A church in Essex has been issued with a legal notice that could make aspects of its street preaching a criminal offence.
Bread of Life Community Church said the notice, served by the local council, could lead to prosecution of its pastor and members if they continue their outreach in Colchester city centre.
The Community Protection Notice (CPN) restricts the church’s use of amplification during weekly preaching. Breaching the notice can be a criminal offence.
The church has appealed against the notice. A hearing is due to take place at Colchester Magistrates' Court on 1st May.
The church, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, argues the notice is unlawful and should be overturned.
In its appeal, it says its preaching has been “lawful and peaceful” and denies any harassment or intimidation. It also claims there is no evidence that its activities have had a detrimental effect on the local community.
The church says its outreach includes preaching, singing hymns and offering support such as food and clothing to those in need.
The legal challenge has been brought under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which allows individuals and organisations to appeal against CPNs.
According to documents cited by the church, concerns raised by council wardens initially focused on the volume of amplification.However, the church says objections later extended to the content of its preaching, including references to judgment and hell, which the council said could cause distress.
The CPN states that “religious messaging” mentioning “hell” has led to “harassment, alarm and distress”, and describes the preaching as having a “detrimental effect on the community”.
Pastor Stephen Clayden of the church said: “We have preached the Bible lawfully and peacefully in Colchester for six years. We have harmed no one. We will not be intimidated into abandoning the Great Commission.
“We respect the law. But we cannot and will not stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. No council has the authority to silence the Church.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “This is a deeply alarming development. Public-order powers designed to address genuine anti-social behaviour are now being used to clamp down on Christian preaching.
“Today it is amplification; tomorrow it is the content of the message itself. We are seeing a slippery slope from managing noise to policing theology.”
Community Protection Notices are intended to address behaviour that has a persistent and unreasonable negative impact on quality of life.
The outcome of the case could potentially clarify how such powers are applied to public religious activity.
