Consultation about a PCC Resolution
All those in the Church of England today rightly recognise that both men and women are indispensable to the life of the church and should be valued and honoured. Here at St Simon’s, we wholeheartedly believe that all men and women in our congregations should be encouraged to develop their gifts and use them in the service of Christ, their church, and neighbours.
Within the Church of England, and within St Simon’s, however, there are a range of views about which formal offices God intends men and women to hold within the church. Many believe that the office of Vicar and Bishop should be open to both men and women. This is often called the ‘egalitarian’ position. Others believe that, as one aspect of the God-given complementarity of men and women, the Scriptures teach that the offices of Vicar and Bishop should only be open to some suitably qualified men. This is often known as the ‘complementarian’ position. Following an initial consultation, it has become clear that this complementarian position is the theological conviction held by the majority of those on our PCC and in other key serving and leadership roles in our church, as well as by our clergy.
The Church of England consecrates women as bishops and appoints female clergy as vicars and has come to the settled position that all offices in the church should be open to men and women. However, the bishops of the Church of England recognise that there are a range of legitimate theological views on this question within the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. The bishops have committed themselves to the “mutual flourishing” of both churches and clergy that can accept women as bishops and vicars, and those which cannot do so on biblical and theological grounds. As such, under the provisions of ‘The House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests’, the PCCs of Church of England parishes have the right to pass a resolution asking that their church and clergy receive the direct pastoral and teaching oversight of a male Bishop and that only a male priest/presbyter is appointed as Vicar of the parish.
Given this provision, and because it is the conviction of our clergy and many within our congregations that the offices of Bishop and Vicar should only be held by some men, the PCC will be voting on the following resolution at its meeting on Monday 13 November:
‘Our flourishing requires the flourishing of our Vicar and other clergy, the safeguarding of their consciences, and the maintenance of congregational unity. With that in mind, this PCC requests, on grounds of theological conviction, that arrangements be made for it in accordance with the House of Bishops' Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests.'
This wording of this resolution is based on the form of words recommended by the House of Bishops. As noted above, if the resolution is passed, the “arrangements” being requested will be that St Simon’s and its clergy come under the oversight of a male Bishop and that only a male priest/presbyter is appointed Vicar of the parish.
We recognise that there will be a wide range of views on this subject within the St Simon’s community. This is also the case on our PCC, where we have discussed this matter in some depth with graciousness, respect, and love for one another.
We want to emphasise that all are warmly welcome at St Simon’s, whatever their theological convictions on which offices should be open to men and women in the church. The entire PCC is committed to developing a church culture in which people of both egalitarian and complementarian theological convictions on the roles of men and women are welcomed and fully involved in our shared life. We strive to be a church that is marked by our deep, self-giving love for one another, and by unity in Christ and the gospel, rather than uniformity on this subject.
If the PCC passes the above resolution, it will not be declaring that the ‘complementarian’ conviction is the St Simon’s position. Rather, it will only be establishing that the complementarian position is held by the clergy and a substantial proportion of the church’s community, many members of which would not be able to remain at St Simon’s without a male Vicar, and in some cases a male Bishop.
We also wish to be a church where all men and women are encouraged to flourish together in the use and development of their gifts for the glory of God, the good of his people and the reputation of the gospel. In the coming months and years, our clergy and others will be working on how we can develop and keep growing in this area.
We nonetheless recognise that this proposed resolution may be controversial, and that this subject can prompt many emotions and questions. With that in mind, we would welcome your feedback and questions on the proposed resolution and the biblical and theological convictions underpinning it. We want to know what you think and our clergy want to do their best to explain what they believe and teach in this area.
To that end, Mike and Joe would welcome conversations with you in the coming weeks. They are setting aside the following times and days where they will be available for 20 minute conversations to listen to your perspective or answer any questions that you have.
Both Mike and Joe:
Monday 25th September –7-9 pm.
Wednesday 27th September – 11am-1pm.
With Joe:
Tuesday 10th October – 7-9pm.
With Mike:
Monday 23rd October – 7-9pm.
To book a time to meet with Mike and/or Joe, please contact Gloria at gloria.skelsey@ssz.org.uk.
Mike and Joe will also be making time slots available at the Weekend Away for informal conversations about the resolution.
In addition, we will be holding a seminar on Saturday 4th November between 9.30 and 2.30pm (lunch included). The seminar will be an opportunity to hear more about the biblical basis for the position held by our clergy and many on our PCC. It will involve a respectful engagement with alternative perspectives and time for questions, discussion, and feedback. The seminar will also involve a presentation on the resolution, again with time for questions, discussion and feedback. We would warmly encourage all who are interested, whatever their views on this subject, to attend this seminar. While we cannot offer childcare, we hope that it will be possible for interested parents to make arrangements that enable them to come. There will again be time after this seminar for further informal conversations with Mike or Joe.
We would of course also welcome any written feedback, which can be sent to the PCC care of Mike Neville – mike.neville@ssz.org.uk.
We look forward to the discussions that will take place in the next weeks and months.
FAQs
While we cannot address every question in writing, we have sought to give brief answers to some common questions below.
Why is the PCC considering passing a resolution like the above now?
It has long been Mike’s conviction that the Bible teaches that God created men and women to be complementary – equal in dignity and value yet different. The Bible establishes that in the two institutions God has directly ordained – the family and the church family – this complementarity is worked out through men and women exercising different functions alongside one another. It is Mike’s conviction (a conviction shared by Joe and many on the PCC) that while the New Testament is clear that both men and women should be encouraged and trained to use their gifts alongside one another, God intends that the authoritative teaching and spiritual leadership roles of Bishop and Vicar should only be held by some qualified men for the self-giving service of all.
However, until now neither Mike nor others on the PCC have felt it necessary to ask the PCC to pass a resolution. This has changed for two reasons.
In February 2023, Bishop Emma Ineson was appointed as the new area Bishop of Kensington. Until this appointment, Mike and other clergy in the Kensington area had been under the pastoral and spiritual oversight of a male area bishop. Mike and Joe admire and respect Bishop Emma, share much in common with her theologically and wish to work with her. However, they feel that they would be violating their consciences if they were to accept her spiritual oversight when an alternative is available via a resolution.
It is also the case that at some point in the next few years, St Simon’s will enter a vacancy and be seeking a new incumbent. Given that a significant number of people in serving and leadership positions in the congregations would be uncomfortable for theological reasons with a female Vicar, many on the PCC are of the view that it is best for the long term unity and harmony of the church for the question of whether or not St Simon’s is open to receiving a female incumbent to be decided now, at least provisionally, before the pressure and high emotions of a vacancy.
Who would be our Bishop if we passed a resolution?
Under an agreement signed by all the bishops in London, if our PCC passes a resolution, the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rob Munro (https://www.bishopofebbsfleet.org/) will exercise extended Episcopal oversight over St Simon’s and its clergy as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of London. Some might recognise Bishop Rob as the bishop who ordained our curate, Joe, to the priesthood in July this year. Bishop Rob would be responsible for our clergy’s ministerial reviews and would play a part in any future appointments and in the acceptance of candidates for training and ordination.
Does passing a resolution change our relationship with the Diocese or other local churches?
No, St Simon’s will continue to be a church in the Diocese of London and Kensington area. We will continue to be represented at Deanery Synod and our clergy will continue to attend clergy Chapter. We will continue to receive safeguarding support and oversight from the Diocese and be involved in all other diocesan structures.
If the PCC pass the resolution does that mean that all PCC members who voted for it hold ‘complementarian’ convictions?
No. PCC members are free to weigh up their own convictions alongside the theological convictions of others at St Simon’s.
Does passing a resolution mean that women cannot lead services or preach at St Simon’s, or be involved in other public leadership roles?
No. If the PCC pass the resolution, they will only be requesting a male Bishop and Vicar. It would leave open the possibility of women preaching under a male Vicar’s leadership, or leading services, or even being appointed as permanent deacons or curates and associate priests. These matters would be left open to the discretion of the Vicar. Of course, the conviction that men and women are complementary, and exercise complementary roles in marriage and ministry, raises questions about exactly what roles and ministries are open to men and women, and how they should exercise those ministries. As a church, we intend to discuss these broader questions more with the guidance of our clergy. We want our church to be a place where both men and women are unambiguously valued and indispensable. We want men and women to be affirmed and trained in what they can do, rather than to be simply told what they cannot do, and we believe we can and should do this better. As a church, we want to encourage more women to be involved in public serving and leadership roles, including on our PCC.
If the PCC passes a resolution, is it permanent?
No. The PCC should review the resolution from time to time, and during a vacancy when a vicar retires or moves on from the church. At the point of review, a PCC can decide to affirm the resolution, or hold another consultation, or rescind the resolution.
What difference will this make to St Simon’s?
In many ways, very little. Our clergy team will remain the same, and people of all views on this matter will continue to be fully welcomed into the life of the church. It will mean that Bishop Rob may conduct confirmations and occasionally preach at St Simon’s.
Where can I find out more about the biblical convictions underpinning this resolution?
The seminar on Saturday 4th November will be a good starting point. However, if you would like to explore this subject further, please speak to Mike or Joe, who can make some suggestions for further reading.
Where can I find out more about resolutions and arrangements for London churches that pass them?
We would recommend the following resources: