FIEC & Evangelical Alliance membership
Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church is part of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches. This is a network of churches working together in a common mission that gives each local church the opportunity to express true New Testament interdependence, in which there is the sharing of information, vision, people and money for the cause of spreading the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
FIEC is not a top-down denomination; our emphasis is on member churches ministering to each other and co-operating together. Wherever possible, we encourage churches to work together in groups, each with its own appointed Visitor. However, some things are organised centrally by the Council. These include:
- Personal visits to pastors and congregations for their encouragement and practical support.
- Advisory services, including specialist trust advice, and help with legal and financial matters.
- Confidential guidance to pastors and churches through the Pastors’ Association and the FIEC’s Care and Recognition Team.
- Publications such as our free magazine Together; the FIEC Directory listing churches and ministers as well as giving information on the extensive range of FIEC activities and ministries; and the Churches’ Handbook containing practical information on every aspect of church life.
- Occasional conferences and other events on matters relevant to gospel churches.
Reports, prayer letters and relevant information bulletins are sent to each church several times a year.
What does FIEC offer our church?
FIEC offers a gospel flag under which to fly. With the Christian world as diverse as it is today, being one with nearly 500 other Christ-centred and gospel-driven churches, is a way of identifying where you stand. It also offers an extensive advice service on 101 practical issues in an increasingly complex and regulated world. The practical demands on church leaders are growing all the time and it is immensely helpful to have access to resources that are geared to the needs of independent churches.
The FIEC Ltd is also the Holding Trustee of PEFC and is accountable for the legal oversight of our church’s property.
PEFC is also part of the EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE: –
The Evangelical Alliance was founded in 1846 and is the oldest alliance of evangelical Christians in the world.
The Alliance is the largest body serving evangelical Christians in the UK, and has a membership including denominations, churches, organisations and individuals. In its formative years the Alliance particularly stood for the victims of religious persecution and enabled evangelicals from different denominations to work together.
As part of a movement ‘uniting to change society’ the Alliance promotes unity and truth, acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider church, and works collaboratively with Alliance members and other evangelicals, to present Christ credibly as good news for spiritual and social transformation.
The Alliance speaks on behalf of its members and represents evangelical concerns to Government, the National Assemblies, the media and key decision-makers. In resourcing its members and encouraging Christians to fully engage in their communities as responsible citizens, the Alliance strives to make evangelical truths publicly accessible.
The Evangelical Alliance UK is one of a worldwide network of national alliances constituting the World Evangelical Alliance and is a member of the European Evangelical Alliance.
For further information and to join, please visit Evangelical Alliance’s website on www.eauk.org
