WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID

Below are some of the comments found online about the church.

• "Pastor Paul Epton is a inexorable old hellfire and brimstone preacher who shouts his sermons in an authoritarian style that mirrors the way he runs what he calls 'his church.' The Bible teaching is lacking as the spiritual emphasis is placed upon experience rather than knowledge. The heavy shepherding approach of the leadership has lead to an unhealthy lack of openness and a whirlpool of gossip which is unhelpful to say the least. The church has an extremely high congregation turnover and younger members are frequently asked to leave. Pastor Paul will eventually hand the church over to his son Greg who shows no sign of running the WCC any less like a family business than his father has. In short I would urge everyone to avoid the WCC as there are a great many other churches which would be more edifying."
  - Malcolm Trent* (Malcolm Trent was a former WCC Deacon mentioned in 'Love In Action' It is unclear if the author of this comment is that same person. For more information see footnote of page.)
  
  
• "I agree wholly with Malcolm Trent. Of all the churches on the Wirral, I'd give this one a wide berth. The astonishing thing is the preaching is good but the preacher can and has lambasted the congregation from the pulpit - referring to them as a bunch of losers at one point. Any dissenting voices are immediately stamped on (usually told to leave the church) and there is lots of religion but little evidence of Jesus."
  - J Smith
  
  
• "While it is wonderful to see the Oxton Congregational Church in use as a church once more, it's sad that it has fallen into the ownership of a group as unsavoury as the Wirral Christian Centre. If you are looking to find the love of the Lord and a gain a deeper knowledge of Christ and God's word, then this is not the place for you."
  - Barbara
  
  
• "I believe that there is a curse over our church that is stopping us from reaching our full potential. A curse over our finances, a curse that prevents salvation, a curse over the health of the congregation."
  - Allan Saunders Former WCC team member (Quoted from email)
  
  
• "I found this book [Love In Action] to be a rather self-congratulatory egotistical work of over embellished stories. First published back in 1988 the book tells the story of the beginnings of local church. However it very quickly seems to descend into a tale of 'empire building' which ultimately has failed miserably. Read today and with the fact that the schemes written about in the book have all since crumbled, this book is a very sad example of how God can only work through the hearts of a humble servant."
  - A Stockly (A review of Paul Epton's book, 'Love In Action.')
  
  
• "I left the WCC a while back because of the practice of heavy shepherding carried out by Paul Epton and the leadership. Before I left I thought the place was fine -- lively praise + worship -- a fairly decent program of activities, but over the years there followed a string of controversies that were badly mishandled and appallingly dealt with by Pastor Epton and the leadership."
  - Anon Google reviewer listed only as 'Northern Bounty.' (Partial quote. Click the name to read full review.)
  
  
• "I just feel for the many people who God did change in the congregation in
  spite of [Pastor Paul] Epton only to be 'abandoned' by the so-called pastor, and who left -spiritually hurt."
  - Pat Willis Former WCC deacon's wife (by email)
  
  
• "It [the WCC] is rampantly cliquey and unfriendly and the quality of teaching is poor and somewhat old fashioned. The congregation seemed unengaged and the place, while enjoying a shiny new renovated building, seemed to lack the life and love of the Lord Jesus. I'm not one to bash a church, but this deflating experience has left me feeling a little sad because such a magnificent church should be a beacon to the locality not a flickering dim flight."
  - Ali (Partial quote. Click the name to read full review.)
  
  

* Malcolm Trent was mentioned in Paul Epton's book 'Love In Action.' Of him Paul wrote with remarkably detailed recollection and in a disturbingly condemning and dismissive tone; 'Malcolm,' I said, meeting his gaze. 'You have charged me with misusing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But I am now going to speak to you, because I believe God has given me a word.' I trained my finger on him, and went on in a soft, level tone, 'The word is this. You will leave this church. You will become a spiritual nomad, wandering from church to church, finding no place to rest.' . . . Within days of that rally Malcolm and Ann Trent had resigned from the church, and to the best of my knowledge never found another spiritual home.