Evangelical church suspends diocesan payments over same-sex blessing proposals

All Souls Church, Langham Place in London. (Photo: Getty/iStock)

All Souls Church, Langham Place has suspended payments to the Diocese of London over the Church of England's proposals to bless same-sex couples. 

The PCC of the former church of late evangelical leader John Stott expressed "concern and sadness" over the proposals in a letter to the Bishop of London. 

The central London church said that the proposals "abandon confidence in the goodness and authority of God's Word" and "move the Church of England away from her historic formularies, which are foundational to our life together in London, England and as part of the global Anglican Communion". 

The prayers of blessing were proposed by the bishops in response to the Living in Love and Faith process, and are being debated at the Church of England General Synod in London today. 

In her presentation to Synod on Monday, the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, claimed that the proposals offer a pastoral response to same-sex couples "without changing the Church's doctrine of holy matrimony".

In their letter, the PCC said that the proposals "undermine the Biblical call to discipleship" and "devalue the difficult road" that many Anglicans have gone down by abstaining from sex outside of marriage.

They go on to state that the prayers as currently drafted leave the church in "a very difficult position with regard to episcopal oversight".

"As drafted, the prayers of Love and Faith now teach every sexually active unmarried couple that repentance is not needed," the letter, published on Anglican Ink, reads.

"If believed, this denies people the joy of stepping away from those things God has called sinful and into new life with him. We cannot participate in such a departure from biblical Christianity."

News
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide

Christians are doubling down on efforts to stop assisted suicide becoming legal in England and Wales after Kim Leadbeater's bill was debated in Westminster on Friday. 

Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign
Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign

More than 100 Christian leaders recently came together at a parliamentary reception in London for the launch of Shine Your Light 2025 — a bold evangelistic initiative aiming to bring the message of Christ to streets, neighbourhoods, and marketplaces across the UK.

Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling
Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling

An NHS trust has been accused of continually flouting the law around women’s rights by requiring female nurses to get changed in front of a biologically male nurse who goes by the name of “Rose”. 

CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017
CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017

The Church of England is happy with the progress being made by strategic mission and ministry investments.