https://livingchurch.org/covenant/the-anglican-methodist-covenant-in-britain-at-twenty-one/ Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:02:36 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://livingchurch.org/covenant/the-anglican-methodist-covenant-in-britain-at-twenty-one/#comment-17360 Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:02:36 +0000 https://livingchurch.org/?p=81409#comment-17360 A further obstacle to “organic unity” is that the Methodist Church in Britain authorizes licensed local preachers to preside at services of Holy Communion and to consecrate and distribute bread and cup of Holy Communion. The United Methodist Church here in the United States also authorizes its licensed local pastors to do the same and at its last General Conference authorized deacons too. While deacons are ordained in accordance with Methodist practice, licensed local preachers and licensed local pastors are lay persons. Both Methodist Churches suffer from a shortage of clergy and declining vocations. “Organic unity” is not a realistic objective. Closer collaboration in areas of common interest may be a more achievable goal.

]]> https://livingchurch.org/covenant/the-anglican-methodist-covenant-in-britain-at-twenty-one/#comment-17355 Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:20:52 +0000 https://livingchurch.org/?p=81409#comment-17355 Thanks Jeremy — given the current state of global Methodism (and Anglicanism!) — what is on the table is probably stale and in need of replacing with something else, notwithstanding the positive and beneficial gospel ministry that has taken place together. The reflection of the United Churches of North and South India.

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