Dear Editor,
I’m a bit behind with reading Christian papers and have just read David Shepherd’s thought-provoking article on Synod 2027. As someone who lives in a rural area and has no FIEC or similar church in the vicinity, what I feel would be of significant help is if FIEC or en could produce an online leaflet that states what is required when setting up an independent fellowship – insurance for meeting in a home or a hired hall, what licence is required to play music and use projected lyrics, how we set up to receive the benefit of gift aid (including a downloadable template perhaps?), how we might arrange spiritual oversight through FIEC, etc.
I suspect that there are many reaching the end of their tether with the increasingly ‘liberal’ denominations (the recent announcement by the Bishop of Oxford being the latest blow to retaining unity) who now feel called by God to maintain an orthodox Christian presence within their communities and wish to establish fellowships that are honourably compliant with applicable practical issues as well as godly ones.
