Call for more complementarian bishops in CofE

A new report has called for more episcopal provision for complementarian evangelicals in the Church of England.

"Church Society welcomes this analysis from Maggie Swinson, the Independent Reviewer tasked with examining the provision for traditional catholics and complementarian evangelicals," writes Ros Clarke, Associate Director for Church Society.

"She noted that Rob Munro, the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, who is currently the only complementarian evangelical bishop, covers a greater number of parishes spread over a far greater geographical area than any other bishop.  The 148 parishes under his care (which has since grown to 154) have an average size of over 150, including an average of 31 children. It is extremely encouraging to see that complementarian churches are continuing to grow across all age groups.

"Since the consecration of female bishops, arrangements for those unable to accept their ministry on theological grounds have been governed by the Five Guiding Principles. These include the principle that complementarians should be able to flourish at all levels of the church. However, there has been an obvious glass ceiling preventing any senior appointments of complementarian evangelicals other than the one bishop specifically tasked with representing and caring for those parishes.

"Swinson's report states that this provision is unsustainable in the medium to long-term and notes that there is no resilience in a provision which depends solely upon one person. As an interim measure she recommends additional support for his non-episcopal duties, but a longer-term solution clearly involves "deputisable support", which can only mean at least one additional bishop.

"Church Society has been arguing for this additional provision for many years. It is clear that at least one more complementarian evangelical bishop is urgently needed to share the nationwide Ebbsfleet ministry. Perhaps one in the northern province and one in the southern province?  We would also be delighted to see conservative evangelicals appointed as suffragan bishops, archdeacons and deans of cathedrals. Despite what some would wish, complementarianism is flourishing in the Church of England."

The full report can be read here.