View source for Evangelical Alliance

{{Short description|British Evangelical Christian organisation}}
{{Distinguish|World Evangelical Alliance}}
{{Third-party|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Evangelical Alliance
| logo = Evangelical Alliance logo 2017.png
| type = Evangelical Christian union
| founded_date = August 1846
| founders = [[Edward Steane]], John Henderson of Park, [[Ridley Haim Herschell]] and [[Sir Culling Eardley, 3rd Baronet]]
| headquarters = [[London]], {{postcode|N|1}}
| location = England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
| origins = [[London]], United Kingdom
| key_people = 
| area_served = United Kingdom, worldwide
| product = 
| focus = [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christianity]]
| method = Provides advocacy, advice and information
| revenue = 
| endowment = 
| num_volunteers = 
| num_employees = 50 (approximately)
| num_members = 3,300 churches, 700 organisations
| subsid = 
| owner = 
| leader_title = CEO
| leader_name = Gavin Calver
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.eauk.org/}}
| registration_id = 212325 (England & Wales) SC040576 (Scotland)
| dissolved = 
}}

The '''Evangelical Alliance''' ('''EA''') is a UK organisation of [[evangelical]] Christians, organisations, and churches, which is itself a member of the [[World Evangelical Alliance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Host an EA Sunday|url=http://www.eauk.org/church/ea-sunday/index.cfm|website=Evangelical Alliance|access-date=19 October 2016|archive-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611052156/https://www.eauk.org/church/ea-sunday/index.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref> Founded in 1846, the Evangelical Alliance aims to promote evangelical [[Christianity|Christian]] beliefs and advocate for evangelical Christians in politics and society.<ref name="about us">{{cite web |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/ |title=About us |publisher=Eauk.org |date=3 April 2012 |access-date=25 February 2021 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209123114/https://www.eauk.org/about-us |url-status=live }}</ref> The Evangelical Alliance is based in [[London]], with offices in [[Cardiff]], [[Glasgow]], [[Belfast]] and [[Stockport]].<ref name="who we are">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldea.org/whoweare/history |title=WEA – World Evangelical Alliance Est 1846 – Page Whoweare |publisher=Worldea.org |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-date=11 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511085937/http://www.worldea.org/whoweare/history |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
The Evangelical Alliance was founded in 1846 by [[Ridley Haim Herschell]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7613-herschell-ridley-haim |title=Herschell, Ridley Haim |first=Joseph |last=Jacobs |first2=Goodman |last2=Lipkind |publisher=Jewish Encyclopedia |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427201255/http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7613-herschell-ridley-haim |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Edward Steane]], John Henderson and [[Sir Culling Eardley, 3rd Baronet|Sir Culling Eardley]].<ref name="Oxford">Rosemary Chadwick, ‘Steane, Edward (1798–1882)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/47093, accessed 30 July 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109181540/https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-47093 |date=9 November 2023 }}</ref> Eardley became the organisation's first chairperson, leading the Alliance in its various campaigns for religious freedom; in 1852, Eardley campaigned on behalf of the Tuscan [[prisoners of conscience]] Francesco Madiai and Rosa Madiai,<ref>John Wolffe, ‘Eardley, Sir Culling Eardley, third baronet (1805–1863)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/8393, accessed 30 July 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109181541/https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-8393 |date=9 November 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Anderson |first=John Shaw |title=Heroes of the Faith in Italy |publisher=Bible Truth Publishers |date=1971 |location=Illinois |page=115 |url=https://bibletruthpublishers.com/francesco-and-rosa-madiai-the-italian-christian-prisoners/john-shaw-anderson/heroes-of-the-faith-in-italy/j-s-anderson/page-share/lxps-la-94838 |asin=B000Z2ST2Y |access-date=27 April 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427210021/https://bibletruthpublishers.com/francesco-and-rosa-madiai-the-italian-christian-prisoners/john-shaw-anderson/heroes-of-the-faith-in-italy/j-s-anderson/page-share/lxps-la-94838 |url-status=live }}</ref> who had been imprisoned for their Protestant faith.<ref>{{cite book |last=Madiai |first=Francesco |last2=Madiai |first2=Rosa |title=Letters Of The Madiai: And Visits To Their Prisons By The Misses Senhouse |publisher=Nabu Press |date=12 November 2011 |location=Charleston |page=180 |isbn=9781271735235}}</ref>

== Key people ==
{{As of|2020}}, the leadership of the Evangelical Alliance consisted of

*Gavin Calver, CEO (appointed in 2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=Gavin Calver announced as new CEO of the Evangelical Alliance |url=https://www.eauk.org/press-releases/gavin-calver-announced-as-new-chief-executive-of-the-evangelical-alliance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613182500/https://www.eauk.org/press-releases/gavin-calver-announced-as-new-chief-executive-of-the-evangelical-alliance |archive-date=13 June 2020 |access-date=13 June 2020 |website=eauk.org |publisher=Evangelical Alliance}}</ref>
* Peter Lynas, UK Director
* Jo Frost, Director of Communications and Engagement
* Fred Drummond, Director of Scotland
* Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, Director of the One People Commission
* John Gibson, Director of Finance and Operations
* Danny Webster, Director of Advocacy
* Hil Sewell, Director of People and Culture
* Emmie Burns, Personal Assistant to Gavin Calver<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the staff team of the Evangelical Alliance |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/who-we-are/our-staff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606175841/https://www.eauk.org/about-us/who-we-are/our-staff |archive-date=6 June 2020 |access-date=13 June 2020 |website=eauk.org |publisher=Evangelical Alliance}}</ref>

Past leaders of the Evangelical Alliance include [[Clive Calver]] (1983–1997), [[Joel Edwards (Evangelical Alliance)|Joel Edwards]] (1997–2009) and Steve Clifford (2009–2019).<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/history |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Members==
The Evangelical Alliance is a membership organisation whose members subscribe to its Basis of Faith<ref>{{Cite web |title=Basis of faith |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/how-we-work/basis-of-faith |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref> and are expected to relate to one another in accordance with its Relational Commitments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Relationship Commitments |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/how-we-work/relationship-commitments |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref>

{{As of|March 2024}}, its website listed over 650 organisations, over 2,300 churches, and two corporations as members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our members |url=https://www.eauk.org/membership/our-members |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref> It also has an unspecified number of individual members. Member organisations include [[Tearfund]], an organisation originally established by the Evangelical Alliance as the Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund, and CARE ([[Christian Action, Research and Education]]).

A number of [[Member of Parliament|UK Members of Parliament]] are associated with the Evangelical Alliance, including Labour MP [[Stephen Timms]], a member of the Alliance's Council;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Council |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/who-we-are/council |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref> Conservative MP and former [[2016 Conservative Party leadership election|Conservative Party leadership candidate]] [[Stephen Crabb]], associated with the Alliance through Gweini (the Council of the Christian Voluntary Sector in Wales);<ref name="Eye1422">{{cite magazine|title=Crabb mentality (HP Sauce)|magazine=Private Eye|issue=1422|publisher=Pressdram Ltd|date=8 July 2016|page=9}}</ref> and former Conservative MP for Congleton [[Fiona Bruce (politician)|Fiona Bruce]], a member of the Alliance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cook |first=Chris |title=Christian Tories rewrite party doctrine |url=https://www.ft.com/content/12400596-16ac-11df-aa09-00144feab49a |newspaper=The Financial Times |access-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100216075147/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/12400596-16ac-11df-aa09-00144feab49a.html%23axzz1HujKYPbK |archive-date=16 February 2010 |date=16 February 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Positions==

=== Ecumenism ===
The Evangelical Alliance has historically supported [[ecumenism]] – the principle of unity between different church doctrines – with the [[Roman Catholic Church]], an approach criticised by some as in direct contradiction to the beliefs of the Evangelical Alliance's founders.<ref name="blq1">{{cite web|url= http://www.bibleleaguetrust.org/stand-fast-for-authentic-evangelicalism-5/ |last=Harris |first= F.J. |title=Stand fast for authentic evangelicalism |date=18 January 2014 |access-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150227041236/http://www.bibleleaguetrust.org/stand-fast-for-authentic-evangelicalism-5/ |archive-date=27 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="blq2">{{cite web |url=http://strateias.org/poole.htm |last=Fountain |first=David |title=Today's FIEC and E.J. Poole-Connor, Appendix |date=2001 |access-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227084554/http://strateias.org/poole.htm |archive-date=27 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, the Alliance supported the 'Thy Kingdom Come' initiative – an event organised by the Archbishops of York and Canterbury to bring more people to Christianity through a sustained period of prayer from the dates of the [[Feast of the Ascension]] to [[Pentecost]] annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://greatcommission.co.uk/pray/gavin-calver-thy-kingdom-come |title=Gavin shares why we're so passionate about joining with Thy Kingdom Come |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018171932/https://greatcommission.co.uk/pray/gavin-calver-thy-kingdom-come |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2024 report on the results of surveys it conducted in Northern Ireland,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Good news people |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/nations/northern-ireland/good-news-people |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref> the Evangelical Alliance uncritically used the term "Catholic Evangelicals" to describe practising Roman Catholics who are committed to "evangelisation" and "renewal" but whose theological views do not necessarily align with the Alliance's basis of faith.

=== Homosexuality ===

According to a 2016 ''[[Private Eye]]'' report, the Evangelical Alliance is openly opposed to [[homosexuality]] and [[same-sex relationships]], preaching [[sexual abstinence]] for those with same-sex attractions, with membership for openly lesbian and gay people open only to those who "[[Conversion therapy|come to see the need to be transformed]]" from their same-sex attraction.<ref name="Eye1422" />
The Evangelical Alliance's website distinguishes between same-sex attraction and same-sex sexual relations, calling on people who want to live within God's purposes to renounce the latter. It states, "We encourage evangelical congregations to welcome and accept sexually active lesbians and gay men. However, they should do so in the expectation that they, like all of us who are living outside God's purposes, will come in due course to see the need to be transformed and live in accordance with biblical revelation and orthodox church teaching. We urge gentleness, patience and ongoing pastoral care during this process and after a person renounces same-sex sexual relations."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/reports/biblical-and-pastoral-responses-to-homosexuality |title=Biblical and pastoral responses to homosexuality: A resource for church leaders |access-date=24 February 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302085206/https://www.eauk.org/resources/what-we-offer/reports/biblical-and-pastoral-responses-to-homosexuality |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Evangelical Alliance warned the [[Premiership of Liz Truss|Liz Truss government]] against a [[conversion therapy]] ban, warning that such a ban could end up criminalising church leaders and restrict religious freedom.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=16 March 2021 |title=Religious group warns against LGBT+ conversion therapy ban |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56420328 |work=BBC News |location=London |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref>

=== Abortion ===
The Evangelical Alliance calls "for world-leading support, services and legislation that seeks to protect the lives and health of both women and unborn children" through its Both Lives initiative,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives/about |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref> which was formerly known as [[Both Lives Matter]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Both Lives Matter |url=https://bothlivesmatter.org/ |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Both Lives Matter |language=en-GB}}</ref> In a 2019 UK government consultation on proposed abortion legislation in Northern Ireland, the Evangelical Alliance responded 'Yes' to the question, "Do you agree that provision should be made for abortion without gestational time limit where: Termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or girl?".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our written submission to the Northern Ireland Office |url=https://www.eauk.org/about-us/nations/northern-ireland/resources/resources-for-the-abortio-consultation/written-submission-to-northern-ireland-office |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Evangelical Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[James William Massie|Massie, James William]] (1847), ''The Evangelical Alliance, Its Origin and Development''.
*De Kewer Williams, John. ''The Basis of the Evangelical Alliance'' (1847).
*Thompson, Todd. "The Evangelical Alliance, Religious Liberty, and the Evangelical Conscience in Nineteenth-Century Britain," ''[[Journal of Religious History]]'' (2009), 33#1, pp. 49–65.

==External links==
{{EB1911 Poster|Evangelical Alliance}}
* {{Official website|1=http://www.eauk.org/}}
* {{EW charity|212325|Evangelical Alliance}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:National evangelical alliances]]
[[Category:Christian organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Evangelical denominations established in the 19th century]]
[[Category:1846 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Evangelicalism in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Organisations based in the London Borough of Islington]]
[[Category:Religion in the London Borough of Islington]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1846]]