New Evangelical group sets out its inclusive credentials
by Madeleine Davies, Church Times:
Network commits to exploring ‘theology of same-sex relationships’ from Evangelical view.
A NEW network for Evangelicals, committed to both the “high view of scripture” characteristic of their tradition and support for same-sex relationships, is growing fast, a convenor reported this week.
Inclusive Evangelicals was launched in August, after a group of clergy met to discuss their frustration with recent discussions about sexuality. “The loudest public voices from our tradition were conservative ones,” the Revd David Runcorn, a priest in the diocese of Exeter, writes in an account of the group’s formation. “Indeed, the common perception was that this was the Evangelical position. We knew it wasn’t. A wider theological exploration was needed. So, we decided to create a place where that could happen.”
A private Facebook group was created, and, as of this week, has 1000 members — testament, Mr Runcorn writes, to “the significant presence of open, questioning, and exploratory thinking within our Evangelical world”.
A website has also been created, with the strapline: “We joyfully proclaim the biblical affirmation of equality and inclusivity.” It includes articles written to help those who “hold, or simply wish to understand further, the biblical basis for including approaches to same-sex relationships and marriage”, and those who are “leading churches towards inclusion and/or managing strongly different viewpoints within their fellowships”.
The group is not a formal organisation, but a network for those with a shared commitment to an “open exploration of the theology of same-sex relationships from an Evangelical Christian perspective”, Mr Runcorn said last week. “We are trying all the time to be positive in our tone rather than combative, campaigning, or reactive.”
The group’s convenors include four members of the General Synod: the Vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Harrow, the Revd Jody Stowell; the Vicar of St Paul’s, Stockingford, Canon Kate Massey; the Archdeacon of Sheffield & Rotherham, the Ven. Malcolm Chamberlain; and the Area Dean of Battersea, Canon Simon Butler, a member of the Archbishops’ Council.
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