Our Beliefs

Many of us think of a church as a building and we are grateful to have such a spacious and useful premises which houses many activities both on Sundays and midweek. But essentially, Great Barton Free Church is about people- people who believe the Christian Faith is relevant in today's world; people young and old who want to live their lives in worship to Him. Why a 'Free' church?

We use the term 'free' Because we do not belong to any particular denomination; we are independent but we are a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

After the destruction of the Hall in Great Barton in 1914, the Bunbury estate was split up bringing a number of farmers and small holders into the village. Many of these people were non-conformists and in true unity, members of the Baptist Bretheren, Anglican, Congregational Methodist and Salvation Army communions have worshiped and continue to worship together demonstrating that we are all one in Christ Jesus. So even though we are independent from other denominations, we desire unity in Jesus with other Christians.

On this basis we are parts of Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds. We work, worship and pray on a regular basis with other churches in the village and around Bury.

As a church we are a group of people who believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God for all people at all times, and at the heart of the good news of Jesus is the incredible love and compassion that God has for us. This love passed on to us by God's Spirit is the love which should permeate us as one big family here at Great Barton Free Church to share the good times and not so good times of our lives together.

Are we an active church? As a church we also seek to have a positive influence in our local communities and in our world too. To be salt and light wherever we can, helping to show that to live as Jesus is indeed life to the full.

Each year we update our Vision Document for the church. This gives a more detailed explanation of what GBFC seeks to do.