free church
Definition
Noun: A "free church" is a Christian church that is independent of state control or government authority, and is typically self-governing and autonomous.
Usage Examples
- (A church that operates without state oversight.)
- (Historical context for independent religious bodies.)
- (Legal and administrative independence.)
Advanced Usage
- "Free church tradition": A historical or theological movement emphasizing the separation of church and state.
- The free church tradition values religious liberty and congregational autonomy. (The belief system supporting independent churches.)
Variants and Related Words
- Free-church (adj): relating to or characteristic of a free church.
- The free-church movement spread rapidly in colonial America. (Adjective describing the movement.)
- Free-churchism (n): the principles or practices of free churches.
- Free-churchism advocates for voluntary support rather than state funding. (The ideology behind free churches.)
Synonyms
- Independent church: a church not affiliated with a state religion.
- Nonconformist church: a church that does not conform to the established state church (especially in British history).
Related Idioms
- "To go free church": to adopt the principles of a free church or to separate from a state church.
- After the dispute, the parish decided to go free church. (They chose independence from state control.)