scalling,drawingupontheiruniquesetofGod-givenresourceswhilemaintainingavitalrelationshipwithGodandothersaroundthem.”71
PRESERVINGINDEPENDENCE
Whilemanysoulsweresavedandmanyindependentchurchesfounded,theloose
organizationalstructureoftheFreeChurchledmanyofthesechurchestoassociatewithother
denominations.72TheSwedishEvangelicalFreeChurchwasn’tincorporatedassuchuntil1908,andthe
Norwegian-Danishin1912.Similarly,neitherbranchoftheEFCAhaditsownschoolforthetrainingof
ministersuntiltheearly1900s.TheSwedishBibleInstituteofChicagowasopenedin1901andthe
Norwegian-DanishBibleInstitutestartedin1910inRushford,Minnesota.
“Thechurchesarewellorganizedwithaboardofdirectorsandapastor,buttheyarefreeandindependentofanyecclesiasticalauthorityandarenotcontrolledbyasynodorpresbytery.Thelocalchurches,however,areorganizedintodistrictassociationsextendingoverthiscountryandCanada.Attheannualorsemi-annualmeetingsoftheseassociationsthechurchesarerepresentedbydelegates,buttheassociationactsonlyasanadvisory,andnotasacontrollingorjudicialbodyoverthelocalchurches.”73Thisconvictionalindependencewaswovenintothefabricofthemovement,forbetterandfor
worse.Theearlypioneerswere“asfreeastheprairiewinds;freshasthefragranceofthewoods.They71JohnHerman,PCM/MAAnnualReport,2004ReportBook.72“Asbeforestated,mostofthepreachersoftheFreeChurchwereatthistimetravelingministers.Graduallyitbecameevidenttoboththepreacherandthechurchesthatthissystemwasnotpractical.Theformercouldnot,inthisway,findampletimeforBiblestudy,andthelatterwerenotgiventhecarenecessaryforwholesomedevelopment.Whathadbeengainedthroughtheevangelisticworkmustnowbecaredfor.Thiswasatasknoteasilyaccomplished.Manyofourbrethren,whohadprovedmostsuccessfulasevangelists,provedutterlyincapableasteachersandleaders.Others,wellqualified,preferredevangelisticwork.Thusaroseascarcityofministers.HerebytheFreeChurchsustainedagreatloss.AlmosttheentirefieldeastofChicago,whereitsinfluencehadsopowerfullybeenfeltthroughtheworkofProf.Princell,A.L.AndersonandK.Erickson,wasalmostentirelylosttoourmission[totheCongregationaldenomination]…Kansas,wheretheFreeChurchhadanumberofcongregations,wasalsolosttoourorganization,aswereMontana,Wyomingandotherstates…Thusotherdenominationsreapedarichharvest.”TheFreeChurchActivities,A.H.Modig,192473L.J.Pedersen,OurEvangelicalFreeChurches,1931,p.6.
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werenoone’sservants.Theydesirednoregulationsexcepttheirownwills.Organizationofchurches,
Sundayschools,andvarioussocietieswasthereforeatedioustask.Oftentimesitwasfoughtasfromthe
evilone…”74ThisspiritoffreedomwasrootedinChristianlibertyandanaversiontowardstate(orany
centralized)authority.Earlyon,evenrecord-keepinginlocalchurcheswasavoidedasitwasovertly
rejectedbyProfessorPrincell.75
Bythe1920s,afewyearsafterPrincell’suntimelydeathin1915,moreorganizationwasgivento
thelocalchurchesandincreasinglychurchesengagedsalariedpastorsratherthanjustsupporting
travelingevangelists.
“Duringthelater20years,theFreeChurchhasfollowedasomewhatdifferenttrendinfurtheringitsworkfromthatoftheformer.Greaterstresshasbeenplaceduponorganizingandmaintaininglocalchurches.Residentpastorshavebeenengagedbyallourself-supportingchurches,whilethoseunabletodefraytheirownexpensesaregivenaidfromtheHomeMissionFund.Thustheworkhasbeenmorefirmlyestablished,asaresultanumberofactivechurcheshavebeenfounded.Theessentialfeaturenowisthemaintenanceofthespirituality,fervorandzealofourpioneers.Thisdone,theFreeChurchcanserve,inthehandsofGod,asafountainofuntoldblessings.”76Overtheyearstheindependenceofitsleadersposedsomechallengestothestructural
organizationtothemovement:
“Mostofourpioneerleadersnotonlyhadloftyideals,butwerealsoveryindependent.AndbecauseoftheirindependencetheywereinmanywayslonewarriorsoftheLord.Andthechurchesthatwereorganizedinthosedaysbecamealsoveryindependent…Becauseofthistraitamongbothleadersandchurches,allorganizationworkamongushasmadeslowprogress.Tobeginwith,thechurchescouldhardlybecalledorganizedcongregations.Norecordswerekept;noconstitutionswereadopted;noprescribedmethodsofworkwerefollowed.Theirgreatambitionwastosteerclearofdenominationalism.Theywereafraidtobeconnectedwithanydenomination.AsamatteroffactthereareaconsiderablenumberwiththeFreeChurchwhotothisday[in1934]maintainthattheorganizationisnotandnevercanbeadenominationinthegeneralsenseoftheword.ThesecontendthattheFreeChurchconstitutesonlyanaffiliationoflocal,independentchurchesforthesolepurposeofpropagatingmissionaryworkathomeandabroad.Suchastheleaderswere,suchdidthechurchesbecome.”77
74TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p.44,1934.75Seefootnote29onp.676TheFreeChurchActivities,A.H.Modig,192477TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p16,1934.
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CONCLUSION
Theoriginalimpulsethatbroughtpastorstogetherin1884wastomobilizemissioninlightof
Christ’simminentreturn.By1893itwasclearthatdefinitionhadtobegiventowhowererecognized
FreeChurchpreachers(andwhowerenot),sotheoriginalMinisterialAssociationwascreatedto
protecttheintegrityofthelooselyorganizedmovement.Thesetwopurposesledatleastonehistorian
toconclude:“Thesmallgroupofministerswhoformedtheassociationin1894reallygavebirthtothe
EvangelicalFreeChurchofAmerica.”78
TheMAhasmaintainedaclearandconsistentrolethroughoutthedevelopmentoftheEFCA:
“TheobjectofthisAssociationshallbetopromotemutualfriendshipandharmonyamongthechurches,
andalsotounitethemforco-operationindenominationalactivities,butitshallhavenocontrolling
powerofthelocalchurches…“79Inadditiontomobilizingmissionandprotectingintegrity,this
statementfrom1934stillringstruetodaywithouradditionalgoalstoedifyoneanotherwhile
preservingourindependence.
“FormanyyearstheMinisterialAssociationmembershipconsistedofpastorswithanEFCAcredential.Dueswere$5/year.ABoardof5memberswaselectedbythemembership.Theassociation,incooperationwiththeEFCA,createdbenefitsprograms(MAAP-MinistersAidandAnnuityPlanreplacedbyFCMM–FreeChurchMinistersandMissionariesRetirementPlan;HealthCareandLongTermDisabilitythroughMinister’sLife),providedtrainingandfellowshipopportunities(MidwinterMinisterialandAnnualMeetingduringEFCANationalConference),publishedmaterials(Minister’sHandbookandBibleInstructionmaterials),sponsoredevents(DayofPrayer)andmadeavailablebenevolenceassistancetomembersonalimitedbasis.Insummary,theMinisterialAssociationwasarespectedorganizationofpastorsservingwithanEFCAOrdinationorLicensecredential.ItsoughttohelptheEFCAcreateandsustainprogramsandmaterialthatwereneededwithintheEFCAstructure.”80
Inshort,theMinisterialAssociation,forover131years,hashelpedtoidentifyandaddressthe
needsofFreeChurchministersandtoservetheEFCAmovement.Asarepresentativebody,ledbya
boardcomposedofEFCAleaders,81theMAhasbeenanexpressionofboththeindependenceand
78Dr.RoyA.Thompson,“AHistoricalSketch,”75thAnniversaryoftheMinisterialAssociation,1969,p.1.79AnnualReportoftheEFCAssociationofNAm(Norwegian-Danish),1935-36,p.280JohnHerman,ExecutiveDirectorofPastoralCareMinistriesandtheMinisterialAssociation,1991-2014.81“TheMinisterialBoardshallconsistoffivemembers:thePresidentoftheEvangelicalFreeChurchofAmerica,thePresidentoftheTrinitySeminaryandBibleCollege,theChairmanoftheMinisterialAssociation,andtwomatureandexperiencedclergymenelectedforatermofoneyearbytheAnnualMeeting.”1950YearbookoftheEFCA.
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interdependenceofourdenomination.Formorethanhalfofourhistorythisbodyfunctionedasthe
coordinatinginfluencebehindtheindependentpastorsandchurches.Then,asmoreformalstructures
tookshapeattheDistrictandNationallevel(forprogramslikecredentialing),theMAshiftedtoplaykey
supportingrolesthroughretirementassistance,healthinsurance,ministryplacement,specialized
training,affinityfellowshipandcrisisintervention(RecoveryChurch).
TodaytheMinisterialBoardcontinuestorepresentnotonlythefaithfulmembersofthe
MinisterialAssociationbutallEFCApastorsandministers.Wemeettwo-threetimesayeartoprayfor
anddiscusshowbesttoencourageandsupportthe5,000+ministersgivingleadershiptothe1,500+
EFCAChurches.OurBoardconsistsofpastorsfromdifferentpartsofthecountryindifferentchurch
rolesandsizes,includingachaplainwhoregularlyadvocatesforourbrothersandsistersservingoutside
ofchurch-basedministry.82WearecommittedtocooperatingwiththeDistrictandNationalLeadership
toensurethatallEFCAministershaveaccesstotheresourcesandopportunitiestheyneedtosustain
effectiveministrywhilesupportingthosewithvariousstrugglesthroughaprocessofGospel-centered
restoration.
WeareprivilegedtostandinthenoblestreamofFreeChurchHistory,lookingbackonthegodly
legacyofourfoundersandthefaithfulministryofsomanywhohavegonebeforeusevenaswelook
aheadtoafutureinwhichwewilllaborsidebysidetomobilizemission,protectintegrity,edifyone
anotherandpreserveindependence,allbasedonoursupremeconfidenceintheauthorityofScripture,
thecentralityoftheGospelandtheassuranceofourLord’sveryimminentreturn!Itseemsfittingtolet
oneofourprominentleaders,Rev.E.A.Halleen(writingin1934),concludethishistoricalsummary:
“Notonlyhavefiftyyearspassedbylikeanever-fleetingpanorama,andassteadilyasthehandsoftheclock,buttheAlmightyGodhasmovedwithus.AndHismovingwithushasmeantgraceandstrengthandwilltodoHisbidding.TheFreeChurchcan,therefore,inthisyearofJubileesingpraisesuntoHimforthepastfiftyyearsofblessings.Butweshoulddomorethanthat.We,thesonsanddaughtersofthesturdypioneersandjointheirswiththem,shoulddedicateourselvesanewtoGodandpledgeourfaithfulallegiancetothebanneroftheCross,pledgingourselvestocarrythebanner‘furtherafield,’andsacredlyholdandmaintainthefortstakenbythepioneerfounders.”83
822016MABoard:LintonLundeen,ExecutiveDirector,PastorofCounselinginIA;CurtMudgett,Chairman,Sr.PastorinCO;BillWick,ChaplaininVTandBOMSmember;DarinAnderson,Vice-chairman,OutreachPastorinIL;ToddHessel,Secretary,Sr.PastorinIAand;MichaelCallahan,Sr.PastorinCA.83TheGoldenJubilee,E.A.Halleen,p.44,1934.