Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches


The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches is a network of over 600 independent, evangelical churches mainly in the United Kingdom that preach an evangelical faith.

History

The FIEC was formed in 1922 under the name A Fellowship of Undenominational and Unattached Churches and Missions, but was later renamed The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. The Fellowship brought together many independent churches and mission halls, which had been somewhat isolated.
The FIEC is in the Independent tradition. According to the National Director of FIEC, "An ‘Independent’ church is self-governing. Each individual local church has ultimate control over its own affairs. It does not belong to any external body or institution which has control over it." The FIEC leadership claims it exercises 'something comparable to the sub-apostolic' ministry of Timothy and Titus. Some trace the routes of Independency to separatists, such as Robert Browne in the time of Elizabeth I and James I of England, but "separatism" may be an unhelpful term to use in the present day to describe FIEC, because although a church has to be autonomous and self-governing to affiliate to the FIEC, one of the main purposes of the FIEC is that local churches should work together to share resources as they seek to advance the Christian Faith. However, it is correct to note that a number of churches joined FIEC when they separated from a denomination that moved away from what they considered to be historic orthodox biblical Christianity. For example, Westminster Chapel, a leading church in the Independent tradition, joined the FIEC when the Congregational Union merged with the English Presbyterian Church to form the United Reformed Church denomination. Many Independent churches within the FIEC are Baptist churches but the FIEC is open both to churches that only baptise adults and also to churches that baptise the children of believers.
Former Presidents include Rev. Theodore Harold Bendor-Samuel.

FIEC Practical Services

FIEC Limited is a registered charity and trust corporation working under the title FIEC Practical Services. It holds church property in trust for many churches and also provides legal advice to churches and other charities. In most cases where it holds property in trust for churches, its role is limited to acting in accordance with the lawful instructions of the church for which it holds the property, although in some cases, it does also have decision making powers concerning the use of the property.

Church Planting

The FIEC has been very active in church planting over recent years and has a number of resources available to help churches and individuals considering starting a new church.
The "Go Into" project from the FIEC highlights 50 places across Great Britain with little or no evangelical witness relative to population size to help those thinking about starting a new church.

Leadership

The FIEC is led by a team of directors. The senior director is the National Director, John Stevens. Other directors are Adrian Reynolds, Andy Patterson, Johnny Prime, Andy Hunter, Gemma Adam and Trevor Archer.

Relations with other churches

FIEC is the largest corporate partner of Affinity, which was previously called the British Evangelical Council.
They also believe that Ecumenism in the form of Churches Together is not a positive move, citing various reasons including the liberal stance of other churches. The Trust Board has recently affirmed that formal membership of Churches Together is inconsistent with the FIEC Statement on Ecumenism. However a number of fellowships publicly profess their affiliation to CT.

Issues raised by the ''Bible League Quarterly'' from 2009 to 2012

Allegations of engagement in ecumenism by a missionary to Poland of Carey Baptist Church have also been made in articles in the July 2009 and January 2010 issues of the Bible League Quarterly, a journal once edited by the Fellowship's own founder, Rev E. J. Poole-Connor. it now has a circulation of just over 1000 copies per issue. This issue is regarded by some as controversial as it is alleged to be a violation of the Fellowship's own statement in 1996 opposing ecumenism. As an association of autonomous churches, the FIEC has defended the responsibility of Carey's elders to examine the allegations, but declined to examine them independently. The concerns were first raised in November 2008. On 23 March 2012 a modified statement on ecumenism was published and the old withdrawn.
Further concerns about connections between prominent FIEC personalities and the Polish ecclesiastical scene were raised in 2012 by the same journal.

Pastors

The FIEC offers numerous services to pastors, including a national support team, help for pastors looking to find a church to serve in or for churches looking for a pastor to come and serve, accreditation, training and support.
The FIEC believes the classical Complementarian view which recognises that the distinctive calling to be a pastor or elder in the local church, and to be the head of the home, is a calling for men. It also recognises and encourages a wide calling of ministries within the church for women and men.

Member churches

By October 2019, the FIEC has come to include 617 churches across Great Britain and the Channel Islands.
The section below lists the member churches. Indented entries represent church plants.

South West

South East

109 churches
ChurchLocationFoundedJoined FIECNotes
Abbey Baptist Church, AbingdonAbingdon, Oxfordshire18362016Also Grace Baptist
Brightwell Free ChurchBrightwell-cum-Sotwell, Oxfordshire1885
Cowley Church CommunityCowley, Oxfordshire20162018Planted from Magdalen Road Church
Grace Church KidlingtonKidlington, Oxfordshire20172018Planted from Woodstock Road Baptist
Grove Free Evangelical ChurchGrove, Oxfordshire
Magdalen Road Church, OxfordOxford, Oxfordshire
Marston Neighbourhood ChurchMarston, Oxfordshire2003
Town Church BicesterBicester, Oxfordshire20182018Planted from Magdalen Road Church
Trinity Church OxfordOxford, Oxfordshire20142015
Wantage Baptist ChurchWantage, Oxfordshire
Woodstock Road Baptist Church, OxfordOxford, Oxfordshire1897c. 1990sPreviously Baptist Union
Buckingham Evangelical ChurchBuckingham, Buckinghamshire1990Planted from Wolverton Evangelical
Long Crendon Baptist ChurchLong Crendon, Buckinghamshire1799
Marlow Baptist ChurchMarlow, Buckinghamshire1855
New City Church Milton KeynesMilton Keynes, Buckinghamshire20032008
Winslow Christian FellowshipWinslow, Buckinghamshire1989
Wolverton Evangelical ChurchWolverton, Buckinghamshire19721999
Binfield Free ChurchBinfield, Berkshire18671975
Blenheim Free Church, MaidenheadMaidenhead, Berkshire
Carey Baptist Church, ReadingReading, Berkshire18671993
Christ Church TilehurstTilehurst, Berkshire20162018Planted from Carey Baptist
Coley Park Baptist ChurchColey Park, Berkshire1994Planted from Carey Baptist
Great Hollands Free ChurchGreat Hollands, Berkshire
Kennet Valley Free ChurchCalcot, Berkshire
Thatcham Evangelical ChurchThatcham, Berkshire2006
Above Bar Church, SouthamptonSouthampton, Hampshire1876
Alverstoke Evangelical ChurchAlverstoke, Hampshire
Bethel Evangelical Church, Leigh ParkLeigh Park, Hampshire
Bishopstoke Evangelical ChurchBishopstoke, Hampshire
Christ Church SouthamptonSouthampton, Hampshire20072013
Cornerstone Church PortsmouthPortsmouth, Hampshire20162018Planted from Christ Church Southampton
Cowplain Evangelical ChurchCowplain, Hampshire
Eastney Evangelical ChurchSouthsea, Hampshire1918
Freemantle Evangelical Church, SouthamptonSouthampton, Hampshire
Gospel Church MarchwoodMarchwood, Hampshire
Koinonia Evangelical Church, AndoverAndover, Hampshire
Liss Evangelical ChurchLiss, Hampshire2012
Netley Christian FellowshipNetley, Hampshire19932019
New Milton Evangelical Free ChurchNew Milton, Hampshire
Paulsgrove Baptist ChurchPaulsgrove, Hampshire1954
Redeemer WinchesterWinchester, Hampshire20192019Planted from Christ Church Southampton
Solent Evangelical ChurchGosport, Hampshire2012
Southbourne Free ChurchEmsworth, Hampshire
The Butts Church, AltonAlton, Hampshire
Titchfield Evangelical ChurchTitchfield, Hampshire
Totton Evangelical Free ChurchTotton and Eling, Hampshire
Trinity Church LiphookLiphook, Hampshire1972c. 2001Previously International Presbyterian Church
Winchester Evangelical ChurchWinchester, Hampshire1884
Winsor Mission Evangelical ChurchWinsor, Hampshire1871
Grace Church Isle of WightRyde, Isle of Wight2011
Alfold ChapelAlfold, Surrey
Banstead Community ChurchBanstead, Surrey2004
Bethel Baptist Church, FarnhamFarnham, Surrey18342015
Binscombe Church, GodalmingGodalming, Surrey19571978
Bishopsgate Evangelical Church, EghamEgham, Surrey18942011
Chilworth Free ChurchChilworth, Surreypre-1939
Christ Church FetchamFetcham, Surrey
Emmanuel Church, FarnhamFarnham, Surrey
Horsell Evangelical ChurchHorsell, Surrey18961966
Horsley Evangelical ChurchEast Horsley, Surrey1947
Lower Kingswood Evangelical ChurchLower Kingswood, Surrey1923c. 1940
Merland Rise Church, TadworthTadworth, Surrey
Send Evangelical ChurchSend, Surrey
Smallfield Evangelical ChurchBurstow, Surrey
Tollgate Evangelical Church, RedhillRedhill, Surrey
Christ Church Haywards HeathHaywards Heath, West Sussex19361937
Cuckfield Baptist ChurchCuckfield, West Sussex17242018
East Beach Evangelical Church, SelseySelsey, West Sussex1965
East Dean Free ChurchEast Dean, West Sussex
Good News Church, HurstpierpointHurstpierpoint, West SussexPlanted from Christ Church Haywards Heath
Grace Church Haywards HeathHaywards Heath, West Sussex20082018Planted from Christ Church Haywards Heath
Henfield Evangelical Free ChurchHenfield, West Sussex
Kirdford ChapelKirdford, West Sussex
Lancing Tabernacle Evangelical Free ChurchLancing, West Sussex1922
Lindfield Evangelical Free ChurchLindfield, West Sussexlate C19th1992
Milland Evangelical ChurchMilland, West Sussex
Rudgwick ChapelRudgwick, West Sussex
Storrington Chapel Evangelical ChurchStorrington, West Sussex
Three Bridges Free ChurchThree Bridges, West Sussex1875
Walberton Baptist ChurchWalberton, West Sussex
West Worthing Evangelical ChurchWorthing, West Sussex1900
Worthing TabernacleWorthing, West Sussex1896
Arabic Community Church, BrightonPortslade, East SussexPlant from Southern Cross Evangelical
Calvary Church, BrightonBrighton, East Sussex1876
Chailey Free ChurchChailey, East Sussex18851943
Christian Arabic Evangelical Church, HoveHove, East Sussex2003
Eastbourne Evangelical Free ChurchEastbourne, East Sussex1907c. 1960
Hailsham Free ChurchHailsham, East Sussex1903c. 1980
Jubilee Christian Centre, BarcombeBarcombe, East Sussexpre-1910
New Life Church, BrightonBrighton, East Sussex2012
Park Hill Church, BrightonBrighton, East Sussex
Peacehaven Evangelical Free ChurchPeacehaven, East Sussex1922
Southern Cross Evangelical Church, PortsladePortslade, East Sussexpre-1920
St Leonards Congregational ChurchSt Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
Barton Church, CanterburyCanterbury, Kent
Barton Church, FavershamFaversham, Kent2018Planted from Barton Church Canterbury
The Carpenter's Arms Church, DealDeal, Kent
Cliffe Community ChurchCliffe, Kent2014
Community Church SheppeySheerness, Kent19862018
Emmanuel Church CanterburyCanterbury, Kent20102012
Grace Fellowship, AshfordAshford, Kent
Halling Baptist ChurchHalling, Kent
Hamilton Road Evangelical Church, WhitstableWhitstable, Kent
Herne Bay Evangelical Free ChurchHerne Bay, Kentc. 1935
Hope Church, GravesendGravesend, KentAlso Grace Baptist
The Lighthouse Church, DoverDover, Kent20152015
Otford Evangelical Free ChurchOtford, Kent
Outpost Church, WoodchurchWoodchurch, Kent20112016
Rochester Baptist ChurchRochester, Kent1888c. 1995
Trinity Baptist Church, TenterdenTenterden, Kent19682015
Wigmore Evangelical Free Church, RainhamRainham, Kent

London

25 churches
ChurchLocationFoundedJoined FIECNotes
Hope Community Church Barlanark, GlasgowBarlanark, Glasgow20162019
Bethany Evangelical Church, DumfriesDumfries, Dumfries and Galloway19462017
Erskine Church, KilwinningKilwinning, North Ayrshire17582004Previously Church of Scotland
Glenburn Baptist Church, PaisleyPaisley, Renfrewshire19992018
Clarkston Baptist ChurchClarkston, East Renfrewshire19371944
Plains Evangelical Church, AirdrieAirdrie, North Lanarkshire1900c. 2010
Finnieston Evangelical ChurchFinnieston, Glasgow
Greenview Church GlasgowPollokshaws, Glasgow18732018
Harper Church, GlasgowGovan, Glasgow18972014
Refuge Church GlasgowPollokshaws, Glasgow20142018
Yoker Evangelical ChurchYoker, Glasgow1914
Hope Community Church, BarlanarkBarlanark, Glasgow20162019
Lenzie Christian FellowshipLenzie, East Dunbartonshire
Charlotte Chapel, EdinburghEdinburgh, Edinburgh18082013
Hope City Church, EdinburghEdinburgh, Edinburgh20182018Planted from Charlotte Chapel
Hope Community Church, BinghamBingham, Edinburgh20192019Planted from Niddrie Community Church
Niddrie Community ChurchNiddrie, Edinburgh18962013Replanted by Charlotte Chapel 2004
Wester Hailes Baptist ChurchWester Hailes, Edinburgh19732019Planted from Charlotte Chapel
Braehead Evangelical Church, St MonansSt Monans, Fife1964
Blairgowrie Evangelical ChurchBlairgowrie, Perth and Kinross
Loch Leven Church, KinrossKinross, Perth and Kinross2018
Bethesda Evangelical Church, FraserburghFraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
Huntly Christian FellowshipHuntly, Aberdeenshire20172017
New Hope Church, BalmedieBalmedie, Aberdeenshire20192019
Hope Church AviemoreAviemore, Highland2019
Avoch Congregational ChurchAvoch, Highland18072013
Dornoch and District Christian FellowshipDornoch, Highland19942015
Grace Church OrkneyStromness, Orkney20172017
Garthspool Evangelical Church, LerwickLerwick, Shetland1914

Northern Ireland

none

Isle of Man

none

Channel Islands