Contacts, links and information about working collaboratively with other Christian denominations.
The Anglican Church encourages relationships between local churches of different traditions. In most places, a great deal of goodwill may already exist between congregations - Methodist, Roman Catholics, Baptists etc - along with varying levels of informal contact.
Having strong and positive relations between local churches can offer wider opportunities to serve communities. Local churches can share their mission, resources, worship, buildings and ministry. Much of this can be done informally.
However, Canon Law provides a framework which encourages working ecumenically more formally. The code of practice can be found here.
The Diocesan Ecumenical Adviser is The Revd Dr Chris Knights.
The role of Diocesan Ecumenical Adviser is to promote and seek the fullness of unity in Christ’s Church through every avenue, particularly by:
- Providing advice and support to the Bishop and Diocese of Durham on issues relating to Christian Unity and ecumenical mission, including all matters under Canon B43;
- Maintaining relationships between the Bishop and Diocese of Durham with NECAT (North East Churches Acting Together), the Northern Church Leaders’ Group and the LEP’s within the Diocese in which the Church of England is a partner, as appropriate.
- Encouraging ecumenical mission and good practice in the Diocese of Durham.
- Being a link between the Bishop and Diocese of Durham and the officers of the Council for Christian Unity/National Ecumenical Team, as required.
- Taking on national ecumenical responsibilities as appropriate, and as agreed by the Acting Bishop.
Please feel free to contact Chris Bishop.Chaplain@durham.anglican.org if you have any questions about working with local Christians of other traditions.
The Diocese of Durham is a member of North East Churches Acting Together (NECAT), the forum for co-ordination of Ecumenical Work in the North East and for the oversight of Local Ecumenical Partnerships.
You can learn more about ecumenical working on the Churches Together in England website.