A. Concerning the Anglican Communion

The Church of England Evangelical Council has already expressed its support to evangelicals who are seeking to witness to the historic faith in the Anglican Communion. We have done this both by support of the Jerusalem Declaration and of those who see the proposed Anglican Covenant as the appropriate means to secure the same end.

1. The Council welcomes the encouragement and support which has been given to orthodox Anglican people in North America.

2. The Council welcomes the statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury recognising that ACNA is an authentic expression of Anglicanism.

3. The Council urges the formal recognition of ACNA as a constituent Province of the Anglican Communion.

B. Concerning the forthcoming General Synod elections

The Church of England Evangelical Council believes that it is imperative for all evangelicals to speak out for Biblical doctrine and morals, and urges Anglicans who hold this position to consider standing for election to the General Synod in 2010.

C. Concerning evangelical unity

CEEC, in the light of its submission to the General Synod Revision Committee of January 2009 (see ** below), believes:

• that evangelicals probably hold the key to the debate on Women Bishops by modelling a true unity in diversity on this issue of order;

• that evangelicals should be encouraged to express unity and partnership in the gospel as a model for the wider unity and partnership in the Church of England;

• and that CEEC is properly and best placed to represent evangelicals across the C of E to contribute to the Synodical process;

• and notes that in particular Awesome and Reform are convening a symposium in the new year on the theological, doctrinal and Biblical dimensions

proposes that

• in time for the February General Synod and certainly for the major debate anticipated at the July GS, the last of this quinquennium

• CEEC proactively find time and ways to convene and consult with evangelicals in the C of E in their various societies and networks*

• to co-ordinate and articulate an evangelical contribution to the debate on the preparation of legislation for Women Bishops

• with particular reference to the political and pastoral dimensions of this potential development in the Church’s order and governance.

*These would include at the least: EGGS & the 1990 group (within Synod), the six evangelical Anglican theological colleges, CPAS, Church Society, Latimer Trust, the five evangelical Anglican mission agencies, New Wine (the Anglican membership), Reform, Fulcrum, Fellowship of Word & Spirit, Awesome, the Evangelical Patronage Consultative Council (EPCC), Anglican Mainstream, etc.

** Submission to the General Synod Revision Committee dealing with the Women Bishops Legislation (January 2009)

The Church of England Evangelical Council represents a range of views on the matter of the ordination of women. It takes the view that both integrities on this matter can and should be represented within authentic Anglicanism in accordance with the assurances made and undertakings given in 1992 and with resolution III.2 (c) of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.*

In regard to the Women Bishops legislation currently being considered the Council believes that robust safeguards are required if the conscientious objections of many evangelicals and others to the consecration of women as bishops are to be taken seriously and that these safeguards should be embodied in the legislation itself rather than in the proposed Code of Practice.

*Resolution III.2 (c) of Lambeth 1998 reads: “….calls upon the provinces of the Communion to affirm that those who dissent from, as well as those who assent to the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate are both loyal Anglicans”.


Print this report