WORK
OF THE COMMISSIONS:
Faith
and Order
This Commission has discussed the theological
basis for multifaith gatherings. A paper has
been produced, and this document has been posted
on the Faith and Order page of this website.
Their latest paper is on Christian Care for
the Environment, also available to download
from their webpage.
Living
Faiths: Dialogue and Community
This is the Commission primarily responsible
for the production of the 'Guidelines for Multifaith
Gatherings'. As a result of delegates' work,
the Commission has a list of possible projects
for the future. One of these may be to investigate
further (with other State and National ecumenical
councils) growing divisions within Christian
communities and between Christians and people
of other faiths. They have recently produced
a guide for clergy involved in interfaith marriages.
Their next project is to produce a resource
for Christians explaining the meaning of the
major celebrations of other faiths. See the
Living Faiths: Dialogue and Community page on
this website.
Mission
The Commission is currently discussing how to
live in a multicultural, multifaith, multi ethnic
society and still retain the integrity of the
Christian faith and are in a dialogue on modelling
mission.
Social
Questions
This group, many of whom are Executive Staff
of church community agencies, work together
on a number of issues. For example, the VCC
did a summary of issues, and added website information
so that people could gather their own information
for the last Federal Election. This is also
the group that works with Heads of Churches
as they prepare to meet with the Premier.
Women
and Church
The Women and Church Commission is discussing
ways to assist in raising awareness of human
trafficking, and lobbying Government to take
action. The Commission is also studying feminist
theology.
Challenges
for the future
Need to ensure that the work of the Council is
relevant to the member churches. This means that
we need good interaction between all the levels
of activity within the Council, and between those
involved in Council work and their 'sending'
churches.
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