Visiting an Evangelical Free Church

"Evangelical" is a word that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. The Evangelical Free Church is one expression of Evangelicalism and in this video we're hanging out at Grace Church in Longmont, Colorado to learn more about how this works.

[MJ-nxvj]

I'm a Muslim. Why am I here?

I'll tell you why!

Because The Ten Minute Bible Hour is awesome!

I love the good vibes man. Cheers!

[AwaitHasten]

Whatever you believe, communion is more than an "eh, whatever" thing.
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself."
1 Corinthians 11:27‭-‬29

[katieserra]

"High church" Roman Catholic here. This video showed me that there is an intentionality in the "low churches" such as this one that I was not previously aware of. Thanks again.

[Gingy]

As a high church snob I really appreciate the heavy emphasis on the community both in that building and around it.

[jamesadams]

I went to a church like this for years, but I have to say, I left it because the Eucharist not being present was a huge deal for me. I now go to the Catholic Church in my neighborhood and love it. We have a "parish center" that is the "meeting" place where we have bible study, coffee and doughnuts, as well as all other kinds of activities. Very similar to the entrance of this church here. We also use ours for wedding party's, funeral wakes and such. I love the fact that this guy is a drummer -- so am I -- so I like him already! lol This is a very beautiful church.

[jenninepatterson]

As a Christian who grew up Baptist and recently got confirmed as an Anglican, I really appreciate your channel. I really love that as a convinced evangelical you do what you can to engage and understand traditions that are not your own. After spending a significant amount of time in both high church and low church traditions, I've come to see that both of the traditions have something to offer each other. Keep up with the great work and your commitment to teaching the Bible in a clear and winsome way!

[LindseyMurphy]

"It's all about the people"... *Matt whispers* "someone made eye contact with me" *runs away 😂

[nexoscraff]

I'm not an evangelical but I admire the loving community in this space and their dedication to their faith.

[RustyShacklefordistheman]

You've visited and engaged with the beauty of my Catholic church, I feel I owe some time to hear about your tradition.

[cassandraursu]

High church vs. low church seems like an either/or. The Roman Catholic Church is a church of both/and. The cool thing about the sacrifice of the mass is that it can be celebrated in a massive cathedral or in a hospital room of a dying person, on the side of a mountain or in a suburb or in a cave. The building is a reflection of the sacred but not essential to the worship.

But saying all of this, totally appreciate and respect anyone that can have an open dialogue like these, so keep it up!

[lilstripaRabbit]

I would like if you explored different Catholic churches. There are so many variations, all Catholic. All in communion with Rome. Byzantine rite, Marian rite, etc. And some churches are traditional Latin while others are novus ordo.

[cmclovesnkotb]

Catholic here. I like watching the videos and learning about different religions, but all this video really did was give me 100 reasons to stay Catholic.

[oogalook]

Matt, I have big respect for you, Jeff, and your church. Coming from maximum High Church, the informality of this church is kinda scary, but your scholarship is deep and your intentions are pure - this kinda church is such a simple and pure manifestation of Christianity that I really see the appeal. Keep rocking, you EVC guys.

[joekosmack]

St. Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of St. John. The same St John who writes the Gospel of John. John 3:16. So Ignatius would now how to interpret John 6.
Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ, which have come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God...They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh that suffered for our sins and that the Father, in his goodness raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes.
[Letter to the Smyrnaeans 6-7 (c. A.D. 110)].
Pretty sure Ignatius knows how to interpret John 6. You know since the guy who wrote John 6 taught him.
God Bless!

[JBB]

*finally goes to a church where it’s normal to wear a t shirt*
*wears a button-down* haha

[jeffking]

As someone in a high-church tradition (who grew up in a low-church context), my understanding of the difference is less one of practice and more an issue of the understanding of the role of the church in the New Covenant. Low-church views the New Covenant as between God and individuals (church is what happens when those individuals gather). High-church views the New Covenant as between God and the church (a formal organization established by Jesus in which individuals participate). All the rest, regarding liturgy and formality of church government, flows from that difference.

From the high church perspective, the call to individual repentance is a call to membership in the invisible church (the collective of those with true faith). The call to baptism is a call to membership in the visible church (the collective of those with professed faith).

[cjindra]

As a Catholic, I really enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work, Christ first - always !!

[potomaccrafter]

This is good. I so appreciate learning about these faith traditions in this respectful and open way. I am Catholic. When I was a child, I lived in a city. My father, who was Primitive Baptist, and my mother, who was Roman Catholic, approached our priest to use the Church facilities to invite the community adults (of any or no faith) to teach free classes to the city kids and teens on Saturday mornings about dance, art, macrame, languages--anything that they had some expertise in. It was a fantastic success, and I remember learning a lot! It was different faith traditions just being involved with each other, and giving to each other. I know that we will all be one again. Why? Because Jesus prayed to His Father that we all be one, even as He and His Father are one. He prayed it. It will happen. Meanwhile, I like to think we are each developing some crucial part of the eventual picture that will make the Church something that is a masterpiece of, and for the Lord. How will we get over our differences? That is really God's work, as we attune ourselves to Him and His plan. Maybe Matt's videos are a part of this!

[lapun]

Since I'm more familiar with 'high church' than 'low' I really appreciated the questions you asked the pastor.

[men.]

Great video. In my humble opinion as someone from the protestant tradition who is Learning about the Catholic Church in humilty and not with the antagonistic spirit I used to have; The most important difference is the Eucharist. If what we know about what the early Christians and Church Fathers had to say about it truly being the Blood and body of our Lord. Its very hard to not to believe it is.