Despite having the idea rejected for a third time at February’s General Synod, evangelicals within the Church of England (Cof E) are continuing to fight for a form of structural differentiation.
In the wake of the Synod, Bishop Martyn Snow is now undertaking ‘shuttle diplomacy’ to develop concrete proposals that will progress implementation of Living in Love and Faith (LLF) at the next Synod. In a first step towards this, on 8 March he formed three working groups – one to draft proposed pastoral guidance, one to draft proposals for ‘pastoral reassurance’, and one to do more work on the Prayers of Love and Faith. A number of evangelicals have already joined these groups. And the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) has said it will welcome every opportunity to converse with Bishop Martyn during this period – and will still be pushing for a structural change.
‘The CEEC will be making representation of what evangelicals need, not just to remain but to flourish in the Church of England,’ said John Dunnett, Director of CEEC. ‘We will be articulating the need for orthodox bishops, the need to be able to teach what Scripture says about sin and holiness and call out error, and we will be making a proposal that could lead to a reorganisation of provinces and dioceses.’
The Synod debate was cut short after an overwhelming majority voted to ‘move to next business’, with neither side able to support the motion that had been tabled. The orthodox believed it contained inadequate structural provision while the liberals couldn’t accept the language of ‘minimal structural changes’ within the motion. Following the debate, Bishop Martyn said any settlement ‘could not look like a split.’
‘February’s Synod was a blow to those in the CofE who are setting their hopes on a Third Province or even some form of transferred or alternative episcopal oversight,’ said Susie Leafe from Anglican Futures. ‘Those in Synod and those involved in the shuttle diplomacy will need our prayers.’
Former bishop Pete Broadbent said: ‘There seems to be an assumption that we can all “walk together” in some sort of unity and that reconciliation work can solve our disagreement. “Reconciliation” can’t be the answer to every question. Evangelicals are looking for a structural solution which would allow us to remain as faithful members of the CofE, but not to be under the oversight of revisionist bishops, nor to have to receive those who have changed the teaching of the CofE on doctrine, liturgy, and ethical matters. We need to get the bishops and others to the negotiating table and for them to start taking seriously the major split which we face, unless we can get a settlement which works.’
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