The Telegraph: The Church of England has encouraged its clergy to create baptism-style ceremonies for transgender people to welcome them into the Anglican faith.
New pastoral guidance, published on Tuesday, advises clergy to refer to transgender people by their new name, though it stops short of being a baptism. The guidance, which was approved by the House of Bishops on Monday night, also details how elements including water and oil can be incorporated into the service.
It also advises that as part of a special service, they can be presented with gifts such as a Bible inscribed in their chosen name, or a certificate.
The guidance notes: “For a trans person to be addressed liturgically by the minister for the first time by their chosen name may be a powerful moment in the service.”
As a central part of the new service, called the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith, the minister lays their hands on the candidate or candidates, addresses them by name, and prays for them.
While the Church is clear that this does not constitute a second baptism, it explains that the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith enables people to “renew the commitments made in baptism and in a public setting and provides space for those who have undergone a major transition to re-dedicate their life to Jesus Christ.”
It is understood that traditionalists in the Church blocked a change in the liturgy and stopped this from becoming a new blessing.
Instead, the guidance shows how existing liturgy can be used to accept transgender people into the Church and welcome them with their new name. The existing right to an affirmation of baptism is in this case used to mark their change in identity.
The bishop of Blackburn, Julian Henderson, chair of the House of Bishops delegation committee, which oversaw the guidance said: “We are absolutely clear that everyone is made in the image of God and that all should find a welcome in their parish church.
“This new guidance provides an opportunity, rooted in scripture, to enable trans people who have ‘come to Christ as the way, the truth and the life’, to mark their transition in the presence of their Church family which is the body of Christ.”
Prophetic Link:
“Likewise also, as it was in the days of Lot…” Luke 17:28
Comments
friend of chip person
Tuesday December 25th, 2018 at 01:57 PMpastor- we say we believe the three angels messages+ the health message,but few when it comes down to it,seem not to believe it. what does this have to do with the health message?plenty.i just dont understand why this has not been addressed.i brought this to the attention of my pastor,and he did agree that i can truly make a case for what i am going to say …NO MATTER HOW UNPOPULAR….
i have had the pleasure of knowing a chip person,and other sda medical professionals..ie. drs. as much as people do not want to admit to this, this is covered scripturally,and we need to promote the health message much further…this includes dorcas and community services STOP giving out gmo junk…..;and the abc’s to stop selling food items that are known not to be safe.
i was pointed to some scientist[s] on the subject of pesticides, of which , there is compelling evidence that the more chemicals,pesticides a person is exposed to …that the chance[s] of a person having gender problems increases…BUT instead of trying to help the people detox from these pesticides…alot of people…including pastors prefer to judge them….instead of trying to be of service to these people….some of course,will not listen…but in order to have the three angels’ message to be fully fulfilled…we need to point out to people what the cause is,and then point a solution to this problem.
it is not anything liberal…what i am saying,as i can show either by scripture,and by what egw has said…..and while i am no pastor …nor have any formal theology training…, i have looked at this…and i fail to understand this.
so many people think if they bury their head in the sand…and do nothing…one day we will be accountable to GOD…as those that do understand about this health issue….and do nothing….we I AM certain will answer for this.
i am suggesting that if people are told…some do know already,but do not know what to do about this.
something to truly think about.
Joy
Wednesday January 2nd, 2019 at 08:08 AMYes, there are reasons for DNA changes….it could be what you mention, or a combination of that and the degeneration of sin taking it’s toll on our bodies for the last 6k years as well. What ever it is, the Bible specifically says this in………. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10