There are many in the Church world today who firmly believe that a new or stand-alone church must make haste and come under the umbrella of and belong to one of the established groups of Churches in order to survive. These established groups of Churches are recognised by society as giving credibility to a Church, and some would say that a Church that is not part of one of these established groups will have no standing amongst member Churches. It is also not uncommon for schools belonging to established denominations to disqualify young applicants based on their family attendance of a Church that does not belong to one of these groups of churches.
The position of the Pastor of this House is that this is not the Lord's heart or will for His Church to be divided in such a manner. Jesus created one Church group all linked together, but we His people have divided it up and created many Church groups. Churches must return to be without borders and without competition. Conditions of Church group affiliation and Church group vision compliance requirements leave very little room for the Lord to direct a Church in any unique way He wills. And many dear Christians have come to believe and accept that it is the only way to make it in the church world today. This makes it hard to blame parents who seek group-affiliated churches to attend in order to get their children into key faith schools.
Groups of Churches are set to follow their own vision, even as this House is set to follow its own God-given vision. Therefore, the call of this House will not allow the Pastor to abandon his assignment and place this House under the man-made vision of another Pastor (or Bishop), or group of Churches, without the Lord's specific direction. It will not be a decision he will make regardless of the possibility of a lack of Church credibility or recognition in this society.
Currently this House is not a member of or seeking to be part of any group of Churches in order to gain credibility or standing in society. The Pastor is however open to form links with Churches that are willing to come alongside in the unity of the faith, in cooperation, and on the solid foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the early church once did.
Nicholas Williamson-Taylor
Pastor