In Depth:  George Crowder

George Crowder

It’s easy to get frustrated in Christian life and church ministry when our passion for the gospel and the local church is seemingly thwarted by opposition, disruption, relationship breakdown or just human error. Is that frustration wrong? Are we expecting too much?

As a member of the Church of England, it’s hard to make sense of the current state of play with the Living in Love and Faith process. It is an existential threat because it undermines Biblical teaching on marriage, but the process has been stalled by the misfiring appointment process for vacancy in Canterbury and the recent resignation of Martin Snow as chair of the steering group. It was supposed to be a period of discernment, but it is currently a period of suspended confusion.

George Crowder

For evangelicals in the Church of England, and especially those in full-time ministry, “contending for the faith” has become a wearying subtext to church life and ministry. When we read Jude 3-4, we can see that it applies to the various crises we are facing in our denomination.

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 3-4 NIV).

George Crowder

In the ever-deepening crisis over blessings for same-sex couples – Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) – it is understandable why some vibrant and healthy churches have already left the Church of England and joined other Anglican structures.

Yet there are many who are determined to stay in the denomination and stay faithful to its true doctrine. But how do we express that faithfulness? Across the variety of responses there is a consistent thread of deep affection and concern for this historic communion.

George Crowder

Yet another proposal in the continuing crisis about the blessing of same-sex couples was debated in July session of General Synod.

It had to be substantively different from the previous proposal, but it had a similar pattern to the one before that. It passed by a narrow margin, with, as Vaughan Roberts insightfully surmised, those in favour of change voting for it and those against change voting against it. Despite chummy overtures, it did not garner the unity it sought to inspire.

George Crowder

A dark cloud looms obstinately over evangelicals in the Church of England, neither advancing nor diminishing.

Its ominous presence weighs on the minds of clergy, aggravates committed church members, and repels potential candidates for ministry training. At stake is the future of Biblically faithful ministry in a denomination that is home to by far the largest number of evangelical churches in the country and reaches many parts that others do not.

George Crowder

In the aftermath of November’s General Synod, there has been a lot of talk about unity, whether the lack of it or the form of it.

When asked about division in the House of Bishops, Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been quoted as saying: ‘What we’re trying to model is how do you, despite the fact we may have different views, seek to try to find a place we can occupy together.’ Justin Welby, reflected: ‘Archbishops of Canterbury must always work for the maximum possible unity in the Church, however impossible that may seem and however deep our differences.’

George Crowder

Every Thursday evening, I drive from choir practice to swim training, and in so many ways experience a massive gear change.

They couldn’t be two more different activities, and two more different groups of people. Yet, reflecting spiritually, there are some thought-provoking similarities and connections between them. I first joined the choir because I wanted to have regular contact with people outside church. It’s a community choir with a very low bar for musical ability. I am in the minority, being male and under 50, but, being an Anglican, I am used to that. I would also challenge anyone to have a better success rate at inviting non-Christian friends to a Christmas Carol service. I invite the choir to sing every year, and they come, and they bring their families and friends to watch.

George Crowder

An informal update on Living in Love and Faith in the York General Synod only shed light on division and stalemate.

After the vote in February, much was left to be brought back in July. Though the synod voted in favour of the House of Bishops’ proposals, vital questions remained unanswered about the final form of the prayers, the pastoral guidance for their use and the provision for those who in conscience could not accept them. In truth, it was a vote to continue with a process, a process which was instantly hampered by the same profound disagreements that were aired in the debate. Church Society Associate Director, Ros Clarke, a member of General Synod, shared in the session that, ‘despite all the good conversations, the sharing and the hearing, the growing fellowship and friendships, there is a profound disagreement which continues to exist on these issues.’

George Crowder

February’s General Synod vote to welcome the House of Bishops’ proposals was momentous and has thus provoked strong reactions.

Christopher Cocksworth, the Bishop of Coventry and leader of the Living in Love and Faith process, observed: ‘The proposed provision has united a broad alliance of evangelical networks, and some significant catholic voices, in suspicion, bewilderment, consternation and, among most [of] the evangelical spectrum, rejection.’

George Crowder

Church of England bishops will meet this month to continue their deliberations about human sexuality and gender identity.

In this meeting, and then in a subsequent meeting of the House of Bishops (diocesan bishops plus elected suffragans), they will draw together proposals to put to General Synod in February 2023. It is most likely that this synod will be used to seek opinion on the bishops’ proposals rather than to ratify a new measure, but then this will frame the agenda for the July synod.

George Crowder

Whatever question they get asked, we have witnessed politicians on every side swiftly segue onto the subject of the cost of living.

It is an issue which affects all but the most privileged of the voting public, though it also serves to dodge difficult questions on other subjects.