Many of those who attended the EFCA One Conference in 2023 were deeply moved when president Kevin Kompelien read the declaration Where We Stand in the EFCA: Denials and Affirmations and responded with resounding affirmation.1 In the light of the controversies of our current cultural context, this became a defining moment for the EFCA. We in the EFCA seek to stand firmly on the authority of Scripture, centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and not on any human ideology, whether political or cultural. This document seeks to articulate that stance.

Because we are responding to questions, claims, and accusations against the EFCA, this statement begins with denials, declaring what we are not. This is followed by positive affirmations clarifying where we stand. This declaration was approved by the Board of Directors and the Board of Ministerial Standing, the two boards that are elected by and accountable to the EFCA Conference. Subsequently, it was affirmed by the District Superintendents of the EFCA. While personally endorsing it, President Kompelien also explained, “As with all statements that are not formally approved by the Conference, this statement is not binding on our churches, but we believe it represents who we are as a movement of churches and is shared with you today as a resource for EFCA churches.”

In response to requests for further resources subsequent to the Conference, we first devoted four episodes of our EFCA Theology Podcast to this topic. The Spiritual Heritage Committee, along with the Chair of the Board of Directors (and with input from others), is now providing an additional resource in the form of these brief biblical-theological commentaries, grounded in God’s inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient Word, that accompany each of the eight points of the Denials and Affirmations document. What follows seeks to bring clarity and commentary that will have to be carefully and pastorally applied with precision in the context of the local church. If you need help as you do so, please reach out to others in the EFCA family for guidance. We need each other as we address these important issues together. Again, this is not a prescriptive document, but one we hope will provide further biblical reflection and foster healthy discussion in our movement.

As we contend for the faith in a spirit of convictional kindness and humble courage, with both No and Yes, Jude’s doxological prayer is ours (Jude 24-25): “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

[1] Our recent doctrinal survey confirms the widespread support for the viewpoints affirmed here. See attached addendum.