The idea of a UK ‘Gospel Coalition’ is continuing to receive varying degrees of support.
At the start of April, evangelical umbrella group Affinity announced it was entering discussions to form such a new body – and that it might even ‘replace’ their own organisation (see May issue of en).
Phil Swan, from the Evangelical Movement of Wales (EMW) said it is ‘fairly supportive’, citing the need to develop wider unity among evangelicals in the UK: ‘As a movement we’re concerned about potential fragmentation in evangelicalism in the UK currently. So we would do anything positively that would provide an opportunity potentially for wider evangelical fellowship. It depends who ultimately would have control; that will be the test of this.’
David Meredith, Mission Director of the Free Church of Scotland (which is also part of Affinity), stated: ‘The UK Gospel Coalition discussion is timely. Tribalism is a sad feature of British conservative evangelicalism and any initiative to mitigate against this is welcome. The Free Church of Scotland, as founder members of both the Evangelical Alliance and Affinity, have winsome ecumenism in their DNA. We look forward to playing a constructive role in this ongoing conversation. A search for the perfect must not impede settling for the good.’
