Gender Transition Liturgies

The Church of England (CofE) has agreed to celebrate gender transition by conducting an affirmation of Baptism for these persons. Their  "Pastoral Guidance for use in conjunction with the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith in the context of gender transition" can be found at the link. I would like to highlight just a few of their points.

1. The Church of England welcomes and encourages the unconditional affirmation of trans people, equally with all people, within the body of Christ, and rejoices in the diversity of that body into which all Christians have been baptized by one Spirit.

Note the key words: "unconditional affirmation". No need for repentance here.

2. If a transgender person is not already baptized, then baptism itself would be the natural liturgical context for recognizing and celebrating their identity in Christ and God’s love for them. Where such a person has already been baptized, the House of Bishops commends the rite of Affirmation of Baptismal Faith as the central feature of any service to recognize liturgically a person’s gender transition.1 Where rubrics within that Rite allow, the House encourages ministers to respond to such requests in a creative and sensitive way. The Rite of Affirmation includes the opportunity for the candidate to renew the commitments made in baptism and for the congregation to respond. The emphasis is placed not on the past or future of the candidate alone, but on their faith in Jesus Christ. The Affirmation therefore gives priority to the original and authentic baptism of the individual as the sacramental beginning of the Christian life, allowing someone who has undergone a serious and lasting change to re-dedicate their life and identity to Christ. The image of God, in which we are all made, transcends gender, race, and any other characteristic.Our shared identity as followers of Jesus is the unity which makes all one in Christ (Galatians 3.27–28).

Affirmation for "someone who has undergone a serious and lasting change" should mean a spiritual change from a life ruled by sin to a life ruled by Christ. It does not mean a surgical or hormonal change in appearance or a change in self identification. Genital mutilation is not something that a real Church can ever "affirm".

Finally, my biggest concern is the blatant revisionism on display in the "other appropriate readings" chosen by the bishops. Revisionist preachers will love to go off the reservation with some of these. See if you can pick them out.

6. The choice of readings should be governed by the rules in Common Worship (Main Volume, pp.539 ff). When it is permitted to depart from the lectionary provision, other appropriate readings, such as those listed below, may be used. A celebration of the Eucharist must always include a Gospel reading.  

• Genesis 17.1–7, 15–17: God changes the name of Sarai to Sarah  
• Genesis 32.22–31: Jacob wrestles at Peniel and is named Israel 
• Exodus 3.1–15: Moses is called to serve the God named I AM 
• Isaiah 42.1–9: God’s promise concerning God’s servant 
• Isaiah 43.1–7: God’s restoration and protection is promised 
• Isaiah 56.1–8: The maintenance of God’s justice and welcome of all to the house of God 
• Psalm 8: God’s divine majesty and human dignity 
• Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd 
• Psalm 96: Sing to the Lord a new song 
• Psalm 139: O Lord you have searched me out and known me 
• Matthew 5.1–11: The Beatitudes 
• Matthew 7.7–11: Ask and it shall be given 
• Matthew 16.13–19: Peter’s declaration about Jesus and upon Peter God will build God’s church 
• Matthew 22.37–40: Jesus’ Summary of the Law 
• Luke 15.11–32: The Prodigal Son 
• John 20.11–18: The risen Lord calls Mary by name 
• John 20.19–29: Blessed are those who have not seen but believe 
• John 12.27–36: When Jesus is lifted up, he will draw all people to himself 
• Romans 8.12–22: All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God 
• 2 Corinthians 5.14–21: In Christ, there is a new creation 
• Galatians 3.27–4.7: In baptism into Christ there is no longer male and female 
• Galatians 4.1–7: God sent God’s Son that we might receive adoption as children 
• Philippians 3.4a–end: Our citizenship is in heaven 
• 1 John 3.1–3: What we will be has not yet been revealed 
• 1 John 3.18–23: Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action 
• 1 John 4.18–5.6: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear 
• Revelation 21.1–6: The new heaven and the new earth 

It is time that Anglicans unhitch themselves from the CofE. Maybe we need to drop the word "Anglican" because of its association with the CofE.