Pastors offered free webinar on the potential impact of upcoming ‘conversion therapy’ Bill – January 23, 2025

UK CHURCH leaders are being invited to attend a free webinar later this month looking at the potential impact of the proposed ‘conversion therapy’ Bill on prayer, pastoral conversations and parental guidance.

The Christian Institute, with over 30 years’ experience of championing Christian values in the public square, is co-hosting the event, called ‘Prosecuting Parents and Pastors’ on Thursday 23 January from 12.30pm –1.15pm. Simon Calvert, Deputy Director at the CI will be joined by Graham Nicholls, Director of Affinity, which is also co-hosting the event. Also speaking will be Mike Judge, church pastor and Editor of Evangelical Times.

The event will explore the Bill’s potential impact on local church ministry and Christian parenting. Churches and families trying to help people navigate issues of identity and sexuality could find themselves in the firing line, accused of ‘conversion therapy’.

Practical advice will be offered on how Christians and churches can respond when the Bill is published – expected early in 2025 – to help protect Christian and parental rights.

Pastor Mike Judge said:

“Conversion is at the heart of the Christian gospel message. Activists have invented the term ‘conversion therapy’ in an attempt to shut down the Gospel. Christians need to help politicians understand that it is wrong to use the law to criminalise Christians who share the Gospel of Christ with gay and trans friends and family.”

Pastor Graham Nicholls said:

“Affinity represents 1,200 faithful churches and Christian organisations whose everyday gospel work could be unfairly targeted under a conversion therapy law. We warmly encourage you to come along and to invite your friends and churches to join this important webinar to find out what’s at stake and what you can do about it.”

Simon Calvert added:

“The Christian Institute has been working across the UK for over six years with Christians and non-Christians to help governments understand that new laws on conversion therapy are not necessary because of existing laws against abuse. Instead they would constitute a dangerous and illiberal form of speech crime. We helped persuade the Scottish Government to back off from its plans and we’re confident, with your help, we can do the same for the rest of the UK.”

To access the webinar, log on to the.ci/CTwebinar, and for more information call 0191 2815664 or email info@christian.org.uk

ENDS