FAQ
This is the Generation Church FAQ – to find out more about the site itself, click here
Why are you called Generation?
Originally the church was known as Ewell Christian Fellowship. In 1992 a new congregation was planted in Worcester Park and in 1994 we planted again in Epsom. Consequently we needed an all-encompassing name instead of something purely geograhpical. We seek to be a cross-generational group commited to having a positive impact on this generation and the next, so we decided that the name ‘Generation’ would reflect this best.
What is the history of the church?
In the 1970s a small group of people began to gather together in the home of Jacky and Ian Oliver to explore what they felt God was saying to them. Over a period of years this group began to grow and became Ewell Christian Fellowship, which ultimately became Generation.
What is your primary vision?
‘This generation for the next generation’. We are devoted to Jesus and each other and try to be good news wherever we live and work. Alongside this we continually seek to be relevant and inclusive to children and young people. We have commited to ‘go into all the world and make disciples, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.
How do we join your church?
New believers are gradually embraced into the family as they grow and develop. “Ready-made Christians” who want to join us, however, do go through a process either in a group or as individuals on a one to one basis to identify (a) there’s a mutual understanding of our basic beliefs, (b) whether they feel they have a calling to Generation’s mission and (c) to establish that they have left their previous church honouring their roots and are not under discipline.
What is the leadership structure?
The church is currently led by Hayley Roberts & Jonathan Lees. Around them is a support team of leaders who work closely with them, and around them is a larger team of ‘co-leaders’ who each take responsibility for leadership in a particular area of the church.
Do you have paid employees?
Yes. We have a principle of all employees working part time and maintaining involvement in other career areas. This achieves three things:
1) Releases more finance
2) Helps people to relate into wider areas than the church
3) Gives opportunity for career development
Our paid employees include administrators, senior leaders, schools workers and community workers.
Are you independent or is there some accountability?
We do not function as an independent church. The leadership team is accountable to a number of people from outside of the church and we also have a number of other connections which provide oversight and accountablity.
Do you have relationship with other churches, networks or ministries?
Yes, some of our connections with:
- Centro Cristiano Nueva Vida, Buenos Aires, Argentina. www.ccnv.org
- The Evangelical Alliance. www.eauk.org
- Churches Together in Surrey. www.churches-together.org.uk
- Paalam Project. www.paalamproject.com
- Doug Horley. www.duggiedugdug.co.uk
- Through The Roof. www.throughtheroof.org
Do you have a church building?
No, we rent offices which are attached to a small meeting hall that can hold up to 50 people. The hall is used mainly for small group activities. For larger meetings we hire premises.
When and how do you meet?
Our pattern of meeting is as follows:
We have four public meetings each month, for specific dates and times please see the upcoming events on the front page of this website or email info@generation.org.uk to subscribe to our email newsletter see below for more details…
‘Family Meetings’ – On the first and third Sunday of each month we hold a family meeting starting at 5.30pm at Epsom and Ewell High School
‘Heaven to Earth’ – On the second Sunday of each month we meet at the later time of 7.30pm for worship, prayer, prophesy and healing.
Also generally on the last Sunday of the month is Quench, 7pm, All Saints Church Hall, Fulford Road, West Ewell. This is a worship meeting for young people aged 12 years and up. We have quality speakers, video games and a worship band of young people. We partner with other churches in the local area to put on Quench and if you would like your young people to come along please get in touch with us.
Do you provide any teaching?
Teaching in Generation tends to be centred around small groups and personal study. We produce monthly teaching notes which are produced by various members of the church and are available to everyone who wants them.
Do you have children’s and young people’s activities?
Yes, these are held in a variety of different situations, varying from mid-week children’s clubs to a Sunday morning children’s club. There are also a lot of young people’s activities happening at various times. Please take a look at the diary pages for more details.
Do you christen children?
No, but we are happy to give an opportunity in one of our meetings to thank God for our babies and to dedicate them to him. We do not baptise babies as we believe this is best done when a person is old enough to make personal choices about their faith and beliefs.
Why don’t you meet every Sunday?
We asked a friend of ours, Paul Dicken to answer this question:
“I’m often asked this question by people who are genuinely puzzled by our very unconventional meeting patterns. Although I’m tempted to answer with another question, ‘Why do you meet every Sunday?’ – I don’t. With the extensive menu of meeting options available to us, we cover a range of needs: bible studies, teaching, prophetic worship, children’s meetings and at a variety of start times to suit larks and owls. We satisfy the instruction of Acts to meet together for fellowship and our quarterly church connection days give us opportunity to spend quality time together. Finally, we are in good relationship with other local churches and any Generation member can meet with other churches on Sunday if they so wish – and some do.”
If you have any other questions, or you’d like to find out more please get in touch with us by clicking here (info@generation.org.uk)