Free churches: Difference between revisions
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A '''free church''' is any [[Christian denomination]] that is intrinsically separate from government (as opposed to a [[state church]]). A free church neither defines government policy, nor accept church theology or policy definitions from the government. A free church also does not seek or receive government endorsements or funding to carry out its work. The term is only relevant in countries with established state churches. Notwithstanding that, the description "free" has no inherent doctrinal or polity overtones. An individual belonging to a free church is known as a '''free churchperson''' or, historically, '''free churchman'''. In [[wikipedia:Scandinavia|Scandinavia]], free churchpersons would include Protestant Christians who are not communicants of the majority [[national church]], such as the [[Lutheran]] [[Church of Sweden]]. In [[wikipedia:England|England]], where the [[Church of England]] was the established church, other Protestant denominations such as [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]], [[Congregationalists]], [[Baptists]], the [[Plymouth Brethren]], [[ | A '''free church''' is any [[Christian denomination]] that is intrinsically separate from government (as opposed to a [[state church]]). A free church neither defines government policy, nor accept church theology or policy definitions from the government. A free church also does not seek or receive government endorsements or funding to carry out its work. The term is only relevant in countries with established state churches. Notwithstanding that, the description "free" has no inherent doctrinal or polity overtones. An individual belonging to a free church is known as a '''free churchperson''' or, historically, '''free churchman'''. In [[wikipedia:Scandinavia|Scandinavia]], free churchpersons would include Protestant Christians who are not communicants of the majority [[national church]], such as the [[Lutheran]] [[Church of Sweden]]. In [[wikipedia:England|England]], where the [[Church of England]] was the established church, other Protestant denominations such as [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterians]], [[Congregationalism (tradition)|Congregationalists]], [[Baptists]], the [[Plymouth Brethren]], [[Methodists]] and [[Quakers]] are, accordingly, free churches. In [[wikipedia:Scotland|Scotland]] it might be used regarding any Protestant denomination, including the [[Free Church of Scotland (since 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland]], the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland]] etc., in distinction to the established [[Church of Scotland]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
In the [[wikipedia:Middle Ages|Middle Ages]], groups like the [[Waldensians]] were in practice free churches. In 16th century Europe, within the [[Radical reformation|radical]] movements such as the [[Anabaptist]]s were free churches with small exceptions like the [[Münster Rebellion]]. [[Mennonites]], the [[Amish]], the [[Quakers]] and other churches maintain free church polities into the present date both in Europe and in North America. | In the [[wikipedia:Middle Ages|Middle Ages]], groups like the [[Waldensians]] were in practice free churches. In 16th century Europe, within the [[Radical reformation|radical]] movements such as the [[Anabaptist]]s were free churches with small exceptions like the [[Münster Rebellion]]. [[Mennonites]], the [[Amish]], the [[Quakers]] and other churches maintain free church polities into the present date both in Europe and in North America. Free churches also evolved in the US supported by the official separation of church and state, while much of Europe maintains some government involvement in religion and churches via taxation to support them and by appointing ministers and bishops etc., although free churches have been founded in Europe outside of the state system.<ref>[http://anglicanhistory.org/misc/freechurch/ Project Canterbury: The Free Church Movement]</ref><ref>[http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/jhhbrown/free1857.html What "Free Church" means and Why Churches should be Free], 1857</ref> | ||
==By denomination== | ==By denomination== | ||
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=== Free Methodist Church === | === Free Methodist Church === | ||
Among the Methodist Churches, calling a church "free" does not indicate any particular relation to a government. Rather the [[Free Methodist Church]] is so called because of three, possibly four, reasons, depending on the source referenced. The word "Free" was suggested and adopted because the new church was to be an anti-slavery church (slavery was an issue in those days), because pews in the churches were to be free to all rather than sold or rented (as was common), and because the new church hoped for the freedom of the Holy Spirit in the services rather than a stifling formality. However, according to World Book Encyclopedia, the third principle was "freedom" from secret and oathbound societies (in particular the Freemasons). | Among the Methodist Churches, calling a church "free" does not indicate any particular relation to a government. Rather the [[Free Methodist Church]] is so called because of three, possibly four, reasons, depending on the source referenced. The word "Free" was suggested and adopted because the new church was to be an anti-slavery church (slavery was an issue in those days), because pews in the churches were to be free to all rather than sold or rented (as was common), and because the new church hoped for the freedom of the Holy Spirit in the services rather than a stifling formality. However, according to World Book Encyclopedia, the third principle was "freedom" from secret and oathbound societies (in particular the Freemasons). | ||
=== Radical Pietism === | === Radical Pietism === | ||
Denominations belonging to the [[International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches]] trace their roots to the [[Radical Pietism|Radical Pietist movement]]. Radical Pietists separated from the [[Lutheran Church]]es, which held the status of [[Christian state|state churches]] in Europe. | Denominations belonging to the [[International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches]] trace their roots to the [[Radical Pietism|Radical Pietist movement]]. Radical Pietists separated from the [[Lutheran Church]]es, which held the status of [[Christian state|state churches]] in Europe. | ||
==By country== | ==By country== | ||
=== United States === | === United States === | ||
In the [[wikipedia:United States|United States]], because of the [[wikipedia:First Amendment|First Amendment]] forbidding the government establishment of religion, all churches are by definition free churches. However, many churches in the [[wikipedia:United States|United States]] have requested tax-exempt status under section [[wikipedia:501c3|501(c)(3)]] of the [[wikipedia:Internal Revenue Code|Internal Revenue Code]]. This subjects the churches to certain additional regulations to maintain the tax exemption. Churches that are structured under [[wikipedia:501c3|501(c)(3)]] face restrictions in the area of political speech: no substantial part of the church's activities may consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. | In the [[wikipedia:United States|United States]], because of the [[wikipedia:First Amendment|First Amendment]] forbidding the government establishment of religion, all churches are by definition free churches. However, many churches in the [[wikipedia:United States|United States]] have requested tax-exempt status under section [[wikipedia:501c3|501(c)(3)]] of the [[wikipedia:Internal Revenue Code|Internal Revenue Code]]. This subjects the churches to certain additional regulations to maintain the tax exemption. Churches that are structured under [[wikipedia:501c3|501(c)(3)]] face restrictions in the area of political speech: no substantial part of the church's activities may consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.<ref>https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/charities-churches-and-politics</ref> In a recent federal court filing, the [[wikipedia:Internal Revenue Service|Internal Revenue Service]] stated that churches can endorse political candidates to their congregations without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status.<ref>https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.232590/gov.uscourts.txed.232590.35.1.pdf</ref> | ||
=== Germany === | === Germany === | ||