Interdenominational bodies have a long and worthy history. Generally they have been enthusiastic, committed and targeted, with rather specialised evangelistic goals. But are they a ‘church’ or ‘church-like’? This paper argues for a sensible division of labour with established churches, but holds that both the more institutional and the voluntary specialised bodies are both ‘church’, and that the latter are not merely useful adjuncts. A sound interdenominational group needs to develop a strong theological basis, a clear aim and set of working principles, normative for its participants. If so, its cutting-edge will be apparent without, and its rare, lovely fellowship within.
The Advisory Committee. (Undated). Evangelical Belief: The Official Interpretation of the Doctrinal Basis of the I.V.F., London: The Inter-Varsity Fellowship of Evangelical Unions.
2.
Lausanne Covenant (1974), International Congress on World Evangelization, Lausanne, Switzerland.
3.
MellisCharles E. (1976). Committed Communities: Fresh Streams For World Missions, Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library.
4.
StottJohn (1978). Baptism and Fullness: The Work of the Holy Spirit Today, 2nd Edition, Leicester: InterVarsity Press.
