resolution

Affirm and Implement a Full Communion Relationship Between the Moravian Church (Northern and Southern Provinces) and The United Methodist Church

2016 Book of Resolutions, #3149

The Moravian Church (Northern and Southern Provinces) and The United Methodist Church agree that in their legislative bodies there shall be one vote to accept or reject, without separate amendment, the resolution that follows. If adopted by these churches, each church agrees to take the following measures to establish a relationship of full communion:

Whereas, Jesus Christ calls us to unity so that the world may believe; and

Whereas, the Moravian Church (Northern and Southern Provinces) and The United Methodist Church find that we have deep historic ties and many parallels in the life and ministries of our two churches, and that we are united in the wish to deepen our witness and work together for the sharing of the love of Christ in the world and its communities;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Moravian Church (Northern and Southern Provinces) and The United Methodist Church hereby:

1. Affirm that a relationship of full communion exists between our churches and that we commit ourselves to working actively and faithfully together.
2. For the purposes of this relationship, full communion is understood to entail
- 2.1. recognizing and valuing the diverse gifts present in each church;
- 2.2. respecting each other as part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church as affirmed in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed;
- 2.3. committing each church to cooperate in common minis- tries of evangelism, witness, and service;
- 2.4. recognizing the validity of each other’s sacramental life and ministerial orders, allowing for the transfer of membership between churches as within each church and the orderly exchange of clergy (subject to the regulations of church order and practice of each church); and
- 2.5. committing each church to continue to work for the unity of the church, recognizing that this relationship of full communion is but a step toward the unity to which we are called.
3. To facilitate growing into this relationship of full communion, the two churches appoint a coordinating committee consisting of no fewer than three representatives each (that is, three representatives of The United Methodist Church and three representatives of the Moravian Church (Northern and Southern Provinces)). This committee shall make policy recommendations to the two churches to aid in the reception of the relationship and shall explore opportunities for common ministries of evangelism, witness, and service. Both The United Methodist Church and the Moravian Church, Northern and Southern Provinces, commit to urging central conferences of The United Methodist Church and other provinces of the Unitas Fratrum to explore formal relationships of full communion, especially in Africa and Europe, where these do not already exist.

This agreement will take effect upon an affirmative vote by the General Conference and concurring votes of approval by the synods of the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church.

ADOPTED 2016

See Social Principles, ¶ 162.

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