The EFCA permits and honors military service as a legitimate vocation for Christians, standing within the just war tradition of mainstream evangelical Christianity. Government authority is divinely ordained (Romans 13), and the defense of innocent life and just order can be consistent with Christian discipleship. The EFCA does not mandate pacifism and recognizes military service as honorable.

The EFCA has Scandinavian free church roots that historically included some pacifist influences, but the denomination's current position does not require conscientious objector status. Individual members who hold pacifist convictions are respected, and the denomination does not require uniformity on this question. The EFCA's Statement of Faith does not address military service directly, leaving it within the domain of personal conscience guided by biblical principles.

Many EFCA congregations serve communities with significant military presence and provide pastoral care for veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their families. The denomination supports military chaplaincy as an appropriate ministry context. Overall, the EFCA's approach to military service reflects the broader evangelical consensus that service to country and community through legitimate military means is compatible with Christian faith.