The Annual National Conference of Reform commenced on Monday 11th October at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick. Reform is an influential conservative evangelical network within the Church of England, representing just under a third of the 9,000 stipendiary clergy in the Church.

In the midst of all the battles within the Anglican Church, the theme of the conference this year is “To Advance the Gospel”, showing unchanging faith of conservative evangelicals in the Church to preach the truth despite all the unfavourable factors.

The conference will focus on both defending and advancing the gospel to enable church leaders and members to make progress in five key areas of gospel witness. The following are the areas that have been defined:

- Diocesan relationships;
- Finance;
- Evangelism;
- Fellowship;
- Ensuring future gospel ministry.

Most importantly, throughout the conference, “Reform” intends to seek a clear demonstration of its unity with biblically faithful Anglicans, in particular its solidarity with the orthodox Primates of the Global South. The issue of homosexual clergy ordination has been placed at the top of the agenda, as the Lambeth Commission Report will be released early next week.

In the schism over homosexual clergy in the Anglican Church, the Primates of the Global South condemned the ordination of homosexual clergy as they say it “attacks the Church’s witness to the Gospel and God’s gift of salvation in Jesus Christ”.

In a paper submitted to the Lambeth Commission in June, they commented that “realignment” of the Anglican Communion had occurred already, and they demanded the full exercise of appropriate discipline towards the gay supporting churches.

Based on the briefing paper entitled “The Way Forward”, “Reform” backs the argument of the Primates of the Global South.

On 28th July, “Reform” proposed a national campaign against gay supporting priests. It suggested that parishes test whether their diocesan bishops held “orthodox” beliefs on homosexuality, and that parishes should reject the spiritual authority of liberal bishops. They put forward that bishops supporting the liberal gay agenda should be refused access into the churches to perform confirmations and other services. In addition, funds should be boycotted to these bishops, withheld from their diocese and put into Reform’s evangelical mission.

The proposal will be further discussed for a final decision during this conference. The conference will last till Wednesday 13th October.