Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) are pioneers of Christian ecumenism.

In their joys and struggles they show how it is possible for churches to work together in shared mission. Sometimes, but not always, the churches have come together in a single congregation. In other places there will be very close working together of independent churches who have entered into a covenant relationship, or who run a shared mission project. Prisons, colleges and other institutions can have their own partnerships. Each of these relationships is an 'LEP'.

A Local Ecumenical Partnership exists wherever there is

• a formal written agreement affecting the ministry, congregational life, buildings and/or mission projects of more than one denomination
• a recognition of that agreement by a Sponsoring Body
• authorisation by the appropriate denominational authorities.

WYEC is proud to be the Sponsoring Body for LEPs:

• in the Bradford area 
• in the Huddersfield area 
• in the Halifax area 
• in the Leeds area 
• in the Wakefield area 

Signing the Register

Denholme Shared Church is one of the latest LEP's to join the WYEC family

 NEW CONSTITUTIONS

Charity Commission rules mean that some LEPS need to have new governing documents, including a new constitution. If you have been told this applies to you, you will need an Ecumenical Vision Statement  (which used to be called a Declaration of Intent), and Governing Documents (Constitution / Schedule). You should contact the County Ecumenical Development Officer for details about how to use these documents.

For Constitutional Guidelines on LEPs and advice on how they are reviewed, go to Ecumenical Notes at http://www.cte.org.uk/