More on the Congregational Church

Congregational churches have been in existence for over three hundred years and are independent churches. In 1662 the Act of Uniformity was passed making all Ministers in the Church of England agree to certain principles. Many felt that they could not do this and left to become Ministers of other churches, including Congregational churches.

A Congregational church does not have a 'governing body' but everything is decided locally, within the members of each individual church. Deacons are appointed in the church to help run it and take all small decisions. Christians who are committed to the church can become members and share in the work. When important decisions have to be made, for example choosing the next Minister, all the church members meet and choose together who the man should be.

Communion

Congregational churches observe communion once or twice a month at the end of a normal service. The Minister or Deacons will lead this service and distribute the bread and wine around the congregation.. We do not share one cup for the wine, but have one little cup for each person to take. Everyone eats the bread and drinks the wine at the same time. The Minister will lead us to think about Jesus and pray. Only Christians can take part, and the Minister makes this quite clear. People who aren't Christians can stay in the service but cannot take the bread or wine. The bread symbolises Jesus' body and the wine symbolises his blood, and helps us to think about why Jesus came and that he died on the cross for us.