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Charity Commission opens case into Essex church over its sermon content

Charity Commission opens case into Essex church over its sermon content
Stephen Clayden preaching on the street
ET staff writer
ET staff writer
28 June, 2026 2 min read

The official regulator of Charities in England and Wales has opened a case against a church following complaints from the National Secular Society about the content of the church’s sermons.

The complaints relate to the Bread of Life Community Church in Essex, the same church where local council wardens recently tried to stop them mentioning hell or judgment in their open-air preaching.

The National Secular Society has raised concerns over comments made by preacher and charity trustee Stephen Clayden in sermons and online videos.

Are state officials snooping on your church’s online sermons?
This isn’t just about one Essex church. It’s about who gets to decide what Christians may preach.

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