All General Synod articles
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OpinionThe Archbishop of York is wrong. The Lord’s Prayer isn’t problematic
The Archbishop of York recently called the Lord’s Prayer ‘problematic’ because it refers to God as ‘Father’. Christians might like to debate the gender of God, but there’s a reason scripture uses the male pronoun, says Tony Wilson
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OpinionHTB’s Nicky Gumbel and Archie Coates break silence on same-sex prayers
Eleven prominent Christian leaders, including HTB’s Archie Coates and Nicky Gumbel, have written to CofE bishops to say that introducing prayers for same-sex couples would be “unlawful, unconstitutional, and illegitimate” without a full debate and vote at next week’s General Synod. Here’s the letter in full and what it could mean for HTB’s stance on sexuality
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OpinionCofE leaders have forgotten Church teaching on sex
The proposed Prayers of Love and Faith, offering blessings for LGBT couples, go before General Synod this week. But Rev Dr Christopher Landau says fundamental questions remain unanswered. He’s making a plea for theological coherence
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OpinionCofE bishops have walked away from the authority of God’s word. We can no longer walk with them
St Helen’s Bishopsgate has become the latest high profile CofE church to announce it is breaking from the House of Bishops over same sex relationships. In a video posted on their social media, Rev William Taylor explained their decision, and what comes next. Read the full transcript below
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OpinionChrist offers us unconditional unity. Global South bishops are wrong to split from the Anglican Communion
The Church should not be an echo chamber, says George Pitcher. Splitting over disagreements about same-sex marriage is not what Jesus modelled
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OpinionAs a gay, celibate Christian, I am heartbroken by the CofE’s approval of same-sex blessings
For David Bennett, the Church of England’s change in position on same-sex relationships has deep and personal implications. He explains what yesterday’s ruling means for him
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Opinion8 reasons why the CofE’s same-sex proposals won’t work
Sean Doherty is a same-sex attracted Christian who has been part of the Living in Love and Faith process since the beginning. He believes the CofE needs to take more time for proper discernment over the Church’s position on gay marriage
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OpinionRev Richard Coles admits he broke church rules on sex. Why won't the CofE uphold its own doctrine?
Rev Richard Coles has revealed he broke CofE rules in order to have his same-sex relationship blessed in a church. John Stevens says Coles’ actions were in direct defiance of the vows he took as a priest
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Opinion‘We can’t bless what God curses’ and 4 other reasons why I’m opposing the CofE’s heretical same-sex blessings
Blessing same-sex relationships is a change in Church doctrine, says Rev Dr Lee Gatiss, no matter how hard bishops try to argue otherwise.
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OpinionWhatever your views on gender and sexuality, Christians must listen to one another
Taking sides without properly listening to the arguments that don’t match our own may be the undoing of us, says George Pitcher. Stop your ears at your peril
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News AnalysisThe new Bishop of Blackburn opposes female ordination. Is CofE unity at risk?
The appointment of Rt Rev Philip North as Bishop of Blackburn has reignited the debate within the CofE over views on female ordination – and may have implications for upcoming debates on same-sex marriage. Can the Church find a way forward?
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OpinionAllowing same-sex marriage threatens to rob Christianity of its redemptive power
If Church of England bishops change course on same-sex relationships, they’ll be turning their back on Christ’s redemptive power, says Matthew Roberts
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OpinionWelby won’t give his opinion on gay marriage. Perhaps Dietrich Bonhoeffer can help
Church of England bishops are finalising proposals in response to same-sex marriage for February’s meeting of the General Synod. Could Bonhoeffer’s seminal text on Church unity help as decisions on sexuality are made?
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OpinionBishop of Oxford’s views on same-sex marriage put popular opinion above the Bible
Rt Rev Steven Croft has published a 52-page essay, Together in Love and Faith, explaining how his views on sexuality have changed and why he thinks it’s time for the CofE to allow same-sex marriage. But Peter Lynas says his arguments don’t stack up
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OpinionThe fragmenting of the Conservative Party reminds me of the Church of England
It’s mildly amusing to watch clerics trying to express how much they despise each other’s tribes while using the vocabulary of Christian love, says George Pitcher
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OpinionAsking people to ‘sit’ and ‘kneel’ in church doesn’t offend me
Last week, the Church of England general synod discussed removing “all stand” and “all kneel” from liturgy to avoid excluding disabled people. Jade Reynolds, who has used a wheelchair since the age of 12, says inclusive language is important, but inclusive behaviour is vital
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OpinionYour church leader has a porn problem, and so do you
Speaking at the Church of England's general synod, Father Stephen Maxwell said, "30 years ago I very seldom had a confession that was about pornography. Now...it is most."
