FEDERAL COUNCIL OF EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCHES. This body was formed to give expression to the unity in matters of spiritual principle which had been found to exist among the evangelical free churches of England and to co ordinate their activities and resources. It represents the denomina tions as organized corporate bodies. Its aims are convergent with those of the National Council of Evangelical Free Churches (q.v.) ; but its constitution and area of operation are different.
The original document consists of a "Declaratory Statement concerning Common Faith and Practice" (with a preamble) and a Constitution. The "governing body" of the Federation is a Federal Council, consisting of representatives elected annually by the supreme authorities of the federating Churches; but its pow ers are advisory and not executive except under conditions explicitly defined. See REUNION (CHURCH).