plf
I have served on several of the working groups connected to LLF/PLF, and also on the House of Bishops Standing Commission on the 5 Guiding Principles, initially covering the complementarian episcopal vacancy in Maidstone/Ebbsfleet.
PLF: Huge energy and time has been spent, at huge personal cost to those on every side of these debates but with little real resolution so far.
not to pursue standalone PLF blessing services outside the process of Canon B2 and also agree with the Faith & Order Commission (FAOC) that such services would fall short of our teaching on marriage.
I spoke in debates on young people’s voices; PLF, the support for ordinands and the future of work in an increasingly technology-driven society.
Could the above be a pattern for LLF/PLF/New structures ?
- If PLF comes up, I will be asking that General Synod set the PLF debate aside for this cycle.
PLF, mission and ministry — I support a Church for everyone, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, socio-economic status, mental health, or sexuality, and full God given dignity of LGBTQ+ people.
I have found the past five years on GS quite frustrating at times, because firstly, so little time is spent on the pressing issue of mission, particularly in rural areas but everywhere else too; and secondly, the past five years have been dominated by debates about LLF / PLF which are divisive but seem to satisfy neither side.
LLF/PLF: I am in favour of moving to standalone services of blessing.
Astonished and concerned at the legal complexity of General Synod: The background papers on LLF/PLF, for example, comprises hundreds of pages of argumentation.
PLF & Teams (from Feb 2024) - From the start I have challenged the Bishops over the question of Teams / multi-church benefices & parishes, and LLF.
Teams (2/3 of CoE) are usually accidents of geography and poverty not theology, and more prone to the friction the PLF process created.
With regard to LLF / PLF, I hold the traditional historic Anglican view of marriage.
Human sexuality and marriage The LLF and PLF processes and the debates of the last quinquennium have created hurt and division across our church.