Two Christian Churches Draft ‘Partnership’ Plan

Leaders of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)--two major participants in the modern ecumenical movement--are proposing a new “ecumenical partnership” between the denominations.

A report to be presented to the two churches’ highest deliberative bodies this summer calls for a commitment to a common mission, theological work and worship.

The plan may represent a unique model for churches seeking to increase cooperation and overcome historic divisions but which are reluctant to merge.

In many respects the proposal is an acknowledgement of the failure of the two churches, which number nearly 3 million members, to successfully negotiate a union between the two bodies.

California Groupings

(In Southern California, the United Church of Christ has 134 congregations with 29,266 members and the Disciples have 115 churches with 24,034 members, according to the latest totals available.)

There have been unity discussions between the Disciples and elements of what is now the United Church of Christ since 1912. The new plan comes out of talks dating back to 1979 and were widely expected to result in a merger agreement.

“We anticipate that our proposal may disappoint those in both churches who had expressed sincere desires that we move ahead now with full union negotiations,” said the report of the joint steering committee of leaders of both churches.

Oneness Hasn’t Appeared

“It should be stated, however, that our work and study have not brought about the oneness to which God calls us,” it said.

The committee said that while it is “proposing something other than a binding commitment to become one church” it is also seeking more than “another round of study” or cooperation in mission “without any commitment to pursuing a common future.”

The three concrete steps recommended by the committee, to begin in 1985, include:

--The commitment to respond together to the mission of the church.

--Theological work to equip the churches as they grow toward full communion.

--Common worship with frequent sharing in the Lord’s Supper.

Kenneth Teegarden, outgoing president and general minister of the Disciples, said the plan is a “concrete next step so that at some point down the pike another group will present another proposal for union.”

Avery Post, president of the United Church of Christ, said his denomination sees in the proposal “a way to affirm our unity in Christ and particularly with one partner in the whole catholic church.”