radical new Christian inclusion

Frankly Gay - Why do Christians lie about sex and abuse?

Frankly Gay - Why do Christians lie about sex and abuse?

Some months ago I came across Sam Howson’s YouTube videos and his response to the news about Mike Pilavachi and his abusive activities in the Soul Survivor ministry. Sam’s latest video, Frankly Gay, is an interview with Robert Thompson, vicar of the parish of St Mary with All Souls Kilburn and St James West Hampstead, member of General Synod and a comrade in the business of campaigning for a transformed Church of England in which the Archbishops’ promise of radical new Christian inclusion means exactly that for LGBTQIA+ people – radical equality in marriage and in ministry.

Changing Attitude England’s campaign goal: Full equality for LGBTQIA+ people in relationships and ministry

Changing Attitude England’s campaign goal: Full equality for LGBTQIA+ people in relationships and ministry

It’s time to go to work, time to organise ourselves, challenging status quo narrative, forming communities of resistance, offering counter-cultural models in the Church, develop our moral courage, standing up visibly and audibly, being active agents in pursuing the full equality of LGBTQIA+ people in the Kingdom of God. We are living in a potentially transformational era, aware as Christians of the existential changes affecting our planet and people; our spiritual consciousness is global and cosmic.

Eighty years on - living creatively and optimistically in decadent times

Eighty years on - living creatively and optimistically in decadent times

My dream of a revitalised church is best exemplified by churches that are open for prayer and day-dreaming and hosting activities that are of real value to the local community, sacred and secular. These congregations are already embodying a Christian culture and vision that is taking risks to embody unconditional love and life in all its fulness.

Radically inclusive groups and networks in the Church of England pursuing Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence

Radically inclusive groups and networks in the Church of England pursuing Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence

The nineteen organisations and networks listed on this blog share, in my mind, a common interest, purpose and vision. They/We, are working towards the formulation of an answer to the existential question that haunts me – What kind of God do we believe in? A common, shared vision emerges from the statements of each group – one people in Christ, in creation, in shared experience and the pursuit of love, truth and justice, a vision that understands the universal, cosmic essence of the sacred, holy, divine presence in creation and in all of life and every human body, heart and soul.

Mapping the primary activities of today’s Church of England

Mapping the primary activities of today’s Church of England

I would like to be part of a Church that is evolving spiritually, theologically and culturally, intentionally responding to the movements of our time: the climate crisis, poverty, war, abuse, the transformation of the place of minorities and those against whom prejudice is expressed. I would like a Church that is growing, maturing, overcoming prejudice, committed to radical new Christian inclusion more than it is committed to growth in numbers and income – AND is committing resources to this ambitious Christian vision.

This week’s events bring me close to despair

This week’s events bring me close to despair

The events of the past two weeks, the meeting of General Synod in November 2023, the conduct of the entire LLF process and the incompetence of the Church to respond the victims of abuse and implement an effective Safeguarding system all demonstrate to me a Church that has none of the characteristics that communicated to me 60 years ago by practice and example what Christianity looks and feels like. Words were not needed.

LLF “engagement opportunity” reveals Archbishops abandon radical new Christian inclusion

LLF “engagement opportunity” reveals Archbishops abandon radical new Christian inclusion

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have been bullied by conservatives into abandoning their commitment to create a radical new Christian inclusion. This information was given yesterday to one of the meetings held in the Lambeth Palace Library as part of the new phase of the Living in Love and Faith process.

The essence of the Christian message - the primacy of God’s unconditional, infinite, intimate love

The essence of the Christian message - the primacy of God’s unconditional, infinite, intimate love

The place of LGBTQIA+ people in the Church is still unresolved. We are certainly not being granted equality in relationships or ministry. We are being denied equality in marriage. Homophobia and transphobia (and misogyny) continue to be protected as legitimate ‘Biblical’ expressions of ‘orthodox’ Christian teaching and truth. I believe we have arrived at a moment when the essence of Christian teaching has to be reframed to emphasise the primacy of God’s unconditional, infinite, intimate love the Gospels reveal in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, rooted in his core message, his teaching, actions and wisdom.

LLF, safeguarding, abuse and Radical New Christian Inclusion – where did that go?

LLF, safeguarding, abuse and Radical New Christian Inclusion – where did that go?

I anticipate that the work undertaken by the College and House of Bishops, integral to the Living in Love and Faith process and to the outcome at General Synod in February 2023, will be judged “incompetent, ineffective and unfit for purpose. This will be a tragic end to what has in many ways been an effective exercise. I hope I will be proved wrong, too pessimistic, but  Church that is unable to ensure that its safeguarding practice is so inadequate is unlikely to produce proposals that are adequate to the most basic of LGBTQIA+ expectations.