Affirmation Bristol, a small, loving, & progressive Christian community.
Faith without fear
Many Christians are experiencing ‘deconstruction’; questioning their belief structure and looking for a different perspective. We are a small, friendly, community of ‘deconstructing’ people that have come to different conclusions, and celebrate this diversity of thought. We share the same values of love, inclusion, social justice, intellectual honesty and a commitment to something bigger than ourselves.
Diverse minds, common community
Community is a central value of Affirmation. We aim to create a safe and radically inclusive environment outside of a traditional church setting, where we can support and invest in one another. We emphasise authenticity, encouragement and relationship building, helping us to create a space where all can truly belong.
Free to be me
Many people have heard the phrase ‘come as you are’ used too loosely in churches which do not fully affirm or celebrate their identity. At Affirmation we want everyone to feel safe to live out their authentic selves acknowledging that God loves and accepts you exactly as you are. LGBTQIA+ inclusion is central to our values and we acknowledge the hurt many LGBTQIA+ individuals have often experienced at the hands of Christians.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Affirmation Bristol?
We’re a group of christians from various traditions, many of us whom have struggled to find a community in Bristol that accepts us as our authentic selves due to our progressive values, membership in the LGBTQ+ community or support of our queer siblings in Christ. So in 2023 we decided to start a community of our own and Affirmation Bristol was born! We hold regular socials, worship together on Sundays, as well as holding retreats and attending other progressive Christian events. If this sounds like something that might be for you get in touch.
Is Affirmation a Church?
For some members Affirmation is their sole place of collective Christian worship and might be considered their church, for others it is complimentary to their attendance of another church.
What is your position on…?
We are an explicitly progressive group, our positions on the big issues and questions of the contemporary world can be found here.
What are your beliefs?
We are a broad ecumenical group and as such do not hold to any one view, instead aiming to foster a supportive community of mutual understanding, joined together in a collective search for understanding of God and faith.
What happens at Affirmation Sundays?
Though we do not hold to a rigid structure for worship and are relaxed and informal, it typically has the following four elements:
– Contemporary worship music accompanied with instruments
– A talk lead by a member, often followed by group discussion
– Group prayer, lead by one member or done collectively
– Sharing a meal togther after worship
I’m interested how do I get involved?
You can contact us by filling in the form here, or through our facebook or instagram, we’ll then get in touch with you and provide the address for our next worship meeting or events. Alternatively you could turn up to one of our socials that are listed in our calendar!