Evangelical Free Churches

In its origins, the Evangelical Free Church sharply rejected practice of the Christian year as part of the rigid structures of the state church. Congregations today usually recognize Advent, Christmas, and Holy Week in some fashion, but formal adherence to the liturgical calendar remains almost nonexistent. A recent renewal of emphasis on worship in general, however, may bring about new attention to the Christian year. The Evangelical Free Church of America has historically been very good at evangelism and discipleship but somewhat weak in worship. For the most part of the churches of the Evangelical Free Church of America pay virtually no attention to the formal liturgical calendar. However, most do observe some traditional practices and hold special services during Christmas and Easter seasons. Repudiation of Liturgical Forms The free-church movement was born out of a desire both to worship freely (that is, free from the state-controlled church of the Scandinavian countries from…