wfn.org | Commission Launches Dialogue

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3549 notes).

Note 3549 by UMNS on April 9, 1997 at 12:23 Eastern (4239 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                         191(10-71B){3545}
          Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470            April 8, 1997

Commission launches dialogue
to 'diminish polarization'

by Robert Lear*

     CONVENT STATION, N.J. (UMNS) -- An intentional effort to
"diminish polarization" in the United Methodist Church between
individuals and groups with differing theological perspectives was
approved in principle by the denomination's Christian unity arm
meeting here April 3-6.
     Included in the preliminary outline are two dialogue sessions
involving representatives of various groups with a focus on "what
binds us together, as well as what divides us."  A possible theme
might be that of the l966 General Conference:  "In essentials,
unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity."
     The beginning point for dialogue "is a recognition of our
mutual need for each other," directors of the denomination's
Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CCUIC)
said in unanimously supporting the concept of dialogue.  Details
for the program will be developed by the CCUIC staff.
     In another major action at their spring meeting, commission 
directors approved in principle development of an "Act of
Repentance, Healing and Commitment" on behalf of the United
Methodist Church recognizing the role racism has played in
divisions within the Wesleyan movement.
     The Rev. Bruce W. Robbins, chief staff executive of the unity
commission said that such an act might be developed in connection
with a l998 meeting of CCUIC in Philadelphia.  It was there in St.
George's Methodist Church that racism led directly to a divided
church and formation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
     Robbins said an act of repentance could be instrumental in
furthering present Pan Methodist cooperation between African
Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian 
Methodist Episcopal and United Methodist churches.
     Also receiving preliminary approval here was a dialogue to
involve as many members as possible of the ecumenical family who
share the Wesleyan heritage.
     In another part of their spring meeting, CCUIC directors
heard the general secretary of the National Council of Churches
say that actions of the Christian right may be pushing other
evangelicals toward traditionally "mainline" ecumenical agencies.
     Speaking at a symposium in Riverside Church in New York City,
the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell said that some evangelicals "who do
not want to be seen as part of the Christian right" are "cozying
up to us."
     Both ecumenical agencies and mainline denominations are
experiencing difficult times, the NCC executive said, because
while "people are only moderately interested in denominational
heritage," they have not become truly ecumenical in outlook.  "We
need to find ways to be pastors to each other."
     At the same time, Campbell stated, "windows of opportunity
have been opened and cannot be closed."  However, she cautioned,
present ecumenical structures "cannot hold the diversity that is
knocking at the door."
     The Rev. Dale Irvin, professor of theology at New York
Theological Seminary, appearing on the same panel, sounded a
similar note, saying that half of any church's members are in
their second or third faith tradition.
     At the same time, he asserted, "we have to stop acting like a
border patrol" as people move across denominational boundaries.
     Taking up their business agenda again, CCUIC directors
elected the Rev. Elizabeth S. Gamble of Ryland Heights, Ky., as an
associate general secretary of the commission.  A specialist in
Middle East affairs, Gamble is pastor of Pleasant Grove United
Methodist Church.
     Bishop Roy I. Sano of the Los Angeles Area is president of
CCUIC. The commission will hold its next meeting Oct. 9-12 in
Daytona Beach, Fla.
                             #  #  # 

     * Lear is retired director of the United Methodist News
Service Washington office now living in Wernersville, Pa.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------