| Think Ecumenically about Worship |
Occasionally "swap" leaders or members, with invitations to read scripture or lead prayersArrange pulpit exchanges - not just in the Week of Prayer!Organise joint services to emphasise the richness in worship of other traditionsInvite another local minister to lead worship (including the Eucharist in his/her own tradition) in place of your own regular church serviceSet up ecumenical house groups |
| Think Ecumenically about Prayer |
Include in your prayers other Christian churches and fellowships in and around your parishAsk them about particular prayer requestsMention by name their ministers and leadersOrganise times to pray together with them - as ministers and leaders, and in small groups and fellowships |
| Think Ecumenically about Outreach |
Work together when planning for missionHave regular joint staff meetingsPublicise one another's services, events, activitiesInclude them in your website (and you in theirs)Organise joint study and trainingUnite for local witness - carol-singing, Easter pilgrimageDo visiting togetherRejoice when people you've visited begin to attend another local church! |
| Think Ecumenically about Resources |
Make every effort to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort - e.g.
- Human: administration, youth workers, pastoral visitors, leaflet distributors,
- Buildings: open up your church hall rooms to other churches for meetings, and make use of theirs
- Training: share denominational expertise to other churches - stewardship, musical, lay training, etc
- Equipment: set up an ecumenical church office and share the costs of running expensive machines between the churches
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| Think Ecumenically about Hospitality |
Get to know one another sociallyInvite members of other church to your social eventsHave a Christmas party or an Easter outing togetherExperiment with summer b-i-y barbecues ("bring it yourself")Include sharing a meal as part of your ecumenical meetingsConsider using the Declaration of Ecumenical Welcome & Commitment |
| Think Ecumenically about Communication |
Undertake an Ecumenical Audit of your localityWho are your partners?Can you identify local needs?Plan together for new church or community programmesWhich church is best placed to take the lead?Liaise with other churches at the first stage of any new proposals - building, events, outreachTreat one another as equal partners in God's mission, regardless of your respective "size"Consider inviting an observer from a neighbouring church as Observer to an occasional Church Council meeting |
