Unity in Mission
Understanding mission is perhaps the best pathto unity. Mission is transformational in bothpersonal and social dimensions of life. Theimplications are that the church has a propheticvocation in the world, a calling to be an agentof transformation within the wider communityof humanity that inhabits the world, withoutthe world becoming coextensive with thechurch. The church is to be "in" the worldwithout being "of" the world. What is the missionof the church in relation to and even incommunity with the rest of humanity?This working group will focus onthe topic of "unity in mission".We will investigate various aspectsof the church's mission:serving the purpose of God as a gift given tothe world in order that all may believe; proclaimingthe gospel in word and deed; reconcilingall things to God and to one anotherthrough Jesus Christ, transforming the world;caring for those suffering and in need, sufferingon their behalf; advocating on behalf of thepoor, needy, and marginalized. In the power ofthe Holy Spirit, the church seeks faithfully toproclaim and live the love of God for all, andto fulfill Jesus Christ's mission for the salvationand transformation of the world, to the glory ofGod.We hope for extensive presence of theologiansfrom non-NCCC member churches and fromBaptists, both from among the NCCC-membercommunions and beyond, among others. Weespecially seek pastors and preachers, missiologists,systematic theologians, and biblicaltheologians.

Justification and Justice: Beyond the Dichotomies
The study continues its work for anotherquadrennium. What began as a response tothe Roman Catholic-Lutheran World FederationJoint Declaration on the Doctrine ofJustification will now approach the topicusing various denominational principles,contemporary Biblical research, and ecumenicaldocuments. The current study grouphas set a series of questions to guide the futurework. The present proposal is for astudy that would begin by reading Scripturetogether,utilizing areview ofappropriatematerialsfrom otherdialogues asthis may behelpful. Asecond stepwould be a review of pertinent developmentsin church history and historical theology. Athird step would be consideration of how avariety of ecclesiastical cultures understandkey pertinent doctrines: theological anthropology,soteriology, justification and sanctification.The choice of the term "ecclesiasticalcultures" is an attempt to address dual problemsin our discussion processes. Whilemany members of the Commission directlyrepresent churches, the number of Commissionerswho represent the theological heritageof their own church or of a cluster ofchurches but are not directly appointed bytheir own church authorities is growing.

The Nature and Mission of the Church
What is this thing called the Church? Can the diversesets of people groups that comprise the Body ofChrist as one People of God say something togetherabout its nature and mission? The WCC document,The Nature and Mission of the Church is one stageon the way to a common statement. It has been sentout from the WCC Faith and Order Commissionwith a request for responses in a process similar tothat used regarding Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry.The request includes several specific questions:1) Does this study document correctly identifyour common ecclesiological convictions, as well asthe issues which continue to divide us?2) Does this study document reflectan emerging convergence on the natureand mission of the Church?3) Are there significant matters inwhich the concerns of the churches are not adequatelyaddressed?By studying the document together through the lensof their various traditions and contemporary ecclesiologicalscholarship, study group members willprepare a common response statement reflective ofthe experience of churches in the United States thataddresses these questions.As the broadest forum of theological discussion inthe United States, this study group will be particularlywell-suited for expanding or challenging thematerial that has been set out from the text in boxes.By identifying areas where the WCC has not describedall the relevant differences or has describeddifferences that do not carry much weight in thecontext of the United States, it will provide a uniquecollective response from the region.As some NCCC member churches will be preparingseparate responses during this same period, the studygroup will be a resource for sharing papers, settingup joint forums, and other forms of collaboration.