Evangelicals look to Synod elections

Evangelicals in the Church of England are gearing up for crucial elections to General Synod later this year.

CofE bishops recently confirmed they will not be proposing “stand-alone” blessing services for same-sex couples at the upcoming February gathering of the Synod, the denomination’s ruling body. They will also not be suggesting lifting the ban on clergy in same-sex civil marriages at that time.

However, a new “working group” will look once again at both issues, reporting back by November 2028.

Speaking earlier, Ros Clarke, Associate Director of Evangelical organisation Church Society, said: “We are looking ahead to this year’s [Synod] elections. Potential candidates are welcome to contact Church Society for an invitation to one of our online or in-person events for those who are considering whether to stand for election.”

Meanwhile, theologian and member of the Church of England Evangelical Council Ian Paul said: “On sexuality and marriage, on questions of racial justice, on historic slavery reparations, on a narrow approach to climate change, and even on what the local Church is for… we seem to be deeply divided still.”