| SUMMITS – IN SUMMARY Since Easter, CEEC has held three Summits (in London, Bristol and Manchester) at which nearly 600 church leaders (both clergy and lay) have met together to pray, be updated about Living in Love and Faith, the General Synod elections, and other matters, and to pray and take counsel together. There is much that could be said by way of report, but here are three convictions in particular that News@CEEC readers should be aware of. First, it’s official, the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) trajectory continues. In February, General Synod voted that the House of Bishops should ‘continue’ the work started with LLF. And so, even though it might feel ‘quiet’ at the moment, a new House of Bishops group is being formed, as we write, to bring new proposals to General Synod. The trajectory continues ‘on the ground’ – we heard many stories from speakers/delegates at these Summits confirming the advance of a revisionist agenda in dioceses across the C of E and a ‘squeeze’ on those holding to the biblical and historic doctrine of the Church. These include (reported anonymously):A vicar being told that orthodox parishes will not receive curates in their diocese.A vicar being told that he might not get his sabbatical if he used the Ephesian Fund.A church wanting to plant being denied the possibility because of their position re. LLF.A church being told that they could not advertise for a new vicar if they used the Ephesian Fund. Second, many PCCs will take action if further revisionist steps are taken. Many delegates at the Summit confirmed that should further revisionist steps be taken by the General Synod or House of Bishops they would take action by way of ‘protest’ (where the PCC has not been in agreement about doing something to date). Third, clarity about the provision that is needed to secure orthodoxy. 98% of those attending our summits indicated that (in essence) two things will be necessary to secure our biblical/Anglican doctrine of sexual ethics if the LLF trajectory continues:The right for clergy and lay people to be licensed/ministered to by an orthodox diocesan bishop.The security of a ‘biblically-boundaried’ space within the C of E (i.e. a part of the Church of England that is not able to support Prayers of Love and Faith or any other revision). Watch the film (button below) summarising the points above, which might be helpful to share with church leaders/PCCs. |
Report of CEEC ‘summits’
