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'How they love one another'

14 May, 2007

A common statement signed by leaders and representatives of a wide spectrum of Churches in Glasgow, celebrating how today's churches work more closely together than in the past. Signed on Thursday 17 May 2007 and coinciding with artist Roddy Buchanan’s exhibition Histrionics, showing at Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art until October 2007, which explores aspects of sectarianism.

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We are pleased to provide this joint statement on the occasion of Roddy Buchanan’s ‘Histrionics’ exhibition at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art (Apr – Oct 07).

We are delighted that this offers us, as Leaders and Representatives of the Christian Churches in Glasgow, a fresh opportunity to witness to the growing respect, cooperation, common prayer and common action among our Churches today.

We call to mind Jesus' words in the Scriptures when he says to his disciples ‘By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.’ (John 13:35). Later he reinforces his message, saying ‘What I command you is to love one another.’ (John 15:17). Later still he prays to his Father for his disciples, saying ‘May they all be one.’ (John 17:20).

We regret that, institutionally and individually, many of us have not always lived up to Jesus’ example, command and prayer.

We lament the sometimes difficult and painful history among our churches, especially in the language and practice of sectarianism and bigotry.

We consider sectarianism and bigotry, like racism and other similar prejudices, to have no place in our Churches today or tomorrow.

We value highly the gifts and graces of our own traditions and we recognise and respect the gifts and graces of other traditions.

We are increasingly blessed in the many ways that our Churches now work and pray together at the local, city and national levels for the benefit of the whole community and in particular for the poor.

We are grateful that God has led us in this path of growing understanding, respect and cooperation.

We encourage people to recognise and become involved in the life of the Churches. There is a huge variety in ways of living out one’s faith in Jesus: from the private to the community to the public. New and familiar churches complement one another. ‘New Scots’ from migrant worker, asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds bring us all new challenges and new gifts. We can all learn to grow together.

We look forward with confidence in the active presence of God who leads and cares for us and in our commitment to do more together to build up God’s Kingdom.

We look forward with hope that working together with all people of faith and goodwill we will make Glasgow a better place, a proud city where all may flourish.

Today is a good time to be a Christian.

Lord, help us to show how we love one another.

Signatories to the common statement were:

• Baptist Union of Scotland: Rev Bill Slack, General Director;

• Church of Scotland: Rev Alastair Cherry, Moderator of Glasgow Presbytery;

• Methodist Church: Rev Derek Bibb, Superintendent, Glasgow Circuit;

• Religious Society of Friends: Mike Brown, Clerk, Glasgow Quaker Meeting;

• Roman Catholic Church: Most Rev Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow;

• Salvation Army: Major Ivor Telfer, Divisional Commander;

• Scottish Episcopal Church: Most Rev Idris Jones, Primus;

• United Free Church of Scotland: Rev Ann Purdie, Moderator, Presbytery of the West;

• United Reformed Church: Rev Mary Buchanan, Ecumenical Officer;

• Evangelical Alliance: Rev Fred Drummond, General Secretary.