Anglican-Baptist Worldwide Discussions to be Published Showing Growing Cooperation

The ecumenical relationship between Anglicans and Baptists worldwide will soon show its fruit as an account of five years of innovative dialogue Conversations Around the World will be published later this month.

The interaction between Anglicans and Baptists across the world over the last five years have covered the entire spectrum of Christian faith, comparing and contrasting how the two traditions approach their Christian discipleship. The book has given a full account of these contents.

Conversations Around the World also describes the many ways in which the two denominations share a common mission, a common witness to Christ.

Through the dialogue so far, Anglicans and Baptists have found that two traditions are "surprisingly close" on many fundamental theological issues. During the conversation, even divergences between the two traditions were not seen as hopeless barriers of division, but as encouraging signs of Christian devotion and faithfulness.

Canon Gregory Cameron, Director of Ecumenical Affairs at the Anglican Communion Office in London said, "They discovered that Anglicans and Baptists have a great deal in common, and much to celebrate. In both traditions we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, and this fact calls us into closer relationship. The work represented by this book gives an example of how Christians of different denominations can seek to understand each other and work more closely together."

The ecumenical dialogue has especially stressed on the inclusion of Christian voices from every continent. Therefore, dialogue participants were appointed from within each of the six regions where the meetings were held. A small "Continuation Committee" headed by Paul Fiddes (Baptist, Lecturer in Divinity, University of Oxford) and Bruce Matthews (Anglican, Professor of Comparative Religion, Wolfville University, Nova Scotia) have attended all of the meetings. A variety of cultural contexts may truly be fully revealed.

The dialogue was successfully continued between regional groups as each of them was aware of the discussions of previous groups and contributed its own concerns and insights regarding the issues. At the conclusion of the series of discussions, all participants received a draft final report for comment, and for confirmation that the many regional voices had been properly considered.

Conversations Around the World is published by the Anglican Communion and the Baptist World Alliance. It will be launched at a Reception on Friday 24th June, during the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Nottingham, UK.