I woke feeling excited this morning. I sat at 06.15 gazing through my east-facing window at a sensational sunrise, the sky ripped open to reveal azure blue through the ruptured clouds, as I ate muesli and drank leaf Darjeeling tea. The sunrise enhanced my excitement. I know from the various conversations I had yesterday, with [...]
Is Justin Welby’s evangelical faith ready to transform the Church and the experience of LGB&T Christians?
, April 16th, 2013 5 Comments
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the all-glorious Father, may confer on you the spiritual gifts of wisdom and vision, with the knowledge of him that they bring. I pray that your inward eyes may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope to which he calls you, [...]
More rejoicing in Heaven: An Interview with Rev’d Steve Chalke
, March 26th, 2013 6 Comments
Keith Sharpe, Changing Attitude trustee and convenor of CA Sussex, has interviewed Steve Chalke The Rev’d Steve Chalke is a high profile evangelical Christian leader. From his extremely successful and well attended church in central London he manages the Oasis organisation, a multi million pound charitable foundation which amongst other things runs many primary and [...]
The fantasies and dangers of all ex-gay, ‘we can heal you’ ministries
, January 28th, 2013 11 Comments
Anglican Mainstream, Christian Concern and Core Issues Trust are promoting a debate tomorrow morning in the Houses of Parliament on the legitimacy and freedom to offer therapy for those with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction. They are promoting a false therapy based on the discredited theories of psychologist Irving Bieber from the 1960s, taken up [...]
Ten and a half months to go before Pilling reports
, January 24th, 2013 3 Comments
One question is dominating 2013 for Changing Attitude England – what will Sir Joseph Pilling’s review group recommend in their report to the House of Bishops’ meeting in December and what decisions will the House of Bishops then announce. There are now ten and a half months before they need to resolve their differences and [...]
The deeper (mis)understandings which divide us
, November 27th, 2012 6 Comments
Many people have been busy investigating and analysing the reasons which led to the defeat of the women in the episcopate measure last week. The two conservative blocks represented by Reform and Forward in Faith provide the bedrock of opposition to the measure. They were supported by people who voted according to personal conscience or [...]
Anxiety over women bishops – where is faith in God’s infinite, loving presence?
, October 26th, 2012 2 Comments
I’m preparing to leave for the annual residential meeting of the Changing Attitude trustees, being held this year in North Reddish, between Manchester and Stockport, in the parish where trustee Clive is incumbent. The annual residential enables us to reflect on the past 12 months and from there, address the needs of next year focused [...]
Drama on Radio 5 Live Winchelsea interview with Gerry O’Brien and Bishop Stephen Lowe following David Page
, July 16th, 2012 6 Comments
An interview with Revd David Page was broadcast on the Stephen Nolan programme on Radio 5 Live on Sunday evening, at 11.45, 1 hour 45 minutes into the programme. Stephen Nolan quizzed David at length about his original interview with Bishop Wallace Benn, his involvement with the parish in Winchelsea, his attitude towards Church of [...]
Wallace Benn and Winchelsea – there are more questions to answer
, July 11th, 2012 4 Comments
Bishop Wallace Benn may have unwittingly started a process which will lead to the dismantling of the Church of England’s policy towards LGB&T people. Last week the Diocesan legal officer issued formal notification to David Page and Fr Howard Cocks that a complaint has been laid against them by the Archdeacon under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003. [...]
Were the Patriarchs really married ?
, June 13th, 2012 Be
Benny Hazelhurst asks this question on his blog: “Marriage as created by God is an exclusive relationship between one man and one woman that is entered into for life …” So says the St Matthias Day Statement from the Church of England Evangelical Council and the Church of England’s official response to Government proposals for [...]
