2025 Proposed Bylaw Amendments

Dear EFCA Family:  

We are just weeks away from EFCA One in Des Moines, Iowa. I look forward to the time together and the opportunity to hear updates and stories of the ways God is at work across EFCA churches and ministries. The EFCA national office staff have worked hard to put together a great lineup of speakers for our worship services, a wide variety of training breakouts and workshops, and the opportunity to look at and celebrate God’s work in and through the EFCA in the past, present and future.  

The Board of Directors is proposing to the Conference a few amendments to the EFCA Bylaws. In the accompanying document, the proposed amendments are in red, with current bylaw provisions to be deleted containing strike-through lines. Brief explanations for the proposed amendments are written in blue italics. All of the proposed changes relate to Trinity International University (TIU). The EFCA Board of Directors recommends that Article VI be removed from the EFCA Bylaws in its entirety. Likewise, the board recommends that two references to Trinity International University be removed from Article VII.A.1.b. These proposed amendments were planned before the recent announcement regarding Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and are not connected to that announcement.   

While the EFCA has an affiliation relationship with TIU, it does not own TIU and the EFCA does not have controlling authority over the institution. Article VI was originally inserted, as it now reads, into the EFCA Bylaws in 2017 at a time when it was necessary to emphasize that there is an affiliation relationship between the EFCA and TIU, not an ownership and control relationship. The intent, back in 2017, was to demonstrate that there are important connection points (but not ownership and control points) between the EFCA and TIU. The Trinity International University Bylaws contain multiple provisions concerning its affiliation with the EFCA, its Statement of Faith (which is the SOF of the EFCA), its governance, president, Board of Regents, required affirmations, and consultation with the EFCA Board of Directors that mirror or are consistent with the provisions of Article VI of the EFCA Bylaws. However, the EFCA Bylaws should contain provisions governing the EFCA only. The EFCA Bylaws should not contain provisions that can be interpreted as controlling a separate legal entity. TIU is, in fact, a separate legal entity and its governance provisions are appropriately in its own Bylaws.  

Two additional amendments are proposed in light of the recent announcement of the possible acquisition of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) by Trinity Western University (TWU). The EFCA Board of Directors recommends an update to the Bylaws regarding the makeup of the EFCA’s Board of Ministerial Standing (BOMS). We are hopeful for the future of TEDS at TWU, and for the future capability that we have in the EFCA to look to TEDS for theological training for EFCA pastors, leaders and missionaries. The recommended changes will help the EFCA continue its close connection with TEDS in our care for ministry personnel through credentialing and involvement with BOMS.

Article V.C.1. – Board of Ministerial Standing Composition 

My prayer for us all at EFCA One is that God would move by His Spirit so that as we look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, we will see drooping hands lifted, weak knees strengthened, straight paths made in the wilderness, and healing, knowing that we have come to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Please join me in praying for our time together, and for the continued preparations as we look forward to it.  

See you in Des Moines!