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In a time that requires courageous Christian leadership, the Anglican Diocese of Sydney has passed a powerful Synod motion in response to the NSW Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024. The resolution, passed on 17 September 2025, declares the church’s unwavering commitment to proclaim “the truth of God’s word” and to minister faithfully regardless of political pressure.

This build move comes amid controversy over Anti-Discrimination NSW’s (ADNSW) interpretation of the law, which suggests that certain Christian prayers and pastoral care practices will be investigated as conversion practices. That stance is at odds with both the text of the Act and the assurances from the NSW Premier Chris Minns, who has publicly stated that such ministries “will not be banned”.

The motion also thanks Archbishop Kanishka Raffel for pledging to support any pastors or church workers brought before a tribunal or court under the new law. As Australia’s oldest church speaks out, the Diocese has drawn a clear line in the sand: the gospel will not be silenced.

ADNSW’s Guidance Sparks Criticism

When the Act came into effect in April 2025, ADNSW released compliance guidance that immediately raised alarm across the Christian community. Their interpretation of the Act appeared to ban certain prayers and pastoral conversations, even when consensually sought by individuals navigating issues related to sexuality or ‘gender identity’.

The guidance was vague, ambiguous, and inconsistent with the law’s wording.

Prayer and Pastoral Care Under Threat

ADNSW’s official position states:

“Telling a person who is same-sex attracted they must be celibate or never marry… could be regarded as suppressing a person’s sexuality and may be unlawful.”

Yet this is precisely the orthodox Christian view, that sex is reserved for marriage between a man and a woman, and celibacy is the appropriate path outside of that covenant.

The guidance further asserts:

“Praying with or over a particular person in an attempt to try to change or suppress that person’s sexuality or gender is unlawful.”

This language leaves no assurance for pastors who, at the voluntary request of an individual, pray in line with Christian teaching—for example, for strength to live a celibate life or to align one’s identity with their biological sex.

ADNSW’s guidance directly contradicts the NSW Premier’s commitments that prayer, preaching, and voluntary support would not be banned in any ‘conversion’ act.

At a faith leaders’ forum in Parramatta, Premier Chris Minns stated:

Taking offence at the teachings of a religious leader will not be banned. Expressing a religious teaching through a sermon will not be banned. And an individual, of their own consent, seeking guidance through prayer will not be banned either.

A Pattern of Targeting Faith Communities

Further concern arises from ADNSW’s communication and resource materials, which exclusively depict religious, specifically Christian, contexts in examples of conversion practices. Case studies feature individuals from Christian and Muslim families, while linked comics show churches, crosses, and pews, with no examples from secular settings.

This presents a troubling picture: that Christian communities are being selectively targeted, despite their legitimate place in the public and personal lives of countless Australians.

Faith Leaders Respond

In May, over 2,100 signatories, including about 400 church leaders, signed an open letter to the Premier urging the government to rescind or amend the Act, citing the threat to religious liberty. The letter stated:

“Should these laws remain in place, we will have no option but to continue to exercise orthodox Christian ministry and discipleship, including counselling and praying with individuals concerning the Christian view of sex, marriage, and gender.”

Now, the oldest church parish in Australia, at the Sydney Anglican Synod, has echoed and formalised that stance. The Synod’s resolution:

“Encourages Christians to be unafraid to proclaim the truth of God’s word in matters relating to sexuality, marriage, identity and gender, and to provide prayer for those who seek to live a godly life in obedience to God’s word and aligned with God’s purposes, notwithstanding that they may be subject to a complaint under the CPB Act for doing so.”

A Call to Courage

The Australian Christian Lobby commends the Sydney Anglican Diocese for its clear leadership, and all pastors, elders, and church workers who continue to uphold and proclaim biblical truth without fear of political repercussions.

As Christians, we are called to live peaceably and pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–2), and to respect civil authorities (Romans 13:1–7). But when the law of man contradicts the law of God, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

We are not the first to face unjust laws. When Daniel was commanded not to pray, he responded with quiet, unwavering faithfulness:

“He went to his house… and got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” (Daniel 6:10, ESV)

So must we.

Faithful Ministry Must Continue

The work of the Church, to preach the Gospel, disciple believers, and offer hope and healing in Christ, must not be silenced by unjust laws. Whatever the cost, God is our judge:

“For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; He will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22, ESV)

We will continue to do as we had done previously: to walk faithfully, stand courageously in truth, and abound in love to the glory of the Lord.

As Christian leaders continue to minister across NSW, the ACL will continue to advocate for legislative change, working towards the amendment or repeal of laws that threaten the freedom to pray, teach, and care according to God’s Word.

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