Same-sex Marriage Consultation
Same-Sex Marriage Consultation Results
As you will know, members of the church and the wider congregation were invited to participate in a consultation concerning an important and prayerfully considered question: whether Ministers and licensed marriage celebrants within The General Conference of the New Church should, if they felt called to do so, be able to conduct same-sex marriages.
As explained in the consultation letter, this was intended to be a Stage 1 consultation in the form of a straw poll. The purpose was to gauge whether there was sufficient willingness within the Church to consider this matter further. It was also made clear that, should the results indicate such willingness, a Stage 2 consultation would follow. This would involve a confidential ballot of all Church members, with each member entitled to one vote, and the process independently administered and verified.
The consultation arose following three facilitated days during which the Committee of Ministers met to share perspectives, discuss the issues involved, and prayerfully consider the subject of same-sex marriage. At their meeting on the 11-12 November 2025, the Ministers agreed to undertake a consultation of members and regular attenders.
The Consultation Process
A total of 403 consultation cards were distributed:
- 313 to church members
- 90 to regular attenders
A total of 182 cards were returned. Three cards were returned undelivered, leaving 179 valid responses recorded. This represents a response rate of approximately 45%.
The Results
Respondents were first asked:
“My personal opinion on same-sex marriage is:”
| Response | Number |
| I agree | 99 |
| I don’t agree | 54 |
| I am not sure | 26 |
| Total | 179 |
Overall, 55% of respondents indicated personal agreement with same-sex marriage.
Respondents were then asked:
“Should there be some provision within The General Conference of the New Church for same-sex couples to be married?”
| Response | Number |
| Yes | 109 |
| No | 39 |
| Undecided | 31 |
| Total | 179 |
Overall, 61% of respondents indicated that there should be some provision within The General Conference of the New Church for same-sex couples to be married.
Further examination of the responses showed that among those who supported provision being made for same-sex couples to marry, some did so even though they did not personally agree with same-sex marriage or were themselves unsure. This suggests that a number of respondents distinguished between their personal views and the question of whether provision should be available within the church.
Next Steps
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to participate in this consultation. The thoughtful responses received reflect the seriousness with which many people have considered this matter.
As set out in the original consultation process, the purpose of this Stage 1 straw poll was to determine whether there was sufficient willingness within the church to consider the question further. The results indicate that a majority of respondents support further consideration of making provision within The General Conference of the New Church for same-sex couples to be married.
The Ministers will now meet to review the consultation findings, reflect prayerfully on what has been shared, and discuss the appropriate next steps. This discussion will include consideration of whether to proceed to a Stage 2 consultation involving a confidential ballot of all church members, as outlined in the original process. If you wish to become a member you can do so by following the link below: www.generalconference.org.uk/resources/membership
Once the Ministers have completed their deliberations, further information will be communicated to the church.
We ask for your continued prayers for the Lord’s guidance, wisdom and charity as we seek to move forward together in a spirit of mutual respect and Christian goodwill, recognising that faithful and sincere people hold differing views on this matter.
Thank you once again for your participation and engagement in this important consultation.
The Committee of Ministers
The General Conference of the New Church
Same-Sex Marriage: A summary of the history of this topic to date
Same-Sex Marriage: A summary of the history of this topic to date
Introduction, questions and curiosities (Revd Lynne Griffiths and Revd Christine Bank)
Video – Everybody’s voice is important
Doctrinal issues: Goodness and Truth, Wisdom and Love, Marriage (Revd Jack Dunion, Revd Brian Talbot and Revd Bruce Jarvis)
• Summary Document – Same Sex Marriage
• Casting over the right side of the boat
History and change in the church (Revd Becky Jarratt, Revd Mary Duckworth, Revd Clifford Curry and Revd Helen Brown)
Video – Same Sex Marriage – Change in Our Church
Video – Same Sex – Marriage – Change in Our Church (Shorter Version)
Femininity, masculinity, biological sex, and gender (Revd Michael Stanley)
Femininity, masculinity, biological sex, and gender
Sex and Gender, Saturday 9th May, 10am to 4pm at Wellspring House, Manchester.
Join Revd Michael Stanley for this workshop, which will provide an opportunity to gain knowledge of current developments in biological science on these matters – as well as a spiritual perspective. There will be participation in discussions, and exploration of social and moral as well as theological and political implications and controversies. For further information and to book a place visit www.swedenborg-openlearning.org.uk/sex-and-gender