The histories of the Church of England and the Methodist Church have been linked together for 250 years. In the 1970s, a proposal for unity failed narrowly. Now relationships between Methodists and Anglicans are stronger than ever, locally, regionally and nationally. Both are committed to the search for unity. What holds them apart? This official report of the Formal Conversations that began in 1999 sets out the common ground that has been rediscovered. It shows the strength of theological agreement, but also points out significant differences that require further work. Conscious of both the opportunities and the unresolved issues, the two churches asked the Conversations to draw up an agreement that would enable them to take a significant step towards future unity. The talks gave priority to mission and evangelism and paid special attention to diversity. This report proposes a national covenant, made up of mutual acknowledgement and mutual commitment. It should consolidate at the national level the many local and regional covenants that already exist and so prepare the ground for the next vital stage on the road to unity. A free "Reader's Guide" is packaged with each copy.

The report of the formal conversations between the Church of England and the Methodist Church of Great Britain was published in December 2001. For most local church people, the questions will be: How will these discussions and the proposed covenant affect us? How do they affect what we think about each other in our different churches? How might they change the way we relate to one another? How might they increase what we are allowed to do together locally? This book sets out to translate the key ideas from the report so that Christ's disciples locally - from any denomination - can begin to explore the implications. In six sessions with an optional full-day workshop, members of local congregations can look with a new perspective on their own histories, their contexts, their place within God's mission and the contribution they can make to the quest for full visible unity among the differnet Christian traditions.

This official report of the Formal Conversations that began in 1999 sets out the common ground between the Church of England and the Methodist Church. It shows the strength of theological agreement, but also points out significant differences that require further work.