Yesterday I sat in the public gallery at Church House and watched the Church of England step back from the modest, careful and prayerful work of Living in Love and Faith, which was meant to move towards providing a loving Christian welcome for LGBTQ+ people in England’s established Anglican faith. I left feeling numb. Not… Continue reading A Church living without love: the CofE’s failure to include LGBTQ+ Christians
Tag: faith
A Church still afraid to Love
The House of Bishops has issued yet another statement on Living in Love and Faith (LLF), the Church of England’s years-long programme of exploration to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ people. The statement, in essence an admission of the abject failure of LLF, is long, careful, heavily footnoted, and saturated in the language of process,… Continue reading A Church still afraid to Love
Women’s rights and Trans dignity are not opposed: a Christian rebuttal to a false choice
A persistent claim in contemporary debate is that the inclusion of trans people, particularly trans women, comes at the expense of women’s rights. This claim has gained renewed prominence in church and media commentary, often presented as a sober and commonsense position. It is neither. It rests on theological misunderstanding, scientific overreach, and a deeply… Continue reading Women’s rights and Trans dignity are not opposed: a Christian rebuttal to a false choice
Doctrine or Discrimination? Why the Church of England’s Advice misses the heart of the Gospel
In the last week the Church of England has published four substantial papers intended to provide theological, legal, and doctrinal clarity on matters arising from the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process. They cover everything from the nature of doctrine itself (GS Misc 1429), to the doctrine of marriage and the Prayers of Love… Continue reading Doctrine or Discrimination? Why the Church of England’s Advice misses the heart of the Gospel
A Church that still cannot love freely
Church of England: Reflection on the House of Bishops’ failure of leadership The Church of England’s latest decision on same-sex blessings and clergy relationships has left me questioning whether I can continue in the discernment process for ordained ministry—or even remain an active member. Once again, the Church has given in to the forces of… Continue reading A Church that still cannot love freely
Transformation, Resurrection, Belonging and Mission – four meanings of Christ’s Baptism and our own
A homily delivered on Sunday 12 January 2025 at St Mary Magdalene, Munster Square, London NW1 (11:00) and Open Table Central London, St John Waterloo, SE1 (18:00) on John’s Proclamation and Baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22) The Gospel today brings us to the Jordan river, 30 years after Jesus was born, where expectation hangs… Continue reading Transformation, Resurrection, Belonging and Mission – four meanings of Christ’s Baptism and our own
“I am the bread of life”, a homily on Jesus’s nourishing love
Open Table, St John Waterloo, Sunday 11 August 2024 Trinity 11 – Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51 “I am the bread of life” That is quite a declaration from our Saviour. “whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” This was the first of the “I am”… Continue reading “I am the bread of life”, a homily on Jesus’s nourishing love
“Peace be with you” – a homily on radical inclusion
Open Table, St John Waterloo, Sunday 14 April 2024 Easter 2 – Gospel: Luke 24:36-48 As we gather this evening for our Open Table service, full of warmth, welcome and inclusion here at St John’s, we come with our own unique experiences, our struggles, and our joys. As queer Christians, we often come to Church… Continue reading “Peace be with you” – a homily on radical inclusion
C. E. Lord OBE 