A Country Dance

There are lots of good ways of doing and being church around and there is no blueprint. What is important is to find the right way in each place. It is also important to look for ways in which we can work together. The way of a united congregation, which has been a big part of my experience, is certainly not the right way for everyone and every situation – but it is surely always right that we should be looking that we can and ought to be doing together. “Conversations on the Way to Unity”, the 2001 Report of the Informal Conversations between the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, uses a fascinating metaphor as it describes the process in which it has been engaged: "As in a country dance, there was a forward and backward movement of agreement and disagreement between the churches and among the representatives of each church. Partners changed according to the issue and as fresh light was shed on the matter under discussion. From time to time a harmonious circle was formed, foretaste of things to come." So where are we in the dance?