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Denominational and Conciliar Interdependence
| To stimulate cooperation among ecumenical entities.
"...there are many members, yet one body" |
Overview
Councils of churches pray and work for a time when they no longer will be necessary, when the churches will be the one Church of Jesus Christ, united in our diversity. But we accept unapologetically the crying need for an interim solution, namely, expressing the churches’ unity in Christ as fully and visibly as possible through cooperation—joint planning, mutual counsel, and common programming.
In addition, the call to manifest oneness is not limited to churches. It
extends to ecumenical structures in their relationships with each other.
Thus, councils of churches live and work in a relationship of
interdependence with other ecumenical organizations—especially with other
councils—in regional, state, national, and international settings. Truly
ecumenical bodies forge linkages among themselves for mutual assistance and
common action.
The Massachusetts Council of Churches fosters interdependence in the following ways
Convenes regional and local professional ecumenical colleagues annually for mutual support and reflection, and provides them with support, counsel, and resources through various means
Participates actively in the annual meetings of the Northeast Region of the National Association of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Staff and the State Ecumenical Executives
Works cooperatively with New England state councils of churches as co-sponsors, and with Massachusetts churches and ecumenical bodies as partners, in the Ecumenical Institute of New England
Supports initiatives of the World Council of Churches, and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, including its mission arm Church World Service and Witness
Resources
View the following resources online:
Odyssey Toward Unity
WCC Joint Working Group Report: "Inspired by the same vision": Roman Catholic participation in national and regional councils of churches.
Order the following resources through the MCC office:
Ecumenical Directory of Retreat and Conference Centers
Taking Steps Toward Christian Unity