A Mission of Unity and a Unity of Mission: A Look at the Work of the Church Unity Commission

This article examines the notion and meaning of mission in United and Uniting churches; asks whether union fosters mission and, more specifically, whether United churches practise mission reflecting a commitment to unity; and finally considers some of the challenges facing the Church Unity Commission (CUC) in moving forward. It makes the claim that the CUC is not succeeding in using its strengths because it is failing to be a united witness in the world, and suggests that church unity should begin at the local level if it is to be more effective. Hence international, national, and regional structures and organizations should mobilize, empower, and enable local church communities for more effective mission and church unity. In order to succeed in the latter area, the mission should be not church, but Christ. The paper concludes that the CUC's task is to collectively and correctly read the signs of the times and faithfully proclaim, in word and deed, that God reigns supreme over our world.     

Risking the Church: The Challenges of Catholic Faith

Books reviewed:
Richard Lennan, Risking the Church: The Challenges of Catholic Faith. Reviewed by Nicholas M. Healy St John's University, New York