As a follow-up to a previous post, Evangelical News are now reporting that the unrest in the Diocese of Southwark has resulted in some evangelical parishes withholding their parish quota from the Diocese.
The report is found here. It’s brief and so I’ll quote it in full,
Ministry Trust to be established in Southwark Diocese
Due to widespread concerns in the Diocese of Southwark, a Trust is being established to support the ministry cost of parish clergy.There will be a presentation for members of the Diocese of Southwark Evangelical Union and other interested bodies within the next couple of months, which will include a question and answer session, and briefing papers to take away for Parochial Church Councils to discuss, should they want them.
There has already been an expression of interest from clergy in the Diocese of Salisbury, because of their own local concerns.
This is not an insignificant development. It’s a clear expression of the depth of feeling amongst a broad group of evangelicals that they’re willing to withhold parish quota from the Diocese. How many will, remains to be seen. But that they’re even discussing it is remarkable. In my experience of evangelical action in this Diocese since 1996, I’ve not seen anything like it. Even members of Reform, who might be expected to grab at contention as a child grabs at a sweet, have proved reluctant to ‘rock the boat’. This has often been considered the ‘nuclear’ option. So incennsed are soem within the Diocesan Evangelical Union at the apparent revisionist agenda of the new Bishop of Southwark that they’re getting up a head of steam. The Bishop of Southwark has managed to united anglican evangelicals. And for that, at least, he should be applauded! If he wanted to wholeheartedly support gospel initiatives, preach the gospel and drive away erroneous doctrine he might find more of us supporting him.
