wfn.org | ABCUSA: ABCUSA-Church of the Brethren Relationship Reaffirmed

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 2/26/04)--The continuation
and revitalization of a 30-year "associated relationship" between American
Baptist Churches USA and the Church of the Brethren was reaffirmed at a
gathering here earlier this month that brought together leaders from both
bodies. 

As an integral part of the relationship--begun in 1973 following
conversations between Brethren and American Baptist leaders--each
denomination has sent an observer/consultant to the other's General Board,
and periodic meetings have brought together the Church of the Brethren's
Committee on Interchurch Relations with the American Baptist Churches USA
Committee on Christian Unity.  The two denominations also relate through
ecumenical work and dialog in such areas as stewardship and publishing. In
addition seven congregations are dually affiliated with Church of the
Brethren and American Baptist Churches USA. 

The Feb. 2 gathering included American Baptist leaders the Rev. Dr. A. Roy
Medley, general secretary; the Rev. Rothang R. Chhangte, director of
Ecumenical Formation; the Rev. Dr. Sumner M. Grant, executive director, The
Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board; the Rev. Hictor M. Cortez,
executive director, International Ministries; the Rev. Dr. Cheryl H. Wade,
associate general secretary and treasurer; and the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F.
Wright-Riggins III, executive director, National Ministries. They met with
the Brethren's General Board leadership team led by General Secretary the
Rev. Dr. Stan Noffsinger.

The meeting focused on reviewing the relationship and looking at strategies
for maximizing the benefits that such a connectional ministry has for both
partners.  Participants identified additional areas where the churches could
learn from each other, including disaster response, peace, new church
development, and how to become more multicultural.  To better facilitate
dialog and input, the group recommended that the observer/consultant roles be
relocated from the General Boards directly into the two ecumenical
committees.  The group also plans to seek input on the associated
relationship from the dually affiliated congregations; provide opportunities
for educating the respective General Boards about each other's beliefs,
practices and heritage; and use existing ecumenical gatherings as an
opportunity for the two denominations to meet with each other and with other
Baptist and Anabaptist communions. 

The two leadership teams will meet again in February 2005 at the Brethren
Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
	
"I rejoice in this day, and I look forward to the way God will bless this
relationship," Medley said as the meeting ended. "Baptists and Anabaptists in
Europe are engaging each other in an exciting way as to how one makes
disciples in western secular cultures.	I believe Baptists and Anabaptists in
the U.S. have much to learn from one another about how we are church today. 
This is a step forward in that direction."

"I am very excited about the new possibilities in our relationship with the
Church of the Brethren," Chhangte said.  "For the last couple of years the
Committee on Christian Unity had been discussing ways to deepen our
fellowship with each other and this meeting is a way forward in that
direction.  The Committee on Christian Unity's work has been enriched by the
presence of Roy Unruh, Church of the Brethren representative to the General
Board.	He has helped us apply the concept of 'worshipful work' in our
General Board meetings.  Our past representatives, Sarah Osgood and Lester
Aeilts, helped the committee gain a better understanding of who the Church of
the Brethren are.  It is my hope that this cooperation will extend to our
local churches with pulpit exchanges, combined worship services, church
celebrations and shared ministries and lead to a deeper understanding of what
it means to be a Christian."  

Note: ABNS expresses appreciation to Wendy C. McFadden, director and
publisher of Brethren Press, for information provided for this news release. 
     

K/2004ABNS/04ABN18

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org