The Nature of a Gospel Church A Confession of Evangelical Principles; and the Members' Covenant. Intended for the Use of the Church of Christ.

"The Nature of a Gospel Church" by J. Church is a religious treatise written in the early 19th century, specifically addressing the principles and practices of a Christian congregation. The book focuses on the nature of the church as a gathering of believers committed to evangelical truths, highlighting the significance of faith, obedience, and communal worship. In this work, J. Church elaborates on the foundational beliefs of the church, presenting a detailed confession of faith that covers topics such as the nature of God, the role of Christ as mediator, and the necessity of grace for salvation. He emphasizes the importance of unity among believers and outlines the roles of ministers and church members in fostering a supportive community. The text includes a covenant agreement, which members are encouraged to uphold as they strive to live in accordance with their faith, reflecting the principles outlined in the book. The overall message conveys a deep commitment to evangelical values and the ongoing pursuit of holiness within the church. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Church was an Independent minister who was most famous for his involvement in the homosexual scandal of the Vere Street Coterie. He is claimed by some as the first openly ‘gay’ ordained Christian minister in England. Contemporary rumours about this are unproveable one way or the other, though circumstantial evidence may suggest that his "inordinate affections which led me into error" could be referring to homosexuality.