Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (South Africa)
| Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (South Africa) | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Protestantism |
| Orientation | Reformed |
| Theology | Calvinism |
| Polity | Congregational |
| Associations | World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship |
| Region | South Africa |
| Origin | 1980 South Africa |
| Separated from | United Congregational Church of Southern Africa |
| Congregations | 20 (2025) |
| Members | 3,000 (2025) |
The Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC) is a Protestant denomination of Reformed Christianity orientation and Congregational governance in South Africa. It was officially organized on June 8, 1980, from a dissident group of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA).[1][2][3][4]
History
In 1979, a group of conservative members of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa separated from the denomination in opposition to the UCCSA's affiliation with the World Council of Churches. The main motivation for the schism was the rejection of ecumenism and the institutional participation of the mother church in the World Council of Churches, which these members understood as incompatible with their theological convictions.[1][2][3]
After the separation, the dissenting congregations formally organized themselves on June 8, 1980, giving rise to the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (South Africa).[4]
During the transition from apartheid to democracy, representatives of the denomination participated in the work of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, contributing to debates and public hearings on national reconciliation.[5]
In 2025, the denomination had approximately 3,000 members distributed across 20 congregations in South Africa.[6]
Doctrine and structure
The Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches adopts a Reformed Christianity theology, emphasizing the authority of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and salvation by grace through faith. Its system of government is congregational, in which each local church is autonomous, cooperating voluntarily with the other congregations of the fellowship.
Interchurch relations
The denomination is a member of the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship as its only formal international association.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b Steve De Gruchy, ed. (1999). Changing Frontiers: The Mission Story of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa. Gaborone, Botswana: Pula Press. p. 244. ISBN 9789991261720. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ a b De Gruchy, Steve; Van der Water, Desmond (2009). Joseph Wing: from 'information to incarnation' in the midst of apartheid. Gaborone, Botswana: International Congregational Journal, 2009, Vol 8, Issue 1, p. 95. ISSN 1472-2089. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ a b "Faith communities and apartheid". South African History Archive. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ a b Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report (PDF). Vol. 4. Cape Town: Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 1998. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ "Submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission" (PDF). South African Local Council of Churches. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ "Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches". Retrieved January 20, 2026.
- ^ "Members of the World Evangelical Congregational Fellowship". Retrieved January 20, 2026.