Thousands of children could receive a "deeply Christian" education if the Church of England's vision for education is successful.
The report, presented to the CoE's national governing synod on Saturday, says the government's support of turning state-run schools into academies is a "unique opportunity" to expand the Church's influence over education.
It is "an opportunity which should be seized wholeheartedly", says the report. "Standing still is not an option: we will either seize the opportunity or our contribution to State education will decline."
The Church's lead bishop on education, Bishop of Ely Stephen Conway, added: "This is an opportunity that won't come round again." He told synod the "radical changes in the system" offer a "specific opportunity" to open more Church of England Free Schools.
The Conservative government published a white paper in March that indicated it wanted to force all schools currently run by Local Authorities to become academies run by private groups or individuals. Although the policy is yet to be implemented, "the direction of travel is clear", the Church's report read.
Mark Russell, chief executive of the Church Army, said the situation provided an "open goal" for the Church's influence over education. To laughter from the synod's chamber, Russell added: "I urge our team captain the nimble and able Bishop of Ely to don his kit and score that goal and the rest of us in this synod will cheer him on."
However, some questioned why the Church's vision for education was "deeply Christian" and not "distinctively Christian". The Bishop of Blackburn, Julien Henderson, said the loss of the word of "distinctive" was significant. He said the decision would be seen as a "loss and a step back" by teachers in Church schools.
"I hope we shall not agree to a contribution to the education of this nation that has lost its distinctly saltiness."
But synod chose to back the report. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said he was "excited" about its vision and insisted it was "distinctively Christian". He added: "You are distinctive because you are deep and you are deep because you are distinctive."
