Key role may affect others

The newly-announced appointment of Nicky Gumbel’s successor as vicar of the large flagship charismatic Anglican church Holy Trinity Brompton may impact the future of conservative evangelicals in the CofE.

At 51, Archie Coates (see photo) has been appointed to head up the 4,000-strong congregation in September next year, with Gumbel intending to step down from the post next July.

Stance on sexuality

Coates is currently vicar of St Peter’s Brighton, one of a series of HTB church-plants across England and Wales. His appointment is seen as key for the Church of England, as many conservative evangelicals will be hoping he is more forthright on the issue of sexuality in public than Gumbel. He is known to be robustly orthodox on the issue, at least in private, but as yet it is unclear on whether he will want to give a public lead.