Seeking a Way Through LLF/PLF: Seeing the Forest, Not Just the Trees
by Andrew Goddard, Psephizo:
As new LLF groups convene this weekend, in this article, I note the following issues.
- The three working groups and the bishops need not only to connect the work in each area (“the trees”) but also see the bigger theological picture (“the forest”) where the earlier LLF work is helpful in clarifying issues and options.
- Two key questions here are (1) how ethics and consequent pastoral guidance are being related to doctrine and (2) how the church best responds to proposed developments in teaching and practice when they have significant, perhaps majority, support but there is not a clear and strong consensus.
- In relation to doctrine and ethics the recent developments are traced and the current situation summarised.
- It is argued that there are logically a range of options (four are explored) but that of changing ethics and pastoral guidance while claiming doctrine remains unchanged is hard to defend and few believe it.
- We need instead to face the fact we have contrasting doctrines leading to contrasting ethics and proposed pastoral guidance and this reality raises major ecclesiological challenges.
- In relation to ecclesiology and development if we are concerned for unity we need to respect the need for securing more than a bare majority for change but that does not mean there is no space for any development until there is a greater consensus.
- While keeping the official CofE position unchanged, developments could be explored and experimentally tested in various ways within agreed boundaries—diocesan “local options”, an episcopally led Order of Mission or Society, a distinct provincial structure.
- The first two would require agreed transferral of episcopal ministry where that was necessary to enable it to continue to be provided in conformity with the church’s continued official doctrine, ethic, liturgy and pastoral guidance should a bishop choose to participate in the alternative experimental form.
- Exploring this approach could enable ongoing discernment over time while maintaining the highest possible degree of communion.
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