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 Darin@OakwoodFL.org 847.243.7703

Paulo Freire Wantage, NJ HopeEFC@Juno.com 862.500.1266

Todd Hessel Ankeny, IA Todd@AnkenyFree.org 515.822.5678

Kelly Larson Bishop, CA VikingPastor@icloud.com 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.