Anglican-Methodist

Ecumenical Review, The, July, 2002 by Paul Avis

Church of England; Methodist Church

The histories of the Church of England and of Methodism have been intertwined for two and a half centuries. The itinerant preaching ministry of John Wesley, an Anglican clergyman, gave rise to a movement of renewal that the established church found difficult to contain. For his part, Wesley was ultimately unwilling to be constrained by the discipline of his church. It was largely due to a series of contingent historical and social factors, rather than to major theological differences, that the Methodist movement eventually became a church separate from the Church of England.

The ecumenical movement of the 20th century saw a series of initiatives, on both sides, to attempt to heal the division. A unity scheme finally narrowly failed in the Church of England's general synod in 1972. In 1994 the Methodist Church of Great Britain approached the Church of England about the possibility of exploratory conversations, "talks about talks". The report of these informal conversations, "Commitment to Mission and Unity", discerned agreement in principle on the ultimate goal of the "full visible unity" of the Christian church and sketched an agenda for formal conversations.

The formal conversations that followed were mandated by the general synod and the Methodist conference to propose a significant bilateral step towards the ultimate goal of the full visible unity of the church. The conversations met from 1999 to 2001 and included theologians, members with experience of local unity, and ecumenical observer-participants. The report, comprising a common statement culminating in a proposed national covenant, was published in December 2001. "An Anglican-Methodist Covenant" is due to be debated by the Methodist conference and the general synod in the summer of 2002 on a motion to refer it to Methodist districts and Anglican dioceses and to report back a year later for a final decision.

What is distinctive about "An Anglican-Methodist Covenant"? First, it is not a unity scheme, but proposes a significant step towards eventual visible or organic unity between the two churches. Its approach is that of seeking greater unity by a series of agreed stages. The crucial stage proposed by the report is that of mutual affirmation and mutual commitment, that is to say, a covenantal relationship. Second, the proposals are intended to be realistic and deliverable. They recognize that both churches still have a number of questions and reservations about the other. The aim is to bring about a new relationship in which these outstanding concerns can be addressed in a constructive spirit. Third, the statement is shot through with missiology. Its premise is that there is an indissoluble biblical and theological connection between unity and mission. Fourth, it is frank and forthright about areas of theology and practice in which there is not yet agreement between Anglicans and Methodists in England. These issues include: the admission of women to senior positions of leadership; non-presbyteral presidency at the eucharist and whether wine or unfermented grape juice should be used; the shape of the diaconate; and the minister of confirmation--bishop or presbyter?

The statement employs the concept of representative ministry. All ministry is that of Christ in his body, the church. All ministry is related to baptism. Ordained ministers of word, sacrament and pastoral responsibility are commissioned to represent both Christ and the community. On the question of uniting the ministries of the two churches, the statement provides a basis for further work but the conversations were not asked to resolve this particular issue.

The common statement tackles oversight as an issue in its own right, not simply as an aspect of ministry. Pastoral oversight will have personal, collegial and communal dimensions. The conversations were helped by the fact that the Methodist conference has stated on a number of occasions over the years that it is willing to become an episcopally ordered church. While the Church of England is studying the question of the possible future consecration of women to the episcopate, the Methodist Church is working on issues of episcope and episcopacy for itself.

The four dimensions of "full visible unity" that are expounded in the common statement are: a common profession of the one apostolic faith, grounded in holy scripture and set forth in the historic creeds; the sharing of one baptism and the celebrating of one eucharist; a common ministry of word and sacrament; a common ministry of oversight (episcope). The report believes that there is "full agreement in the apostolic faith", "shared theological understandings of the nature and mission of the church and of its ministry and oversight" and "agreement on the goal of full visible unity".

The theological conversations set out to build on the existing strong relationships of fellowship and collaboration at local, regional and national levels. They have been accompanied by an agenda to enhance practical fellowship at every level of the churches' life. A companion document to the Covenant - "Releasing Energy" (2000)--contains approved models of good practice. The process of study and evaluation (reception) of "An Anglican-Methodist Covenant" will be resourced by a series of supporting materials, including a powerpoint presentation, group study notes and a theological study pack.