08.08.2015 Views

Christian Unity (the book) - The Maranatha Community

Christian Unity (the book) - The Maranatha Community

Christian Unity (the book) - The Maranatha Community

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

titles, came toge<strong>the</strong>r into a Federation of French Protestant Churches. ‘Pastorsof different tendencies met for joint study and prayer.’ 146Fur<strong>the</strong>r discussion on unity followed and, interestingly, a compromise wasmade. This was to accommodate both <strong>the</strong> smaller ‘free’ churches whichstressed a ‘ga<strong>the</strong>red church’ concept, in which members were those who hadexperienced a personal affirmation of faith, and <strong>the</strong> churches of amultitudinous tradition who regarded all those who had been baptized asmembers of <strong>the</strong> church. A distinction was made between ‘membership’ and‘responsible membership’. Some Evangelical Reformed churches, especially in<strong>the</strong> south of France, refused to join <strong>the</strong> new body.(e) <strong>The</strong> Church of Christ in Japan (1941)This Church was formed under Government pressure by 34 denominationalgroups agreeing to form a union (Kyodan), originally with a very orthodoxstatement of faith. Created during <strong>the</strong> Second World War, it needed to freeitself from Government control after <strong>the</strong> War. It did this with somedenominations defecting, as it claimed to be a Church ra<strong>the</strong>r than a federationof churches, so unity as such was not achieved. <strong>The</strong> Kyodan is now onedenomination among many.(f) <strong>The</strong> Church of South India (1947)This was a union of four sou<strong>the</strong>rn dioceses of <strong>the</strong> Anglican Church of India,Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka and most of <strong>the</strong> South India United Church.Negotiations for unity were begun in Tranquebar, <strong>the</strong> little town whereProtestant missions to India began in 1706, in 1919. A South India UnitedChurch of Presbyterians and Congregationalists had been founded in 1908, but<strong>the</strong> vision of a greater union of churches which held to <strong>the</strong> supremacy ofScripture was kept alive.<strong>The</strong> story of <strong>the</strong> Church of South India showed for <strong>the</strong> first time in history thatepiscopal and non-episcopal churches could unite. Church order (<strong>the</strong> ministry)ra<strong>the</strong>r than doctrines were <strong>the</strong> most difficult questions to face. Agreement on146Rouse, Ruth and Neill, Stephen C, A History of <strong>the</strong> Ecumenical Movement, 1517-1948,SPCK, London, 1954, p 464.Page 159

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!