The Church of England is encouraging prayer, planning and reflection as it begins preparing for how it might respond if serious conflict were to directly affect the UK.
The warning comes as military figures and government leaders increasingly raise concerns about global instability and the potential for future warfare involving Britain.
Right Rev Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans and Bishop to the Armed Forces, said the Church must not repeat the mistakes made before the Covid-19 pandemic, when warnings were ignored and preparations were lacking.
He told reporters: “As a Church, we want to take seriously those challenges – to do everything we can to pray for and work for peace, because the kingdom of God is a kingdom of justice and peace – and to face the reality and begin conversations around what it might mean to be a Church in a time of conflict.”
The issue will be brought to a meeting of the Church's governing body,General Synod, next month, where members will hear from Brigadier Jaish Mahan, a Christian and senior military figure who has served in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. He will speak about the current global landscape, the ethical challenges of modern warfare, and the role of faith in the Armed Forces.
Bishop Hugh said the Church is also reviewing how it can better support its military chaplains – currently around 200 across the Royal Navy, Army and RAF – including legislative changes to help streamline the permissions they need to serve quickly and effectively.
While the bishop stopped short of saying the Church is on a "war footing", he stressed the importance of learning from the leadership of bishops and archbishops during the Second World War.
He also acknowledged the theological and ethical issues raised by emerging warfare technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones, saying they require urgent and serious attention from the Church.
New resources for churches and schools on themes of peace, conflict and hospitality to Armed Forces families are expected to be released following Synod.
Bishop Nelson concluded: “We are encouraging churches to pray for peace – and to be ready to serve Christ faithfully, even in uncertain times.”
