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UK: Evangelical Alliance expects increased membership as congregations split from Church of England over LGBT stance

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The UK’s Evangelical Alliance (EA) is expecting to see a surge in churches joining its ranks as conservative congregations leave the Church of England in protest over its decision to allow voluntary blessing ceremonies for same-sex civil marriages, Christian Today (CT) reports.

Founded in 1846, the Evangelical Alliance has tens of thousands of members, including individuals, churches, and Christian organizations; the EA has seen its largest increase in membership in 25 years over the last 12 months.

In an interview for the Religion and Media Centre’s Big Interview podcast, the head of the EA Gavin Calver first cautioned churches not to act hastily in leaving the Church of England, as the major Anglican denomination has not yet published its official guidance on the provision of blessings for same-sex married couples.

Nevertheless, Calver said, the EA was prepared to be a “port in a storm” for congregations who are upset with the direction the CofE is taking, but who aspire to unity with other evangelicals, CT reports.

“We’ll probably find that a number of Anglican churches join the Evangelical Alliance because it’s actually a time where they want to be in unity with wider evangelicals, as well as continuing in their space, which is challenging,” Calver said.