LLF – WHERE ARE WE NOW?
A MUCH-ANTICIPATED UPDATE
On Wednesday 15 October, a Living in Love and Faith (LLF) update was published following a meeting of the House of Bishops just a few days before. This had been much anticipated, since hearsay was suggesting that the House of Bishops was finding it increasingly difficult to carry LLF forward, given various theological and legal challenges.
WHAT DID THE UPDATE TELL US?
From the update (and subsequent discussions with LLF leaders) two things have become apparent: First, the House of Bishops is unable to pursue standalone services and/or clergy same sex marriage without formal General Synod procedures.
Second, while the current LLF ‘brand’ might now be in the process of being closed down, the update does not signal an end to the LLF ’cause’ – but indicates further options available to revisionists (i.e. how a new synodical ‘pathway’ might be found).
WHAT’S OUR RESPONSE?
We are grateful that the House of Bishops has recognised that if any further progress is to be made it must follow ‘due process’: This is a welcome acknowledgement that there are substantial theological and legal obstacles to the introduction of standalone services and the exploration of clergy same-sex marriages.We are especially grateful to those bishops who pushed for this outcome and hope/pray that this commitment will be kept by all our bishops.
The LLF ‘brand’ might be consigned to history – but there is no indication that the ‘cause’ has died. Consideration is already being given in various quarters to what/how the ‘next steps’ might be and how they could be taken.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?
While the bishops’ update did not address this question, what is highly unlikely is that the revisionists (those who seek standalone services and clergy same-sex marriage) will decide to give up their cause. Right now, many revisionists are understandably angry and pained at what they feel is a betrayal by the House of Bishops – a pain which might fuel their commitment to see change.
So the LLF ‘brand’ might disappear, but the pressure to maintain the LLF cause is not going away – even if the next few weeks feel like a bit of a ‘lull’.
FOUR ACTIONS FOR US ALL
- Give thanks to God that the House of Bishops has agreed due process must be followed, and for those bishops who advocated this in the College and House.
- Be compassionate and courteous. Right now, many of those who want change feel betrayed and bruised. Whilst we must maintain a theological difference with them (because of what we believe the Bible says about marriage and sexual ethics), let us continue to be full of grace as well as of truth.
- Pray – the Lord promised to build his church and will do so by his Holy Spirit. Let’s pray that He does so.
- Let’s continue to contend. Please encourage your PCC to continue to consider these important issues, and if at all possible to commit to taking action if and when the red lines of standalone services and clergy same-sex marriage are furthered.
