Evangelical Connexion of The Free Church of England

The Evangelical Connexion of the Free Church of England came into being in 2003. Despite its name it is not part of the Free Church of England. Its first bishops — Bishops Barry Shucksmith and Arthur Bentley-Taylor— had been outspoken in their criticisms of the direction that the FCE was taking regarding ecumenism in particular, and resigned from that body in 2003. The Connexion insists that the reason for the resignations from the Free Church of England was the bishops' (Shucksmith and Bentley-Taylor) belief that the FCE's engagement with the modern ecumenical movement meant that the church's foundational principles, particularly as a distinctively Reformed and Protestant Church, had been abandoned.

The FCE's Declaration of Principles (to which the Connexion also still adheres) recognises the essential unity of all who, by a like faith, are united to the one Divine and Common Head of the Church (Jesus Christ) and requires the FCE to maintain communion with all other Christian Churches. The Connexion believes this should not go as far as participation in the modern ecumenical movement which today embraces many who would deny other fundamental doctrinal tenets of the FCE. This is because the Connexion use Biblical explanations for what makes a Christian, and not human methodology.

At present the Connexion consists of 6 congregations in England, located as follows,

• St Paul's Church, Fleetwood, Lancs
• Christ Church, Cross Gates, Leeds, W.Yorks
• Christ Church, Tuebrook, Liverpool
• St Stephen's Church, Middlesbrough, Cleveland
• Emmanuel Church, Workington, Cumbria
• Christ Church, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Most of the Connexion's church buildings are still claimed by the FCE, on the grounds that their use by congregations of the Connexion contravenes the terms of their Trust Deeds.

The Connexion remains committed to its interpretation of the founding principles of the FCE. Biblical theology, paedobaptism, liturgical worship, and episcopal polity are all important, although understood in light of the Declaration of Principles.

The Evangelical Connexion is not a member of the Anglican Communion. The Connexion is, however, a member of the ecumenical organisation Affinity (formerly the British Evangelical Council). Individual members and congregations have contacts within both the FIEC and Affinity. Recent contacts for this group include the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales and the Church of England in South Africa, as well as the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches (EFCC). The Connexion holds to the supremacy and sufficiency of the Bible in determining doctrine and practice and stands in the body of continuing Anglican churches which take their inspiration from the English Reformers. The Connexion currently contends that is the one remaining Protestant, Reformed, Evangelical, Anglican-style body in the UK whose doctrine and worship are still based on Scripture and the Prayer Book. Exclusive use of the 1785 Prayer Book in Connexion parishes is not required, however. The Connexion has not authorised its own modern language liturgy, but does allow (with the Presiding Bishop's permission), the use of some services from 'An English Prayer Book' (Church Society Publications — OUP).

In April 2008, a former Roman Catholic priest, Dominic Stockford, was consecrated as bishop for the Connexion by Arthur Bentley-Taylor (Shucksmith having resigned). Rev Stockford resigned in 2012, due to ill health. A 'Co-ordinator' for the Connexion has been appointed temporarily.