|
 |
Home  History 2007 What’s Happening Lately with the Unity Proposal?
|
Tuesday, August 28 2007 |
What’s Happening Lately with the Unity Proposal? |
|
|
|
Many have lost track of the proposal. Here’s my take on the last 24 months.
Mike Taliaferro -- San Antonio, Texas
It was two years ago that nine brothers were asked in Seattle to pen a Unity Proposal. At the time, confusion was rife among our churches and there was no viable way that churches could cooperate internationally to accomplish mutually shared goals. We were in the midst of many changes, many good and some bad. Many began to ask, “What do we believe?” “How can we cooperate?” “What’s happening out there?” International churches wondered how the US churches were faring, and whether the mission support money would continue.
The Unity Proposal, which is now called the Unified Plan for
Cooperation (UPC), has been helpful over the last two years for several
reasons. First of all, it presented a simple statement of beliefs. Many
disciples were wondering if we had changed our beliefs about core
doctrines like discipleship, baptism, and repentance. While the
cooperation plan did not attempt to be a creed for the ages, it did
address the issues that were important to us at the time. Beyond that,
the UPC gave individual churches a chance to raise their hands and
confirm that, yes indeed, we still hold to these core doctrines that
have united us for the last several decades. We were happy in San
Antonio, for example, to review the document and notify the other
churches of our affirmation (no one actually “signed” anything). To
date over 360 churches have affirmed the proposal, or roughly 70% of
our churches. Disciples were encouraged that we were still holding to
our core beliefs around the world.
Another aspect of the proposal was that it asked churches to draw close
to other nearby churches. These “circles of churches,” or “church
families,” were already in existence for the most part. Approximately
30 circles of churches formed around the world, each with anywhere from
10 to 20 churches. Texas is a circle of about ten churches. The US has
several circles. For the most part, families of churches were already
up and functioning in Mexico and Central America, Russia, Europe,
India, China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other areas
of the world. These 30 circles of churches help, cooperate, and
encourage one another in their regions. The UPC recognizes and
encourages this.
We are not a movement of autonomous churches. We interact, encourage,
correct, and love one another. While it was obviously time to put aside
the structure of the 1990’s where one man was in charge world-wide,
most of us did not want to revert to total separation and autonomy. We
have functioned for years as circles of churches. The current
arrangement of a brotherhood of churches looks promising.
A third aspect of the UPC is that it asked these “circles of churches”
to choose and send delegates once a year to our World Leadership
Conference. There are roughly 70 delegates who attend (two or more from
each family of churches world wide). These 70 delegates meet to decide
pertinent matters of cooperation on a world scale. Topics include our
International Conferences, benevolence, mission coordination, our
presence on the web, etc. In the past, it was the World Sector Leaders
who addressed these kinds of issues. Today, delegates from around the
world meet and make these decisions. Personally I am very glad for this
kind of inclusive format. Instead of decisions being made in back
rooms, issues are brought out into the open for broad discussion and
action. In Virginia Beach last year, the discussions were mature and
respectful. Virtually every vote became unanimous after a period of
discussion. It was a joy to see brothers from around the world
participating in the process of cooperation.
An example of this inclusive spirit is the choice of venue for our
international conferences. Instead of a small group of people, the
current structure in place allows the 70 delegates from all over the
world to decide on conference venues. This collective process has
brought Christians from around the world into the decision making
process. Two years ago in San Antonio, the attendance at the first
conference was just 400. This year we had 1500 people attend our campus
and teen leadership conferences. We are excited to see greater numbers
of people involved every year. I wish to commend the Planning
committees for the Campus and Teen conferences. Working behind the
scenes and without fanfare, they have put on some first class
conferences.
The UPC also called for the creation of a steering committee of nine
disciples, elected from among the 70 delegates. The nine are first and
foremost servants of the delegates. This committee of nine builds the
agenda and moves the discussion forward. It has been a joy to serve
with these brothers for the last two years.
Each year, half of the steering committee stands down. Last year we
elected four new steering committee members. This year we will elect
five new members. (I myself will leave the steering committee in
October). These term limits help to insure that the will of one
individual does not dominate the agenda. While it has been a lot of
work, it has been a great experience. Still, we have made our mistakes.
We all wish that there had been more communication between the nine and
the 70 delegates during the year. I am sure that this (and other
things) will be improved in the coming months. I wish to thank the San
Antonio church for allowing me to take away a bit of time from my
duties in San Antonio to serve the greater good. I also want to thank
the steering committee who served tirelessly.
It has been a great two years of progress on many fronts. The
Cooperation Plan has played a small but meaningful part in helping our
churches to move ahead through stormy times. It is a document that has
reassured, confirmed, and encouraged. It has been a platform to launch
cooperative efforts. Let us continue to pray for unity and growth among
our churches.
Mike Taliaferro
San Antonio, Texas
For further info:
More Churches in Japan, Netherlands, Bulgaria and USA Commit to Unity Proposal
Unity Steering Committee March 8, 2007
First Meeting of Delegates from Plan for United Cooperation
Mike Taliaferro – San Antonio, Texas
October 22, 2006
|
|
Written by Mike Taliaferro
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Translate This Page:
|
|
|
produced by Disciples Today
