Title: Structure, baptism and women's leadership
role highlight third Campbell-Stone dialogue session
Date: December 12, 2000
Disciples News Service Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.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).
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