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| Abbreviation | AGBC(SE) |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1871 (as Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches (M.A.S.B.C.)) |
| Type | Calvinistic Baptist |
| Legal status | Registered charity[1] |
| Headquarters | London |
| Location |
|
Region served | London and South East England |
AGBCSE Secretary | Andrew King |
| Website | www |
TheAssociation of Grace Baptist Churches (South East) (abbreviated asAGBC(SE)) is an association of churches in London and South East England.
As of 2024 there are 70 member churches in the association.[2] All the members of the association are independentBaptist churches of anevangelical persuasion.
The association is a registered charity[1] and is a corporate partner ofAffinity.[3] As part of its work, it provides advice and support for its members. It is also involved in lobbying the government on issues important to its members, through its membership of Churches' Legislation Advisory Service (CLAS).[4]
The Association was established in 1871 as the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches (MASBC),[5] an association of 23 Strict Baptist churches. John Stevens, a Baptist minister in London, was noted for his influence in the formation of the association, which was motivated by concern to maintain clearCalvinist doctrines.[6]
The name "Strict" represented the position that the churches had on a strict orclosed communion (also known at the Lord's Table), whereby the churches required all those taking part in this ordinance to bebaptised by immersion.[7] The name "Strict" was, however, often misunderstood and gave the wrong impression to those outside of the churches, and so they later became known as "Grace Baptist" churches. This was reflected in the association's change of name to the current form.
As of 2022 there are 65 member churches in the association.[2]