Ecumenical Agreement
between the Alliance of Baptists, United Church of Christ, and The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
April 25, 2003
Whereas ecumenical relationships are realized in the commitments that friends and partners make to each other for support, assistance, and mutual counsel; andWhereas we look forward to expanding and strengthening an evolving ecumenical relationship of deepening friendship, continuing dialogue, and joint public witness with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); andWhereas the Alliance of Baptists cherishes ecumenical relationships and seeks to enter into partnerships in as many settings of the life of the church as possible;Be it therefore resolved that the Alliance of Baptists shall:1) Commit itself to an ecumenical relationship of deepening friendship, continuing dialogue, and joint public witness by establishing a Partnership in Mission and Ministry with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);2) Facilitate participation by congregations, clergy, and church staff of the Alliance with the United Church of Christ Covenanted Ministries, Associated, and Affiliated Ministries, and its associations/conferences and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Ministries and Regions;3) Encourage congregations, clergy, and church staff of the Alliance to develop and deepen this ecumenical friendship by pursuing opportunities for worship, fellowship, collaboration, sharing of resources, and mutual support with neighbors in the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);4) Encourage substantive conversation among the Alliance Board of Directors and staff and the Common Global Ministries Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and its staff to discern where the ministry of all might be enhanced by cooperation and collaboration;5) Encourage progressive Baptist seminaries and theological schools to offer courses on the history and polity of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and to include in Baptist history and polity courses information regarding this ecumenical relationship in order to deepen understanding of the faithful witness and ministry of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as new ecumenical partners;6) Encourage, in partnership with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the continuation of theological conversation on matters of ministry, ordinances/sacraments, theology, and polity throughout the life of the Church;7) Encourage all settings of the Alliance of Baptists to invite participation by the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in all Alliance events;8) Call upon leaders in the Alliance of Baptists to seek to make common public witness with leaders of the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and other ecumenical colleagues on issues of national and international concern and collaborate wherever possible on works of public witness and justice-making; 9) Collaborate with the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where possible in the development of educational resources for children and youth, and share opportunities for mission, outdoor camp experiences, education and fellowship events with children and youth of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in recognition of a deeply shared commitment to children and to the growth of our churches;10) Direct the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee to name Alliance of Baptists representatives to an ongoing Partnership Council to facilitate and encourage the growth of this Partnership in Mission and Ministry among the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Alliance of Baptists;11) Extend a seat (voice without vote) on the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Baptists to a representative of the United Church of Christ and a representative of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as an expression of Christian hospitality and ecumenical partnership.
Download this statement in RTF format.
Go to:
UCC website
Disciples website