Working Together Locally

In almost every local community, the Church of England serves alongside an increasing number of other Churches. In many places we work extensively with these Churches, through formal and informal partnerships.

Do local Churches work together?

Yes!

Churches across England work together on a variety of projects and events. We at the Church of England’s Council for Christian Unity encourage new ways for churches to work together in unity in mission and provide resources, advice and support for local ecumenical relationships.

Why do churches work together?

Churches of all traditions are faced with important challenges to serve and transform communities, to make new disciples and to grow in holiness and worship.

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How does the Church of England work with other churches?

Practically there many ways in which the Church of England works with other Churches.

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When do we need some kind of formal agreement or structure?

Good ecumenical working is based on relationships and trust, and often it can be informal and spontaneous. Different Churches serving the same community see an opportunity to come together and just get on with it.

But sometimes something more formal is needed.

In more detail

For documents to support ecumenical work please visit our resources page.

Mission

Action to help the world become more like the place God intended it to be, and share the good news of Jesus

Gospel

a) The good news of Jesus Christ; b) the records of Jesus's life and ministry in the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John); c) a reading from one of these four books.

Worship

Offering praise to God.

Congregation

A group of Christians who gather for prayer and worship

Fresh Expressions

Different ways of doing or being a church. This might be where they meet or how they worship designed to engage people who don't normally go to church

Local Ecumenical Partnership

A local area where a local covenant or a more far-reaching agreement between the authorities of different denominations (covering the sharing of church life, buildings and/or ministry) has been made