Further Resources

Further Resources

View all guidance

Resources on Passing a Resolution

The House of Bishops’ Declaration:
General Synod, Church of England (2014) House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests (2014) – the declaration setting out the provision for parishes to pass a resolution requesting the oversight of male bishops and priests.

Guidance Note on the Declaration:
General Synod, Church of England (2014) House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests – Guidance note from the House – guidance in relation to the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the same subject.

Explanatory booklet written by Rod Thomas:
The Bishop of Maidstone (2016) Passing a Resolution under the House of Bishops’ Declaration – a booklet giving advice on the steps which parish churches need to take if they want to take advantage of the special arrangements available under the House of Bishops’ Declaration.

A paper on women bishops authored by Rod Thomas:
This paper can be accessed here.

A leaflet produced by one church after a resolution had been passed:
Simon Austen, Rector of St Leonard’s Exeter has produced this leaflet explaining the decisions taken by the Church Council (PCC) in passing a resolution.

A summary of arguments for egalitarian and complementarian positions:
The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (2007) Summaries of the egalitarian and complementarian positions –  a clear summary of biblical arguments advanced by those both in favour of, and against, the ordination and consecration of women, written by Bruce Ware.

Case Studies of the difference it has made to 4 incumbents that their churches have passed resolutions, November 2021

Women in Ministry

A report by Kirsten Birkett on Women in Ministry – this research was commissioned by the Bishop of Maidstone and carried out by Revd Dr Kirsten Birkett in early 2021. We are currently engaging with the findings and recommendations.

Responses to Same Sex Relationships

Church of England Evangelical Council (2016) Guarding the Deposit, Apostolic Truth for an Apostolic Church – a paper discussing the subject of how the Church should respond to same-sex relationships including marriages.

Selection for Ordination

Guidance on selection for ordination can be found on the Church of England website here. 

The Jerusalem Statement and Declaration

GAFCON Jerusalem Statement –  this is the founding document for GAFCON and represents a great statement of Anglican orthodoxy.

Organisations Providing Support and Resources

  • The Church of England
  • Anglican Mainstream began in 2004 as part of a united international response of Anglicans from different backgrounds (Reformed, Charismatic and Catholic) to re-state and support traditional understandings of marriage, the family and human sexuality in the face of erosion of these values in church and society.
  • Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) is a mission society that seeks to promote gospel growth in areas covered by the Church of England (principally in England, but also in other parts of Europe) by supporting Anglican churches and individuals both within and outside present Church of England structures.
  • Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) is a network bringing together evangelicals in the Church of England with a particular concern to encourage evangelism, bible-based, and Christ – centred formation of discipleship, evangelical leadership within the Church of England, and evangelical unity within and outside Anglicanism.
  • Church Society exists to strengthen local churches in biblical faith and to help shape the Church of England now and for the future.
  • Forward in Faith advises and supports anglo-catholic parishes that have passed a resolution under the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests.   The website contains very useful information relating to passing a resolution.
  • The GAFCON movement is a global family of authentic Anglicans standing together to retain and restore the Bible to the heart of the Anglican Communion. Their mission is to guard the unchanging, transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ and to proclaim Him to the world.
Additional Guidance