Steve Chalke’s clout could change conservative evangelical attitudes towards gay people. Will the Church of England follow?
By Christopher Bunn, The Guardian
Steve Chalke, evangelical minister and head of Oasis UK, at the opening of the Oasis Academy in Coulsdon. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian
When evangelical leader Steve Chalke announced his support for monogamous same-sex relationships last week, the news was received with some surprise by the mainstream press. While the Church of England continues its characteristically sluggish machinations on the matter and Tory attempts to legislate a way through a complex cultural moment falter, few expected an evangelical minister to make the next move.
Evangelicals are the hardliners, right? The ones that think homosexuals will burn for their errant ways unless they are “cured” by prayer. Not the ones that openly bless a same-sex couple in their church and then talk publicly about it. As Chalke’s actions demonstrate, this is not always the case and nor is it out of keeping with his biography.
