In July 2000, the General Synod of the Church of England passed a motion asking the House of Bishops to initiate further theological study on the episcopate, focusing on the issues that need to be addressed in preparation for the debate on women in the episcopate in the Church of England. This report is the result of that reflection. The report sets out as clearly and objectively as possible the options open to the Church of England in this matter and outlines the surrounding theological and practical issues. The report discusses: the background to the debate; the historical development of episcopacy; the parameters for a theologically responsible debate on women and the episcopate; the development of women's ministry; the timing - whether now is the right time to ordain women bishops; the theological and practical consequences of possible future options.

A collection of views on this debated issue A stimulating collection of purpose-written contributions on the issue of women bishops. The Church of England is debating whether to admit women to the episcopate. Many churches in the Anglican Communion have already done so - or have said that they will but have not yet elected or appointed any women as bishops. This book argues the case for women bishops by addressing the significance of scripture and tradition, issues of authority, the need for change, as well as the place of bishops in the church and the world. Contributors include the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion, as well as a range of bishops, other clergy and laypeople, male and female, from Africa, the USA, Australia, England, Scotland, and New Zealand, from the Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.

In recent years two fault lines have appeared in the Church of England. One is between liberals and conservatives, the other between supporters and opponents of the ordination of women. It has been thrust to the top of the Church's agenda by the success of the women's movement. Now that the Church's Synod has voted in favour, the Archbishop of Canterbury has become involved in a crucial damage-limitation exercise, seeking to avoid a schism.

The traditional wineskins of church and society do not easily hold the new role of women in authority, leadership, and ministry in the church today. In this definitive history of women in the church from the Woman's Auxiliary to the House of Bishops, Pam Darling shows how the church itself is being transformed as women move toward equality within its structures.

Why, since the Bible affirms that in Christ 'there is neither male nor female' (Galatians 3:28), do those who stress the importance of biblical orthodoxy in church life still object to the proposed women bishops legislation? This book was commissioned in January 2011 by a number of members of General Synod. Some are in favour of women priests and women bishops, some are not in favour, but all want to see the theological arguments being more fully explored, since these have not been adequately addressed in General Synod debates over the years. These Synod members also agree that a proper legal framework should be in place, to provide the security of an ongoing ministry in the Church of England for those who will not be able to accept the ministry of women bishops. So this book sets out the underlying theological arguments and presents the case for better, more secure provision. Contributors: Roger Beckwith, Sarah Finch, Michael Ovey, Charles Raven, Vinay Samuel, Chris Sugden and Anthony Thiselton

The growth of women's ordained ministry is one of the most remarkable and significant developments in the recent history of Christianity. This collection of essays brings together leading contributors from both academic and church contexts to explore Christian experiences of ordaining women in theological, sociological, historical and anthropological perspective. Key questions include: How have national, denominational and ecclesial cultures shaped the different ways in which women's ordination is debated and/or enacted? What differences have women's ordained ministry, and debates on women's ordination, made in various church contexts? What 'unfinished business' remains (in both congregational and wider ministry)? How have Christians variously conceived ordained ministry which includes both women and men? How do ordained women and men work together in practice? What have been the particular implications for female clergy? And for male clergy? What distinctive issues are raised by women's entry into senior ordained/leadership positions? How do episcopal and non-episcopal traditions differ in this?