‘Praying in Love and Faith’: an initial response – CEEC

Posted on January 24, 2023 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars

“The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) shares the profound concern being expressed by evangelicals across the Church of England in response to the bishops’ proposals published on Friday and the Archbishop of York’s interview with BBC Radio 4 yesterday morning.  

At a meeting of the Evangelical Group on General Synod (EGGS) on Saturday there was overwhelming support for opposition to these proposals. 

John Dunnett, Director of Strategy and Operations, CEEC, said: “I share the profound dismay expressed by thousands of evangelicals across the country. I’m deeply troubled by the bishops’ proposals which seem to me to be either contrary to or indicative of a departure from Church of England doctrine. 

“I want to reassure you all that the CEEC will be leading and coordinating a robust response as we contend together for faithfulness to biblical teaching within the Church of England, on issues of sex and marriage.”

CEEC is holding its annual residential this week. CEEC is the body founded by John Stott, which brings together evangelicals from Diocesan Evangelical Fellowships (DEFs) and all the main evangelical networks, organisations and societies. It will be agreeing how CEEC will lead and support evangelicals at this time.  We will issue a statement later this week with further details. 

Please pray for all at the CEEC annual residential this week and evangelicals in local churches, deaneries and dioceses who are at the frontline of contending for the faith as we have received it. 

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you (Philippians 1: 27-28a).”

– from The Church of England Evangelical Council, 23 January 2023.