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.

News
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds
Active faith linked to happier marriages and lower divorce rates, study finds

People who regularly attend church are more likely to report happy marriages, according to a new report examining the relationship between faith and family life.

Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk
Indian churches fearing anti-conversion laws tell non-Christians: enter at your own risk

Churches in Dhamtari, a town in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, have put up notices warning non-Christians that they enter at their own risk, weeks after a law against religious conversion came into force in the state.

£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes
£1k bursaries to help churches develop youth and community mentoring programmes

Churches across the UK are being offered bursaries to help them establish mentoring programmes aimed at supporting young people and others in their communities.

World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary
World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has held an online celebration to mark its 180th anniversary. Hundreds of people from more than 22 countries attended, and the event was rebroadcast to accommodate different time zones.