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The Bishop's Council Working Group on Unity

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The Working Group was set up in 1992 with the aim of resourcing the Senior Leadership of Diocese, so that it is able to make it intelligent and informed decisions about strategy and policy in relation to work with ecumenical partners and creating a culture for ecumenical thriving at every level of diocesan life, keeping a careful balance between facilitation and regulation. It reports regularly to theBishop's Council and the Senior Staff through the Chair of the Working Group, who is a member of Senior Staff appointed by theBishopof Oxford (currently theArchdeacon of Oxford). The other members of the Group are two nominated by the bishop's Council, one deanery ecumenical representative from each archdeaconry, the four Anglican Ecumenical Officers and two co-opted members. The objectives set out for the Group at its inception were as follows:

  1. "to report to theBishop 's Council on ecumenical issues that need to be placed on the diocesan agenda.
  2. "to make proposals to theBishop 's Council on ways of discussing and deciding issues which reflect the ecumenical vision of the Church.
  3. "to act as a channel of communication on ecumenical matters, both with the General Synod Council for Unity (now the Council for Christian Unity of the Archbishops'Council) and with the deanery synod through the deanery ecumenical representatives.
  4. "to liaise with the county ecumenical bodies of the three counties and with Milton Keynes Christian Council (now the Milton Keynes Churches Council).
  5. "to work closely with the Archdeaconry Ecumenical Officers."

The current priorities (Spring 2007) of the Group include preparing a Statement of Ecumenical Intent from the newBishopand AreaBishops.

Among its primary concerns are:

  • procedures for bringing failed ecumenical structures to a close
  • ways of discerning ecumenical viability
  • patterns of ecumenical mission and ministry for Fresh Expressions.

The working group seeks to communicate the real purpose of joint working, which is spreading the Gospel for the whole of human life. It is trying to encourage a "networking and outcomes" way of working rather than reinforcing dependency on structures, affirming the positive things that are happening (e.g. "Regenerate" inReading). Its aim is to release energy for ecumenism serving mission rather than maintaining structures. It recognises the need to detach ecumenism from church planting, accepting that the Church of England in some places IS the Church and that building relationships is more important than meetings. One area where this is essential is in assessing the impact of closer working with Methodists following the signing of the Anglican-Methodist Covenant in 2003.

In the current concern over deployment of clergy, the Working Group asks what can be done about the availability of personnel from other denominations. Is it possible to ease or resolve this for LEP appointments? The Working Group also aims to encourage the sharing of resources as well as people and ministry.

The Working Group looks for ways of inducting new ministers into an awareness and understanding of ecumenical issues and opportunities, both in initial training (three Oxford colleges, OMC, Local Ministry Pathway) and in co-operation with STEM and induction in Episcopal areas (involving the Parish Development Advisers, among others), encouraging serious reflection on ecumenical aspects of ministerial training, portfolio and the ministry review process. The Group also engages with communication and information in the Diocese and Area, renewing vision and relating it to what is happening locally, sharing good practice and recognising constraints.

An important task is to ensure that ecumenical cooperation continues/develops in relation to procedure around appointments. The Working Group also seeks to recognise "hidden ecumenism" and to encourage the embracing of difference and the crossing of boundaries so that congregations in every part of the diocese can draw energy from new ways of thinking.

Julian Hubbard andTony Dickinson

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