broad church

broad church

1. A label referring to a group of 17th-century English theologians who adhered to some practices of the Church of England but disregarded other elements of the Church, such as doctrine and liturgical practice. Primarily heard in UK. The broad church movement in 17th-century England may have helped shape the more liberal views and practices of modern-day Christianity.
2. A group or organization composed of various types of people with differing views, opinions, or philosophies. Primarily heard in UK. The Independent Party is a broad church as its members hold wildly differing opinions on how to best solve the problems facing society today.
See also: broad, church
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a broad church

BRITISH
You call an organization, group, or area of activity a broad church when it includes a wide range of opinions, beliefs, or styles. The movement is presently a very broad church, comprising, amongst others, trade unions, the church and the business community. Rock music in France is a very broad church indeed.
See also: broad, church
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a broad ˈchurch

(British English) an organization that accepts a wide range of opinions
See also: broad, church
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a broad church
  • label mate
  • get short shrift
  • shrift
  • go out the window
  • be, go, etc. out/out of the window
  • cross out
  • out (of) the window
  • out of the window
  • out the window
References in periodicals archive
Black's portrayals of Gilfillan's Broad Church Presbyterianism and sympathetic humanity, and of the rich and vibrant civic provincial culture of Victorian Dundee, are vivid and convincing.
Gilfillan of Dundee, 1813-1878: Interpreting Religion and Culture in Mid-Victorian Scotland
CIMA appeals to a broad church of accountants because it is not just graduates.
Academic offensive. (Letters)
'The Conservative Party has always been a broad church. You cannot just have a collection of Colonel Blimps.'
WIDDECOMBE TO JOIN RACE FOR LEADER
Students accustomed to viewing drawings "after the antique" in isolation will find in the catalogue an introduction to the empirical contexts within which a broad church of early modern antiquarians worked.
Archaologie der Antike: aus den Bestanden der Herzog-August-Bibliothek, 1500-1700
Although they may have shared a similar "Broad Church" attitude toward religion, the authors tackled related themes in quite different ways.
Josef L. Altholz, Anatomy of a Controversy: The Debate over Essays and Reviews, 1860-1864
The broad church has suddenly become very narrow indeed.
High price of a no-deal Brexit
Tom Watson: "A broad church party requires pluralism and tolerance to survive"
Watson's dismay at spite and intolerance
Labour must remain a broad church to win power and more MPs joining the 15 who've stormed, or were kicked out, would weaken the party.
TOM Watson urging MPs []
Labour has always been a broad church so they need to settle their differences.
Corbyn needs to get off the fence
My concern, if Plaid fails to steer a new Wales-first course, going back to a political broad church, this will result in the same fate as the Titanic.
Wood's taking Plaid to the orbital left
He added: "The Labour Party has been an extremely broad church. The difference between ourselves and the Tory party is we are an extremely broad church and rightly so.
Momentum in plot to oust Corbyn rivals; GROUP SAY 'HIT LIST' DID NOT REFLECT NATIONAL POLICY
With credible policies which reach across our valued broad church of socialist values and beliefs, we feel that he can give the country a Labour Government.
Dump Corbyn, members urge Labour voters; OPEN LETTER CLAIMS ONLY RIVAL CAN DELIVER VICTORY FOR PARTY
"We will always be a broad church. We'll debate our policies then unite to defeat the Tories.
Ex-mayor warns of MPs' axe
He fully deserves his reputation not only as a writer and arranger of some truly great songs but as an outstanding guitarist whose ability to switch styles from song to song demonstrated a breadth of techniques spanning the broad church that modern folk music has become.
REVIEW; Richard Thompson St David's Hall,?????HHHHH
He said: "The BBC is a broad church. Our strength in many ways lies in that diversity.
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson sacked by BBC: read the statement in full; Decision taken with "great regret", says director-general, after controversial producer involved in 'fracas' with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon