Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Swansea, appointed a member of its own congregation as one of three individuals tasked with carrying out an independent review requested by the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), en has learned.
During 2024, a number of concerns were raised with the FIEC by multiple parties in relation to “leadership culture and the handling of complaints within the church”, known as “Mount”.
The FIEC said that in light of the “number” and “nature” of the concerns, its staff proceeded to engage with Mount’s leadership to “ensure that a process existed, or could be put in place, such that serious concerns could be investigated in ways that are proportionate, transparent, and fair.” In a statement published on 24 April 2026, the FIEC said: “As the process continued, the FIEC staff concluded that it was not possible for them to establish sufficient confidence that such an approach was in place. The matter was therefore referred to the [FIEC] Trust Board in October 2025, to consider whether or not it should begin the constitutional process for disaffiliation [ie removal from fellowship].”
The Trust Board reportedly asked Mount to commit to an “independent, comprehensive, and constructive review, with appropriate involvement from the FIEC in identifying or approving those overseeing it, in order to ensure and demonstrate objectivity.”
A review was commissioned by Mount in January 2026. Stuart Olyott (retired Pastoral Director of the Evangelical Movement of Wales), and Chris Rees (pastor of Bethesda Baptist Church, Narberth, Pembrokeshire) were appointed alongside Paul Williams, retired former pastor of Newtown Evangelical Church and Swindon Evangelical Church and, it has now emerged, himself a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Swansea.
Speaking to en, Williams said: “When asked by the leadership to be an independent reviewer, my immediate response was that being a member could conflict with the credibility of the review. But they felt that I was sufficiently independent, having only moved to the area in June 2024, with 34 years church leadership experience.”
The elders of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Swansea, told en: “After listening to the concerns of the FIEC directors it was obvious we should ask Paul Williams to be part of the review team. Paul is a highly experienced FIEC pastor, a man of wisdom and outstanding integrity, who has been asked previously by the FIEC to help a church going through difficulties.”
They also said: “Paul only became a member on 28th November 2024 giving him a unique ability to look at church procedures and church practice and all the FIEC sent us.” The elders also said that a “highly respected FIEC pastor, fully aware of the situation” endorsed Williams’ involvement.
According to the FIEC, its Trust Board concluded that “the review did not meet the criteria requested and did not provide sufficient independent assurance in relation to governance, and the handling of concerns.” The FIEC’s statement says: “In particular, the review was undertaken without FIEC involvement in the appointment of reviewers and did not include engagement with those who had raised concerns.” It continues: “Under the circumstances, the Trust Board unanimously voted to proceed with the constitutional process for disaffiliation.”
In a published response to the FIEC’s 24 April statement, the reviewers express concern at the FIEC’s proposed involvement in appointing them, “in light of [the FIEC’s] claim not to adjudicate”. They also challenge the claim that the review didn’t include engagement with those who’d raised concerns, arguing that this wasn’t because the reviewers declined interaction but because the complainants chose anonymity. The reviewers’ response argues that countenancing anonymous allegations is inconsistent with their understanding of Biblical teaching; the complainants were reportedly given the opportunity to identify themselves but “collectively decided to remain anonymous”.
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Swansea, resigned its affiliation to the FIEC on 14 April 2026, before it could be disaffiliated.
The FIEC says: “While we do not exercise ecclesiastical authority over local congregations, affiliation carries a measure of mutual accountability. This includes a shared commitment to ensuring that serious concerns are addressed in ways that are proportionate, transparent, and fair. Where sufficient assurance cannot be established, continued affiliation is not possible.”
Clarification (July 2026): en is happy to clarify that this article was not intended to imply any wrongdoing by Paul Williams, and that none has been suggested by anyone. -en staff
