The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church Den Evangelisk Lutherske Frikirke |
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Logo of the Den Evangelisk Lutherske Frikirke, shortened Frikirken
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Classification | Protestant |
Orientation | Lutheranism |
Polity | Synod |
Associations | Lutheran World Federation |
Region | Norway |
Origin | 1877 |
Separated from | Church of Norway |
The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church, or the Free Church as it is commonly known (Norwegian: Den Evangelisk Lutherske Frikirke, shortened Frikirken), is a nationwide Lutheran church in Norway consisting of 81 congregations and 21,817 baptized members. It was founded in 1877 in Moss. It is distinct from the Church of Norway, although both churches are members of the Lutheran World Federation. The Free Church is economically independent.
The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church is founded on the Bible and the Lutheran Church's confession. In the Free Church it is those who are baptized and confess the Christian faith who have voting rights. It has the authority to call its clergy and all other personnel, and it passes its own church laws.