General Assembly 2023

July 2023

The Church of England Continuing General Assembly 1stJuly 2023

By Rev Philip Lievesley

The latest General Assembly of the Church of England (Continuing) convened on Saturday 1st July 2023 at St Mary’s Castle Street in Reading, Berkshire.

The first Assembly was in 1996 at NorthNibley in Gloucestershire a few years after the establishment of the denomination in 1994.

The Church of England Continuing aims to be faithful to the fundamental tenets of the Church of England as it once was. The main feature of the 2023 Assembly was the keynote address given by the presiding bishop the Rt Rev Edward Malcolm. Subjects covered in his address included his assessment of the 2022 Lambeth Conference, and some teaching on the Creeds. Mr Malcolm’s address emphasised Articles VI to VIII in the XXXIX Articles which are about the doctrine of Revelation. He stated that the Church of England continues to depart from Scripture and violates (amongst others) Article VI Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for salvation and VII Of the Old Testament. What we believe and the defence of truth, he argued, must be grounded in Scripture. For this reason, it matters if we have a right view of Scripture. This is essential living in a post-modern age. After a fellowship lunch Mr Malcolm preached a sermon on Philippians 4:9, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Christians should obey the revealed will of God. Do you long for peace? Then serve the Lord in righteousness and peace shall be yours.