wfn.org | COCU committee meeting reflects struggle and hope

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

Date: March 31, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-20                       

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- "There is joy in the struggle for
Christian unity." Those words by the Rev. Paul A. Crow Jr.,
chief ecumenical officer of the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ), reflect the spirit of the March 16-18 meeting of
the Consultation on Church Union executive committee in
Memphis.

     Representatives from the nine COCU churches heard
General Secretary Daniell Hamby report on the work of the
recently appointed Commission on Theology, chaired by Cynthia
Campbell, president of McCormick Theological Seminary,
Chicago. The Rev. James O. Duke, Fort Worth, is the
Disciples' representative on this commission. 

     In their first meeting the theologians expressed hope in
dealing with the theological concerns raised in recent years
by the Episcopal Church. One Episcopal theologian said, "All
nine COCU communions can affirm 90 percent of what is said in
Churches in Covenant Communion. Only on the concept of the
episcopacy do we need to do more work."

     The executive committee gave special attention to the
next COCU plenary at St. Louis in December 1998. The
committee voted that each church would send a delegation of
10 leaders including men, women, minorities and youth (under
age 35).

     "All participating churches should understand that the
1998 plenary is not the final plenary," said Crow. "St. Louis
will be a critical way station on the way toward the Church
of Christ Uniting in process of formation."

     The committee also heard reports on tensions among some
Presbyterian Church (USA) and Episcopal Church members. "The
tensions are normal in the ecumenical journey and should not
be misunderstood," said Hamby. "The Episcopal Church and the
Presbyterian Church (USA) are struggling with parts of the
covenant communion proposal, especially the office of bishop.
Both churches are fully committed to COCU and will have
delegations at the 1998 plenary."

     In an affirmative statement Bishop Vinton Anderson of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church said, "All three of
the African American Methodist churches support COCU 
and have voted to enter into covenant communion."

     While in Memphis, the committee met for dialogue with 40
pastors of COCU church congregations in the city. In the
session, testimonies were given about the importance of unity
through Churches in Covenant Communion for congregations. 

     The Rev. C. Roy Stauffer, senior minister of Lindenwood
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), expressed hope that
COCU's process would soon begin to draw these churches
together in local communities across the United States.
Stauffer also is a member of the Council on Christian Unity
board of directors.

     Also representing the Disciples at the ecumenical
gathering was the Rev. Mildred Slack, executive director of
the Five Church Association, St. Louis, Mo.

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