The Council on Christian Unity has decided to explore without limits the best ways to do the work of ecumenism in the future, including what the ecumenical office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) might look like and how it might conduct operations.
The Council's board of directors, in its semi-annual meeting here November 17-18, altered its normal meeting agenda to focus closely on the CCU's future in the context of transitions in the church and within the worldwide ecumenical movement. The board was reminded of "the big picture" by President Robert Welsh in a report calling for finding new ways to "strengthen and expand the witness of our church to unity and reconciliation in a time of radical change and deep divisions in our society and world."
The two days of meetings culminated in adoption of a decision to explore the future by putting the Council's Christian unity work ahead of the general ministry's structure. Welsh was given approval to hold a variety of discussions within the church.
CCU board chair David Wayne Brown, layperson at Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis, mapped out four significant issues that he said serve as a standing backdrop to the Council's work and the board's discussions. They are:
The board adopted a statement that began, "Our founders recognized that to hear and embrace Christ's call to unity at times means letting go of former structures.
"With courage and wisdom, we seek to live into Christ's call to unity in our day. As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) explores how to order its life around the mission given it by God, the Council on Christian Unity moves forward confidently and creatively in its readiness to live out new ways of responding to Christ's prayer for the unity of his followers. We are eager to put the vital work of Christian unity before structure and organization."
In his preliminary remarks to the board, Welsh said too much time and energy has been spent by our church "on issues of structure and funding, and how to develop 'transformational leaders.'" A the same time, Welsh pointed out, the church has not "balanced that work by seriously addressing the big issues crying out in our nation and world around hunger, poverty, racism, violence, peace-making and justice."
The board's carefully worded declaration for the future had the following conclusion:
"We covet the prayers of members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the wider Church as we enter this journey to which God has called us."
The meeting ended with various members speaking words of encouragement and excitement about the work ahead.