Opinion – 29 October 2025
David Runcorn Inclusive Evangelicals Counting us in – on doing numbers more honestly
Arwen Folkes Inclusive Evangelicals Swimming in the deep end …
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love How St Michael’s Basingstoke became an HTB plant
Mark Clavier Well-Tempered Whose Nave Is It Anyway?
5 CommentsLLF: responses to recent announcements
The Church of England Evangelical Council published these items:
- House of Bishops acknowledges theological and legal impediments to standalone services and clergy same sex marriage
- Extra edition of News@CEEC
Together for the Church of England published:
Inclusive Church published this LLF Open letter from Members of the Church of England
The Dean of Southwark preached this sermon (video)
9 CommentsStatistics for Mission 2024
Update Wednesday: links to articles by Madeleine Davies and Ian Paul added.
The Church of England has released its attendance statistics for 2024.
There is also an accompanying press release which is copied below.
- Madeleine Davies Church Times Church of England Statistics for Mission show slow growth
- Ian Paul Psephizo Is the Church of England growing–again?
Press release
Attendance at Church of England churches rises for the fourth year in a row
27/10/2025
- More than a million regular worshippers recorded for second year in a row since pandemic
- Adult and teenage baptisms rise by more than 1,000
- Confirmations rise more than five per cent
Attendance at Church of England churches grew for the fourth year in a row last year, statistics have confirmed.
The overall number of regular worshippers across the Church of England’s congregations rose to 1.009 million in 2024, a rise of 0.6 per cent, according to the annual Statistics for Mission findings.
It was the second year in a row in which the Church of England’s “worshipping community” – the combined number of regular members of local congregations – has stood above a million since the Covid-19 pandemic.
All age average attendance on a Sunday also rose 1.5 per cent to 581,000 in 2024, extending rises over recent years.
And overall attendance across the week edged upwards by 1.6 cent in a year, and stood at just over 702,000 last year, according to the figures.
The increase was driven by a recovery in attendance by adults (over 16), among whom average Sunday attendance was up by 1.8 per cent and weekly attendance rose by 1.8 per cent. (more…)
9 CommentsOpinion – 22 October 2025
David Monteith ViaMedia.News Winded After the Death of LLF
Ruth Harley ViaMedia.News Living in Love and Faith: Where is the Power?
Simon Butler Inclusive Evangelicals Crumbs of Comfort: Standing together for Standalone Services
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Sunday morning onslaught by the St Michael’s Basingstoke HTB God squad
226 CommentsSuffragan Bishop of Taunton
The Prime Minister’s Office has announced that the next Suffragan Bishop of Taunton in the diocese of Bath and Wells will be the Ven Fiona Gibson, currently Archdeacon of Ludlow. The Bath and Wells website has the story Fiona Gibson to become the next Bishop of Taunton.
22 CommentsAppointment of the Suffragan Bishop of Taunton: 22nd October 2025
The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Dr Fiona Ruth Gibson, to the Suffragan See of Taunton, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 22 October 2025The King has approved the nomination of the Venerable Dr Fiona Ruth Gibson, Archdeacon of Ludlow, in the Diocese of Hereford, to the Suffragan See of Taunton, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, in succession to the Right Reverend Ruth Elizabeth Worsley, following her translation to the See of Wigan.
Fiona was educated at Homerton College, Cambridge, and trained for ministry at Oak Hill Theological College. She served her title at Christ Church, Bedford, in the Diocese of St Albans, and was ordained Priest in 2012. Fiona was appointed Vicar of Cople, Moggerhanger and Willington in 2014.
In 2021, Fiona took up her current role as Archdeacon of Ludlow, in the Diocese of Hereford, and was installed as a Prebendary of Hereford Cathedral.
Fiona is married to David, and they have two adult children.
GAFCON: The Future Has Arrived
GAFCON has issued a communiqué: The Future Has Arrived
Some initial reports and responses:
Church Times: Gafcon letter declares that it is the Communion now, minus Canterbury and all related ‘Instruments’
The Living Church: Analysis: GAFCON Creates Global Anglican Communion
Anglican Communion Office: A Pastoral Letter from the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
Andrew McGowan: NO, THE “GLOBAL SOUTH” HAS NOT LEFT THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
Anglican Church of Canada: Pastoral statement from the Primate and Metropolitans of the Anglican Church of Canada concerning the Anglican Communion
Update
Church of Ireland: Archbishops’ statement on the Church of Ireland and the Anglican Communion
157 CommentsOpinion – 18 October 2025
Chine McDonald Financial Times New Archbishop of Canterbury will face old evils
Peter Crumpler Christian Today Five reasons why I’m choosing to be hopeful about the new Archbishop of Canterbury
Phil Groves ViaMedia.News Representation and Celebration
Bosco Peters Liturgy Priests who are NOT Deacons
Steve Hollinghurst Inclusive Evangelicals Understanding the House of Bishops decisions
22 CommentsAlliance Campaign Manual
Updated 17 October
The Church Times has this report: Persuade PCCs to take action if same-sex blessings move forward, Alliance tells its clergy
The Alliance document referred to is available here: Alliance Campaign Manual 250926.
Update:
Helen King has written about this document: This week in Living in Love and Faith: On the Alliance Campaign Manual
Update on Living in Love and Faith, October 2025
The Church of England issued the press release below this afternoon.
Update on Living in Love and Faith, October 2025
15/10/2025
The House of Bishops has made a series of key decisions on the future direction of the Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process, which explores questions of relationships, sexuality and marriage.
At its residential meeting last week, the House reviewed detailed theological and legal advice on outstanding questions following the landmark 2023 Synod vote which led to the introduction of the Prayers of Love and Faith (or PLF).
The PLF are a set of prayers, readings and liturgical material which, for the first time, enable same-sex couples to come to church for public prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and asking for God’s blessing as part of a regular church service.
Since then, the Church has been exploring whether special ‘bespoke’ services using the PLF could be introduced and whether clergy could legally enter into same-sex marriages.
There has also been extensive consideration of possible new arrangements for how the Church is organised including so-called ‘Delegated Episcopal Ministry’.
The bishops reviewed advice both from the Church of England’s Legal Office and the Faith and Order Commission (all of which will be published in due course).
While final decisions will be made by the House in December, the bishops agreed in principle that both bespoke service and clergy same-sex marriage would need formal synodical and legislative processes to be completed before they could be permitted.
As a result, they also concluded there is currently no need for a new code of practice setting out special arrangements such as Delegated Episcopal Ministry.
Although there remains a wide range of views within the House on questions of sexuality and relationships, there was strong consensus on the need for unity, transparency and proper process alongside pastoral care. Despite personal convictions across traditions, the House of Bishops recognised these were the procedural realities to effect any future change.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, chair of the LLF Programme Board, commented: “As we continue prayerfully to navigate this important work on behalf of the Church, we believe these are the right decisions following further legal and theological advice.
“However, we recognise that for some, they will be difficult and disappointing.
“I continue to pray for God’s grace and gentleness for all as we continue to discern a way through these questions.”
Key decisions:
The Bishops took part in a series of votes on elements of a statement from the House which would summarise the LLF process and outcomes. They indicated, on the basis of the advice received, that in December they will:
- Confirm that the Prayers of Love and Faith, for use in regularly scheduled services, remain commended by the House of Bishops for use under Canon B5;
- Agree bespoke services require maximum communal authorisation through the Canon B2 process of approval;
- Reflect further on the legal and theological advice and explore what formal legislative process – such as an amending canon and measure – would be required before clergy could be permitted to be in a same sex civil marriage. Until then the current guidelines would remain in place.
They also agreed they would provide pastoral reassurance through:
- A restatement that no-one is obliged to use the PLF against their conscience;
- Updating Pastoral Guidance for the Prayers of Love and Faith as currently commended;
- A commitment that diocesan decisions around allocating resources, placement of ordinands and curates, or appointments, should not be affected by views held on LLF matters; and
- Re-establishing a Pastoral Consultative Group to advise and support decision-making on such matters.
Given the decisions indicated above, the Bishops concluded that there was sufficient pastoral reassurance in the elements listed and did not propose to bring forward a code of practice at this time.
While there was a range of views expressed on questions of sexuality and marriage the decisions on most points were reached with near unanimity – spanning the breadth of theological tradition.
Notes to Editors
- Bespoke services – the legal advice to the House of Bishops explains that legislation to authorise bespoke services under Canon B2 would require two thirds majorities in the three houses of Synod at final approval.
- Clergy same sex marriage – the legal advice to the House of Bishops explains that legislation would be needed to change the current position. The legislation would need to include a Measure (made by Synod and Parliament) as well as an amending Canon, both of which would require simple majorities in the three houses of Synod at final approval.
- The exact timeframe for any legislative processes would depend on when any legislation was introduced.
Opinion – 15 October 2025
Theo Hobson We’ve crossed the Rubicon
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love Charismatic Evangelical SAINT and HTB churches – the dangers
Mark Clavier Well-Tempered Public Space, Sacred Ground
34 CommentsDean of Ely to retire
Ely Cathedral has announced that the Dean, the Very Revd Mark Bonney, will retire next year on 31 July 2026. The press release is copied below, and there is a longer item on the Cathedral website.
(more…)
Opinion – 11 October 2025
Chris Baker William Temple Foundation Towards the Conversion of the Church of England by the rest of England
Archdruid Eileen The Beaker Folk of Husborne Crawley Wine, Women and Song
Andrew Brown Cathy Newman’s nothingburger
80 CommentsHouse of Bishops minutes – July 2025
The minutes of the House of Bishops meeting held in July 2025 are now available online. Links to earlier minutes can be found here.
Also available is the agenda for their meeting held earlier this week. We linked to the press release here.
0 CommentsHouse of Bishops meeting October 2025
The Church of England’s House of Bishops met this week. A press release has been issued and is copied below.
House of Bishops meeting October 2025
08/10/2025
The House of Bishops met in person from October 6-8 in Cookham, Berkshire.
The House heard an update on the Makin Recommendations Task and Finish Group. The group, which includes independent safeguarding experts and survivors, was established following the publication of the Makin review to examine the report’s recommendations and enable them to be implemented.
The Group will now focus on collating the evidence that has been submitted and scrutinising the work the Church has undertaken, or plans to undertake, in response to the recommendations.
The House discussed a review of accountability for Bishops and other clergy commissioned by the Ministry Development Board (MDB). The work will provide a systematic review of accountability for bishops and other clergy to identify gaps in the current arrangements, note areas where there is a lack of clarity or ambiguity, and to identify and implement any solutions needed.
The House received an update from members of the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) working groups, members of the LLF Programme Board and the Faith and Order Commission, along with legal advice.
Bishops spent time in groups and in plenary session discussing different areas of the current LLF proposals and the key elements which should be included in a Bishops’ Statement.
They considered possible legislative processes. The bishops made progress, with a view to reaching final decisions, when the House next meets in December, on proposals to bring to the General Synod in February 2026.
They also heard an update from the Ministry team on ordained vocations, including an overview of forecast changes to the population of clergy, with a particular focus on stipendiary clergy. The House considered clergy wellbeing and its impact on retention as well as the importance of fostering a culture that nurtures new vocations, and developing strategies to engage retired clergy. The House agreed to commission the national Data Services team to gather data on parochial vacancies and clergy leaving ministry.
The House reflected on their commitment to ensuring that church with a flourishing children, youth, and families’ ministry is within reach of every child and young person in England. They discussed the importance of young people being developed and empowered, supported by motivated leaders and youth workers. Bishops shared experiences of the success of targeted leadership programmes and ways to enable families to participate in different services across different traditions.
9 CommentsMore reactions to new Archbishop of Canterbury
Daniel French The Spectator How Sarah Mullally can fix the Church of England
Paul Sutton The Critic The conservative case for Sarah Mullally
Luke Coppen The Pillar Will the new Archbishop of Canterbury impact Anglican-Catholic ties?
The Church of Scotland Church Moderator and Principal Clerk send congratulations to the next Archbishop of Canterbury
The Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe congratulates new Archbishop of Canterbury
Donna Birrell Premier Christian News Abuse survivors ‘disappointed’ at Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop
Stephen Parsons Surviving Church What does the nomination of Bishop Mullally to Canterbury say about the Church of England?
Ian Paul Psephizo What challenges face Sarah Mullally as the new archbishop?
Theo Hobson Hail Sarah
Martine Oborne The Guardian The next archbishop of Canterbury has no time to waste in making change – this is what she will be up against
The Guardian Editorial The Guardian view on the first female archbishop of Canterbury: a choice that offers renewal and hope
Tim Wyatt New Statesman The first female Archbishop of Canterbury is a lifelong trailblazer
Ruth Peacock Religion Media Centre Sarah Mullaly smashed through ‘stained glass ceiling’ to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury
127 CommentsInitial Reactions to new Archbishop of Canterbury
Several items have been added during the day.
Press reports
Hattie Williams Church Times Bishop Mullally’s nomination to Canterbury welcomed by church and charity leaders
Mixed response from overseas Anglicans to Canterbury announcement
Bishop Mullally’s nomination to Canterbury welcomed by church and charity leaders
Francis Martin Church Times In the midst of chaos, acts of kindness and love are what matters, says Archbishop-designate of Canterbury
Sarah Meyrick Church Times My deep faith and working experience will help me as Archbishop, Bishop Mullally says
Madeleine Davies Church Times Profile: Who is Sarah Mullally, the next Archbishop of Canterbury?
Caroline Davies The Guardian Sarah Mullally is named as first female archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally: the former nurse who will be archbishop of Canterbury
Sky News Woman named as new Archbishop of Canterbury in historic first
Who is Sarah Mullally, the first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury?
Tim Wyatt Religion Media Centre Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury
Religion Media Centre RMC Briefing: Courage and pastoral care – gifts of Sarah Mullaly, first female Archbishop of Canterbury
ITV News Archbishop of Canterbury: Dame Sarah Mullally becomes first woman to take on role
Muvija M Reuters UK names Mullally as first female Archbishop to lead Church of England
Anglican grouping GAFCON objects to female Archbishop of Canterbury
Franklin Nelson Financial Times Sarah Mullally named first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Archie Mitchell Independent Sarah Mullally becomes first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury
Gabriella Swerling The Telegraph Sarah Mullally appointed as first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Anglican Communion News Service The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion shares a message of welcome to the next Archbishop of Canterbury
Christian Today Historic day for Church of England as Sarah Mullally appointed first ever female Archbishop of Canterbury
Evangelicals pray Sarah Mullally will restore Church of England to historic position on marriage and sexuality as next Archbishop of Canterbury
Craig Buchan and Michael Keohan BBC News Kent welcomes its first woman Archbishop
Aleem Maqbool and Paul Gribben BBC News Sarah Mullally named as new Archbishop of Canterbury
Lebo Diseko BBC News Conservative church group condemns choice of female Archbishop of Canterbury
Danica Kirka and Brian Melley Religion News Service Sarah Mullally named the first female Archbishop of Canterbury
Inside Croydon Former Sutton vicar to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
English diocesan responses
Bath & Wells, Blackburn, Bristol, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Chester, Chichester, Coventry, Derby, Durham, Ely, Exeter, Europe, Gloucester, Guildford, Hereford, Leeds, Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Rochester, Salisbury, Southwell & Nottingham, St Albans, St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Truro, Worcester, York
Other reactions
Jill Duff Premier Christianity Dame Sarah Mullally is the new Archbishop of Canterbury. I’m praying she’ll lead with faith, hope and love
Helen King sharedconversations White smoke day: the new Archbishop of Canterbury
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and WalesCatholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Cardinal welcomes Archbishop-designate Sarah Mullally as new Archbishop of Canterbury
Vatican News Cardinal Koch congratulates Archbishop-designate of Canterbury Sarah Mullally
Forward in Faith The next Archbishop of Canterbury
The Society under the patronage of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda The next Archbishop of Canterbury
Church of England Evangelical Council CEEC responds to the announcement of the next Archbishop of Canterbury
GAFCON Canterbury Appointment Abandons Anglicans
Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches GSFA Statement on the Appointment of the Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, as the Archbishop of Canterbury
Melanie McDonagh The Spectator The issues that will haunt the new Archbishop of Canterbury
97 CommentsArchbishop of Canterbury
The Prime Minister’s Office has announced that the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury will be Dame Sarah Mullally, currently Bishop of London. The official website of the Archbishop of Canterbury has further information here, Canterbury diocese has this, and the Church of England this. It is expected that she will legally assume the office on 28 January 2026, with her installation or enthronement on 25 March.
Appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury: 3 October 2025
The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E. for election as Archbishop of Canterbury.
From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 3 October 2025The King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E., for election by the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral in the place of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Portal Welby, GCVO, as Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan.
Lord Evans of Weardale, KCB, DL, Chair of the Crown Nominations Commission for Canterbury welcomed the news:
“It has been a great privilege to have chaired the Crown Nominations Commission as it sought to discern who God is calling to lead the Church of England and Anglican Communion as Archbishop of Canterbury. That discernment began with the public consultation, which heard the voices of thousands of people as they expressed their hopes for this nomination, and continued all the way through to the Commission’s final meeting. I would like to thank all those who took part in this process, particularly those who took time to share their views in the consultation and the members of the Commission who worked so diligently over several months, ably assisted by the Appointments Secretaries and by the Appointments and Vocations team at Lambeth Palace. I shall be praying for Bishop Sarah as she prepares to take up this new ministry in the coming months.”
Background
Sarah Mullally was, prior to ordination, the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England having specialised as a cancer nurse. She was educated at South Bank University, London, and Heythrop College, University of London, and trained for ministry at the South East Institute of Theological Education. She completed her title at St. Saviour Battersea Fields, in the Diocese of Southwark, and was ordained as a priest in 2002.
In 2006, Sarah was appointed Team Rector, Christ Church, Sutton, Southwark and then became Canon Residentiary and Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral in 2012. In 2015, Sarah was consecrated as Suffragan Bishop of Crediton, in the Diocese of Exeter, and in 2018 took up her current role as Bishop of London as well as Dean of the Chapels Royal from 2019.
In a separate statement, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has said
“I welcome the appointment of The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E as the new Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the role.
“The Church of England is of profound importance to this country. Its churches, cathedrals, schools, and charities are part of the fabric of our communities.
“The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together.”
Dean of Coventry to retire
The Very Reverend John Witcombe, the Dean of Coventry, has announced that he is to retire on 31 May 2026.
6 CommentsOpinion – 1 October 2025
Ian Paul in conversation with Andrew Atherstone Psephizo History, law, and individual cups at Communion
Colin Coward Unadulterated Love What if we just weren’t made for these things?
Durham University Church of England must do more to recognise dangers of spiritual authority
22 CommentsBook review: Created for Love
Created for Love
Edited by Theo Hobson and John Inge
Canterbury Press, 2025
I approached this book with some resignation. Anglicans, and contemporary Christians in general, live in a time dominated by a dialogue of the deaf when it comes to human sexuality. Conservative Christians fear that Biblical orthodoxy is being abandoned, while inclusive Christians feel that the time is well overdue to address the injustices of traditional attitudes. Any book which speaks into this debate is likely therefore to be hailed or decried by partisans according to whether their views are vindicated or attacked. Prejudgment reigns supreme. As this book is positive about the arguments for inclusion, it will not please every reader, if conservatives will even touch it with a reason other than to refute it.
It is a book which is a mix of both good and more steady theology and a thorough compendium of the arguments for change. Since it is made up of twelve short essays, arranged in six pairs, it never becomes wearisome, even if the subject matter is not as hermetically sealed as the labelling would suggest. Different sections are headed Bible, Church, Creation, Culture, Experience and Conscience, Prayer and Guidance, but in fact we never stray far from the Bible which is a reference point to which virtually all the writers gravitate.
Three bishops of the Church of England make their contributions: the bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, the retiring bishop of Bristol, Vivienne Faull, and the newly retired bishop of Worcester, John Inge. These essays are amongst the most personal in nature, as Bishop Steven reflects on his own journey of understanding, Bishop John notes the changes of Biblical interpretation that he has witnessed, and Bishop Vivienne reflects on the lessons learned by the processes surrounding the ordination of women.
However, there is a lot of personal testimony here. Gareth Wardell speaks eloquently about his own journey coming out as a gay Christian, and the hypocrisy by which the Church makes its judgements. Barnabas Palfrey reflects on his masculinity, although perhaps readers will want to excuse or even skip his extended reflection on the significance of his own penis.
Historical exegesis is also a major theme. Olivia Graham writes on the manner in which understandings of sexual bonding have evolved and changed, Mark Chapman explores the Church’s attitude to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s, and Theo Hobson the impact of societal change on the Church. Helen King focuses upon the revolutionary attitude of one early twentieth century campaigner for sexual liberation, Agnes Maude Royden. All these essays teach us perspective and the need to avoid facile and sweeping judgements.
Perhaps the book is strongest when it explores the possibility of new understandings of the place of marriage in the contemporary world of relationships. Charlie Bell, Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Barnabas Palfrey all articulate a new vision of what the teaching of the Church could be like. Sam Wells is probably the most ambitious and urges Christians to abandon a soteriology based on atonement and Biblical obedience, and instead advocates for a theology centred upon relationship and an invitation into the deep and vibrant communion within God and with God.
My own favourite essays were those on the Bible. Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Barnabas Palfrey make strong, intelligent and inspiring pitches for a view of the Biblical teaching on sex, marriage and relationships which aim to raise our vision and excite our passions rather than limit the Scriptures to the role of a legislative text. They offer a picture of the Bible which makes it worth reading — visionary, bold and transformative.
This book is hardly likely to make converts on the issue of human sexuality, but it will provide reassurance to those of an inclusive attitude that there are sound arguments from scripture, history and theology for an inclusive approach, which is not merely a sell-out to the contemporary world but richly founded within the tradition we have inherited.
Gregory K Cameron
Gregory is Bishop of St Asaph in the Church in Wales, and holds the portfolio for Faith, Order and Unity.
Created for Love can be bought through your bookshop or online here and elsewhere.
22 Comments