FAQs
This section contains some typical questions that people have asked. As time goes on and we receive more feedback then further questions will be posted here.
What is Affinity
Affinity is a ‘Church-centred Partnership for Bible-centred Christianity’, representing 14 denominations and church groupings, along with other independent congregations, throughout the UK.
Currently connecting some 1200 congregations, it is the largest network of exclusively Bible-centred churches in the country. Affinity also welcomes like-minded Christian agencies and individuals.
What is Affinity for?
Jesus prayed that the unity of his people might be visible to the world for the sake of the gospel (John 17:21-23). That should be reason enough to ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace’ (Ephesians 4:3).
Affinity is one such effort. Its stated aim is to ‘declare and demonstrate the unity of Christ’s Church for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom’. Its ultimate significance will depend on how faithful we are to this vision and how successfully we communicate it to others. For both these factors we are totally dependent on the grace of a loving and almighty God.
Why is Affinity necessary?
We believe there is a great need for an association that is unambiguously both Bible-driven and Church-focused.
First, Affinity is for evangelicals who are unashamedly subject, in belief and practice, to the written Word of God. This shared commitment ensures that any differences are of secondary
significance and provides the only sound basis on which churches can work together with confidence.
Secondly, Affinity is primarily a fellowship of churches to which its leadership is directly accountable.
Thirdly, Affinity is open to, and exists to serve, all faithful, evangelical churches, regardless of any other distinctives. No other national association combines all these crucial features.
How is Affinity run?
We are determined to keep our procedures simple and our bureaucracy to an absolute minimum. An Executive Council, comprising representatives of Affinity Partners (the churches) and Affinity Associates (Christian agencies), meets two or three times a year.
The representation of Partners cannot fall below 75%. A smaller Management Committee, selected from the Executive, oversees interim decision-making. The day-to-day running of Affinity is down to the Director and the Administrator.
At present, the only standing committees are the Theological and Social Issues Teams.
Our main resources are to be found in the Partners and Associates themselves. Working together, at both local and national levels, we believe there is no limit to what might be achieved with God’s blessing.
How is Affinity funded?
Affinity is dependent on the generous giving of Christians across the UK and around the world. Like most Christian organisations, we run on a tight and limited budget. Uncertainty about the future of the BEC in recent years understandably led to a significant depletion of funds.
We do not set subscription rates for our Partners, Associates and Supporters, although donation levels are suggested. Obviously, the more that is given, the more we can do together.
It is our prayer and belief that, as churches, agencies and individual believers capture a vision for this project, they will want to meet its financial needs.
