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WHEN CHURCHES JOIN

2. Starting Out - Levels of Co-operation

It should be noted that co-operation with other churches can occur in a variety of ways and can move from one stage to another. The South Australian Synod has identified four general stages of progression. They are:

(a) A state of Competition, where a Congregation considers any Church believing or worshipping differently to be wrong; and that members of those traditions should be rescued and converted wherever possible.

(b) A state of Co-existence, where a Congregation recognises that other churches can be different without being wrong; nevertheless separate development is required.

(c) A state of Co-operation, where a Congregation realises that different Churches not only have much in common but also can do many things together, and benefit from doing so.

(d) A state of Commitment, where a Congregation fully accepts unity as Christ's will for his Church and engages with Churches of different traditions in worship and mission together. (S.A. Synod Standing C'tee)

Therefore, the possibilities for co-operation and commitment between the churches are many and varied, and the nature of the covenant / agreement into which a church will enter with each of the other churches will have different dimensions that express the extent of the co-operation, even commitment, that is possible at this stage of the ecumenical journey. Covenanting at the national level encourages congregations to covenant locally and to be open to 'what is possible if we go to the limits of what is permissible'. (NCCA)