An evangelical church is a Christian church that places special emphasis on the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The term “evangelical” comes from the Greek word euangelion meaning “gospel” or “good news.” Evangelical churches focus on spreading the gospel message and calling people to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
There are several key characteristics that define an evangelical church:
- Biblical Authority – Evangelicals believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the ultimate authority for Christian faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
- Conversion – Evangelical churches emphasize that each person must make a personal decision to repent of sin and trust in Christ’s atoning work on the cross for salvation. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
- Activism – There is a strong sense of urgency to actively spread the gospel message. Matthew 28:19-20 gives the Great Commission to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
- Crucicentrism – Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for sin is at the very heart of the gospel message proclaimed in evangelical churches. 1 Corinthians 2:2 says, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
- Biblical Morality – Evangelicals look to the Bible as the source for moral values, ethical conduct, and guiding principles for holy living. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says Scripture is profitable “for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Evangelical churches take these core beliefs from the Bible and make them central to their theology and mission. They place priority on preaching the gospel, conversion, discipleship, Biblical teaching and training, and global evangelism.
History
While evangelicalism has its roots in the Protestant Reformation, the specific origins of evangelical Christianity begin in the 1730s with the birth of the First Great Awakening in America and across Europe. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, and George Whitefield led revival movements that emphasized personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the need for evangelism.
In the early 19th century, the Second Great Awakening further energized evangelical Christianity in America. Preachers like Charles Finney promoted revival meetings that led many to Christ. Evangelicals also became active in reform movements like the abolition of slavery. Groups like the American Bible Society (1816) and American Sunday School Union (1824) emerged to spread evangelical faith and values.
After the American Civil War, Dwight L. Moody’s urban revivals and nationwide evangelistic crusades further mobilized evangelicals. At the same time, theological seminaries like Princeton and Fuller were training ministers in evangelical doctrine. In the 1920s-40s, the spread of fundamentalism divided evangelicals, but Billy Graham brought them back together during his global crusades starting in the 1950s.
Today, evangelicalism remains a vibrant Christian movement. Evangelical churches continue to emphasize the core tenets of Biblical authority, conversion, activism, crucicentrism, and Biblical morality. While diversity exists under the evangelical umbrella, these key beliefs unite them in their gospel mission.
Worship Style
When it comes to worship style, evangelical churches aim to be Biblical, gospel-centered, and God-glorifying. There is much diversity in worship style across evangelical churches reflecting different denominations, traditions, cultures, and contexts.
Most evangelical worship seeks to focus on exalting God, preaching the Word, confirming Biblical truth, celebrating the gospel through song, and building up the church body. There is generally a strong emphasis on Biblical preaching often with practical application to living out one’s faith. Biblical fidelity takes priority over stylistic preferences when it comes to preaching, music, and every element of the service.
Evangelical worship usually includes singing a mix of hymns, gospel songs, and contemporary Christian music. The lyrics focus on Biblical and gospel themes like worshipping God, proclaiming Christ, and expressing gratitude for salvation. While styles vary between traditional, contemporary, blended, and diverse ethnic expressions, the unifying emphasis is on gospel-centered lyrics and God-glorifying music.
Congregational participation is important in most evangelical worship whether through singing, giving, communion, baptism, corporate prayer, or responding to the preached word. Services aim to actively engage worshippers in celebrating Biblical truths together as the body of Christ. At the same time, space is given for personal reflection and response to God through songs, prayers, and listening to preaching.
Above all, evangelical worship aims to bring glory to God through reverent, Biblical, gospel-focused exaltation of Jesus Christ fueled by the Holy Spirit. Services aim to honor Scripture, unfold the good news of salvation, stir affections for God, and equip believers for faithful living unto God’s glory.
Church Government
Evangelical churches employ one of three main forms of church government:
- Episcopalian – This system has bishops overseeing a hierarchy of clergy and churches. Bishops provide accountability, ordination, and leadership over a geographical jurisdiction of churches. Examples include Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran, and Catholic churches.
- Presbyterian – Elders known as presbyters govern together as a board over local congregations and regional church bodies. Higher councils provide accountability and connect local congregations. The Presbyterian Church of America is an example.
- Congregational – Each local church is self-governing under the lordship of Christ. Deacon boards or elder councils lead single congregations. Local churches cooperate in higher councils or assemblies for accountability and mission. Examples include Baptist, non-denominational Bible churches, Congregational churches.
The key principles underlying evangelical church government are found in Scripture passages like 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, Acts 14:23, Philippians 1:1, Acts 15:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11-16. These include shared leadership under Christ, spiritual oversight by qualified elders, congregational unity, mutual submission, exercising of gifts and callings, respect for church authority, and fellowship across churches.
While forms differ, evangelical churches uphold Biblical principles of servant leadership, elder oversight, church discipline, deacon service, and member accountability to governing bodies whether local or trans-local. The unifying aim is cooperating under Christ’s lordship to advance God’s mission.
Sacraments
Evangelical churches practice the two sacraments instituted by Christ:
- Baptism – Based on Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19, evangelical churches baptize new believers in water as a public testimony and symbol of their new life in Christ. Baptism serves as an initiatory act of obedience for Christians. Evangelicals accept baptism of infants or believer’s baptism of those able to profess faith.
- Communion – Also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, evangelical churches regularly take communion to remember Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and receive spiritual nourishment as they partake of the bread and cup. Jesus commanded his followers to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).
These sacraments are considered “ordinances” in evangelical churches because they were ordained and instituted by Christ. They hold deep spiritual meaning as outward symbols and seals of God’s promises in the gospel.
While evangelical churches universally practice these two sacraments, views differ somewhat on their meaning, role, and importance. But all agree baptism and communion were commanded by Christ as perpetual markers of Christian faith and devotion to him.
Participation and Membership
Active participation in an evangelical church usually requires becoming a church member. Official membership demonstrates commitment to the local church body, accountability to church leadership, and agreement with core gospel doctrines.
While specific processes differ, becoming a church member in an evangelical church typically involves:
- Public profession of faith in Jesus Christ
- Baptism as a born again Christian
- Completing new member classes
- Review by church elders
- Congregational affirmation and welcoming
Responsibilities of church membership include regular attendance, service through volunteer roles, financial giving, participation in communion and voting, submission to authority, and living out the church’s covenant commitments.
Many evangelical churches also have attendees who are not yet formal members. Seekers, new believers, and Christians from other churches often participate in worship services, classes, events, and ministries without yet becoming members.
Above all, evangelical churches desire to see many come to saving faith in Christ through exposure to Biblical truth. While formal membership shows commitment to the local body, active involvement by non-members also allows growth toward potential deeper commitment to that church.
Christian Education
Christian education is a core component of evangelical churches. Teaching ministry equips believers with Biblical doctrine and trains them for Christian service inside and outside the church.
Common educational ministries in an evangelical church include:
- Sunday School classes for all ages
- Bible studies for adults, youth, and children
- Catechism classes to teach core doctrines
- Mid-week services with preaching and instruction
- New member or baptism classes
- Groups for men, women, couples, parents, singles
- Vacation Bible School programs
- Seminars on special topics
The goal is to foster deep spiritual growth and Biblical maturity through systematic Bible teaching, training in sound doctrine and theology, equipping for areas of service, and tailoring instruction to developmental needs of different age groups.
Evangelical education ministries aim to fulfill the Biblical charge to make disciples, teach obedience, stir affections for Christ, raise up leaders and teachers, prepare believers for works of service, guard against false doctrine, and train children in the faith (Matt 28:19-20, Eph 4:11-16, 2 Tim 4:2-3, Titus 2:1-8). This educational emphasis flows from the evangelical high view of Scripture and centrality of sound doctrine.
Outreach and Missions
Outreach and missions work are vital activities of an evangelical church. Flowing from Christ’s Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20), evangelism and missions aim to advance the gospel message locally and globally for the salvation of the lost.
Common evangelistic outreach ministries in an evangelical church include:
- Door-to-door evangelism
- Community service events to serve practical needs
- Revival meetings to call people to faith in Christ
- Worship services designed to welcome non-believers
- Support for foreign missionaries spreading the gospel worldwide
In addition to evangelism, missions work involves training indigenous church leaders, translating the Bible into local languages, planting new churches, providing humanitarian aid, supporting orphanages, meeting physical needs through development work, and more. Evangelical churches aim to spread the gospel, make disciples, plant churches, and advance God’s kingdom worldwide.
Outreach and missions are central to what it means to be an evangelical church. Calling people to repent, believe, and dedicate their lives to Christ is an urgent priority flowing from their Biblical convictions.
Distinctives
While evangelical churches share core gospel beliefs, each local church has unique distinctives in doctrine, demographics, ministries, culture, and style. However, some theological and practical distinctions mark broader evangelical groups.
Pentecostal – Emphasis on the active work of the Holy Spirit evidenced through speaking in tongues, healing, miracles, and direct revelation from God.
Charismatic – Exercise of miraculous spiritual gifts like prophecy, healings, and tongues along with evangelical theology.
Reformed – Strong view of God’s sovereignty and strict adherence to Reformation theology characterized by submission to Scripture.
Fundamentalist – Separation from the world by adherence to core orthodox doctrines and strict moral standards.
Adventist – Focus on preparation for Christ’s soon return characterized by Sabbath observance on Saturdays.
Holiness – Pursuit of personal and corporate holiness and sanctification after one’s conversion experience.
Anabaptist – Practice of adult believer’s baptism and pacifism along with tightly-knit Christian communities.
While variations exist under the evangelical umbrella, unity centers on the gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Associations and Denominations
While some are non-denominational, most evangelical churches belong to larger evangelical associations or denominational bodies, such as:
- Southern Baptist Convention
- Assemblies of God
- Christian and Missionary Alliance
- Church of the Nazarene
- Free Methodist Church
- Evangelical Free Church of America
- Foursquare Church
- Converge
- Independent Fundamental Churches of America
- Evangelical Covenant Church
- The Wesleyan Church
- Seventh Day Adventists
- Calvary Chapel Fellowship
In addition to denominations, many evangelical churches participate in inter-denominational evangelical councils and parachurch organizations that unite churches around missions, evangelism, relief work, and gospel renewal movements while allowing each to maintain its distinctive doctrinal positions and church governance.
Controversies and Criticisms
Evangelical churches face several controversies and criticisms:
- Exclusivism – Claiming Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation and rejecting universalism or pluralism.
- Moral Absolutism – Holding certain behaviors like homosexuality as absolutely morally wrong based on the Bible.
- Patriarchal Leadership – Restricting senior pastors and elder roles only for men based on interpretations of passages like 1 Timothy 2:12.
- Proselytizing – Aggressive promotion of the gospel that seems intrusive or intolerant of other beliefs.
- Politics – Close alignment between evangelicals and conservative political policies, candidates, and activism.
- Anti-intellectualism – Disregard for scientific facts, intellectual inquiry, and academic rigor in certain circles.
- Supersessionism – View by some that the church has fully replaced Israel in God’s plan.
- Abuses – Highly publicized cases of moral failure and abuse by prominent evangelical leaders.
While these controversies incite criticism at times, evangelicals remain committed to Biblical truth despite society’s disapproval. Evangelicals aim for their words and actions to be marked by grace, compassion, and unwavering devotion to the gospel mission.
Conclusion
Evangelical churches center on the euangelion – the gospel message of salvation through repentance from sin and trusting in Christ’s redeeming work on the cross. They proclaim the authority of Scripture, conversion of sinners, activism in spreading the gospel, Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and Biblical morality. Worship exalts God through preaching, singing, prayer and observance of the sacraments. Governance patterns follow Biblical principles under Christ’s rule. Education, outreach, and missions all flow from their commitment to Christ’s Great Commission. Amid varying denominations and controversies, evangelical churches continue working to advance the life-transforming message of Christ’s death and resurrection for the lost worldwide.
