In Depth:  Living in Love and Faith

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CofE: Should we stay, or should we go?

CofE: Should we stay, or should we go?
George Crowder
George Crowder

Is it yet another “should I stay or should I go” moment for evangelicals in the Church of England?

It feels like an interminable dilemma, especially with the process around the blessing of same-sex unions in recent years. With each significant development, the question re-emerges with a more negative tone. Yet, in the last two months, there have been announcements that push both ways.

CofE: Liberals face setback

CofE: Liberals face setback
en staff
en staff

Liberals in the Church of England hoping to change its stance on same-sex relationships appear to be suffering a setback.

At its most recent meeting, the House of Bishops agreed that standalone services of “Prayers of Love and Faith” affirming LGBT relationships would need a special process known as B2. This requires a two-thirds majority in all three Houses of the General Synod, the CofE Parliament. “On the basis of previous votes,” commented the Church Times, “this seems likely to forestall their introduction”.

The ‘black hole’ at the centre of the Church of England

The ‘black hole’ at the centre of the Church of England
John Dunnett
John Dunnett

It is easy to think that the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) can is being perennially “kicked down the road”.

However, en readers are invited to note that we are about to enter a season in which Diocesan Synods across the Church of England are being invited to hold a special discussion on the proposals. Make no mistake – these discussions will be used to give “ballast” to the project – and the juggernaut will lumber on.

Bishop calls for reset of Living in Love and Faith process

Bishop calls for reset of Living in Love and Faith process
Helen Catt
Helen Catt

The Church of England Evangelical Council has welcomed a new paper, written by the Bishop of Guildford Andrew Watson, critiquing the current Living in Love and Faith process and calling for a reset.

The booklet entitled ‘Living in Love and Faith: Discerning the Mind of the Church’ and published on the Diocese of Guildford website, highlights the lack of clarity, poor process and loss of trust that has characterised the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process to date.

New resources to guide churches on LLF challenges

New resources to guide churches on LLF challenges
CEEC

The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) has released a set of resources designed to help churches and their Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) navigate the current Living in Love and Faith (LLF) challenges.

In December 2023, the House of Bishops commended the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) for use within regular services. In July 2024, the General Synod voted for further work (albeit by a small majority) on so-called ‘standalone services’, and the introduction of clergy same-sex marriages. This work is being carried out by several working groups and led by the Bishop of Leicester.

Sex 'only for heterosexual marriage,' says possible Welby successor

Sex 'only for heterosexual marriage,' says possible Welby successor
en staff
en staff

The Church of England’s lead bishop for the controversial ‘Living in Love and Faith’ (LLF) sexuality discussions – tipped by some as the next Archbishop of Canterbury – says he continues to believe sex is only for heterosexual marriage.

Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester, who is being touted as a possible successor to Justin Welby, answered ‘yes’ when pressed on the point in an interview with en. And he said Church of England evangelicals in the Alliance (the umbrella group of orthodox believers in the denomination) should not yet despair about their wishes for alternative structural provision being met.

What now for evangelicals in the chaotic CofE?

What now for evangelicals in the chaotic CofE?
Ian Paul
Ian Paul

Justin Welby’s resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury is truly unprecedented. No archbishop has ever, in the history of the Church of England, resigned - not even in 1621 when the primate of all England shot and killed a gamekeeper with a crossbow while hunting.

Some are still defending him, either praising the good aspects of his ministry, or even (like Charles Moore in the Spectator) saying that he should not have resigned. 

Welby accused of ‘significantly erroneous statements’

Welby accused of ‘significantly erroneous statements’
en staff
en staff

The Archbishop of Canterbury has been accused of making ‘significantly erroneous statements’ in relation to the Church of England’s teaching on sex – and also about decisions made as a result of its ‘Living in Love and Faith’ process debating contemporary ethics.

In a strongly-worded article on the widely-read Psephizo theological blog, Andrew Goddard, an ordained CofE minister and also Tutor in Ethics at both Westminster Theological Centre and Ridley Hall, Cambridge, says Justin Welby’s comments in an interview are ‘highly misleading’.

Imagining the CofE 'de facto parallel province' as a reality

Imagining the CofE 'de facto parallel province' as a reality
John Dunnett
John Dunnett

You may have heard mention of a ‘de facto parallel province within the Church of England’ over these last few weeks.

The announcement of the Alliance to the commitment of its construction has been met with widespread appreciation within the evangelical constituency, but with various questions being raised. Let's look at two of those questions now.

In the room where it happens: transparency in the CofE

In the room where it happens: transparency in the CofE
Rebecca Chapman
Rebecca Chapman

Amid all the difficult conversations taking place across the Church of England on sexuality and Living in Love and Faith (LLF), requests for greater transparency abound. We all want to make sure that our views are heard 'in the room where it happens’ – whether that is General Synod, meetings at Lambeth Palace, or residentials in Leicester.

Snippets of information trickle out: who has been invited to what, who was there, what was said or promised. Trust appears to be at an all-time low within our national church – but attempts are being made to rebuild it.

Vaughan Roberts: evangelicals in 'unsustainable position’

Vaughan Roberts: evangelicals in 'unsustain­able position’
en staff
en staff

Evangelicals in the Church of England are currently in an ‘unsustainable’ position following an ‘unprincipled’ process to liberalise teaching on same-sex relationships, leading evangelical minister Vaughan Roberts is warning.

Speaking to en, Roberts, who is rector of St Ebbe’s Church, Oxford, called on more bishops to engage in face-to-face discussions with leaders of the Alliance, the umbrella group bringing together a spectrum of orthodox Christians in the denomination.

The CofE's 'trojan horse' changing the doctrine of marriage

The CofE's 'trojan horse' changing the doctrine of marriage
David Shepherd
David Shepherd

In June 2022, Aldershot Military Cemetery Chapel (not far from where I live) hosted a service of remembrance for Falklands veterans from the Parachute Regiment. That service is held every five years.

‘Milestone’ as Synod approves Living in Love and Faith proposals

‘Milestone’ as Synod approves Living in Love and Faith proposals
CEEC

The General Synod of the Church of England has approved the Living in Love and Faith proposals, brought forward by Bishop Martyn Snow, which will see standalone blessings for same sex couples taking place and a timetable agreed towards clergy same sex marriages.

John Dunnett, National Director, Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), said: 'Yesterday was a milestone in that standalone services have received General Synod support and a timetable to work towards clergy same sex marriages has been endorsed.

Rico: ‘I was naïve about current culture in the CofE’

Rico: ‘I was naïve about current culture in the CofE’
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

Well-known evangelist Rico Tice has recently left the Church of England and now worships at the International Presbyterian Church (IPC), Ealing.

In an exclusive interview with Evangelicals Now, he explains why he made the switch, and what his advice is to evangelicals themselves wrestling with leaving.

‘Major split’ coming unless changes made, says bishop

‘Major split’ coming unless changes made, says bishop
Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

Despite having the idea rejected for a third time at February’s General Synod, evangelicals within the Church of England (Cof E) are continuing to fight for a form of structural differentiation.

In the wake of the Synod, Bishop Martyn Snow is now undertaking ‘shuttle diplomacy’ to develop concrete proposals that will progress implementation of Living in Love and Faith (LLF) at the next Synod. In a first step towards this, on 8 March he formed three working groups – one to draft proposed pastoral guidance, one to draft proposals for ‘pastoral reassurance’, and one to do more work on the Prayers of Love and Faith. A number of evangelicals have already joined these groups. And the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) has said it will welcome every opportunity to converse with Bishop Martyn during this period – and will still be pushing for a structural change.

Coekin severs final C of E links – and unveils ‘gym’ plan

Coekin severs final C of E links – and unveils ‘gym’ plan
en staff
en staff

Richard Coekin, the Senior Pastor of Dundonald Church, Wimbledon, says the 1,100-strong congregation has finally severed all links with the Church of England because of its ‘tragic denial of God’s word’.

Speaking to en, Coekin said the CofE’s so-called Prayers of Love and Faith ‘encourage same-sex attracted people down a path which leads away from God and His salvation instead of lovingly warning and supporting them in godliness’. He added: ‘We cannot accept this – or walk with those who do.’

The terrible quandary facing C of E evangelicals

The terrible quandary facing C of E evangelicals
George Crowder
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.’

The ‘disturbingly disingenuous’ claims of many bishops

The ‘disturbingly disingenuous’ claims of many bishops
George Crowder
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.’

Compelled to resist: ‘Of course we’re leaving,’ shell-shocked bishops told, as protest grows

Compelled to resist: ‘Of course we’re leaving,’ shell-shocked bishops told, as protest grows
en staff
en staff

Opposition to Church of England proposals for same-sex blessing prayers is gaining momentum under the banner ‘Compelled to Resist’.

The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) is spearheading a petition called ‘Keeping faith – why we are compelled to resist’ which says current proposals from bishops ‘deny the authority of Scripture’ – whatever their protestations to the contrary.

C of E evangelicals in watershed fight for own bishops, structures and training

C of E evangelicals in watershed fight for own bishops, structures and training
en staff
en staff

Evangelicals in the Church of England are facing a battle of historic Reformation-era significance as they fight to secure guarantees that might enable them to continue in the denomination.

After February’s General Synod vote, which approved in principle giving clergy the option of using marriage-style ‘prayers of blessing’ for same-sex couples, with only four bishops opposing the idea, the focus now moves to key Synod decisions this July. Speaking exclusively to en, Ed Shaw, co-chair of the Church of England Council (CEEC), said strong safeguards would be needed.

Will the Church of England keep the faith?

Will the Church of England keep the faith?
Keith Sinclair
Keith Sinclair

In February it is likely the General Synod of the Church of England will be asked to express its opinions/wishes about the Church of England’s teaching and practice in relation to marriage, gender identity and sexuality following recommendations released on 20 January from the bishops at the end of the process known as ‘Living in Love and Faith’ (LLF). Any decisions will shape the future of the Church of England for a generation and more.

The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) believes that the current doctrine and liturgy of the Church of England around issues of human sexuality reflects the revelation of God as given in the Bible and as understood across centuries and continents.

Evangelicals in C of E face landmark sexuality fight

Evangelicals in C of E face landmark sexuality fight

The Church of England has published a new set of resources called Living in Love & Faith (LLF) looking at marriage, sexuality and transgender issues.

Andrew Goddard reports:

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