Thinking about Human Sexuality: Resources

The Church of England is currently in the midst of a discernment process regarding same-sex marriage within church. The purpose of this page is for members of B&A to engage with a range of material on this topic to enable you to understand the issue, the theology and come to a view for yourself.

The clergy at B&A hold to the traditional and orthodox view which is that the bible teaches that sex is for marriage and that a marriage is between one man and one woman. We believe that Jesus is Lord and that He is good news for everyone. As a church we are committed to offering a welcome to all and sharing the love of Jesus with all. 

We want to help you as a member of B&A to carefully consider this issue and take time to prayerfully read, learn and come to a conclusion for yourself. If you want to chat with one of us about this please do get in touch.

Rev Wayne Massey & Rev James Stevenson

July 2024

In early 2023 James and Wayne recorded a series on the Church of England, marriage and the Bible's teaching on sexual ethics on their podcast More Tea, Vicar?

Sexuality 1: Established Church in post-christendom.

Following the Bishops' announcement this week proposing that the Church of England offer prayers of blessing to same-sex couples, a proposal that will be debated at General Synod next month, James and Wayne discuss some of the issues behind the issue: how can we have an established church in post-Christian culture? And what happens when a faith-group that is increasingly marginalised still has a significant role in public life?

Sexuality 4. Grace - what is the gospel?

This week we read an article in the Guardian arguing that those who are pro same-sex marriage think that God's love and grace is for everyone and that those who are against same-sex marriage believe that God's love is restricted. We wanted to unpick this idea and explore what living in God's love and grace looks like.

Here's the Guardian article:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/feb/03/church-of-england-excluding-lgbt-people-equal-marriage

Sexuality 7. Is Jesus Enough?

In the final part of our series on human sexuality we look at the story of the woman at the well in John’s gospel and ask the questions do we need sexual intimacy for a full life? And what is the life that Jesus offers and is He enough?

Sexuality 2: What is a marriage?

This week we're asking the question What is marriage?  The Church of England lawyers have been asking how it's permissible for an atheist couple to get married in a church, but not a same-sex Christian couple. We look at the difference between marriage as covenant and marriage as contract and what is said in the marriage preface at a wedding ceremony.

Sexuality 5. Sexuality & Identity

This week we’re talking about Identity. One of the questions that often comes up when we talk about sexuality is that if your identity is that you’re same-sex attracted, are you inherently sinful in a way that someone who is heterosexual isn’t? We discuss the turn inward since the enlightenment, the history of desire, what sin actually is and where we find our true identity.

The book that Wayne mentions at the beginning is called

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman.

Sexuality 3. Jesus & Marriage

Speaking in Parliament this week, Labour MP Chris Bryant said "Did Jesus say a single word about same-sex relationships or marriage? I do not think he did" and so we wanted to answer the question What does Jesus have to say about marriage?

Sexuality 6. Welcome & Inclusion

This week we’re talking about inclusion and welcome, two words that come up again and again in debates and discussion around the church and human sexuality. Both are expected of the church by culture and society but can we actually offer both and do they mean the same thing?

Other talks & interviews

Explore our range of services designed to help you move forward with confidence, wherever you're headed next.

Jon Tyson, pastor of Church of the City New York teaches from 1 Corinthians on the compassion of Jesus, the church and the gay community.

Jackie Hill Perry's Testimony

How to Flourish when Christianity seems so restrictive - David Bennett

Jago Wynne, vicar at Holy Trinity Clapham spoke to the church family following the General Synod of November 2023 when the Church of England first approved same sex blessings.

Interview with David Bennett