A LAY minister has been unable to secure a bishop’s licence in the diocese to which he has recently moved, because he is in a same-sex marriage.
Ron Luton-Brown, who married his partner of 31 years in 2013 (having entered a civil partnership with him in 2007), was recommended for licensed lay ministry (LLM) by his Rector in Reepham, Norfolk, in the diocese of Norwich. He began the discernment process in September 2020, and started his training at the end of July 2021. The diocese confirmed that he had started his training, and that the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, had agreed to license him.
Earlier this year, however, Mr Luton Brown moved to the diocese of Southwell & Nottingham to be closer to his elderly mother. He began worshipping at All Saints’, Harworth, in Northamptonshire, and was once again put forward for LLM training “with the backing of the PCC and congregation”, but was “warned the diocese wasn’t LGBTQ+ friendly”.
Mr Luton-Brown was told via email that he could take part in the course (which is run in-house by the diocese), but that he would not be licensed by the bishop at its conclusion.
LLMs (Readers) can teach, preach, lead worship, and conduct funerals. Licences are issued by the diocesan bishop. This ministry is separate from that of authorised lay ministers, who are authorised by the bishop to represent the church in the community: for example, pastoral assistants, worship leaders, and assistant youth and children’s ministers. Recognised lay ministries, which happen in the parish, benefice, or chaplaincy, are selected, recognised, and trained (for example in safeguarding), but are not licensed or authorised by the bishop.
Mr Luton-Brown told the Church Times that he had since spoken to the Suffragan Bishop of Sherwood, Dr Andrew Emerton, who had been apologetic, but had said that he could not change national church policy.
“I feel confused and upset by the situation,” Mr Luton-Brown said, “that one bishop says yes, and another can say no, with no further explanation other than I’ve fallen in love and married the person I love. The only explanation I have been given from a Church that preaches love, is hate; but not from everyone.”
The congregation, PCC, and Vicar of All Saints’, Harworth, had been “full of love and support”, he said, and the local Methodist church had also offered pastoral support. But confusion over the inclusion of and support for the LGBT community was causing the Church to lose people, he said.
The diocese released a statement on behalf of the Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham and the Bishop of Sherwood: “We are deeply grateful for Ron’s willingness to serve God’s Church in this part of the country.
“It is currently a requirement in this diocese that all who hold the bishop’s license, whether lay or ordained, live in accordance with the Church’s current teaching on Christian marriage, as set out in Canon B30. This means that we do not currently license someone as LLM/Reader who is in a same-sex marriage.
“We realise that this is very disappointing for Ron and the parish in which he serves. We are aware of the ongoing conversations and discernment at a national level for Living in Love and Faith currently under way within the Church of England around these important and real questions.”