Coekin severs final C of E links – and unveils ‘gym’ plan

Richard Coekin, the Senior Pastor of Dundonald Church, Wimbledon, says the 1,100-strong congregation has finally severed all links with the Church of England because of its ‘tragic denial of God’s word’.

Speaking to en, Coekin said the CofE’s so-called Prayers of Love and Faith ‘encourage same-sex attracted people down a path which leads away from God and His salvation instead of lovingly warning and supporting them in godliness’. He added: ‘We cannot accept this – or walk with those who do.’

But he also voiced support for faithful Anglican churches remaining in the denomination for whom it is less easy to leave.

Outlining the situation in relation to Dundonald, Coekin said: ‘When our church began in 1990 it was openly Church of England. In 2005 we declared ourselves to be in ‘impaired communion’ with the Bishops of Southwark and Kingston because of their refusal to faithfully teach the Bible on sexual morality. Although my licence was suspended, on appeal it was returned.

‘The Diocese explored having our church regularised under a Bishop’s Mission Order, but since this was undesirable for various reasons, the status of Dundonald became unclear.

‘In January 2023 the CofE House of Bishops concluded years of debate by – tragically – announcing their proposal to commend their so-called Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) for the blessing of same-sex relationships in church.

‘On 15 November 2023, the General Synod of the Church of England voted narrowly in favour of introducing PLF. Those commending these prayers claim they’re merely seeking God’s blessing without any departure from the traditional doctrine of marriage or sexual morality. But what we pray is what we believe, and this was a tragic denial of God’s word.’

He added: ‘The authorised Prayers of Love and Faith are offensive because, firstly, they disobey the clear and gracious teaching of God’s word and the historic teaching of the Christian church in every age and culture; secondly, they claim God blesses sinful lifestyles which, without repentance, will lead same-sex attracted people, including those attending our church and in our families whom we love dearly, to hell; and thirdly, they are undermining the courageous godliness of single believers at our church, including same-sex attracted believers, who live celibately in obedience to God’s word, as Jesus Christ did.

‘When I asked one same-sex attracted man at our church, who has left his gay lifestyle to follow Jesus, how he felt about our approach, he replied: ‘I’m so relieved – I want to be supported in following Jesus’. The entire Living in Love and Faith process has been a disgraceful exercise in relativising the authority of the Bible by implying all perspectives are welcome, even when they flatly contradict God’s word.’

‘We recognise that, for many faithful churches, to leave the Cof E is impossible: e.g. losing Cof E buildings would severely damage the work of the gospel and leave their congregations at the mercy of false teachers appointed to replace them. We do want to encourage every faithful church vigorously to contend for the faith. In particular we want to encourage them to join the growing coalition of orthodox voices challenging these developments, to seek alternative structures led by CEEC and to participate in its excellent initiatives, including its panel offering alternative spiritual oversight and the Ephesian Fund for redirecting giving.

‘However, in our view, any alternative provision within the Cof E seems unlikely any time soon. And since we are distanced from the Diocese, and able to leave (because the Diocese hasn’t give us a pound or a brick since we began, which means God has grown our own independent finance and buildings), we can distance ourselves from any suspicion of collusion in this shameful departure from the plain teaching of the Bible.’

Coekin said that therefore Dundonald was now ‘unambiguously not part of the Cof E’. However, a decision about which grouping to align with in the future has been held over until the appointment of a new Senior Pastor after Coekin steps back from that role this August.

■ Meanwhile, Richard Coekin has announced a new initiative ‘from across our evangelical tribes’ aimed at giving pastors ‘tried and tested Biblical wisdom for enduring faithfully and fruitfully’ – with a team of mentors likened to gym instructors!

The project, called Reach Ministries, is aimed at encouraging ‘pastors and their leadership teams in godly and effective gospel ministries – which actually reach the lost’. It will offer an annual conference, termly clinics, and ongoing consultancy, mentoring and training (called ‘Pebble Consultancy’).

It is overseen by a steering group including Lee McMunn (Trinity Church Scarborough/ AMIE), Steve Robinson (Cornerstone, Liverpool/Acts 29), Rachel Sloan (Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh/FIEC), Danielle Teeuwen-Greene (UCCF, London), Jamie Child (Crossway, Stratford/LGP), Sarah Ebenezar (All Nations Barkingside) and Ed Kendall (St Michael’s, Fulwell/Co-Mission) and served by a Executive team led by Richard Coekin, Ray Evans and Andy Harker.

Coekin said: ‘As when you walk into a gym, and see on the wall 20 pictures of available instructors to choose from – one offering strength and conditioning, another offering cardio and weight loss, another offering strength and power-lifting coaching – we long to see a range of mentors and coaches available across the country to support and mentor pastors to endure faithfully in godly and effective gospel ministries to reach the lost – to the glory of God!’