Hope in Dark Times: Australian Churches Covenanting Together 1994–2014

Abstract

Over twenty years, from 1994 to 2014, during which there was little movement towards unity that could be discerned “from the pews,” a national ecumenical covenant between nineteen Australian churches kept hope alive at the grass-roots. Participation in the Australian Churches Covenanting Together project expanded the churches’ ecumenical imagination and enabled them to continue to grow in their commitment to one another when the larger ecumenical landscape was bare. Characterised by flexibility and practicality, the multi-dimensional Australian covenant has been hailed as “an international benchmark” not exactly replicated anywhere else in the world. This chapter explores the process of shaping and implementing this Covenant, along with its successes and failures, as an ascending pathway to ecclesial communion.

Appendices

Last updated at the Eighth National Forum of the National Council ofChurches in Australia in 2013.

Appendix: The National Council of Churches in Australia Multi-Dimensional Covenant

Last updated at the Eighth National Forum of the National Council ofChurches in Australia in 2013.

Timeline

1996—NCCA member churches consider steps towards more visible unity.

1998—NCCA National Forum invites churches to examine their own structures and dialogue with one another about entering into a multi-dimensional covenant at the 2001 National Forum.

2001—The Declaration of Intent—Part A of the Multi-dimensional Covenant—was read together by representatives of all member churches at an ecumenical service during 2001 NCCA Forum on the evening of Sunday 8 July.

2004—Covenant signed by 15 member churches of NCCA at its fifth National Forum and updated to include more churches and higher levels of commitment at subsequent Forums.

Part A: Declaration of Intent

As member churches of the National Council of Churches in Australia,

We RE-AFFIRM our commitment to one another as partners on the ecumenical journey;

We BELIEVE that we are being blessed in our generation to witness the action of the Spirit in drawing the Churches in a common search for a fuller expression of unity;

We REJOICE in all we have in common and GIVE THANKS for the richness of our diversity, though recognising our disunity is a hindrance to the Church’s mission;

We RECOGNISE each other as Communities of Faith, Hope and Love, committed to following Christ and pledged to serve God’s kingdom;

We therefore MAKE A COMMITMENT TO EACH OTHER to engage in an ongoing process of growing together (covenanting), not knowing what visible form unity, which is God’s will and gift may take, but believing that, by taking the steps to which we now commit ourselves, we shall be led to grow ever more deeply into that unity.

Anglican Church of Australia, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Chinese Methodist Church in Australia, Churches of Christ in Australia, Congregational Federation of Australia, Coptic Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Indian Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Mar Thoma Church, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church in Australia, Romanian Orthodox Church, The Salvation Army, Serbian Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Uniting Church in Australia.

Part B: The Proposed Commitment

Dimension 1: General

We agree together.

To join in common prayer with one another.

To intercede and care for one another.

To explore with one another our Christian convictions and their present application.

Anglican Church of Australia, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Churches of Christ in Australia, Congregational Federation of Australia, Coptic Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Indian Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Mar Thoma Church, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church in Australia, Romanian Orthodox Church, Serbian Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, The Salvation Army, Uniting Church in Australia.

Dimension 2: Shared Use of Physical Resources

We agree together.

To support initiatives for sharing physical resources, such as buildings, and to encourage consultation between the appropriate governing bodies of our churches before new major developments are undertaken.

Anglican Church of Australia, Assyrian Church of the East, Churches of Christ in Australia, Congregational Federation of Australia, Coptic Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Lutheran Church of Australia, Mar Thoma Church, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church in Australia, The Salvation Army, Uniting Church in Australia.

Dimension 3: Common Mission and Ministry

We agree together.

To explore with one another issues and strategies for mission, so that the possibility of common mission is recognised as a priority, information is shared, issues of mission are discussed, and strategies for evangelisation are planned in consultation.

To seek to develop clear and sensitive guidelines dealing with how our churches together can best meet the needs of people in local (especially rural) situations.

Anglican Church of Australia, Churches of Christ in Australia, Congregational Federation of Australia, Coptic Orthodox Church, Indian Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Mar Thoma Church, Roman Catholic Church in Australia, The Salvation Army, Uniting Church in Australia.

Dimension 4: Common Sacraments

We agree together.

To recognise the Sacrament of Baptism administered in each other’s church and to promote the use of the common Certificate of Baptism.

Anglican Church of Australia, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Congregational Federation of Australia, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Lutheran Church of Australia, Mar Thoma Church, Roman Catholic Church in Australia, Romanian Orthodox Church, Serbian Orthodox Church, Uniting Church in Australia.

We agree together.

To invite and welcome members of each other’s church to share in the Eucharist according to pastoral need.

Churches of Christ in Australia with Uniting Church in Australia.

Dimension 5: Shared Ordained Ministries

We agree together.

To continue to work towards the goal of sharing with each other a mutually recognised ordained ministry.

Anglican Church of Australia with Lutheran Church of Australia.

Anglican Church of Australia with Uniting Church in Australia.

Churches of Christ in Australia with Uniting Church in Australia.

Lutheran Church of Australia with Uniting Church in Australia.

Part C: The Future Pledge

We pledge ourselves.

To continue to discuss and articulate within our churches the meaning and significance of our involvement in the quest for a more visible expression of unity and the possibilities for further engagement in ecumenical partnership.

To explore such further steps as will be necessary to make more clearly visible the unity of all Christian people in this country.

Anglican Church of Australia, Antiochian Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Churches of Christ in Australia, Congregational Federation of Australia, Coptic Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Indian Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church of Australia, Mar Thoma Church, Religious Society of Friends, Roman Catholic Church in Australia, Romanian Orthodox Church, The Salvation Army, Serbian Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Uniting Church in Australia.