wfn.org | [ACNS] Anglicans and Baptists show way forward in co-operation

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3989     |     ACO     |	  16 JUNE 2005

Anglicans and Baptists show way forward in co-operation

The Anglican Communion and the Baptist World Alliance will publish an
account of five years of innovative dialogue later this month.

Conversations Around the World offers its readers the chance to share in
a "deeply serious, yet joyous, enterprise". The book is an account of
conversations between Anglicans and Baptists across the world,
conversations that covered the entire spectrum of Christian faith,
comparing and contrasting how the two traditions approach their
Christian discipleship. It describes the many ways in which the two
denominations share a common mission, a common witness to Christ.

Conversations Around the World is the fruit of five years of unique and
hopeful ecumenical process. In order to ensure the inclusion of
Christian voices from every continent, dialogue participants were
appointed from within each of the six regions where the meetings were
held. Only a small 'Continuation Committee' -- under the chairmanship of
Paul Fiddes (Baptist, Lecturer in Divinity, University of Oxford) and
Bruce Matthews (Anglican, Professor of Comparative Religion, Wolfville
University, Nova Scotia) --attended all of the meetings. In this way, a
variety of cultural contexts were taken into account. Each regional
group was aware of the discussions of previous groups, but was free to
contribute its own concerns and insights regarding the issues under
consideration. At the conclusion of the series of discussions, all
participants received a draft final report for comment, and for
confirmation that the many regional voices had been properly considered.

This new approach to ecumenical dialogue was enriching and inspiring.
While differences remain, the two traditions are "surprisingly close" on
many fundamental theological issues and have a great potential for
practical collaboration. Remarkably, within the context of these
discussions, even divergences between the traditions were not seen as
hopeless barriers of division, but as encouraging signs of Christian
devotion and faithfulness.

"They discovered that Anglicans and Baptists have a great deal in
common, and much to celebrate", said Canon Gregory Cameron, Director of
Ecumenical Affairs at the Anglican Communion Office in London, UK. "In
both traditions we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, and this fact calls us
into closer relationship. The work represented by this book gives an
example of how Christians of different denominations can seek to
understand each other and work more closely together."

The book will be launched at a Reception on Friday, 24th June, during
the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Nottingham, the
United Kingdom. Media and representatives of the two traditions are
asked to contact Robert Bergner at robert.bergner@anglicancommunion.org
if they would like to be present.

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