Local Ecumenical Partnerships

LEPs come in a variety of forms, but each is a situation where more than one Christian denomination is working together under a formal agreement. These agreements are 'sponsored' by a County or City Ecumenical Body which has the responsibility for supporting, encouraging and monitoring them.

In the list of LEPs, you will find local churches who share their congregational life, local shared buildings, covenant partnerships within chaplaincies and other situations.  To find LEPs in your locality, click here and enter your own postcode.

A treasury of information on LEPs resides in Ecumenical Notes. Click the links for constitutional guidelines, for information and help about reviewing LEPs and for a miscellancy of documentation about LEPs in general. If yours is a shared building, then this is the page you want.  If you are thinking of forming a new LEP, you will need to write an Ecumenical Vision Statement to state your aim; this agenda will help you.

Many churches operate as unregistered charities as permitted by the Exception Order.  The current Exception Order 2007 makes it clear that this includes partnerships of those Churches.  However, those with an annual income over £100,000 are now required to register.  This has led to a new Model Governing Document for Single Congregation LEPs which should be used for all new or revised constitutions, whether or not they need charity registration now.  The Model Governing Document and other resources are available from your County Ecumenical Development Officer.

Further information: The national Field Officers for the North & Midlands or South of England, Ecumenical Officers in cities and counties and from the Ecumenical Officer of your own denomination.