Who we are
The Evangelical Christian Church in England is a self-governing Free Church in the tradition of congregational polity. This movement is not "just another denomination" but an "assembly of believers" who have agreed together to love God, love each other, and serve the world. We maintain a high commitment to religious freedom, Christian unity, and the priesthood of all believers who make up the body of Christ.
Our form of pastoral leadership is that as Christians, we are given the keys of the Kingdom of God through the power of the gospel of grace. Therefore, we seek to ensure that the leadership of the Evangelical Christian Church in England is scriptural in the five-fold ministry of Ephesians 4:11-12; not static and fixed, but fluid and dynamic. Our leaders are not programme-oriented, but people-oriented. We are not building-oriented, but builders of community; not in control, but able to shift from being leader, to a peer or follower. Leadership is not "qualified" by man, but by God, demonstrating godly qualities; it is not one person, but multiple persons. It is not an office holder or an officer, but leadership is a servant among servants of God, not a ruler over people.
The Evangelical Christian Church in England encourages diversity when we gather, and desires discussion with those who agree to disagree. We're distinctly Christian and our love for Jesus is communicated clearly. Aside from having no creed, we have a specific statement of beliefs that is truly biblical and we enjoy freedoms that are not under authoritarian control. We see our role in the body of Christ as providing a safe place for those who can't seem to find their voice in a more traditional setting. This is the right to private judgment, interpretation of scripture and liberty of conscience. We will be the first to tell our brothers and sisters that we don't have all the answers, but we are heading towards deep uncharted waters, travelling where the wind of the Holy Spirit blows, and waiting on the Holy One who is leading us to adventures yet unknown.
As a result, we come from evangelical, charismatic, mainline, and post-Christian intercultural backgrounds. The religious and philosophical views represented are equally varied. This provides occasional tension and awkward moments, but also incredibly rich and beautiful dialogue, which stretches us and causes us to grow in humility and maturity.
We embrace one another fully as beautifully flawed, unique individuals in the family of God who are called to rule and reign with Christ as world changers and history makers within the Kingdom of God on this earth.