Church of England evangelicals pledge support for GAFCON

Reform, the 1,700-strong conservative evangelical network, has pledged support for the initiatives of GAFCON at its annual conference in London.

The Rev Rod Thomas, Reform's chairman, welcomed the "clear biblical leadership" given by the GAFCON Primates at the Jerusalem meeting in June 2008, saying that there "we saw what an Anglicanism united in the Gospel and dedicated to mission could look like".

He highlighted two key areas for Reform in the coming year: developing alternative oversight and growing gospel fellowships.

"Seeking alternative oversight is not necessarily a confrontational act," he said. "Many Reform members work well with their bishops, and they need our support not our rebuke."

Rev Thomas encouraged the House of Bishops to develop "English solutions" for the provision of alternative oversight for 25 congregations in the UK who are currently in impaired communion with or being denied oversight from their bishop, and for many others who would be unwilling to receive oversight from a female bishop in the future.

However he also warned that "we must take forward the agenda of alternative oversight even if the Church of England cannot currently find a way to accommodate it".

Concerning growing gospel fellowships, he encouraged Reform members to co-operate with other evangelical and orthodox Anglicans to build on the "huge momentum" created by the UK church leaders briefing on GAFCON in July.

"Co-operation won't be possible on every issue," he said, "but we now have a unique opportunity to encourage one another in gospel partnership."

Reform council member, the Rev Paul Perkin urged church councils as well as individuals to declare their support for the Jerusalem Declaration, the statement issued by GAFCON as the theological basis of the movement and also announced plans to form a Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in the UK.

The conference voted overwhelmingly to pass three resolutions welcoming the outcome of GAFCON and calling on evangelicals in the Church of England "to show more courage in promoting the gospel and resisting heretical teaching".

"This conference recognises that when bishops accommodate themselves to heretical teaching they deny the faith and therefore abandon their sees. In these circumstances it is vital that alternative oversight should be provided," read the second resolution.

A third resolution called on the House of Bishops to recognise that "pursuing the General Synod resolution on the preparation of legislation to allow the consecration of women bishops will permanently damage and narrow the Church of England".

The resolution also urged bishops to present alternative proposals to the General Synod to preserve the ministry of those who maintain a biblically orthodox position.

The conference also pledged its unanimous support to the parishes in Vancouver who are facing legal battles with the Diocese of New Westminster as follows, saying they were "authentically Anglican".

An on-line petition has been established for those who wish to support this:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/cofe-supporters-of-vancouver-parishes.html