Denomination Votes to Bless Same-Sex Couples
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Denomination Votes to Bless Same-Sex Couples
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Through controversy and contrary calls, the Church of England has voted to begin blessing same-sex couples.
From The Christian Post. The Church of England has decided to proceed with trial blessing services for same-sex couples. This decision, made during the General Synod, marks a significant shift in the denomination’s stance on same-sex relationships.
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The Bishop of Oxford proposed the amendment for these trial services, which narrowly passed in the House of Laity by one vote, the U.K.-based group The Christian Institute noted, adding that the House of Bishops supported the motion 23 to 10, with four abstentions. The House of Clergy also voted in favor, 100 to 93, with one abstention. The House of Laity also voted in favor, but by 104 to 100, with no abstentions.
Originally, the House of Bishops proposed that these services be formally authorized under a two-year process, requiring a two-thirds majority in each of the three Houses. However, the approval allows for the use of “prayers of blessing” in existing services as early as December, while the bishops discuss implementation.
The Rev. John Dunnett, national director of the CofE Evangelical Council, expressed disappointment with the decision, stating it departs from a biblical understanding of sex and marriage. CEEC plans to announce provisions for orthodox Evangelicals and aims to ensure their continued presence in the denomination.
The Anglican Network in Europe, the Anglican Convocation in Europe and the Anglican Mission in England had previously urged the House of Bishops to adhere to biblical teachings on sexual conduct. They described the decision as offensive to God and a distortion of His message.
At the Synod, Christian Concern’s Benjamin John criticized the CofE’s move, calling it a rebellion against God’s Word. Rebecca Bensted from the Christian Legal Centre, the legal arm of Christian Concern, highlighted the lack of transparency and legal process in the proposal.
The rector of Buckingham, the Rev. William Pearson Gee, emphasized the importance of adhering to the teachings of Jesus and the apostolic church. “To say that a practice is sinful is not opposed to a Savior who came to save us from sin, is all of our discovery that we are sinful — and that it is pastoral to be told how, and to be called to change.”
Charlie Skrine, the rector of All Souls’ in London, pointed out the contradiction between the CofE’s doctrine on marriage and the proposed pastoral step.
The Rev. Neil Barber from Derby and the Rev. Ian Paul from Southwell and Nottingham raised concerns about the perceived abandonment of doctrine and the need for integrity and transparency. “The watching world sees that the Church of England is dumping its doctrine, even though we assert that legally, we are not. But they know that we are not doing nothing. They see that we are changing doctrine,” he reiterated.
Anna De Castro from Sheffield called for consistency between the confessed and lived doctrines. Daniel Matovu expressed concerns about the lack of a clear timescale for the motion passed.
The CEEC said it remains committed to working toward a permanent structural settlement that secures orthodox life and witness within the denomination. They continue to uphold the doctrines of the Church of England as expressed in the 39 Articles, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal.
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(Used with permission. By Anugrah Kumar from The Christian Post. Photo Credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash)
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For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,… For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their [i]women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the [j]men, leaving the natural use of the [k]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due….who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:21-31
There is no blessing given for same sex marriage in the Bible. There us no real church blessing that blesses what God cannot.. There is no blessing from God to the church that condones doctrines that cause others to stumble. The only blessing the church can convey is to call sin sin and lead the deceived to repentance. The loving thing to do is to turn others to righteousness and certainly not assist souls into deeper darkness. There is no compromise with evil on any front that the Lord gives commandment for. To keep His commandments is everlasting life!
There are seeds to plant both good and bad. You reap what you sow.. Gos said in his word is enough for me. Friendship with the world instead is a tragedy planted deliberately.
Psa 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
Deu 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
The Titanic 26,000 tons, slid down the builders ways on 23 tons of lubricant. I weight 220 pounds. That equals 1/2 an aspirin tablet beneath each foot. In 62 seconds the 900 feet plus of Titanic was fully in the water.
Fair warning all.
God turn them from the error of their ways. Amen Amen
This simply amazes me. How can anything contrary to God’s Word be blessed. There is nothing new under the sun.
Malachi 2, God’s warning to the priests
V 6 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge and people should seek instruction from his mouth because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
Matthew 23, Jesus’s 7 “woes” on religious leaders of His day.
V13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in.
James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
John 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Dear Lord and God, You are The Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who unanimously rebukes this decision. Your Word is clear. I believe we will all stand before You to be judged and I believe church leaders will be judged more strictly. I pray in every failed congregation, where a Gospel contrary to Yours is being preached, You will do what only You are able, It was by Your Powerful Word everything that has life, breath and existence came to be. I pray You will issue a command to every woeful church leader which affects them personally and profoundly to repent. I cannot ask too much of You Lord but I can believe too little…I am believing BIG, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
When a church, denomination, pastor or congregation depart from written scripture, that is when I will depart from them! FATHER GOD please let YOUR church stand for YOUR WORD and against the demonic culture in JESUS NAME! Amen!
First, I like to say that a church that blesses same sex marriage or couples are not a church that goes by God’s will. They might as well be a cult. They don’t go by the Holy Bible, God’s Word. I pray that they see the error of their ways