The Church of England and Methodist Church have committed to finding
further ways of collaborating 10 years after the Anglican Methodist
Covenant came into being.
The Joint Implementation Commission (JIC) of the Church of England
and Methodist Church in Britain has published a major report into the
impact of the covenant in which it calls for Church leaders and
decision-making bodies to make the covenant a "priority in order to
bring our Churches closer together in mission and holiness".
The report - "The Challenge of the Covenant: Uniting in Mission and
Holiness" - celebrates successful collaboration on issues like
education, ethical investment, mission, theological education,
safeguarding and Fresh expressions.
It also identifies remaining challenges, such as the need for further
collaboration, consultation and decision making at both national and
local levels.
The JIC report encourages local Anglicans and Methodists to worship
and work together more closely in order to make the Covenant "real".
"We are called to holiness and to be sent on mission in the world.
Our unity is an essential part of that. When we are not one ..... our
faith and mission are seriously compromised," the report states.
However the JIC also expresses the hope that visible unity in mission
and holiness will not involve one Church being absorbed by the other.
"We have common roots and shared history," said the JIC. "Yet we are
very different culturally and structurally. We do not match each other
in the ways we are organised. These difficulties are sometimes the
source of misunderstanding and frustration, but they can also be the
source of much enrichment and rejoicing."
Professor Peter Howdle, the Methodist Co-Chair of the JIC, said: "The
JIC sees many signs that the Covenant between our two Churches has
strengthened during this period. However, there is still a long way to
go before our two churches are acting, and are seen as acting, together
in visible unity for the mission of the church.
"I believe both churches will need to act ever more graciously
towards each other as they seek to overcome the obstacles which prevent a
deepening of our Covenant relationship. Our Report challenges our
churches to greater efforts in their search for this visible unity."
The two Churches will spend the next few months receiving feedback on
the report and reflecting on how to move the next phase of the Covenant
journey forward.
The JIC will bring proposals for the next phase of implementation of
the Covenant to the General Synod and the Methodist Conference in July
2014.
The Church of England Co-Chair, the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt
Reverend Christopher Cocksworth said: "John Wesley's passion and project
to 'reform the nation...and to spread scriptural holiness over the
land' is in urgent need of renewal. This important report challenges the
Church of England and the Methodist Church to work wherever possible in
common purpose and to take definite steps towards a common life in
Christ, and in his ministry and mission."