Bishop Martyn calls for intercultural approach to LLF divisions in new book

Martyn Snow, the Bishop of Leicester and lead bishop for the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process, has released a new book, entitled ‘Can We Imagine a Future Together? Intercultural lessons for Living in Love and Faith’.

In the book, released today (Monday 3 March), Bishop Martyn asks those on different sides of the LLF debate whether they want to remain together as one church, and how that might be possible. Having served as a vicar in Guinea in West Africa, and now working with interfaith communities in Leicester, Bishop Martyn draws on his background in the world church to invite readers to use an intercultural model, combined with gift exchange, when having challenging conversations around LLF.

The Diocese of Leicester developed its work around interculturalism after recognising that despite living in a culturally diverse city, worshipping communities were largely homogenous, and church leaders did not feel confident in navigating cultural differences. Interculturalism acknowledges these differences – and the power dynamics involved when cultures interact – whilst encouraging engagement with often marginalised communities.

Bishop Martyn said: “Despite the great depths in our disagreements over Living in Love and Faith, I believe there is still a longing for unity among most of us in the Church of England.

“I hope that by applying an intercultural approach to our profound differences, we might be able to navigate a new path in our LLF journey.

"Far from attempting to offer a quick fix solution, this book explores how we might imagine a new future together, and maintain unity across a variety of theological differences.

"As we enter this new season of discernment together, we will require prayer, listening and practical acts of kindness, as we re-imagine how we heal a divided church and live out Jesus’s call to proclaim the Good News.”