Anglicans and Methodists discuss joint mission work

The Anglican-Methodist International Commission for Unity in Mission has spent the week in Jamaica discussing areas of collaboration.

The final meeting of the commission was hosted by the Anglican Communion in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and drew to a close on Friday.

The commission was mandated five years ago by the World Methodist Council and the Anglican Communion to explore unity in mission.

More specifically, the commission aims to foster the unity between the two Churches to enable a fuller engagement in God's mission of love to the world.

A report prepared by the commission reflects on the Lord's Prayer for unity that all might believe, and considers the radical nature of Jesus' ministry as a mandate for mission.

The commission suggests that a common, interchangeable ministry is "crucial" in making church unity visible.

The report, due to be published in 2014, encourages churches to enter into mutual agreements and provides a toolkit for churches wanting to move into closer cooperation.

The commission recommends that the World Methodist Council and the Anglican Consultative Council establish an Anglican-Methodist International Coordinating Committee to oversee and foster relationships between Methodist and Anglican member churches.

Delegates at the meeting included the Reverend Gareth Powell of the Methodist Church, Bishop Harold Miller of the Church of Ireland, and the Reverend Canon Professor Paul Avis of the Church of England.