The Commission recognises that, if the goal of fuller communion is to be realised, in the course of the next two years significant work will need to be undertaken on some specific areas. These include issues relating to the interchangeability of ordained ministries and the ministry of oversight (episkope). Our hope is to find ways in which, in every place, the churches of our two world families may work as one in the urgent task of mission.
The Commission took careful note of the bilateral conversations between our communions. These are taking place in the United States, England, Ireland, and New Zealand, and in Canada and Australia between Anglicans and the united or uniting churches. In listening to the experience of two United Churches (Church of South India/Church of North India) the Commission has become more aware that questions of identity and belonging to wider Christian fellowships require ongoing attention. The Commission would welcome hearing news of any other bilateral conversations.
“These include issues relating to the interchangeability of ordained ministries and the ministry of oversight (episkope).” Sure! I’m all for that. All our daughter church has to do is adopt Anglican ordination standards and a Catholic understanding of the Sacraments. “Our hope is to find ways in which, in every place, the churches of our two world families may work as one in the urgent task of mission.” This line is yet one more example of the blindness of those at the top who presume to think that only they are doing this. In my small town the TEC and UMC churches have been cooperating in ongoing ministries for at least the past fifty years.
An earlier Anglican-Methodist international commission had a meeting at Kanuga Conferences in western North Carolina. That commission’s report included a recommendation not to seek a greater degree of agreement between churches than is found within each church. Even the Roman Catholics have partially abandoned the position that Christian unity can be achieved like the boa constrictor’s absorption.