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WHEN CHURCHES
JOIN
Appendix C: The
Ecumenical Question for every Uniting Church Meeting
"Every Uniting Church meeting, large
or small, national or local, should carefully consider the
Ecumenical Question when working through every agenda.
• Who are our partners?
• Can this be done ecumenically?"
The Assembly has endorsed the resolution
above from the National Commission for Christian Unity. The
1998 Synod of Victoria resolved to encourage congregations,
presbyteries and committees to consider prayerfully the Ecumenical
Question - 'Who are our partners? Can this be done ecumenically?'
- when working through every agenda.
As committees and councils consider
this Question, they will explore possibilities co-operative
activities at the local level.
The ongoing life of the Church
may include areas of hospitality, shared buildings, shared
activities, ongoing hospitality, shared ministry and congregational
life and many activities of the Church with an ecumenical
component.
New initiatives should only begin
after the possibilities of ecumenical co-operation have been
explored.
The following simple questions are
designed to help you answer the Ecumenical Question:
QUESTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Does the proposed activity or facility
duplicate an existing one in a neighbouring congregation?
Could the activity or facility be shared?
List any duplications
Are any neighbouring congregations planning
a similar activity?
How could a joint activity or facility be of greater quality
and impact?
List any details
Have observers from neighbouring congregations
been invited to participate in preliminary conversations or
to participate in a joint planning group?
Yes/No
If the proposal involves the purchase
or refurbishing of property, is it something a neighbouring
church might also desire?
List outcomes of enquiries
If the proposal involves employment
of an additional staff person, could the person be shared
with a neighbouring congregation?
Record possibilities
Can human and financial resources be
identified to be released by a joint activity?
List such resources
Are there things one congregation cannot
do by itself, but which become possible by working with other
congregations?
List examples
All congregations, church councils
and presbyteries are encouraged to consider the Ecumenical
Question on all occasions.
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