That the Assembly:
29.1 express its appreciation to the Roman Catholic Church/ Uniting Church Dialogue group for their work in producing the report Interchurch Marriage: their ecumenical challenge and significance for our Churches and to commend it to all ministers and lay people, and especially to interchurch couples;
Rationale:
See section 3.4.1 of the UIM report C27.
29.2 (a) approve the Declaration of Mutual Recognition by the Uniting Church
in Australia and the Lutheran Church of Australia;
(b) welcome its potential for shared and co-operative ministry;
(c) refer it to presbyteries for implementation;
Rationale:
See section 3.4.2 of the UIM report C27.
29.3 request the Standing Committee in consultation with Unity and International Mission to develop a process to re-examine the relationship between conciliarity and episkope in the context of international and national developments and of our dialogues with Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches;
Rationale:
The Uniting Church needs to spell out as fully as possible what we mean by episkope
(oversight) and 'conciliarity'. For instance, to what extent and in what ways
is 'pastoral care exercised personally on behalf of the Church' (Basis of Union,
para. 16) found in the life of our councils? Are there other ways in which the
Uniting Church exercises episkope personally? What have we learned in recent
years from the many dialogues with other churches (many of whom are also in
dialogue with each other) in Australia and overseas, about the nature of pastoral
oversight? This is important, in different ways, as we enter into closer relationships
with other churches, especially Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lutheran.
29.4 note the points raised concerning the new Assembly structure in section 3.3 of the Unity and International Mission report in any consideration and evaluation of Assembly structures;
Rationale:
See the substantial points raised in section 3.3 of the UIM report C27 and the
importance of considering these in any consideration of Assembly structures
at the Assembly or subsequently.
29.5 commend the covenanting proposals of the National Council of Churches to the councils of the Church, drawing particular attention to the plan for the celebration of our common baptism at Pentecost 2001, and its potential for specific local covenants;
Rationale:
See general information about covenanting in Section 3.1 of the UIM report C27.
Covenanting is a commitment that ecumenical renewal is integral to our mission.
As well, covenanting can be seen as a stage on the way towards visible unity.
The aim behind covenanting is to determine what are the limits in ecumenical
sharing if we move to the limits of what is permissible now. The hope is at
a national level to identify what is possible and then seek expression at the
local level.
It is hoped that the proposed covenants will express at least one of the following
dimensions:
Decision Making - an agreement to consider prayerfully, in all decision-making
processes, the question "can this be done with our covenanting partners?".
Common Strategies for Mission - an agreement to explore with covenanting partners
issues and strategies for mission, so that the possibility of common mission
is always a priority.
Common Witness - an agreement with covenanting partners to expand the practice
of engaging in ministry together, so that the potential for common witness is
realised through the development of joint ministries.
Use of Buildings - an agreement to develop with covenanting partners the opportunities
for shared building arrangements.
Shared Ordained Ministries - an agreement to take the necessary action within
their own church to make possible at a local level the sharing of mutually recognised
ordained ministries with their covenanting partner churches.
The study materials for the celebration of our common baptism at Pentecost 2001 will encourage the participants in local groups to consider how they can enter into covenants with other churches.
29.6 request the Standing Committee to consider the co-ordination of the various groups seeking to promote "intrachurch" reconciliation within our church, especially between so-called "evangelical" and "liberal" groups, with a view to affirming our unity and freedom within the Body of Christ;
Rationale:
See section 3.4.11 of the UIM report C27.
29.7 welcome the foundation and the work of the Melbourne College of Divinity's new Centre for Ecumenical Studies, and urge the Standing Committee to follow up the 1997 Assembly's referral to the Ministerial Education Commission "that all colleges provide for the intentional study of the theology and practice of ecumenism, and that this study be compulsory for all candidates" (Assembly minute 97.32.11);
Rationale:
See section 3.6 of the UIM Report C27.
29.8 commend the following publications to the Church for widespread study:
· Mission and Evangelism in Unity Today (International Review of Mission,
Jan/April 1999)
· The Nature and Purpose of the Church: a stage on the way to a common
statement (WCC Faith and Order Paper No. 181, 1999)
· A Treasure in Earthen Vessels: an instrument for an ecumenical reflection
on hermeneutics (WCC Faith and Order Paper No 182, 1999);
Rationale:
See section 3.7.1 of the UIM report C27.
29.9 express its thanks to the members of the Church for their generous support and prayer for International Mission work, especially the Papua New Guinea drought, the North Korea famine, and Indonesia and East Timor;
Rationale:
UIM is deeply grateful for the generous support from the members of the church
for its International Mission work through prayer, financial and other support.
We were particularly overwhelmed by the generosity of the giving for the PNG
Drought Appeal (which raised $709,756), the North Korea Famine Appeal (which
raised $126,878), and the Indonesia and East Timor Relief Appeals (which up
to the end of 1999 had raised $365,656).
29.10 (a) acknowledge, with regard to the mission of the Uniting Church:
(i) the great World Mission heritage of the Uniting Church which was so strongly expressed in the commitment of our parent churches to engage in mission in Asia and the Pacific;
(ii) that Paragraph 2 of the Basis of Union affirms "that Christians in Australia are called to bear witness to a unity of faith and life in Christ which transcends cultural and economic, national and racial boundaries"; this is followed by an expression of commitment by our Church to seek special relationships with churches in Asia and the Pacific;
(iii) in a time of declining resources and seeking for ways to be more effective in mission in a changing Australia, it is to be expected that the Uniting Church would focus more of its total resources on mission in Australia; however, it is not right to emphasise mission in Australia at the cost of forgetting our mission responsibilities in the world, especially in Asia and the Pacific;
(iv) in the current context of globalisation, fragmentation, and communal and religious conflict, many of our partner churches at this time are particularly vulnerable;
(v) the vision of the Christian faith is that we take a broad view of mission and give generously beyond our local situations, and that when we withdraw to focus on our own immediate concerns not only are our partners diminished in their mission but so also are we;
(b) reaffirm the commitment of the Uniting Church to be actively involved in the world mission of the church, especially in Asia and the Pacific;
(c) invite synods, presbyteries, congregations and members of the church to involve themselves in the global mission of Christ by supporting a specific mission project within the life of our mission partners through Unity and International Mission;
Rationale:
See sections 2.1.1 to 2.1.6 and section 2.2 of the UIM report C27.
29.11 note that:
(a) over the last 18 months the Uniting Church has been deeply aware of the suffering, danger and terror that has been faced by our brothers and sisters in Indonesia;
(b) Assembly agencies, church councils and church members have sought to stand in solidarity with our partner churches and other groups in Indonesia during their time of trial and suffering - offering prayers, financial and other support, and encouragement as we have been able, often feeling the great inadequacy of our response;
Rationale:
See sections 2.1.7 and 2.2.1 of the UIM Report.
29.12 at this moment in time, constrained by the love of God, make this solemn pledge:
(a) to urge the members of our church to pray for the people and leaders of Indonesia, seeking to understand the situation with care and compassion, to restrain themselves from falling into the easy temptation of alienation from other faith communities and of irrational demonisation of people groups;
(b) to express our solidarity and compassion for those who have suffered and grieved in the aftermath of hostilities in the Moluccas region, and elsewhere in Indonesia;
(c) to comfort those who suffer and, through ecumenical and interfaith co-operation, to commit ourselves to participate in efforts of humanitarian relief, and the resettlement and rehabilitation of those who have suffered significant losses or been displaced back to their home communities;
(d) to continue to call upon our government, the United Nations and other appropriate bodies to use the means of diplomacy and aid to communicate concern for the situation in Indonesia, to offer whatever humanitarian assistance is possible, to alleviate suffering and to contribute to communal harmony in Indonesia;
(e) to continue to stand in solidarity with our partner churches in Indonesia
through our prayers, visits and other means of mutual support, advocacy and
financial support. In their difficult time we commit ourselves as best we are
able from our position of security and comfort, to walk with them;
Rationale:
Communal conflict continues in Indonesia, especially in the Moluccas region.
There are many refugees and displaced people who will require continuing humanitarian
assistance. Later they will need support for hopeful rehabilitation to their
homes or resettlement in other areas. As well, Christians in many parts of Indonesia
are facing persecution or living in situations that are tense and uncertain.
Therefore, it is crucial that we in the Uniting Church should make a solemn pledge of support for those who are suffering in Indonesia and especially for the members of our partner churches.
The Assembly meeting will provide a unique opportunity to express our love, concern, solidarity and commitment to the leaders of our partner churches who will be sharing with us in the meeting.
29.13 express its strong solidarity with the concerns, fears and hopes of the Indonesian community in Australia, particularly with the Christian congregations and fellowships that are part of the Uniting Church, and assure them of our strong support in the difficult period they are facing;
Rationale:
This proposal seeks to recognise the particular needs of the Indonesian community
in Australia. Our Indonesian brothers and sisters in Australia are not isolated
from the impact of the serious religious, social and political tensions in their
country of origin. As well, the economic crisis in Indonesia impacts on the
lives of Indonesians living in Australia.
We ask that the Assembly recognise the considerable trauma and anxiety within the Indonesian community and Uniting Church Indonesian congregations that have been caused by events in Indonesia.
It is important that we affirm the need of a safe, supportive and welcoming place for all Indonesians who come to live in Australia.
29.14 (a) recognise that partner churches in India, Fiji, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, South Korea and Taiwan have faced - and continue to face - communal and religious conflict, and political tension in the life of their societies;
(b) continue to stand in solidarity with our partner churches in these countries, offering our prayers, financial and other support, as they seek to be faithful witnesses in their specific situation;
Rationale:
It is important, in a time when our attention has been so strongly focused on
Indonesia, to recognise that our partner churches in a number of other Asian
and Pacific countries are also facing communal and religious conflict and/or
great political tension. Some of these situations have a long history but others
are of recent origin. See section 2.1.2 of the UIM report C27.
As an expression of our partnership, it is important that we express our solidarity and commitment of support for our partner churches as they seek to live out their faith in the often tense, uncertain and sometimes dangerous situations in which they live.
29.15 record its thanks to God for the gifts of presence, courage, love and commitment to our overseas partners offered by UIM staff and those Uniting Church members who shared with them during the crisis in Indonesia and East Timor in 1999-2000.
Rationale:
See section 4.2 of the UIM report C27.