Together for the Church of England had been approached by several members of Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) asking for guidance on the Ephesian Fund. This is a controversial initiative of the Church of England Evangelical Council whose full implications are not always grasped by PCCs wanting to make an informed decision. We have released a briefing paper to assist PCC members and others within the Church of England who would be interested to hear our perspective on the Ephesian Fund, its purposes, and the risks associated in adopting it.
The Ephesian Fund – a briefing paper for PCCs
Comments
5 responses to “The Ephesian Fund – a briefing paper for PCCs”
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This is an extremely good, balanced and well thought out paper. I would add, as a footnote, thatb in organising the Collection, St Paul was specifically supporting the Jerusalem Church with whom he had most of his disagreements. And he didn’t do it to support his own mission.
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If the PCC resolve to divert share payments to the Ephesian Fund without proper consultation with the members of the Electoral Roll, 1/3 of the members of the PCC or 10% of the members of the Electoral Roll may, under Rule M14 of the Church Representation Rules 2022, request the Archdeacon to call an Extraordinary Meeting at which a motion can be tabled requiring payments to be made to the Diocesan Share Fund and not the Ephesian Fund.
Individual parishioners can still make their giving to the Diocese and ask that it be credited to their Parish Share. This will still qualify for Gift Aid. -
This is extremely good
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This is an interesting theological paper on the Ephesian Fund. However, what it fails to address is why the CEEC found it a necessary introduction in the first place. The departure from the doctrine on marriage presents a far more significant concern than the questions of circumcision or eating food from idol sacrifices. There is also the probability that supporters of the Ephesian Fund are likely to stop their giving altogether but for the option the Fund provides. Rather than discuss the debatable theological merits or otherwise of the Fund, it would be better to confront the issue of doctrinal change that has brought it about.
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Thank you for your comment David. I have a comment and a question in response. First, if the Ephesian Fund was necessary purely to prevent those who might otherwise stop their giving altogether, why is it being so strongly promoted to parishes where the question hasn’t even arisen? And why does the CEEC give as a reason for signing up that it is to apply political pressure on the House of Bishops, rather than a minimum solution allowing those who feel compelled to stop giving to have a different route to give?
My question is what doctrinal change do you think has come about due to the commending of the Prayers of Love and Faith? The Prayers of Love and Faith are not a departure from the doctrine of marriage, which remains unchanged under Canon B30. They are a way to give thanks for the good qualities in a relationship between two people and to ask for God’s blessing for those two people. They are explicitly not equal marriage or a marriage service. So what do you think has changed that can no longer allow fellowship or mutual support between Christians to continue?
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