The Council of REFORM, the evangelical Anglican campaigning network, met in Sheffield last week. In the light of the confirmation of the election of Dr Rowan Williams as the next Archbishop of Canterbury on Monday 2nd December, the Council once again considered his public views on the issue of homosexuality. It concluded that Dr Williams’ teaching was contrary to the clear thrust of the Bible which identifies marriage as the only state in which human sexual activity can be regarded as blessed by God.

The Council recorded its deep regret that as a result of his views and his new position of leadership within the Anglican Communion, Dr Williams is, in the Bible’s terms, a ‘false teacher’. It also noted concerns about Dr Williams’ published views in other areas of Biblical doctrine.

The Council was conscious of the imperative in Romans 16:17 ‘… watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.’ It therefore decided that there was a requirement for those who are committed to the authority of the Bible formally to distance themselves from the new Archbishop of Canterbury and such teaching.

The Council recognised that this decision would have implications for oversight and ministry within the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. It re-iterated that it had no intention of encouraging anyone to leave the Church of England. However, since this was unknown territory, more discussion and consultation was needed in order to work out practical strategies that will further REFORM’s primary objective of the evangelisation of England through the Church of England.