At the 5th National Forum of the NCCA in 2004, a landmark covenant was signed.

Church leaders have hailed it as one of the most significant events in Australia’s ecumenical history. “It’s an international benchmark,” NCCA president, the Revd Professor James Haire, said. “No one else, I believe, anywhere in the world, has been able to produce anything quite as comprehensive as this. It’s true that the US is working towards something similar – but that doesn’t include the Catholics.”

Churches continue to agree to the various parts of the Covenant.  To view a current copy of the document click here.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN AUSTRALIA

[as amended 13-17 July 2007]

1. NAME

1.01 The name of this organisation shall be the "National Council of Churches in Australia" [hereinafter referred to as "NCCA"].

2. BASIS

2.01 The NCCA gathers together in pilgrimage those Churches and Christian communities which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and commit themselves

[i] to deepen their relationship with each other in order to express more visibly the unity willed by Christ for his church, and
[ii] to work together towards the fulfilment of their mission of common witness, proclamation and service,

to the glory of the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. THE CHURCH, THE CHURCHES AND THE NCCA

3.01 The NCCA is not a church. Rather, by bringing its member Churches into a living contact with each other it desires to give expression to the significant bonds which already exist between them: what they share with each other as Christians because of their union with God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit [often called communion or koinonia]. It recognises that each member Church brings to the NCCA its own understanding of the nature of the Church.

3.02 No member Church is being asked to forsake or compromise its own ecclesiology. However, the NCCA provides a framework within which member Churches are encouraged to enter into dialogue, at all levels, about the understanding of "church" which each Church holds.

3.03 While some member churches may not be able to recognise each other as churches in the full and true sense, they nevertheless acknowledge in each other important elements of both doctrine and practice that belong to the church which Christ founded. It is hoped that through further dialogue the member Churches will broaden their knowledge of each other, extend their recognition of each other, find ways of giving greater expression to what they hold in common, and move towards a more visible expression of the unity Christ has given to his church.

4. OBJECTIVES

4.01 The objectives of the NCCA are:

[a] to encourage and enable the member Churches to develop their existing relationships by

i] raising awareness among their people of Christ's gift of unity and of his call to express that unity through prayer, dialogue and shared engagement in mission; and
ii] coming to know each other better in all respects, including the areas of spirituality, liturgy, theology, history, sociology and culture;

[b] to encourage and enable the member churches in the light of the Gospel to give prophetic leadership to each other and the community by

i] developing a deeper understanding of evangelism/ evangelisation in Australia's cultural context;
ii] addressing moral issues;
iii] speaking out on behalf of oppressed people;
iv] acting in solidarity with Aboriginal and Islander people; and
v] responding to human need and acting on issues of justice, peace and creation;

[c] to promote relationships

i] with non-member Churches, state ecumenical bodies within Australia, regional and national ecumenical bodies in Asia and the Pacific, and the World Council of Churches; and
ii] with people of other living faiths; and

[d] to undertake joint initiatives as determined from time to time by the National Forum at the request of member Churches.

5. MEMBERSHIP

5.01 Membership is open to those Churches and Christian communities which accept the Basis, have a spread of groups in at least two Australian States/Territories, and have their own national organisation and ecclesial identity. Election to membership shall be by resolution passed by a majority of not less than three quarters of the members present and voting at a meeting of the National Forum following consultation with all member Churches.

5.02 A Church or Christian community which does not have credal statements within its tradition and therefore finds it difficult to subscribe formally to what appears to it to be a written credal statement in the Basis may apply for and be elected to membership provided that the Church or Christian community demonstrates by its life and conduct that it upholds the spirit of the Basis.

5.03 A member Church may resign from membership by giving not less than three [3] calendar months written notice of resignation to the General Secretary. The notice will take effect at the expiry of the period of notice unless it is withdrawn in the meantime.

6. STRUCTURE

6.01 The NCCA is part of a nationwide ecumenical movement of prayer, reflection and growth in association with local efforts, regional collaboration, state ecumenical bodies, meetings of heads of Churches and inter-church dialogues. Its structure is designed to reflect this nationwide partnership.

6.02 The components of this structure are:

• • General Church Consultations
  • the National Forum
  • the Executive of the NCCA
  • Specific Consultations
  • Commissions, Working Groups and Networks
  • staff of the NCCA

7. GENERAL CHURCH CONSULTATIONS

7.01 From time to time the NCCA will convene General Church Consultations which bring together a broad range of ecumenically involved people, on either a national or regional basis, to enable the member Churches to celebrate and to share their life and witness, and when appropriate, to make comment and recommendations to the NCCA, and to listen to and act on the insights offered by the NCCA.

8. THE NATIONAL FORUM

8.01 The National Forum is the general meeting of representatives of member churches of the NCCA together with representatives of state ecumenical bodies and representatives of a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body. The National Forum's responsibility is to enable member Churches to establish and review the overall policies and programmes of the NCCA.

8.02 The membership of the National Forum will comprise:

[a] national heads of member Churches
[b] representatives appointed by member Churches
[c] one representative appointed by each state ecumenical body
[d] four representatives appointed by a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body.
[e] the President and General Secretary and Treasurer in any case where the office holder is not otherwise a member.

Each member shall have the right to attend and vote at a meeting of the National Forum.

8.03 The Executive shall from time to time determine for the purpose of Clause 8.02 [b] the number of representatives which each member Church may appoint to attend a meeting of the National Forum, provided that each member Church shall be entitled to appoint not less than two representatives. In making its determination, the Executive shall have regard to numerical strength and parish units of the member Church and such other criteria as the Executive may consider relevant.

8.04 If the national head of a member Church is unable to attend a meeting or part of a meeting of the National Forum, the national head may appoint an alternate to attend and vote on behalf of the national head at the meeting of the National Forum or that part of the meeting as the case may be.

8.05 The membership of the National Forum will not exceed one hundred unless the Executive shall determine otherwise.

9. MEETINGS OF THE NATIONAL FORUM

9.01

[a] The National Forum shall hold an ordinary meeting at least once every two years for the first four [4] years after the first meeting of the National Forum and thereafter at least once every three [3] years on such date[s] and at such place as the National Forum [or the Executive] may determine.
[b] The National Forum may hold special meetings at such other times and for such purposes as the National Forum determines.
[c] The Executive may whenever it thinks fit convene a special meeting of the National Forum.
[d] The Executive shall on the requisition in writing of not less than one third of the member Churches convene a special meeting of the National Forum.
[e] Not less than 3 months notice of a meeting of the National Forum shall be given to the member Churches.

9.02 In addition to any other business which may be transacted at a meeting of the National Forum the business of the ordinary meeting shall be:

[a] to receive from the Executive reports upon the activities of the NCCA since the last ordinary meeting;
[b] to receive and consider financial statements;
[c] to elect the President and not more than six [6] members of the Executive whose nominations for election have been endorsed by their member Churches; and
[d] to determine policy.

9.03 At a meeting of the National Forum:

[a] the President shall preside; or
[b] if the President is absent, unable or unwilling to act, the members present at a meeting of the National Forum may choose another member of the Executive to preside at the meeting.

9.04 The General Secretary of the NCCA will be the executive officer of the National Forum.

9.05

[a] No business shall be transacted at any meeting of the National Forum unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business nor shall a meeting proceed if the chairperson determines by a count that a quorum is not present.
[b] A quorum shall consist of not less than one-half of the membership of the National Forum, present in person or by alternate appointed pursuant to Clause 8.04.

9.06 Subject to this Constitution, questions arising at a meeting of the National Forum shall be decided by a majority of votes of those present and voting.

9.07 The Executive may invite appropriate people who are not members of the National Forum to attend a meeting of the National Forum. Such persons may be given the right to speak but not to vote. Categories of persons who will be invited include:

observers from non-member Churches, and
one executive staff person from each state ecumenical body.

10. THE EXECUTIVE

10.01

[a] The Executive will be responsible for implementing the policies of the NCCA, monitoring its work, and making policy recommendations to the National Forum.
[b] The Executive will act on behalf of the NCCA between meetings of the National Forum in respect of any of the responsibilities of the NCCA and may determine policy which is not inconsistent with policy determined or directions given by the National Forum and act on any matter which does not require a resolution to be passed by more than a simple majority of those present and voting at a meeting of the National Forum.

10.02 The Executive will consist of:

[a] the national heads of the member Churches;
[b] one other person appointed by each member Church;
[c] not more than six [6] members elected by the National Forum pursuant to Clause 9.02 [c];
[d] two members appointed by a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body
[e] the General Secretary and the Treasurer of the NCCA [ex officio]; and
[f] the President in any case where the person elected as President is not otherwise a member of the Executive.

10.03 A national head of a member Church who is unable to attend a meeting of the Executive may appoint an alternate to attend and vote on his/her behalf at the meeting.

10.04 In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the elected membership of the Executive, the Executive may fill the vacancy.

10.05 At a meeting of the Executive

[a] the President shall preside, or
[b] if the President is absent, unable or unwilling to act, such one of the remaining members of the Executive as may be chosen by the members present, shall preside.

10.06 Subject to this Constitution the Executive may meet and adjourn or otherwise regulate its meetings as it thinks fit.

10.07 The Executive shall meet not less frequently than three [3] times in each calendar year.

10.08 The President may at any time, and the General Secretary shall on the requisition of not less than ten [10] members of the Executive, convene a meeting of the Executive.

10.09 Questions arising at a meeting of the Executive shall be decided by a majority of votes of members present and voting.

10.10 A quorum shall consist of not less than one-half of the members.

10.11

[a] The Executive may decide to meet by telephone conference or in such other manner as it shall think fit.
[b] The Executive may make decisions in other manner than by attendance of members at a meeting.

10.12 The Executive may appoint committees and delegate to Commissions and committees such matters as will facilitate the business of the NCCA.

11. OFFICE BEARERS

11.01 The office bearers of the NCCA shall be :

[a] the President
[b] the General Secretary
[c] the Treasurer

11.02 The President of the NCCA will normally

[a] be elected by the National Forum;
[b] hold office until the conclusion of the next ordinary meeting of the National Forum and
[c] be eligible for re-election;

In the event that an unexpected vacancy in the office of President occurs between meetings of the National Forum, the Executive may elect the President who will hold office until the commencement of the term of office of a President elected by the National Forum.

11.03 The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Executive and will hold office until the conclusion of the first meeting of the Executive following the next ordinary meeting of the National Forum after the Treasurer's appointment.

12. SPECIFIC CONSULTATIONS

12.01 Specific Consultations may be convened to enable the member churches to listen to one another and plan action, separately or jointly, on specific issues or on general areas of responsibility of the NCCA.

12.02 Specific Consultations will be convened on a regional or national basis by the National Forum or the Executive as and when required.

12.03 Specific Consultations will report to the Executive unless the convening body otherwise determines.

13. COMMISSIONS

13.01 The National Forum may establish Commissions to conduct ongoing programmes of the NCCA.

13.02 The National Forum may constitute whatever Commissions it deems necessary to assist it to carry out the objectives of the NCCA.

13.03 The mandate, size and membership of Commissions will be determined by the National Forum.

13.04 Members of Commissions will be appointed by the National Forum on the nomination of member Churches. The Executive may fill casual vacancies.

13.05 Commissions will be responsible to the National Forum through the Executive of the NCCA.

14. WORKING GROUPS

14.01 The Executive may establish Working Groups to undertake specific short-term tasks.

14.02 The Executive may constitute whatever Working Groups it deems necessary to assist it in carrying out the objectives of the NCCA.

14.03 Working Groups will be responsible to the Executive through the General Secretary.

15. NETWORKS

15.01 The National Forum or the Executive may develop Networks of people with common responsibilities within member Churches to foster particular concerns.

15.02 The National Forum or the Executive may establish whatever Networks are deemed desirable to further the objectives of the NCCA.

16. STAFF

16.01 The staff of NCCA will be headed by a General Secretary who will have ex officio membership of the National Forum, the Executive, Commissions, Working Groups, Networks and Committees.

16.02 The General Secretary of the NCCA will be appointed by the Executive, which will also decide the terms and conditions on which the General Secretary is appointed. The General Secretary is also accountable through the Executive to the National Forum.

16.03 Other executive staff will be appointed by the Executive in consultation with the General Secretary and will be accountable to the Executive through the General Secretary.

17. PUBLIC STATEMENTS

17.01 In furthering its objectives, the NCCA will seek to resource member churches to help them, together or separately, speak publicly on significant issues facing the community.

17.02 In order that the voice of the churches may have a greater impact on issues of public importance, member churches may authorise the NCCA to make public statements on their behalf. Where a majority of member churches agree but unanimity is not reached, the names of member churches supporting the statement should be attached and the NCCA may offer its facilities to issue the statement on their behalf.

17.03 Publishing such statements may not be held to imply that the NCCA has, or can have, any authority over the member Churches.

17.04 The NCCA will be advised by such Commissions, Committees and Working Groups as it may establish, and at times that advice may take the form of recommendations regarding public statements. While Commissions, Committees and Working Groups may not themselves make public statements without the authority of the Executive, they may in the course of their work publish research, educational and promotional material.

18. RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATIONAL HEADS OF CHURCHES

18.01 The NCCA will maintain a close liaison with the national heads of Churches group through periodic consultations, and through the General Secretary.

19. RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE ECUMENICAL BODIES

19.01 In this constitution the expression "state ecumenical body" refers to those bodies, whether corporate or unincorporated, which the NCCA, through the National Forum or its Executive, recognises from time to time as state ecumenical bodies. Recognition may be withdrawn at any time.

19.02 While recognising that state ecumenical bodies are autonomous, the NCCA invites their participation in the NCCA through the appointment of voting representatives to the National Forum.

20. RELATIONSHIPS WITH A NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER ECUMENICAL BODY

20.01 In this constitution the expression a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body refers to that body, whether corporate or unincorporated, which the NCCA, through the National Forum or the Executive, recognises from time to time as a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body. Recognition may be withdrawn at any time.

20.02 While recognising that a national Aboriginal and Islander ecumenical body is autonomous, the NCCA invites its participation in the NCCA through the appointment of voting representatives to the National Forum and voting members of the Executive.

21. THE NATURE OF REPRESENTATION

21.01 Representatives of member Churches on NCCA bodies will have a dual responsibility - to the Church and to the NCCA. Within the NCCA they are responsible for representing the views of their Church and for contributing to the life and work of the NCCA, and within their Church they have a responsibility to represent the life and work of the NCCA.

22. FINANCE

22.01 The member Churches will have responsibility for ensuring that normal running costs of the NCCA are adequately funded.

22.02 Each member Church shall make financial contributions to the NCCA according to guidelines approved by the Executive.

22.03 The NCCA may obtain and raise funds by donations, bequests and sale of publications and in such other manner as the Executive may from time to time determine.

22.04 The Executive may authorise the borrowing of funds for the purposes of the NCCA.

22.05 All money received by the NCCA shall be deposited as soon as practicable to the credit of the NCCA in a bank or building society or with such other financial institutions as may from time to time be approved by the Executive.

22.06 All cheques, drafts, bills of exchange, promissory notes and other negotiable instruments shall be signed by any two members of the Executive or employees of the NCCA being members or employees authorised to do so by the Executive.

22.07 The NCCA shall have power to establish trust funds.

22.08 The General Secretary shall have power to authorise accounts to be established and operated with any bank, building society or other financial institution approved by the Executive for the purposes of any Commission or any activity of or associated with the NCCA.

22.09 A financial report shall be prepared for presentation to each meeting of the Executive and the annual financial statements duly audited shall be presented annually either to the Executive or to an ordinary meeting of the National Forum.

22.10 The Executive shall supervise the investment of the funds of the NCCA and may make grants, donations, loans, arrange conferences and consultations, employ or engage persons for specific projects or activities and do all other things within or outside Australia which it may consider in accordance with the objectives of the NCCA and the policies from time to time determined by the National Forum.

22.11 The Executive shall appoint the auditor[s] of the NCCA. The auditor shall not be a member of the Executive nor of any Commission, Committee, Working Group or other body whose accounts are to be audited. An auditor may be appointed to audit the accounts of a particular body or bodies within or related to the NCCA.

23. CORPORATE ENTITY

23.01 The Executive shall have power from time to time to incorporate, secure and maintain a corporate entity or, where it thinks fit, more than one such entity, for the purposes of the NCCA.

23.02 Whenever the Executive considers it desirable

[a] property funds and investments shall be held in the name of the corporate entity;
[b] activities shall be conducted on behalf of the NCCA by the corporate entity;
[c] the corporate entity shall employ persons or enter into contracts on behalf of the NCCA; and
[d] the corporate entity shall undertake any trusts which the NCCA desires it to undertake.

23.03 For this purpose the Executive shall have power to adopt or approve the memorandum and articles of association or the objectives, constitution and rules of the association and to appoint members and if appropriate, the governing body of the corporate entity from time to time and to give such directions to the corporate entity or its governing body as the Executive may consider appropriate from time to time.

24. AMENDMENTS

24.01 This Constitution may be amended at a meeting of the National Forum by a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds [2/3] of the members present and voting.

24.02 Notice of a proposed amendment shall be given to the General Secretary not less than three [3] weeks before the date of the meeting and shall be proposed by not less than three [3] member churches.

24.03 An amendment to the Basis or Objectives shall not take effect unless and until it is approved or ratified by all member churches.

25. DISSOLUTION

25.01 The NCCA shall be dissolved in the event that the number of member Churches is less than four [4] or upon a resolution of a meeting of the National Forum passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds [2/3] of the members present and voting at a special meeting convened to consider the question provided that the resolution is approved or ratified by not less than two-thirds [2/3] of the member Churches.

25.02 Upon dissolution, all surplus property remaining after payment of all expenses and satisfaction of all liabilities shall be transferred, paid or distributed in such manner as may be determined by a resolution passed at a special meeting of the National Forum or at a meeting of the members of the last preceding meeting of the National Forum which in either case is convened to consider the dissolution and/or the manner of distribution.

26. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS

26.01 The NCCA shall comply with the requirements of taxation law and laws relating to charities insofar as they are applicable.

*********************

OFFICERS
President:   [interim] The Revd Ian Allsop
General Secretary:  [interim] The Revd David Gill
Treasurer:   [interim] Mr Ron Brown

HEADS OF CHURCHES
Archbishop Keith Rayner - Anglican Church of Australia
Archbishop Gibran - Antiochian Orthodox church
Archbishop Baliozian - Armenian Apostolic Church
Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia  - Assyrian Church of the East
Mr Robert Leane -  Churches of Christ in Australia
The Revd Daniel El-Antouny - Coptic Orthodox Church
Archbishop Stylianos (Represented by Bishop Seraphim) -  Greek Orthodox Church
David Purnell  - Religious Society of Friends
Cardinal Edward Clancy -  Roman Catholic Church
The Revd Dr Gabriel Popescu - Romanian Orthodox Church
Commissioner John Gowans -  The Salvation Army -  Eastern  Territory
Commissioner John Clinch -  The Salvation Army -  Southern Territory
Archbishop Mar T Aphrem Aboodi - Syrian Orthodox Church
The Revd Dr D'Arcy Wood -  Uniting Church in Australia

DELEGATES OF MEMBER CHURCHES
Anglican Church of Australia
Bishop Richard Appleby      
Archdeacon Philip Newman
Miss Elizabeth Britten 
Mr Brian Norris
The Revd Dr Bruce Kaye       
Deaconess Margaret Rodgers
Miss Emma Leslie      
The Revd Dr Rowan Strong
Bishop Arthur Malcolm       
Miss Judy Williamson
Ms Jan Malpas       
Bishop Bruce Wilson

Antiochian Orthodox Church
Ms Victoria Jabbour
Mr Andrew Jabbour
Ms Danielle Saadi

Armenian Apostolic Church
Ms Isabella Semsarian
Mr Avo Vardanian
Mrs Suzy Vardanian

Assyrian Church of the East
Deacon Genard Lazar
Deacon Emmanuel Yousif

Churches of Christ in Australia 
Ms Thelma Leach
Ms Linda Gordon
Ms Flo Grant [Apology]
The Revd Jonathan Moore

Coptic Orthodox Church
The Revd Marcos Tawfik
The Revd Shenouda Mansour
Mr Maged Attia

Greek Orthodox Church
Mr Philip Kariatlis

Religious Society of Friends
Sabine Erika
Patricia Firkin
Jenny Stock

Roman Catholic Church
Sister Beryl Amedee 
The Revd Terry Southerwood
The Revd Peter Cross 
Bishop Peter Stasiuk
Mr Scott Fenwick 
Sister Beverley Stott
Mrs Elizabeth Harrington 
Miss Denise Sullivan
Bishop Bede Heather  
The Revd Dr David Walker
Mrs Anne Paul 
Miss Vicki Walker

Romanian Orthodox Church
___

The Salvation Army
Major Gerben Stelstra 
Major Richard Guy
Major Donald Woodland 
Lieut-Colonel Beth Webb

Syrian Orthodox Church
Deacon Abdulmasih Bessi
Mr Zacharia Gabriel

Uniting Church in Australia
Ms Rowena Allen       
The Revd Prof. James Haire
The Revd Anne Amos     
The Revd Gregor Henderson
Mr Richard Chapman     
The Revd David Ingleton
Mrs Hilary Christie-Johnston    
The Revd Chris Mostert
Ms Pauline Clague [Apology] 
Ms Wendie Wilkie
The Revd Wali Fejo     
Ms Seongya Yoo

DELEGATES OF STATE ECUMENICAL BODIES 
Conference of Churches of WA - The Revd. Kevin Long
NSW Ecumenical Council - Sister Lynne Green
Queensland Churches Together - The Revd Prof. Han Spykerboer
South Australian Council of Churches - The Revd. Peter Whittington
Tasmanian Council of Churches - Mr Greg Foot
Victorian Council of Churches - Mrs Joan Pye

GUESTS
Bishop John Victor Samuel - Christian Conference of Asia
Bishop David Coles - Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Revd Dr. Sularso Sopater -  Communion of Churches in Indonesia
The Revd Puafitu Faaalo -  Pacific Conference of Churches
Mr Demas Tongogo -  Papua New Guinea Council of Churches
The Revd Dr. Wesley Ariarajah -  World Council of Churches

OBSERVERS FROM NON-MEMBER CHURCHES
Baptist Union of Australia - The Revd Ken Jarvis
Lutheran Church of Australia - The Revd Dr. Lance Steicke and the Revd Dr Erich Renner
Presbyterian Church of Australia -  Mr Hector MacFarlane
Seventh-Day Adventist Church -  Pastor Ray Coombe

OBSERVERS FROM ECUMENICAL ORGANISATIONS
Australian Churches Media Association -  Mr Paul Potter
Australian Church Women -  Mrs Eunice Reidy
Australian Religious Press Association -  The Revd Robert Weibusch
Australian Student Christian Movement  - Ms Edwina Hunter
Inter-Church Trade and Industry Mission - The Revd Dr Peter Marshall
Urban Rural Mission -  The Revd John M Rickard
World Day of Prayer, Australia -  Ms Barbara Grealy

OBSERVER/EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF STATE ECUMENICAL BODIES
Conference of Churches of WA  -  The Revd Wes Hartley
NSW Ecumenical Council - The Revd Dr Ray Williamson
Queensland Churches Together -  The Revd Helen Mills
South Australian Council of Churches - Ms Moira Deslandes [acting]
Tasmanian Council of Churches  - The Revd Robert Faser
Victorian Council of Churches -  The Revd Robert Gribben

OTHER OBSERVERS
Ms Eira Clapp  -  ACC's Commission on the Status of Women
The Revd Austin Cooper  -  Retreat leader
The Revd Peter Kenny -  NCCA Working Group
The Revd Michael McKenna -  General Secretary, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
The Revd Graham Paulson -  ACC's Aboriginal and Islander Commission
Sister Lenore Sharry - NCCA Working Group
Mr David Shinnick  -  NCCA Working Group
Mrs Jill Tabart  -  President-elect, Uniting Church in Australia

STAFF
Ms Christine Ledger  -  assisting with programme, plenary sessions, nominations
Mr Malcolm Dodd -  finance;  assisting with registration
Mr Caesar D'Mello -  liaison with overseas guests
Ms Anne Pattel-Gray -  liaison with Aboriginal and Islander participants
Ms Wilma Viswanathan -  registration, administration and secretarial
The Revd Peter Rees -  video filming, displays, promotion
Ms Nancy Bloxsom  -  literature sales
Ms Kirsty Davis - assistance with press and displays
Mr Simon Moglia -  liaison with young participants, assistance with administration
Ms Maureen Postma - Force 10 display and literature;  assistance with literature sales

COOPTED STAFF
Mr David Busch  -  Press Officer
Ms Gillian Hunt - Local arrangements

NCCA EXECUTIVE

OFFICERS

President Archbishop: Aghan Baliozian
General Secretary: The Revd David Gill
Treasurer: Mr Ron Brown

HEADS OF CHURCHES AND ALTERNATES

Anglican Church of Australia: Archbishop Keith Rayner and Bishop Bruce Wilson
Antiochian Orthodox Church: Archbishop Gabriel Gibran and Ms Victoria Jabbour
Armenian Apostolic Church: Archbishop Baliozian and the Revd Norayr Patanian
Assyrian Church of the East Bishop: Mar Meelis Zaia and Deacon Emmanuel Yousif
Churches of Christ in Australia: Mr Robert Leane and the Revd Ian Allsop
Coptic Orthodox Church: The Revd Marcos Tawfik and the Revd Shenouda Mansour
Greek Orthodox Church: Archbishop Stylianos and Bishop Seraphim
Religious Society of Friends: David Purnell and David Thomas
Roman Catholic Church: Cardinal Edward Clancy and Bishop Bede Heather
Romanian Orthodox Church: The Rev Dr Gabriel Popescu
The Salvation Army - Eastern Territory: Commissioner John Gowans and Major Gerben Stelstra
The Salvation Army - Southern Territory: Commissioner John Clinch and Major Richard Guy
Syrian Orthodox Church: Archbishop Mar T Aboodi and Fr Zeki Zitoun
Uniting Church in Australia: The Revd Dr D’Arcy Wood [to 9 July 94] Mrs Jill Tabart [from 9 July 94] and the Revd Gregor Henderson

DESIGNATED MEMBERS [appointed by churches]

Anglican Church of Australia: Deaconess Margaret Rodgers
Antiochian Orthodox Church: Ms Danielle Saadi
Armenian Apostolic Church: Mr Avo Vardanian
Assyrian Church of the East:  ----
Churches of Christ in Australia: Ms Thelma Leach
Coptic Orthodox Church: The Revd Daniel El-Antouny
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia: The Revd Peter Photakis
Religious Society of Friends: Sabine Erika
Roman Catholic Church: Miss Denise Sullivan
Romanian Orthodox Church: ----
Salvation Army - Eastern Territory: ----
Salvation Army - Southern Territory: ----
Syrian Orthodox Church: Mr Zacharia Gabriel
Uniting Church in Australia: Mrs Hilary Christie-Johnston

ELECTED MEMBERS  [appointed by the National Forum]

Ms Emma Leslie: Anglican Church
Mr Jonathan Moore: Churches of Christ
Ms Kay Mundine: Roman Catholic Church
Ms Elizabeth Harrington: Roman Catholic Church
The Revd Wali Fejo: Uniting Church
Ms Wendie Wilkie: Uniting Church

PRIORITIES AND ISSUES RAISED WITHIN SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON THE NCCA’s VISION AND OBJECTIVES

 [NOTE: Specific strategies suggested by the small groups are inserted in italics.]

1. Specific on-going priorities from the ACC

* Faith and Unity
* Christian World Service
* Aboriginal and Islander people

a] Objective [b] iv) was highlighted: “acting in solidarity with Aboriginal and Islander people”. Specific issues raised were:

* What do we do with the Aboriginal and Islander vision statement?
* That two positions on the Executive be reserved for representatives of the Aboriginal and Islander people.

It was recognised that fresh approaches ought to be adopted in respect of these three priorities.

2. Evangelism/evangelisation

* A total commitment in proclaiming the gospel is called for. This should involve supporting one another personally, in family life, in our society and world. This involves Christ being at the centre of all we do, as well as approaching them in an holistic way.

* Objective [a] ii) is central to the NCCA’s role in taking up an evangelising role: “coming to know each other better in all respects, including the areas of spirituality, liturgy, theology, history, sociology and culture”. This includes the NCCA sponsoring spiritual activities.

3. NCCA’s advocacy role

* This was raised as an important one for the NCCA particularly on behalf of oppressed people, and especially women.

4. Relationships with people of other living faiths

* There is a lack of clarity of what this means. NCCA should enter into discussions within itself to clarify what is meant before entering into dialogue.

5. Deeper understanding

* The NCCA needs to be clearer about what objective [a] means: “to encourage and enable member churches to develop their existing relationship by...” It requires clarification about matters like faith, our relationship with the oppressed in Australia, and world-wide issues like the Middle East situation.

Courses in ecumenical theology, liturgy, ecumenism and spirituality should be mandatory in houses of formation and theological education.

The Society of Friends sponsors the Backhouse lecture on ecumenism.

Hold joint retreats and days of spiritual reflection.

6. Promoting the NCCA

* This involves three aspects: public relations, the media and fund-raising.
* Promotion of NCCA is critical at this stage among the decision-makers in each denomination, among the denominations themselves in terms of their vision, story, culture, ethos, etc., and with the public.

Through church radio broadcasts and newsletters.
Public liturgical expressions of (lie Australian Church for screening on television.
NCCA to advocate as a single voice with parliamentarians, for example, the Native Title experience.

7. Young people

* Several referred to the importance of the place of young people in the NCCA and in their role within the wider ecumenical movement.

Help young people come closer to the Lord, and to prepare themselves to be future Australians.
Encourage the Inter-Orthodox Youth Network to have greater fellowship with young people across denominations.
Promote youth forums through the NCCA.

8. Relationships between State Councils of Churches and the NCCA

* State councils have been in existence for up to 25 years, and have a lot of experience, expertise and wisdom to offer the NCCA.

* How can state councils work cooperatively wit the NCCA in terms of resourcing, networking, sharing wisdom, etc.

* Disappointment was expressed concerning the position state council staff are in at NCCA meetings, that is, in a non-speaking role [see constitution 9.07].

* State councils should be able to raise issues with and offer motions to the NCCA.

9. Upgrading of staff

* Raised in respect of Faith and Unity and Youth affairs.

10. NCCA meetings

* Official guests and observers be given the opportunity to speak.

* Time for greater reflection be allowed for in NCCA meetings.

11. Grassroots

Encourage our own people to experience and engage in ecumenical encounters.

Learn from parish-based rural ecumenical collaboration.

NCCA sponsor grassroots people involved in social and moral issues, sharing with each other, and feeding into the NCCA.

Personal contributions through meeting people amid getting to know each other.

Opportunities for church leaders amid people to attend each other’s services and social functions, to preach and share fellowship.

NCCA foster and resource local grassroots activity through state ecumenical bodies.

Encourage people in mixed marriages to come together to talk.

12. NCCA and Commissions

That the NCCA be a model of church unity.

Use specific commissions of the NCCA to take up specific aspects of NCCA work.

Faith and Unity questions to be raised openly amid honestly and with integrity at all levels of church life.

Christian World Service and Australian Catholic Relief to work closely together to form a single entity with two appeals PROJECT COMPASSION in Lent and CHRISTMAS BOWL in Advent.

13. Specific concerns

Allow time for reflection in decision-making.

NCCA tint to lose its freedom to maintain a prophetic voice amid wisdom.

Encourage governing bodies of our churches to maintain financial commitment to NCCA.

Participants at the 1st National Forum

OFFICERS
President:   [interim] The Revd Ian Allsop
General Secretary:  [interim] The Revd David Gill
Treasurer:   [interim] Mr Ron Brown

HEADS OF CHURCHES
Archbishop Keith Rayner - Anglican Church of Australia
Archbishop Gibran - Antiochian Orthodox church
Archbishop Baliozian - Armenian Apostolic Church
Bishop Mar Meelis Zaia  - Assyrian Church of the East
Mr Robert Leane -  Churches of Christ in Australia
The Revd Daniel El-Antouny - Coptic Orthodox Church
Archbishop Stylianos (Represented by Bishop Seraphim) -  Greek Orthodox Church
David Purnell  - Religious Society of Friends
Cardinal Edward Clancy -  Roman Catholic Church
The Revd Dr Gabriel Popescu - Romanian Orthodox Church
Commissioner John Gowans -  The Salvation Army -  Eastern  Territory
Commissioner John Clinch -  The Salvation Army -  Southern Territory
Archbishop Mar T Aphrem Aboodi - Syrian Orthodox Church
The Revd Dr D'Arcy Wood -  Uniting Church in Australia

DELEGATES OF MEMBER CHURCHES
Anglican Church of Australia
Bishop Richard Appleby      
Archdeacon Philip Newman
Miss Elizabeth Britten 
Mr Brian Norris
The Revd Dr Bruce Kaye       
Deaconess Margaret Rodgers
Miss Emma Leslie      
The Revd Dr Rowan Strong
Bishop Arthur Malcolm       
Miss Judy Williamson
Ms Jan Malpas       
Bishop Bruce Wilson

Antiochian Orthodox Church
Ms Victoria Jabbour
Mr Andrew Jabbour
Ms Danielle Saadi

Armenian Apostolic Church
Ms Isabella Semsarian
Mr Avo Vardanian
Mrs Suzy Vardanian

Assyrian Church of the East
Deacon Genard Lazar
Deacon Emmanuel Yousif

Churches of Christ in Australia 
Ms Thelma Leach
Ms Linda Gordon
Ms Flo Grant [Apology]
The Revd Jonathan Moore

Coptic Orthodox Church
The Revd Marcos Tawfik
The Revd Shenouda Mansour
Mr Maged Attia

Greek Orthodox Church
Mr Philip Kariatlis

Religious Society of Friends
Sabine Erika
Patricia Firkin
Jenny Stock

Roman Catholic Church
Sister Beryl Amedee 
The Revd Terry Southerwood
The Revd Peter Cross 
Bishop Peter Stasiuk
Mr Scott Fenwick 
Sister Beverley Stott
Mrs Elizabeth Harrington 
Miss Denise Sullivan
Bishop Bede Heather  
The Revd Dr David Walker
Mrs Anne Paul 
Miss Vicki Walker

Romanian Orthodox Church
___

The Salvation Army
Major Gerben Stelstra 
Major Richard Guy
Major Donald Woodland 
Lieut-Colonel Beth Webb

Syrian Orthodox Church
Deacon Abdulmasih Bessi
Mr Zacharia Gabriel

Uniting Church in Australia
Ms Rowena Allen       
The Revd Prof. James Haire
The Revd Anne Amos     
The Revd Gregor Henderson
Mr Richard Chapman     
The Revd David Ingleton
Mrs Hilary Christie-Johnston    
The Revd Chris Mostert
Ms Pauline Clague [Apology] 
Ms Wendie Wilkie
The Revd Wali Fejo     
Ms Seongya Yoo

DELEGATES OF STATE ECUMENICAL BODIES 
Conference of Churches of WA - The Revd. Kevin Long
NSW Ecumenical Council - Sister Lynne Green
Queensland Churches Together - The Revd Prof. Han Spykerboer
South Australian Council of Churches - The Revd. Peter Whittington
Tasmanian Council of Churches - Mr Greg Foot
Victorian Council of Churches - Mrs Joan Pye

GUESTS
Bishop John Victor Samuel - Christian Conference of Asia
Bishop David Coles - Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Revd Dr. Sularso Sopater -  Communion of Churches in Indonesia
The Revd Puafitu Faaalo -  Pacific Conference of Churches
Mr Demas Tongogo -  Papua New Guinea Council of Churches
The Revd Dr. Wesley Ariarajah -  World Council of Churches

OBSERVERS FROM NON-MEMBER CHURCHES
Baptist Union of Australia - The Revd Ken Jarvis
Lutheran Church of Australia - The Revd Dr. Lance Steicke and the Revd Dr Erich Renner
Presbyterian Church of Australia -  Mr Hector MacFarlane
Seventh-Day Adventist Church -  Pastor Ray Coombe

OBSERVERS FROM ECUMENICAL ORGANISATIONS
Australian Churches Media Association -  Mr Paul Potter
Australian Church Women -  Mrs Eunice Reidy
Australian Religious Press Association -  The Revd Robert Weibusch
Australian Student Christian Movement  - Ms Edwina Hunter
Inter-Church Trade and Industry Mission - The Revd Dr Peter Marshall
Urban Rural Mission -  The Revd John M Rickard
World Day of Prayer, Australia -  Ms Barbara Grealy

OBSERVER/EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF STATE ECUMENICAL BODIES
Conference of Churches of WA  -  The Revd Wes Hartley
NSW Ecumenical Council - The Revd Dr Ray Williamson
Queensland Churches Together -  The Revd Helen Mills
South Australian Council of Churches - Ms Moira Deslandes [acting]
Tasmanian Council of Churches  - The Revd Robert Faser
Victorian Council of Churches -  The Revd Robert Gribben

OTHER OBSERVERS
Ms Eira Clapp  -  ACC's Commission on the Status of Women
The Revd Austin Cooper  -  Retreat leader
The Revd Peter Kenny -  NCCA Working Group
The Revd Michael McKenna -  General Secretary, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
The Revd Graham Paulson -  ACC's Aboriginal and Islander Commission
Sister Lenore Sharry - NCCA Working Group
Mr David Shinnick  -  NCCA Working Group
Mrs Jill Tabart  -  President-elect, Uniting Church in Australia

STAFF
Ms Christine Ledger  -  assisting with programme, plenary sessions, nominations
Mr Malcolm Dodd -  finance;  assisting with registration
Mr Caesar D'Mello -  liaison with overseas guests
Ms Anne Pattel-Gray -  liaison with Aboriginal and Islander participants
Ms Wilma Viswanathan -  registration, administration and secretarial
The Revd Peter Rees -  video filming, displays, promotion
Ms Nancy Bloxsom  -  literature sales
Ms Kirsty Davis - assistance with press and displays
Mr Simon Moglia -  liaison with young participants, assistance with administration
Ms Maureen Postma - Force 10 display and literature;  assistance with literature sales

COOPTED STAFF
Mr David Busch  -  Press Officer
Ms Gillian Hunt - Local arrangements

 

GOD’S PROMISE

A VISION OF JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION IN AUSTRALIA - Anne Pattel-Gray

On behalf of the Aboriginal and Islander People
1st National Forum
Canberra - July 1994

 

A Vision Of God’s Promise

We have a vision, of God calling the church to lead this country towards justice and reconciliation. As God did with the people who were enslaved in Egypt, so let the church today reflect the image of God’s justice and liberation to the oppressed peoples in Australia.

We have a vision of black and white Christians locking hands and raising them to the world as a symbol of commitment, of justice, of freedom. Where we no longer will be bound by racism, denied our human rights, or suffer injustice. Where we will bear fruit on the vine of life, towards establishing God’s Kingdom here in Australia.

We have a vision where our People no longer thirst because they have no running water; no longer die because they have no houses; no longer are broken because their land was taken from them. We have a vision where non-Aboriginal people no longer feel the need to call us names, no longer feel the need to hide the truth of this country. Where black and white can walk tall and proud together, sharing all that God has given us, in abundance, to have prosperity for all.

God is calling all of us. Are we prepared to rise up to meet that call, to lead this country towards justice and reconciliation? Where the church is the cradle of truth? Where the spirit of truth flows free? Where the rivers of justice are cut throughout this country by the church? Where our babies don’t die of malnutrition? Where our sisters are not raped any longer by those who are to enforce the laws? Where our People, our brothers and sisters, aren’t incarcerated every day because their skin is black? Where education is seen as an opportunity, not as denial of our identity?

Where the walls of racial hatred divide us, let the church rise up and march to break the walls down.

As the prophets dared to dream dreams and see visions, is the church ready to do the same?

Let the church be the voice of truth. Let the church be the light of truth. Let the church be the embodiment of truth. To the secrets of this country, of invasion, of massacres, of denial of humanity - let the church bring the truth.

The church needs to be the prophetic witness to all of Australia; to have the courage given by God to lead this country; to have the faith that God is with us in the struggle; to have strength in knowing that God sends the Holy Spirit to travel with us.

If we believe in a God who is the Giver of life, of justice, of reconciliation, the God who is always with us and whose promises never change - how can we ourselves truly be reconciled? How can we the church witness to such a God, in a country that denies the Indigenous People their rights -the simple rights of running water, of housing, of education?

Why is justice so hard to deliver? One would consider it so easy. What gets in the way? Is it humanity’s greed? Its desire for power? The lust to want to have it all? That’s what denies our brothers and sisters in Christ their rights. It’s not God.

Where the government and its reconciliation process can only deal with the legal ramifications or instruments, or documents - the church is called to change hearts, to renew creation, to be prophetic, to be the conscience, to lead the nation. True justice and reconciliation can happen only if the church rises up to meet the call of God and lead this country.

How do we reach out to people? We are tired of seeing the shattered lives and brokenness of our People. If their eyes are the windows to their souls, they show the depth of pain and sadness that runs so deep. A race of People have suffered horrible crimes against them.

Does anyone shed a tear for them? Does anyone cry for the broken-hearted Indigenous People? Does anyone feel pain for what this country has done to them? Does anyone shed a tear for the mothers who have many children and live in the bush, with no running water, no houses, no schools, no rights? Or for that child, who goes to school - does anyone cry for her when they call her names? When they tell her that her People are animals? When they tell her that she is nothing but a burden to society - that she has no worth? Does anyone cry for her?

How is the suffering Christ made relevant to the suffering of the Indigenous People? And, how is His death on the cross made real amongst them? How is the promise of life and renewal brought to reality amongst the Indigenous People? How is the church witnessing and fulfilling this promise in their midst? We all have to kneel before God in confession, in repentance, in commitment to our God-given vision for a new Australia.

That vision is the one, true and full ‘humanity of all peoples in our land - whether black, white, yellow, brown; men or women; young or old - all peoples, who stand as a symbol of unity, justice, liberation and reconciliation for all people everywhere.

Do we dare to dream of a new beginning? Do we dare dream of a country where there is no denial of humanity, no racism, no hunger, no poverty, no sickness? Do we dare dream of the rights of all peoples to have a just economic base? Do we dare dream that all people can prosper in this ‘Lucky Country’? Do we dare dream of a place where the Indigenous People have a belonging - of a place where there no longer needs to be confrontation? Where we don’t have to struggle to survive? Where to be black doesn’t mean we are less than a non-Aboriginal person? Where we will be encouraged to achieve like anyone else, regardless of race? Where our identity is no longer a threat, no longer an issue? Where to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is to be respected as the Indigenous People? Where we are judged by our character, not by our race?

We dream of a world where, because we are the Indigenous, we are no longer marginalised because of who we are, and what our identity is. A world where we can have a feeling of belonging, not a struggle to belong. A world where life is no longer a fight for survival, but a life of fulfilment, options, achievements, goals, endless possibilities - a future for our children, and their children, and all the generations that are yet to come.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People welcome the birth of the National Council of Churches in Australia. We take our place within it with dignity and hope. We look forward to the new beginning of a just partnership, where the fruits of justice will bear witness to our yearning for a true unity within the body of Christ.

Service of Inauguration - Sermon by Archbishop Keith Rayner, Primate - Anglican Church in Australia - at St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra on 3 July 1994

Let me paint for you in words two pictures. The first is taken from the New Testament, in the Epistle to the Ephesians. It is a picture of the church as God intends it to be:

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in all”. (Ephesians 4: 4-6).

Whether that picture was ever realised may be a matter of question; but the ideal is clear.

The second picture is from the 1950’s. As a young clergyman I was serving in a small country town in southern Queensland. There were two or three clergy of other churches, but we barely made contact with one another. Our people constantly met and interacted in all kinds of community activities - sport, social clubs, civic affairs. The one area in which they separated was religion. Their Christian allegiance actually divided them. I remember to my shame an occasion when one of the other clergy was in hospital. I was visiting my people and - somewhat hesitantly - decided I should call on him. I paused at the door of his room, he saw me coming, and deliberately raised his newspaper as a symbolic barrier. Without a word I turned and left the room. I still shudder when I think of it.

If today we fall far short of the first picture, we may thank God that we have journeyed a long way from the second. Christians are on a pilgrimage, a journey of faith; and the inauguration of the National Council of Churches in Australia is a sign that we have travelled a good distance. It is also a sign that we still have quite a way to go. Constitutions are not usually exciting or evocative documents, but it is good to find that the constitution of this new National Council uses the language of pilgrimage:

“The NCCA gathers together in pilgrimage those churches and Christian communities which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures...

We are then on a journey together, a journey from God and to God, a journey undertaken to the glory of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Let us be quite clear. This is a Council of Churches, not a church. The formation of this council does not mean that there are no differences among us. But it does mean that we recognise that the things that bind us together are much more significant than the things that divide us. There is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all”; there is one kingdom of God which we are called to serve; there is one gospel and a common mission to proclaim it and live it; we do live in one world whose people we seek to serve for Christ’s sake.

But you might well ask, “what is new?” It was as long ago as 1946 that the body which was eventually named the Australian Council of Churches, was formed. And as the mantle of Elijah was taken up by Elisha, so this new body assumes the mantle of the old. But there are two major differences.

One is a significantly enlarged membership. The Roman Catholic Church, numerically the largest church in Australia and throughout the world, is welcomed as a member for the first time. This means that the new Council is far more representative of the spectrum of Christianity in Australia than was its predecessor. Indeed of all the national councils of churches in the world this one, with its blend of Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant, has an almost unequalled representation of world Christianity. Such is the reality of multicultural Australia. Yet, sadly, our representation is still not complete. There are some significant Christian bodies that are not members of this council, and our prayer and our hope is that they too may join us.

The other difference is that the constitution of the new council ties it much more to the constituent churches than the old. It is to serve the common purposes of the member churches, not to be a separate body over and against them. When it speaks it will speak more authoritatively in the name of the member churches.

That is good; but there is a tension and a danger here that we need to recognise. There is need for the prophetic word which by its very nature will sometimes stand over against the church as it will against the powers that be in the nation. That prophetic word speaks of God’s truth and of God’s justice in the face of the deceits and the injustice which can so readily corrupt the life of church and nation. Will there be space for the prophetic word in a Council so tied to the formal structures of the churches? That is a question with which we shall have to wrestle in the days and years ahead.

There will be times when this prophetic word will criticise, even condemn. That was certainly true of the great prophets of the Old Testament, for evil in whatever form it exists is to be opposed and condemned. But we Christians must not be negative. There is much good that needs affirming and encouraging in the life of the nation. Our national leaders need encouragement, for leadership is no easy task in the midst of a public life that is riddled with ambiguities.

So when this council speaks on some matter of social concern or justice, as it is bound to do from time to time, it must not be as a lobby group supporting some fashionable concern. Our task is to be so immersed in the faith of the gospel and the values of the kingdom of God that we may be able to bring the mind of Christ to bear upon the concerns of the world. That calls for earnest prayer, for deep study and reflection, for patient wrestling with the questions that confront the individual and the nation alike.

Behind our proper concern, then, for the issues of justice, and peace, and the integrity of God’s creation, there must be the readiness to grapple with the fundamental questions of faith and order in the church. Here we shall find differences, and we must not evade them. As someone has recently remarked, we must avoid the ecumenical politeness which prevents theologians from speaking their minds, for by this reserve they actually hinder the ecumenical process. If we are to show to the world the unity which Christ wills for us, we cannot evade the issues of faith and order.

Not that this is a matter for church leaders and academic theologians alone. The promise of our Lord that the Holy Spirit would guide his disciples into all the truth was a promise to the whole church. It is as Christians of various traditions come to know one another at the grass-roots level, to share so far as possible in one another’s worship and to co-operate in common witness and service in the community that the reality of our unity in Christ becomes plain. This National Council of Churches will fail if it is simply a discussion group for church leaders. It will be as we inspire and enable the members of our churches to do together all that they can in conscience do together that we shall grow in Christian unity. As Cardinal Basil Hume has said, our task is “to move quite deliberately from a situation of cooperation to one of commitment to each other”.

Apart from our aboriginal and islander people we Australians are a nation of immigrants, and our churches are immigrant churches. Some have been here from the early days of European settlement, others from more recent waves of immigration. All of us have to face the challenge of identification with the life of Australia, not simply of one ethnic group. For we all began as ethnic churches - the Anglicans and Methodists as ethnic churches of the English, the Roman Catholics of the Irish, the Presbyterians of the Scots, the Greek Orthodox of the Greeks, and so on. Some of us have had longer to identify with this country than others; some have done it better than others. But there is much we can all learn from one another.

One thing we must recognise as we seek to grow together: the differences between us are as much cultural as theological. We shall not successfully grapple with the theological issues which divide us if we cannot disentangle them from the cultural patterns in which they find expression. The cultural differences in our churches can enrich our Australian Christianity as they have enriched our national life. But if we are to fulfil the ultimate goal of the ecumenical movement, which is the unity not simply of the church but of all God’s creation, we must be clear about the unity we have in Christ which transcends our cultural diversity.

Our second reading tonight, from that great seventeenth chapter of St. John’s Gospel, began in this way:

“After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come: glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you”’. (John 17:1)

He had just foreshadowed the scattering of his disciples. He would soon be alone, staring crucifixion in the face, for it was the eve of Good Friday. He looked up to heaven and prayed, for this was a moment of deep communion of the Son with the Father. “The hour has come”. What hour? Earlier in his ministry John records him as saying more than once that his hour had not yet come. But now it has come: for the obedience to the Father that had marked his life was now at its climax with the final obedience of the cross ... .the crowning act of obedience that would turn around the disobedience of our human race and inaugurate a new humanity.

“Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you”. In that selfless act of love on the cross, the Son was glorified and he glorified the Father.

“The hour has come”. In another age and in another way the hour has come for the church in Australia. We are being invited to glorify God, not by some display of earthly pomp and power, but in the spirit of Christ himself...

* by the reality of our communion with God and with one another
* by the simplicity of our way of life
* by the genuineness of our concern for truth and justice
* by the readiness to die to self that others may have life.

May this hour not pass us by.                Amen.

SUNDAY, JULY 3  -  Service of Inauguration at St Christopher's Cathedral - Canberra

Archbishop Keith Rayner, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia preached the sermon (see Appendix I)
Delegates of the following churches affirmed their willingness to become members of the NCCA -

The Anglican Church of Australia
The Antiochian Orthodox Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church
The Assyrian Church of the East
The Churches of Christ in Australia
The Coptic Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church
The Religious Society of Friends
The Roman Catholic Church
The Romanian Orthodox Church
The Salvation Army
The Syrian Orthodox Church
The Uniting Church in Australia

The opening prayer of the meeting was offered by the Revd Graham Paulson and a painting was presented to the NCCA by Aboriginal and Islander participants, and Ms Anne-Pattel Gray on their behalf spoke of the hopes of indigenous Christians for the Council.  [See "A Vision of God's Promise"  -  Appendix II]

The interim President, the Revd Ian Allsop, welcomed participants and the interim General Secretary, the Revd David Gill, drew attention to the list of participants [Appendix III].

NCCA'S VISION, OBJECTIVES, MACHINERY

In deliberative sessions, small groups and denominational meetings, participants discussed "Owning the Vision - the NCCA's Inauguration,"   "Implementing the Vision - the NCCA's Objectives,"  and  "Structuring for the Vision - the NCCA's Priorities and Machinery".
A detailed collation of written comments from the small groups is appended [Appendix IV].

Feedback from the denominational groups revealed the following priorities, which with several associated issues were referred to the Steering Committee to consider and to bring back the following day in the form of recommendations.

* Faith and Unity
* Christian World Service
* Aboriginal and Islander people
* NCCA's advocacy role on behalf of oppressed people
* Evangelism/evangelisation
* Relationships with people of other `living faiths'
* Deeper understanding of social and cultural makeup of our society
* Spiritual activities
* Promoting the NCCA
* Young people as a priority
* Relationship between State Councils of Churches and the NCCA
* Upgrading of staff.

APPOINTMENTS
The interim President reported that the Executive (Appendix V), meeting the previous evening, had appointed Archbishop Aghan Baliozian as President of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

The Revd David Gill was appointed General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia, to 31 December 1998.

It was also noted that the Executive had appointed Mr Ron Brown as Treasurer of the National Council of Churches in Australia.

RELATIONSHIPS
IT WAS RESOLVED that the NCCA seek membership of the Christian Conference of Asia and "associate council" relationship with the World Council of Churches.

GREETINGS
At different points in the agenda, greetings were received from guests representing related ecumenical bodies: the Christian Conference of Asia, the World Council of Churches, the Pacific Conference of Churches, the Papua New Guinea Council of Churches, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and the Conference of Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Written messages of support were received from the Prime Minister, Senator John Woodley, Senator Christabel Chamarette, the Anglican Diocese of Bunbury, the Ecumenical Network of Youth and Student Movements in Australia, the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes, the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia, the Victorian Council of Christian Education, the Melbourne College of Divinity, The Corporation of the Diocesan Synod of North Queensland, the World Day of Prayer - Australia, the Young Women's Christian Association of Australia, the National Council of Churches in India, the Bishops' Committee for Justice, Development and Peace and the Australian Church Women.

It was noted that the following resolution had been passed by the Senate -

That the Senate  -

a] notes that the leaders of twelve Australian churches representing Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians will be present at the inauguration of the National Council of Churches in Australia in St Christopher's Cathedral, Manuka at 7.30 pm on 3 July 1994;

b] acknowledges the contribution made by Bishops Bede Heather and Richard Appleby, co-convenors of the working group, and the Reverend David Gill, General Secretary of the Australian Council of Churches, towards the formation of the National Council of Churches in Australia;

c] congratulates the ABC for televising of the event for broadcast on Sunday 3 July 1994 at 10.30 pm and Sunday 10 July 1994 at 11 am;

d] urges all Australians to enter into the spirit of reconciliation and hope which this new body symbolises.

 
The following commissions, committees were established:

FAITH AND UNITY

IT WAS RESOLVED that the National Forum establish a commission, to be known as Faith and Unity, to assist the churches as they reflect theologically on the issues which hinder the goal of visible unity in one faith and one fellowship expressed in worship and common life in Christ.

CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE

IT WAS RESOLVED that the National Forum establish a commission, to be known as Christian World Service [CWS], to operate under the following mandate until the next ordinary meeting of the National Forum:

1.  The Commission's principal responsibility will be to consult with member churches, related denominational agencies, state ecumenical bodies and other appropriate entities, with a view to bringing recommendations to the next meeting of the National Forum regarding a mandate, programme and structure for CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE that will enable the churches to act together in partnership with churches elsewhere in response to human need.

2. CWS will appoint a working group, for this interim period, to carry forward the programmes of the former Commission for World Christian Action.  Specifically, the working group will foster partnerships with overseas churches and communities,  be informed by and stand with indigenous people in Australia, develop church support for refugees and migrants, encourage member churches and the Australian community generally to become more aware of issues of justice and human development, and promote such initiatives as the Christmas Bowl appeal and Force 10.

3. Pending appointment of this working group by CWS, the responsibilities in 2 [above] will be exercised by the Standing Committee of the former ACC/CWCA advised by the former ACC/CWCA sub-committees, with such additional membership as the General Secretary may determine.

ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER COMMISSION 

a] express its warm appreciation and gratitude to the Aboriginal and Islander people at the Forum for their gift to the NCCA of the painting "Invasion";

b] affirm a high priority for the NCCA objective "acting in solidarity with Aboriginal and Islander people" [NCCA Constitution - Objectives 4.01 (b) iv];

c] refer the statement from Aboriginal and Islander people "A Vision of God's Promise" to member churches with the request that, following consultation where applicable with Aboriginal and Islander members of the church, comment on the statement be made to the Executive and the Executive then respond on behalf of the NCCA to the Aboriginal and Islander Commission Steering Committee.

MISSION

IT WAS RESOLVED that the former Commission on Mission of the ACC be asked to continue ad interim as an agency of the NCCA.

IT WAS RESOLVED that member churches plus those non-member churches that were represented on the ACC's Commission on Mission be invited to appoint representatives under the provisions of the Commission's constitution, with the Commission to recommend a chairperson for appointment by the Executive.

IT WAS RESOLVED that the Executive be asked to review the constitution of the Commission on Mission in the light of the NCCA's objectives and membership, and to bring recommendations for constitutional change to the next ordinary meeting of the National Forum.

FINANCE

IT WAS RESOLVED that the National Forum establish a Sydney-based Finance Committee to oversee financial and administrative matters pertaining to the NCCA and associated bodies, particularly the processes of budget development and control.

SOME OF THE MATTERS RAISED BY MEMBER CHURCHES

YOUTH
In response to a concern raised by the Anglican Church, with the support of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, IT WAS RESOLVED that the National Forum :

a] make youth participation and development a matter of high priority during the next four year period [ie. 1994-98];

b] establish the Ecumenical Internship Programme, as developed by member churches of the NCCA;

c] affirm and provide for the continuation of the vital work of liaison and networking already begun in the following areas -

 i] networking of member church youth agencies;
 ii] liaison with non-member church youth networks;
 iii] support of recently formed inter-Orthodox youth networks;
 iv] cooperation with other Australian and international ecumenical youth bodies;

d] request the General Secretary, in consultation with member churches, to explore the possibilities of staff support to resource the Internship Programme and the continuing task of networking.

NATIONAL ANGLICAN SITE
In response to a concern raised by the Anglican Church, with the support of the Uniting Church, IT WAS RESOLVED that the National Forum -

a] note the initial proposals to develop what is presently the National Anglican Church site at Barton in the ACT as an ecumenical centre for Australian Christian life, witness and pilgrimage;

b] encourage member churches to give consideration to the proposal as it is further developed.

Other matters raised by member churches:

IT WAS RESOLVED to request the Executive to give consideration to the following matters raised by member churches:

1. objective 4.01 [a] ii] in the NCCA Constitution - especially in the light of the hopes and concerns raised by the Orthodox churches;

2. the NCCA's role in evangelism/evangelisation;

3. the proposals for the way in which the NCCA responds to the concerns of women and of gender relationship concerns;

4. a staffed function within the NCCA on media relations and promotion;

5. the nature of the relationships the NCCA seeks with people of other living faiths (NCCA Constitution 4.01 [c] ii]),

and report to the next meeting of the National Forum.

THANKS
The National Forum recorded its gratitude to all who had contributed to its success, and specifically:  Ms Gillian Hunt - for the local arrangements, the Revd Dr D'Arcy Wood, the Revd Ken Heffernan, Mr Ken Hutchings and other helpers from Canberra for the service and other local arrangements;  Sister Elizabeth and Ms Therese May and staff and students of Ursula College for the excellent facilities;  the medical staff of Ursula College;  Mr Cliff Hicks for the electronic equipment;  Mr Brian Norris for arranging the photocopier from Canon;  the Retreat leaders - the Revds Helen Mills and Austin Cooper;  Sabine Erika for the Friday evening programme and Ms Janet Wood for the Saturday evening programme;  the facilitators - Mr David Shinnick and Ms Moira Deslandes;  Ms Elizabeth Harrington and the Revd Robert Gribben for the closing worship; the Steering and Nominations Committees, including the Revds Peter Cross and Gregor Henderson;  the Press Officer, Mr David Busch;  Bishops Bede Heather and Richard Appleby and the NCCA Working Group;  ACC/NCCA staff and particularly Ms Wilma Viswanathan;  the General Secretary and the President.

CONCLUSION:
The gathering closed with worship, including prayers for NCCA officers and members of the Executive and an act of mutual commissioning to ecumenical witness and service.

1-5 July 1994
Canberra, ACT