Survey of church union negotiations 1999-2002

Introduction

This latest edition of the church union survey, (1) coming on the eve of the next, seventh international consultation of united and uniting churches, details many of the developments within the united and uniting churches family since the previous survey was published in January 2000. As readers know--or will learn in these pages--church unions are significant both ecclesiologically and socially. They require not only the commitment to resolve difficult, divisive issues of faith and order; but also the reconciliation of deep-seated, sometimes even violent historical, racial and cultural divisions. In addition there are often complex and emotionally charged issues to be resolved about church properties, pension funds, and other "practical" matters, which have a surprising tendency to become bearers of traditional values and cherished commitments.

The current spectrum of church union negotiations, as reflected in the pages which follow, includes lively examples of all these challenges and more. Just as the united churches are the most widely diverse family of churches, so is the current set of union discussions distinguished by its variety creativity. Here are examples of that classic form of church union, the structural integration of divided churches to form a new ecclesial body; but also partnerships, with the churches seeking the greatest possible degree of common life, witness and service while remaining institutionally separate; common parishes, living out unity at the local level (and understanding that, to varying degrees, as a challenge to their still-divided constituent denominations); proposals for an "ecumenical bishop", to explore the potential of an oversight exercised personally, yet on behalf of several churches rather than one; and yet more besides.

Each of these is the response, in a given church and cultural situation, to Christ's call to the churches to be visibly one. The interaction among these diverse understandings of what unity means today, and how it is best pursued "in each place," is precisely what makes the church union scene so dynamic today, and such a point of growth ecumenically.

A moment for taking stock, and moving ahead

As noted above, this survey looks towards the seventh international consultation of united and uniting churches, to be held in Driebergen, Netherlands, in September 2002 on the theme "`With a Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power' (1 Cor. 2:4): The Life and Mission of the United and Uniting Churches". The meeting will be hosted by the Uniting Protestant Churches in the Netherlands (the "Samen op Weg" church union process), with generous support from the Council for World Mission, and with Faith and Order (WCC) playing a coordinating role. It stands in the tradition of meetings at Bossey, 1967; (2) Limuru, 1970; (3) Toronto, 1975; (4) Colombo, 1981; (5) Potsdam, 1987; (6) and Ocho Rios, 1995, (7) each of which has proved to be a significant moment in the exploration of the meaning and forms of church union.

This seventh consultation aims at clarifying and strengthening the united and uniting churches' self-understanding, and their commitment to mission within the context of their search for unity; at strengthening the bonds of fellowship amongst these churches, and clarifying their relationships with one another, with partner churches overseas, and with Christian world communions; and at encountering the local church union process "Samen op Weg", in order to learn from, and encourage, its work. The consultations aims, further, to produce substantial yet concise texts--"letters" or "messages"--addressed to three distinct, but inter-related constituencies: to the united and uniting churches themselves; to mission commissions, agencies and networks; and to the Christian world communions.

Consultation with the united and uniting churches has identified three focal issues, to be explored in plenary presentations and complementary case studies. These are unity (the diverse--and developing--understandings of unity among the churches today, and what organizational forms best serve the unity of Christ's church); mission (whether--as is often said before union--union actually enhances mission, and how united churches can strengthen their mission today); and identity (how the churches' self-understanding is shaped by their experience of union and in mission, and by their relation to other churches and with world communions). In addition, workshops will treat a range of issues from the possible role of bishops within united churches, to church property, to relations with other churches; and informative sessions will trace the prospects for church union in the Netherlands and elsewhere. The whole will be undergirded by worship and integrated Bible study on texts from 1 Corinthians 1-3.

Making choices

The consultation hopes finally to provide resources for the united and uniting churches as they look ahead. Today these churches find themselves "in each place" making crucial choices about their identity and future. These have to do with, first, what forms of unity will best serve to make visible the oneness of Christ's church, and enable it to do mission most effectively in the world.