wfn.org | [ENS] U.S. Christian leaders contemplate formation of Christian

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Daybook, from Episcopal News Service

June 6, 2005 -- Monday Mission

U.S. Christian leaders contemplate formation of Christian Churches
Together

[ENS] -- Sixty-seven national Christian leaders from five Christian
families
-- evangelical/Pentecostal, historic Protestant, historic racial/ethnic,
Orthodox and Roman Catholic -- met in their fifth and largest gathering
to
pray and dialogue together at the Jesuit Conference Center in Los Altos,
California, from June 1-3, 2005.

Since its initial gathering in 2001, Christian Churches Together has
sought
to form a fellowship of the broadest spectrum of Christian churches and
traditions in the USA. The gathering at Los Altos brought together a
wider,
more diverse circle of Christian church leaders than at any of the
previous
four meetings.

Thirty-one churches and national Christian organizations have already
formally decided to join Christian Churches Together. Twenty additional
church leaders attended as observers from denominations that are
actively
considering joining. Through two and a half days of sharing, prayer and
worship, the participants wrestled with difficult and complex issues in
a
spirit of love and good will. Relationships with the historic Black
churches
were deepened through intensive dialogue and sharing. Participants
received
a report about the Global Christian Forum, a global initiative to bring
together the wide diversity of Christian traditions into fellowship and
cooperation.

The group agreed that the next meeting would continue common activities
of
prayer, biblical reflection, worship and relationship building as well
as
wrestle in depth with the issue of poverty in the United States. The
Rev.
Wesley Granberg-Michaelson was unanimously reelected as moderator to
lead an
expanded Steering Committee.

The decision was made to delay a formal launch planned for this fall in
order to continue the productive and positive conversation with churches
and
organizations actively considering joining. Participants
enthusiastically
reaffirmed their commitment to "grow closer together in Christ in order
to
strengthen our Christian witness in the world."

"This important attempt to 'broaden the ecumenical table' has been
strengthened, I think, by our consensus decision to be sure that we have
significant representation from all five Christian families before we
officially 'launch' CCT-USA," said Bishop Christopher Epting, ecumenical
officer for the Episcopal Church. "Every time we meet we bring a few
more
communions on board. And every group brings such important perspectives
into
the mix. I remain convinced that this is a work of the Holy Spirit and
that
we are being guided every step of the way."

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