Diocesan Evangelical Fellowships (DEFs) around the Church of England are grappling with what to do following the introduction of ‘Prayers of Love and Faith’ (PLF).
en contacted local groups in each part of the country following the CofE’s move in a more liberal direction in the run-up to Christmas.
Carlisle DEF told en that ‘moving away from Christ’s teaching always leaves us with less grace and less truth – and these PLF proposals are seen by many as making this devastating departure … These issues are deeply personal and painful for many of us. But we urge all in our diocese to realise that without a structural settlement, this course of action will now cause deep division in PCCs, parishes, deaneries and mission communities’.
Oxford DEF, which has over 300 members, told en that many of its licenced members say they are in impaired communion and are unable to receive spiritual oversight from their bishops. Its key message to them is to stay in to contend for the truth. It is asking its lay members to support their clergy in so doing – and from now on to pay their parish share only via The Oxford Good Stewards Trust.
Guildford DEF suggested two practical steps for its members: firstly, that churches put simple statements on their websites to the effect that ‘If you are enquiring about Prayers of Love and Faith, we do not offer these but please do contact the Diocese of Guildford who can give you information about churches that offer these prayers in your area’. Secondly, churches might publish a simple statement such as: ‘The PCC of [insert name of church] fully supports all our clergy in their decision not to use the Prayers of Love and Faith.’
Portsmouth DEF says it is making its position clear about undue process and lack of theological reasoning for what the bishops commended and which is still open to challenge. Whilst that is being resolved, they urge clergy, laity and churches to write letters; meet with their bishop; and organise themselves within the Church of England Evangelical Council’s (CEEC) new temporary spiritual oversight and Ephesian Fund frameworks.
Sheffield DEF believes that the PLF debates in Synod ‘revealed deep-seated, irreconcilable differences at every level of the denomination about issues that lie at the heart of our faith – including our commitment to the authority of Scripture, the nature of marriage and the nature of pastoral care’. In response, it ‘wants to encourage leaders to speak wisely and faithfully to their parishes, reminding all believers of Jesus’ call to both radical Christian inclusion and radical Christian holiness’.
The St Albans DEF will be holding a meeting for its members to discuss the CEEC provisions and to determine how churches, clergy and lay people may go forward in conjunction with like-minded people. The DEF wishes to act as a fellowship, so that no parish or individual is left to feel alone.
Derby DEF is ‘continuing to support one another through the ongoing crisis, and encouraging more people to join the fellowship of our DEF as they also lament the changes in our denomination. We are keen to fellowship, reflect together on the right way forward and look after each other. Most of all, we are here to pray together for each other and for the strength to hold fast and hold out the gospel in our post-Christian world’.
Other DEFs did not respond fully.
(Iain Taylor)
Italian option?
Meanwhile, the organisation Anglican Futures said an Italian-sounding solution may be what evangelicals need.
In a statement to en, Anglican Futures said: ‘At the end of 2023, Anglican Futures published NoGeoDoCE – a possible structure for the orthodox to get behind. NoGeoDoCE stands for Non-Geographic Diocese in the Church of England, and is best pronounced with an Italian lilt. It is inspired by the unusual relationship the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, etc.) have with the UK – in that they are both self-governing and under the sovereignty of the King. NoGeoDoCE accepts that the Archbishop of Canterbury would have a titular role but in day-to-day matters the new Diocese would be governed by its own Synod and led by its own bishops.
‘It is a conundrum,’ said Susie Leafe, Director of Anglican Futures. ‘However, the questions aren’t new. By thinking laterally and using the experience we gained from leading the Proper Provision campaign in 2012 and our knowledge of how the Archbishop of Canterbury responded to requests for assistance from other parts of the Anglican Communion, we think we have created a workable solution. Any solution will be a compromise – but we have put this in the public domain so others can test it, amend it and then be proactive in offering a way forward to the House of Bishops.’
(Anglican Futures)
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