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Statement of Faith of the
Evangelical Free Church of America
The
doctrinal position of Calvary Protestant Evangelical Free Church, EFCA, is summarized
in the twelve-article Statement of Faith shared by all Evangelical
Free Church congregations, educational institutions, missions, and
auxiliary ministries worldwide.
We
Believe:
- The
Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word
of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation
of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final
authority for Christian faith and life.
- In
one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally
existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- That
Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of
the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross,
a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further,
He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at
the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest
and Advocate.
- That
the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ
and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing
sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer
for godly living and service.
- That
man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is,
therefore, lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit
can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
- That
the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the
only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe,
and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit
and, thus become children of God.
- That
water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed
by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to
be regarded as means of salvation.
- That
the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving
faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit
and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the
Head.
- That
only those who are, thus, members of the true Church shall be
eligible for membership in the local church.
- That
Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church and that every
local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern
its own affairs.
- In
the personal premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the
personal life and service of the believer.
- In
the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting
blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment
and everlasting conscious punishment.
Our
Mission Statement
Becoming
a family of interdependent churches, Calvary Protestant Evangelical Free Church exists to passionately honor God and make disciples of Jesus
Christ by:
- Ensuring
the Free Church movement’s doctrine and practice
- Encouraging
servant relationships among Pastors and Church Leaders
- Empowering
local churches to fulfill their mission and vision
- Establishing
strategic partnerships and new churches
So
that the Kingdom of God is intentionally expanded throughout our
sphere of responsibility.
Our
Vision Statement
Calvary Protestant Evangelical Free Church will be a family advancing and celebrating a Great Commandment
- love - (Matthew
22:37-38), and a Great Commission - purpose - (Matthew 28L19-20) among
all people by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
Core
Values
Preamble:
As a family
Calvary Protestant Evangelical Free Church embraces the following core values. These values are intentionally
prioritized and progressive in nature. . .each one leading to the
fulfillment of the next. They drive our vision and clarify our mission.
They are our heart and soul.
- We value
Biblical Orthodoxy by. . .
Acts 20:26-31
- Pursuing
undeniable personal integrity and accountability
- Practicing
unqualified acceptance of EFCA 12-point doctrinal statement
(above)
- We value
authentic discipleship by. . .
II Timothy 2:2
- Recapturing
the Spirit of 3-T stewardship (Time. . .Talent.
. .Treasure)
-
Rescoring
leadership development (equipping)
- Refocusing
on Urban/Intercultural ministry
- Rediscovering
global passion and vision for outreach among all peoples
- We value
spiritual health in pastors by. . .
Philippines 2:19-30
- Engaging
in positive encouragement of pastors and leaders
- Effecting
preventative intervention and resolution
- Exhibiting
pro-active revitalization and renewal
- We value
spiritual health in churches by. . .
Acts 2:42; Colossians 1:28-29
- Stimulating
loving relationships, prayer, and evangelism
- Clarifying
mission and vision
- Assessing
church effectiveness
- Processing
change, transition, and conflict resolution
- We value
reproducing churches by. . .
Matthew 9:35-38; Corinthians 3:6-9
- Multiplying
church planting networks
- Mobilizing
church planters/resources
- Maturing
church planting resources
- We value
networks of interdependent relationships by. . .
Acts:11:19-30; Galatians 3:26-29
- Encouraging
ethnic diversity/racial reconciliation
- Enriching
regional/ministerial coordination
- Energizing
district/regional collaboration
- Enlarging
national/district cooperation
- We value
Kingdom partnerships by. . .
John 17:20-21
- Facilitating
global awareness
- Stimulating
affiliate ministry opportunities
- Participating
in inter-denominational and Para-church movements
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