CEEC: We need to pray for clergy

Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) has called on en readers to join them in praying for vicars who are struggling to know how to navigate their Parochial Church Council (PCC) and congregations through the current phase of the Living in Love and Faith process and into the Alliance’s de facto parallel province.

John Dunnett, National Director, CEEC, said: readers will be aware of the ‘en Alliance’s call to construct the de facto parallel province. Were we to see hundreds, if not thousands, of churches using the Ephesian Fund (EF), requesting Alternative Spiritual Oversight (ASO) and sending their ordinands through the Alliance pipeline, this could very, very quickly become a reality. Such a significant expression of conscience would impact the bishops and bring them to the negotiation table. In reality, however, many incumbents are struggling to lead their churches into participation in this de facto province. Their commitment to orthodoxy is unquestioned but their situation makes this far from easy.’

The CEEC have outlined seven prayer requests at this time:

Pray for clergy who feel that their PCC might not support their theological position.

Pray for clergy who have vocal congregational member(s) committed to revisionism who could hijack their efforts to lead the church in orthodoxy.

Pray for clergy who have complex parochial situations – perhaps a divided and politicised PCC, perhaps several PCCs of differing views in a multi-parish benefice.

Pray for incumbents who genuinely struggle to lead in conflictual situations, and who fear that discussions or votes at PCCs could generate significant conflicts.

Pray for clergy whose parish is vulnerable to the whims of diocesan leaderships (e.g. in Bishops’ Mission Orders).

Pray for incumbents who have already been squeezed by the diocese in one way or another – e.g. who might have been told they won’t get a curate if they request ASO or EF.

Pray for clergy whose family circumstances mean that any attempt to publicly lead in an orthodox direction will be costly.