Belonging
Criteria for membership of the Free Churches Group
Applications for Membership of the Free Churches Group may be accepted by the Group Meeting, bearing in mind the criteria below. Notes are given for clarity.
1. Doctrine - acceptance of Statement of Faith and Practice. The full text of the Common Statement of Faith and Practice is to be found using the link on the left. It originates in 1917 within the Federal Council of Evangelical Free Churches of England, one of the bodies which joined in becoming the Free Church Federal Council in 1940. As indicated in the Statement, it is not intended, despite its length, to be comprehensive.
The Free Church Federal Council continues as the legal company and charity behind the work of the Group.
2. In sympathy with the spiritual testimony of the Free Churches.
This ‘spiritual testimony’ can be discerned both within the Statement of Faith and Practice and in the various backgrounds of member denominations. Some denominations have their origins in the English Reformation and the traditions of dissent and independence. Others have their origins in the Evangelical Revival when movements within the churches became established denominations over time. More recently, Pentecostal, Black-Led and other churches have become members, recognising that their particular traditions are not ‘out of tune’ with those of the historic Free Churches and that there is a gospel imperative to work towards the unity of Christ’s Church.
3. ‘Constitutional presence’ within England/Wales with accountable participant local churches.
The Group’s members exist within England and/or Wales. It is important for the functioning of the Group that, while some denominations have roots in other parts of the world, there is a legal structure within England or Wales. The responsibility of the Group for accrediting ministers for employed chaplaincy work in hospital trusts and HM prisons indicates that there needs to be accountability for the integrity of ministry within member churches. In the Free Church tradition this means that local churches and their members should have a role in governance.
For this reason associations of ministers and pastors do not meet the criteria.
4. Respect for the ‘church identity’ of other members of the Group.
The Group is diverse in its membership, as indicated above. It is important that within the Group there is a respect for different emphases in faith and practice while recognising what is held in common.
5. Member congregations with a geographical spread.
The Group is a national organisation and looks for a geographical spread within its member denominations. Some newer denominations have grown up in a particular locality or city. The Group looks for more than this.
6. A commitment to support the work of the Group through prayer, attendance at meetings and through finance.
The Group does ask for subscriptions from its member denominations, dependent on size. However, the main income of the Group comes from historic investments. The Group has a Joint Working Agreement with the wider ecumenical body, Churches Together in England, which includes the employment of staff and the office facility (the original FCFC Offices).
The Group holds three meetings per year with representation determined by the size of a denomination. Committees focus on chaplaincy and education matters. Much of the Group’s work is by nature of a service, relating to chaplaincy, education policy or parliamentary legislation, but it is important that there are ‘face-to-face’ meetings to maintain fellowship within the Group.
Events for a wider representation are not generally held.
7. Evidence of a commitment to work and witness with other Christians in a given locality.
Group member denominations clearly hold a degree of ecumenical commitment to one another. It is important that this is not only at a national, institutional, level but is also to be found at local church level. We look for such a commitment within our member denominations.
For further information please contact the Secretary
freechurch@cte.org.uk 020 7529 8139
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