wfn.org | Structure, baptism and women's leadership role highlight third

[wshuffit@oc.disciples.org]

Campbell-Stone dialogue session
>From nobody@wfn.org  Tue Dec 12 00:00:00 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Date: December 12, 2000
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org

00b-73

	CINCINNATI (DNS) -- Discussions on church structure, baptism and the role
of women in leadership highlighted the third dialogue session of the
Campbell-Stone churches.

	The conversation, held Nov. 27-28, took place at the Cincinnati Bible
College and Seminary, an institution of the Christian Churches/Churches of
Christ. Also participating were representatives of the Indianapolis-based
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Churches of Christ.

	Presenting papers on the discussion topics were Disciples General Minister
and President Richard L. Hamm, church structure; Henry Webb, Christian
Churches/Churches of Christ, baptism; and Mike Armour, Churches of Christ,
role of women in leadership. 

	Representatives of the two other church bodies offered responses after
each paper was presented. Despite acknowledged differences among the church
groups concerning the issues, there was a surprising amount of agreement,
according to the Rev. Robert K. Welsh. He is president of the Disciples'
Council on Christian Unity.

	The group recommended another round of three dialogue sessions over the
next two years. The second round will explore how each "understands the
calling to Christian unity today and the implications for these three
church bodies," said Welsh.

	Hamm, the Disciples' general minister, closed the session with a prayer
for the host school, its student body and its ministry. Hamm's prayer was
symbolic of the growing spirit of unity among the three church groups.

	The next conversation takes place in August 2001 in Kentucky during the
200th anniversary celebration of the Cane Ridge revival. The Cane Ridge
revival played an important role in the Stone-Campbell movement which
formed the three church bodies.

	Copies of the papers by Hamm, Webb and Armour and the responses are
available at the Council on Christian Unity web page
(www.disciples.org/ccu).

	-- end --

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