The Orthodox Free Reformed Church (OFRC)
History
The Orthodox Free Reformed Church (OFRC) is a Christian Denomination (Church) in the United Kingdom. An oganic union between Biblically Orthodox Anglican, Methodist and Congregational Reformed Christians in England in 2003 - the result was common fellowship in a new Reformed, Congregational, grouping. The OFRC has no connection with, and - with a reaffirmation of male leadership - it is thus unlike, The United Reformed Church (URC).
Polity
The OFRC acknowledges Jesus Christ as the only head, and his word as the final authority in all matters of faith and life. Faithfulness to the Lord is paramount, not only in matters of doctrine, but also in matters of structure, government, and order.
Accordingly, a local Congregation is independent,within the OFRC, and is governed by a Church Assembly, (church meeting). A Church Assembly consists of one or more Ministers, (teaching elders) and a number of Deacons, (who are also ruling elders). Elders must meet the scriptural qualifications for the eldership. They are ordained and installed to office for life, (but may be removed from office, for the good of Church Order).
Ministers are licensed by the General Church Assembly, and are called by congregations - Deacons are elected by congregations. As required by the Scriptures, all the eldership must be men. Non-ordained Communicant Members sit on committees that supervise important areas of congregational life, but always under the oversight of the Church Assembly.
The OFRC is presbyterian only at the level of the congregations, which are united with one another by covenants of trust. A General Church Assembly gathers annually, under the chairmanship of an elected Moderator, to plan the activity of the OFRC across the United Kingdom.
Members are received into a Congregation, by the Church Assembly, on the basis of their credible profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Members are exposed to the Reformed faith from the pulpit, from the teaching ministry of the church, and from the sincere convictions of their Elders. They are required to receive and adopt the Confession of Faith and Catechisms as a standard for membership. Believers who have been baptized and who have professed their faith in Christ to the Elders are termed "Communicant Members". They are admitted to the Lord's Supper and have voting rights and responsibilities within the congregation. Baptized children, being minors, do not exercise voting rights.
Freemasonry and Congregation Membership
The OFRC 1st General Assembly 2004 stated that, "Communicant Members are always advised to consult an Elder before joining any Fraternal or Sororitorial body ? as they are able to give current definitive advice".
