Are the bishops of the Church of England reluctant to tackle the pressing issues surrounding the possible celebration of same-sex weddings in churches across the nation?
Delay in Proposals
This hesitation seems to have prompted the House of Bishops to delay the proposed rollout of independent services for same-sex blessings, as discussed in their January 20 meeting.
In a statement released by the Church of England, it was emphasized that the House had received thorough updates from the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) working groups, as presented by Bishop Martyn Snow of Leicester.
During the meeting, the bishops recognized the complex nature of the proposed changes.
They collectively agreed that it was unlikely they could finalize all components of the proposals in time for the General Synod’s meeting in July.
Consequently, they decided to extend the timeline, allowing for comprehensive evaluation and development of every aspect before a united decision is made.
The bishops plan to share updates with the General Synod in February and present additional proposals in July.
However, these are unlikely to be put to a formal vote until a later Synod, which will provide time for further discussions with Diocesan Synods and other groups.
Influence of Conservative Groups
The dynamics have changed notably since the General Synod’s remarkable vote in February 2023, where an overwhelming majority of bishops backed the introduction of same-sex blessings, referred to as Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF).
The vote saw 34 bishops in support, while only four opposed and two abstained.
One influential development is the formation of The Alliance in July 2023, a coalition of conservative evangelicals, charismatic evangelicals, and Anglo-Catholics opposing same-sex blessings.
This group’s involvement, particularly with leading figures from the charismatic evangelical community associated with Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London, raises significant concerns for the bishops.
Justin Welby, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, had strong connections with HTB, having been ordained there in the 1980s.
Throughout his eleven years in office, HTB’s influence grew markedly, playing a key role in church growth initiatives.
Nicky Gumbel, once a vicar at HTB and currently president of the Church Revitalisation Trust, has been instrumental in fostering collaborations with Church of England dioceses to build vibrant church communities across the nation.
In December 2023, leaders from The Alliance, including Gumbel and the new vicar of HTB, Archie Coates, presented their case to the House of Bishops, voicing their objections to PLF.
They argued that these blessings signify a substantial departure from the Church of England’s traditional doctrines.
Notably, this marks a shift for HTB leaders, who have historically chosen to focus on unity and evangelism rather than engaging in divisive issues, even with a diverse congregation that includes members in same-sex relationships.
Concerns for the Future
The rapid expansion of the HTB Network, particularly in church planting, has led to collaborations with various dioceses, supported by considerable funding from the Church Commissioners.
This burgeoning influence raises the stakes for bishops, who might have previously dismissed conservative evangelical objections as expected pushback.
However, as the HTB Network openly opposes dedicated same-sex blessing services, bishops now face increasing anxiety regarding the feasibility of growth initiatives, especially in areas struggling financially.
In a letter from The Alliance in December 2023, the bishops were warned that pursuing changes viewed as a deviation from the traditional church doctrine could erode relationships within their networks.
While a handful of bishops remain committed to conventional teachings on marriage and sexual ethics, the unease surrounding PLF manifests more as a concern for institutional stability and resource distribution than as purely theological apprehension.
The majority seem inclined to support the establishment of services and allow clergy to enter into same-sex civil unions.
Ultimately, the delay in implementing the outcomes from the General Synod’s decision nearly two years ago appears to stem from a fundamental human emotion—fear.
Julian Mann, a former vicar of the Church of England, now works as an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire.
Source: Christian Today
