Statute of Limitations Proposed for Legacy of Troubles
Statute of Limitations Proposed for Legacy of the Troubles During the Prime Minister’s Question time on 15 July, PM Johnson announced that the government would be bringing forth a statute of limitations in regard to occurencess committed before the Good Friday...
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals
Church of England Considering Legislation Regarding Parishes Seeking Input on Proposals Input has been requested on the proposals to change the current legislation regarding parishes within the Church of England. The review of the Mission and Pastoral Measure...
Church of England Evangelical Council Reacts to Unorthodox Remarks by Bp of Liverpool
Church of England Evangelical Council Reacts to Unorthodox Remarks by Bishop of Liverpool The Church of England Evangelical Council has responded to a widely criticised public address and subsequent apology made last month by the Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of...
Questions Out of LFF, Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir, I read the first article from Anglican Futures, regarding the document, Living In Love and Faith, [LLF] EC 8083. I found the article helpful, well presented and gives a clear overview of the document. However, I found myself seriously disquieted and I raise...
Pilgrim’s Proces: Baptism Depths of Meaning by Peter Sanlon
In my last column we looked at the Lord’s Supper. Today, we take a look at the other sign our Lord Jesus instituted among us. These signs, or sacraments, which God gives his people are both simple and profound. In their simplicity, God's grace is powerfully...
School Required 4 yr Old Participation in Gay Pride Parade
Christian Concern has announced that the Christian Legal Centre is supporting a Christian mother whose four-year-old son was required to take part in a school’s gay pride parade against her will is to have her legal case heard in court this week. In June 2018, Mrs...
Pilgrim’s Process: Spiritual Nourishment Needed by Peter Sanlon
We all need food to energise us for daily life. We all need food to energise us for our journey to heaven. There is something relationally encouraging and engaging about sharing a meal with a friend or family member. This is why the early church often ate together,...
Whistleblow & the Sheep-Guarders, A Parable
Whistleblow and the Sheep-Guarders: A Parable By Jon Kuhrt Once upon a time in the town of Northrun, there was a shepherd called Whistleblow. He was one of many shepherds who worked for Lord Northrun who owned most of the land in the area. Each shepherd had their own...
Interview with Tim Farron
EDITOR’s NOTE: Over the next few editions of the English Churchman, we will feature interviews with a number of people in public life who are professing and practicing Christians. You will read views with which you disagree. Likewise, you will read views with which...
Ad Campaign for General Synod Candidates
Ad Campaign for General Synod Candidates The Church of England has launched an ad campaign to encourage people to stand for election to the General Synod. It is the first such effort. A 90-second film, a short explanatory animation, and a dedicated webpage have been...
Methodist Church in Britain Embraces the Spirit of the Age
Methodist Church in Britain Embraces the Spirit of the Age The Methodist Church in Britain has embraced the Spirit of the Age. Twenty-nine out of thirty Methodist Synods in Britain voted to approve same-sex marriage at the Methodist Conference held in Birmingham on...
PBS To Maximise Digital Platforms
PLANS TO MAXIMISE USE OF NEW DIGITAL PLATFORMS ARE UNVEILED BY THE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY The continuity and longevity of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer – originally compiled by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and still used by churches across the country – is assured, thanks...
PBS Gets Its First Corporate Member in Wales
PBS Gets First Corporate Member in Wales The church of St Paul’s in Craig y Don near Llandudno in North Wales is the first in the Principality to join the Prayer Book Society (PBS) as a corporate member. It will add the service for Holy Communion from the Church of...
Protestant Reformation Society Conference 2021 Postponed
Protestant Reformation Society 2021 Conference Postponed The Executive Committee of the Protestant Reformation Society has postponed the scheduled 2021 conference. This makes the second year in a row that the conference has not been able to be held due to the...
Trent College Fails to Comply with Court Directive
Trent College Fails to Comply with Court Directive in Fired Chaplain Case Legal counsel for Trent College has failed to comply with directive of the East Midlands Employment Tribunal in regard to the case of fired Chaplain, The Revd Dr Bernard Randall. Judge Heap has...
Presbyterian Church in Ireland Minister Resigns
Presbyterian Church in Ireland Clergyman Resigns Does Not Agree with Denomination’s Stance on Same-Sex Relationships The Revd Ian Carton, of Whitehead Presbyterian Church (PCI) in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland has announced his resignation. It is thought to be that he...
Life Beyond Covid: A Renewed Hope
National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast Goes Local “Life Beyond Covid: A Renewed Hope” Churches are using this year’s National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast (NPPB) as a chance to host constituency breakfasts with their MPs across the country Friday, 25 June. Once...
Sex Matters Wins on Appeal
Sex Matters Wins on Appeal Gender-Critical Beliefs are Worthy of Respect in a Democratic Society In a landmark judgment handed down at the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London at 10:30 am, Mr Justice Choudhury overturned an earlier judgment of the Employment Tribunal,...
A House for Aasia Bibi: Barnabas Fund Raising Funds
The Barnabas Fund is raising monies to purchase a home for Aasia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian woman who spent nearly eight years on death row in that country. “When I was in prison, I never imagined that one day I would be free. At the same time I had my hope in...
PSNI Investigating Four Alleged Hate Crimes
Four street preachers were reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for alleged hate crimes. Chief Inspector Barney O’Connor told the Belfast News Letter: “We have received four reports in relation to street preachers in the Banbridge area, which...
Hitchens Criticised for Re-Tweeting Prof. Ferguson
Peter Hitchens, renowned columnist for the Mail on Sunday, has gotten a lot of criticism for continuing to re-tweet a quote from Professor Neil Ferguson that appeared in The Times last Boxing Day. It is well worth your consideration. “Sage—had watched as China...
Former Presbyterian Elder Files Police Complaint
A long simmering dispute in the Presbyterian Church of Ireland has resulted in a former Ruling Elder filing an official complaint with the Gardai over having been removed from office after he entered a same-sex marriage. Mr Stephen Smyrl was a Ruling Elder at Christ...
Trueman: “Assisted Catechetical Suicide–Anglican Style”
The ever insightful and pithy, Revd Dr Carl Trueman, Professor of Biblical & Religious Studies at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, had some thoughts on the recent instructions the Church of England issued regarding school assemblies. His full comment can be...
EC Interviews Bishop Josep Rossello
For a number of years, Anglican Christians in the UK and abroad have often heard of The Rt Revd Josep Rossello. Before moving to the UK, he was a successful church planting, missionary bishop in Brazil and Venezuela. Lately, he has been in the spotlight as he, his...
Norwich Pastor Cautioned by Police for Social Media Posts
Norwich Pastor Cautioned by Police for Social Media Posts Norwich Reformed Church Pastor, The Revd Alan Clifford, BA, MLitt, PhD, was cautioned by the Police after complaints were made about things he had posted on social media between February 2018 and June 2020. Dr...
“Conversion Therapy Ban”
“Conversion Therapy Ban” Dear Sir, The Conservative government is about to 'blunder', big time. There seems to be a lack of understanding of the meaning of the word 'conversion' as it applies to the experience of millions of Christians across the world, including...
Marriage Registration Changes
Marriage Registration Changes The Church of England issued the following statement regarding the changes made to marriage registration law. “It will also correct a historic anomaly to allow for the names of both parents of the couple to be included in the marriage...
Corrections & Clarifications
Corrections & Clarifications Two corrections and clarifications from recent editions of the English Churchman: 1.) The Global Anglican Journal was referred to as a magazine. Alas and alack, it is a journal and not a magazine. 2.) On page 3 of EC8079, Mr George Rae’s...
Free Church of England Congregation Leaves After Actions of Bishops
The Church Council & Trustees of Emmanuel Anglican Church (FCE), Tunbridge Wells have unanimously voted to leave the denomination after actions by Bishop Primus (Presiding Bishop) John Fenwick and Bishop Paul Hunt have gone unanswered. The parish was a recent...
FCE Primus Accused of Blackmail & Racism
Free Church of England Bishop Primus, The Rt Revd John Fenwick has been accused of attempted blackmail and racism in a growing public dispute within the denomination. The FCE left the Church of England in 1844 and linked with the Reformed Episcopal Church in the US...
Skrine Instituted as Rector of All Souls’
The Revd Charles Walter Douglas Skrine was instituted as Rector of All Souls’, Langham Place on Wednesday, 28 April. His predecessor was The Revd Hugh Palmer. Palmer had been rector of the parish since 2005 and Chaplain to HM The Queen since 2012. Skrine had been the...
Anglican Futures Asks the Question
Quantity or Quality? The question has been asked in the Anglican Futures blog dated 04/02/2021, ‘How many churches does the Church of England actually need (and where)?’ I want to argue the issue in the Church of England is less the number of churches and more the...
Prudence Dailey Commentary
The General Synod of the Church of England, at its most recent meeting (held via Zoom), debated among other things a motion on international religious freedom, affirming the importance of freedom of religion and belief, and recognising the duty of Christians to defend...
Bishop of Maidstone’s Pastoral Response to the Fletcher Report
Bishop of Maidstone, the Rt Revd Rod Thomas has released his pastoral response to the Thirtyone:8 Report regarding Jonathan Fletcher. The response was sent privately to the parishes under the bishop’s care and has since been made available for public dissemination. It...
Protestant Truth Society Expresses Outrage at Pastor Sherwood’s Arrest
Mr George Ray, the spokesman for PTS expressed outrage over the arrest of Pastor John Sherwood for engaging in public preaching in Uxbridge. “Christians throughout Britain have expressed outrage at the wrongful arrest of an elderly Christian minister in Uxbridge on...
Oak Hill Returns Two £2,000 Gifts from Fletcher
In 2018 and 2019, Oak Hill College (as part of Kingham Hill Trust) received two gifts of £2,000, sent by Jonathan Fletcher on behalf of the FC Charitable Trust of which he was then a trustee. Subsequent to the receipt of the 2019 gift, the College’s internal processes...
Former Post Office Chief Steps Aside From Church Ministry
xMs Paula Vennells, former Post Office Chief and Church of England NSM cleric, has “stepped aside from ministry” in the Diocese of Oxford after the convictions of dozens of former local Postmasters were over-turned recently by the courts. Vennells headed the Post...
Free Church of England Troubles
Free Church of England Troubles The Free Church of England is in the midst of great turmoil. The denomination split from the Church of England in 1844 as the Newmanian inspired Tractarian Movement was in full-flower. The current Primus (Presiding Bishop) is The Rt...
The English Churchman Appoints Book Review Editor
The Editor of this publication, The Revd Mr Christopher Pierce, has appointed The Revd Mr Edward Keene, Curate at All Saints, Little Shelford in Cambridgeshire as Book Review Editor of the English Churchman Before ordination, Keene was a solicitor in Central London. ...
Death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921 - 2021 As befitting one of the most luminary men of the last century, news of the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, husband of HM The Queen has filled the airwaves and the pages of...
Church of Ireland General Synod Meeting Moved Online
The General Synod of the Church of Ireland, normally held each year in May, has been moved online and postponed until 30 September — 2 October. Any proposed Bills should be lodged no later than 19 August. Notice of any Motion should be given by 2nd of September ...
Free Church of England Clergy & Laity Call on Bishop Primus to Step Down
AnglicanInk, the website of AnglicanTV, reports further on the situation within the Free Church of England. In a story written by Julian Mann, a former Church of England and Free Church of England clergyman, an account arises clarifying some of the troubles that had...
Christianity Explored with Rico Tice
Christianity Explored with Rico Tice Everyone uses filtering questions to get a read on someone they’re getting to know. In Christian circles, you’ll hear a question about someone’s preferred bible translation or favourite hymns or worship songs. Another filter...
HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle. Please join us in prayer: O MERCIFUL God, the Father...
Lancashire Judge Rules in Favour of Franklin Graham
In a strong and clear rebuke of the cancel culture sweeping the UK, a court ruled that the 2018 Lancashire Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham was discriminated against by the Blackpool Borough Council and Blackpool Transport Services Limited by taking down bus ads...
St George’s Church Crowhurst Promotes Wider Use of the BCP
A parish church in East Sussex – located next to the ruins of King Harold’s Saxon Manor, mentioned in the Domesday Book – has joined the Prayer Book Society in a bid to strengthen its campaign promoting wider use of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) by young people as...
Coalition of NI Pro-Life Groups
A coalition of Northern Ireland pro-life groups have jointly called for pro-life MLAs to walk away from Stormont until Westminster allows the Northern Ireland Assembly to determine abortion law in the Province. They issued the following statement. “We reject outright...
Christian School to Open in Aberdeen
Melville-Knox Christian School Aberdeen was recently formed after a number of encouraging developments amongst leaders and members of Reformed and confessional churches in the city. A series of preliminary discussions led to the establishment of Melville-Knox...
Melville-Knox Christian School Advert
Melville-Knox Christian School Aberdeen is a proposed independent Reformed Christian primary school. We are delighted to announce this exciting development where our school board of directors are seeking to recruit a class teacher (potential head teacher) who will...
Unreserved Apology Thirtyone/8
The Revd William Taylor, rector of St Helen’s, Bishopsgate issued an apology to his congregation and those whom he might have hurt in his comments on the Thirtyone:8 charity’s review of the Jonathan Fletcher/Emmanuel Church Wimbledon investigation. In part, he said:...
Fletcher Report Impact of Harmful Behaviours
Impact of harmful behaviours From the evidence-gathering process of this Review, it is clear that JF engaged in a range of harmful behaviours that have been experienced by a number of people, through demonstrative accounts including a serious sexual act performed in...
Judge in Blackpool Finds in Favour of Franklin Graham in Bus Advert Dispute
Judge in Blackpool Finds in Favour of Franklin Graham in Bus Advert Dispute Judge Claire Evans ruled in favour of Christian evangelist Franklin Graham in a dispute over advertisements placed on public buses in Blackpool. The Lancashire Festival of Hope had its bus ads...
Christians in Parliament Group Join to Read the Gospel for Easter
Christian MPs and Peers from across the political parties came together to share a message of renewed hope this Easter, through a recording of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The video recording was launched on the Christians in Parliament...
An independent review into allegations of misconduct against the Revd Jonathan Fletcher
An independent review into allegations of misconduct against the Revd Jonathan Fletcher has been conducted and made public by the UK’s only safeguarding charity, Thirtyone:8. Fletcher was minister at Emmanuel, Wimbledon from 1982 - 2012. It is reported that 98...
Peter Hitchens on the Intelligibility of Worship with the BCP
Peter Hitchens on the Intelligibility of Worship with the BCP In the last edition, we featured an interview with Peter Hitchens. This is a follow-up. As always, Hitchens responds as an informed layman in a modern world all the while holding forth to an...
Coalition of Northern Ireland Pro-Life Groups Call for
Coalition of Northern Ireland Pro-Life Groups Call for A coalition of Northern Ireland pro-life groups have jointly called for pro-life MLAs to walk away from Stormont until Westminster allows the Northern Ireland Assembly to determine abortion law in the Province. ...
Eighty Six Percent of General Practitioners Concerned About Coercive Abortions
Prudence Dailey Commentary Cranmer, The BCP, & Church of England This past Sunday—21st March—marked the 465th anniversary of the date on which Archbishop Thomas Cranmer was burned at the stake in Broad Street, Oxford. The location of the martyrdom is marked by an...
Interview with Peter Hitchens
Interview with Peter Hitchens For decades, Peter Hitchens has been a very public figure. He’s a journalist, columnist, TV commentator, former Marxist, and always clearly spoken and quotable. The English Churchman interviewed him on his public role as a Christian who...
Trinitarian Bible Society Bookmarks
Trinitarian Bible Society’s Scripture Bookmarks The Trinitarian Bible Society has released a new series of Scripture bookmarks. Founded in 1831, the Society has long been active in promoting Scripture knowledge. These bookmarks are appropriate for giving as Sunday...
Anglican Jurisdictions in UK
TAGS: EC8075, Church of England, Church of Ireland, Free Church of England, Nigerian Chaplaincy, GAFCON, ANiE, ACE, AMiE, Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church, REACH Anglican Jurisdictions Within the United Kingdom One aspect of the current ecclesiastical climate is...
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali on GAFCON-UK
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali on GAFCON-UK Michael Nazir-Ali, former Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, is now one of the leaders of GAFCON and GAFCON-UK. Known for a towering intellect shaped by the gospel, Bishop Michael finds himself in the position of one of those...
For Difficult to Find Books
For Difficult to Find Books If we were to do a survey of the readership of the English Churchman readers, it is likely to be there are two characteristics held by almost all; 1.) self-identify as a Christian; and, 2.) self-identify as a reader. Whilst there are book...
Jesmond Conference to Feature Revd David Holloway
Jesmond Conference to Feature Revd David Holloway Good Disagreement? The Jesmond Conference is for Anglicans seeking to consider British society in the light of Biblical truth. It aims to stimulate discussion, prayer and action. Previous conferences have dealt with...
FIEC – 2021-02-17
UK Federation of Independent Churches Ninety-nine Years and Counting The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches is almost a hundred years old. It was founded in 1922 to fulfil the vision of Rev E J Poole-Connor for an association of independent churches that...
Less is not more. Theological education and mission attrition
3 February 2021 David Baldwin Cultural & Mission Lecturer Oak Hill Is it just me, or do missionaries often seem to be in a breathless hurry? Thankfully, students at Oak Hill with a heart for global mission don’t seem to be dashing off to “save the world”...
Three Evangelical Bishops for Ireland
By the Rev’d Dr Alan McCann “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was...