FIEC Distinctives: our Ethos Statements

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FIEC churches unite around our Doctrinal Basis, but they also agree to our Ethos Statements which bring clarity to our life and ministry as a Fellowship: gospel unity; women in ministry; and same sex marriage.

FIEC was founded in 1922 to be Independent churches united by primary gospel truths but with diversity on secondary issues.

That unity has always been defined by the FIEC Doctrinal Basis but, since 1922, FIEC churches have adopted three ethos statements about key issues which they thought necessary to take a stand. These statements are crucial to gospel faithfulness and are essential to our identity and functioning as a Fellowship:

To some extent, the statements have been adopted in response to what is happening more widely in evangelicalism or in the culture. Each year, FIEC churches recommit their agreement to these statements - churches do not have to agree with them but are free to leave the Fellowship if they have changed their position and no longer agree.

In October 2022, FIEC National Director John Stevens spoke at Bradfield & Rougham Baptist Church to a group of churches in Suffolk to explain more about the Ethos Statements followed by a Q&A:

What they are.
Why they were adopted.
Why we believe they are biblical.
What they require of FIEC churches.

You can watch a video of this presentation and download it to show in your church on the FIEC website.

00:00 - The 1992 vision for FIEC
05:47 - The statement on gospel unity
20:47 - The statement on women in ministry
42:23 - The statement on same sex marriage
01:02:04 - What's your position?
01:04:54 - Q&A

About FIEC: We are ⁠a fellowship of Independent churches⁠ with members of the family across England, Scotland and Wales. Our mission is to see those Independent churches working together with a big vision: to reach Britain for Christ. Being part of FIEC links you to a growing number of Independent evangelical churches and there are now more than 50,000 people who are part of churches affiliated to FIEC.

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