A Little History

The Evangelical Covenant Church started with a group of Swedish immigrants that were deeply affected by the Pietistic movement. In Sweden, all citizens were part of the state church, regardless of actual beliefs, and yet some yearned for faith to be something more. This group didn’t see scripture as just a rule book, they saw it as something living and breathing, something that transformed hearts. They saw value in having religious gatherings of just believers and they were incredibly passionate about missions. Because of this, they were known as the Mission Friends.  This group started their own meetings, creating a place where there was passion for the Lord, a seriousness about scripture, and room for the Spirit to move.

In 1867, many Mission Friends moved from Sweden to the Chicago area and decided to form their own congregation. From here, Mission Friends churches started popping up across the Midwest. “The guiding principle for the organization was that only true Christians were to be taken in as members.” (1) As the number of churches grew, they formed into two core Synods, but there came a need to unite as one. In Feb. 1885, Mission Friends, Ansgar Friends, and some independent churches joined together to form the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant of America. Eventually, the Swedish was dropped, and they became what we know them as today, the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Descriptions of the day the denomination formed always give a picture of the Spirit at work. After much discussion and disagreement over how to form, things fell into place. People that were in disagreement were suddenly on the same side. It was a day filled with joy and wonder.  “It is impossible to portray the feeling of the meeting. One stood there as if amazed at what happened…God be mightily praised for February 20, 1885!” (2)

What is Pietism?

Philipp Jacob Spener is often considered the father of the Pietism movement. He wrote Pia Desideria or “pious desires” in 1675, giving 6 ways that he thought reform was needed in Christian society. He desired faith that more than head-knowledge, but instead transformative and lived out.(3)

His six points give us a picture of a movement toward a faith that is holistic, and can be summed up like this…

1) A heightened focus on Scripture, including its study in smaller, private meetings of believers. (We still do this today. At Coastline we call them Community groups!)

2) All congregants/laity would participate in the life and governance of the church

3) Faith would be evident through love practiced every day

4) Christians would not just argue against unbelievers and heretics but would treat them with kindness, again practicing love

5) Theological schools would emphasize not just learning, but also inner growth and right living.

6) Preaching would not just demonstrate “one’s wit and scholarship”, but pursue soul transformation. (4)

People Worth Knowing

  • Philipp Jacob Spener

    1635-1705

    Father of Pietism

    As noted above, Spener is considered the father of Pietism. He wanted to see reform in the church, and wrote Pia Disedria, citing the changes that he would like to see. Many movements that you see in the Covenant today still follow his thoughts in that writing.

  • Carl Olaf Rosenius

    1816-1868

    Writer and Preacher

    Rosenius was deeply influenced by Spener, and is considered a “central figure of the nineteenth-century Swedish revival”, a revival that made its way to America through immigration. His writings in the Pietisten and his sermons had a heavy influence on Evangelical Christianity. (5)

  • P. P. Waldenstrom

    1838-1917

    Swedish Covenant Theologian

    Waldenstrom is a well-studied theologian and is primarily remembered in the Covenant for his research on the atonement. From it, he coined the phrase “Where is it written?”, and advocated for a kaleidoscope view. Along with his incredible theological contributions, his push to break from the state church of Sweden helped form the Swedish Mission Covenant which directly led to the formation of the ECC through immigration. (6)

  • Axel Mellander

    American Covenant Theologian and Historian

    Mellander was considered the Covenant theologian in America. He was present at the organizational meeting in 1885, and was the first dean of North Park seminary. He is known for the book Life, Death, and Eternity, and wrote prolifically on Biblical theology. He was often leaned on by other leaders, including Waldenstrom for his historical understanding of the denomination. (7)

  • David Nyvall

    1863-1946

    First President of North Park College and Seminary

    Nyvall was a key leader in the denomination’s beginning days, committing himself to years of service at North Park. He wrote extensively, providing interpretations and understanding of scripture. But he is most known for his devotion to the “Covenant identity and ideal”, especially the values of love and freedom, and he helped to form and carry the denomination and its values forward in its early years. (8)

  • Donald Frisk

    1911-2010

    Pastor, Teacher, Theologian

    Donald Frisk is a contemporary leader in the Covenant Denomination. He wrote “Covenant Affirmations: This We Believe” helping explain the theology of the Covenant, and is known throughout as a great man, and a great contributor in the denomination. So impactful was his influence, that post-death a digital library was created in his honor giving free resources to Covenanters and scholars. (9)

Notes

  1. Missions-Vannen, “Official Minutes of the Organizational Meeting” in Covenant Roots Sources and Affirmations, ed. Glenn P. Anderson (Chicago: Covenant Publications, 1999), 10.

  2. Svenka Kristna Harolden, “Report of the Organizational Meeting in Svenka Kristna Harolden” in Covenant Roots Sources and Affirmations, ed. Glenn P. Anderson (Chicago: Covenant Publications, 1999), 42.

  3. Karl A. Olsson, A Family of Faith: 90 Years of Covenant History (Chicago: Covenant Press, 1975), 45-47.

  4. Philipp Jacob Spener, Pia Desieria, trans. Theodore G. Tappert (Fortress Press), 87-102.

  5. Kjell Soderberg, “Carl Olof Rosenius and Swedish Emigration to America”, Currents in Theology and Mission (48:1): 40.

  6. Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom, “Where is it Written?”, Covenant Companion, (April 2008): 13-15.

  7. Gary Sattler, God’s Glory Neighbor’s Good, (Chicago: Covenant Press, 1982), 10-13.

  8. Karl A. Olsson , A Family of Faith: 90 Years of Covenant History, (Chicago: Covenant Press, 1975), 44-45.

  9. Sarah Eix, “Tribute to Don Frisk,” Pietisten, Vol XXV, (Nov. 2 Fall/Winter 2010).