Photo: stained glass window depicting dove at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Glasgow

Glasgow Churches Together

Lord let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of thy word and praising thy name

Charta Oecumenica

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2 - Proclaiming the Gospel together

On the way towards the visible fellowship of the churches in Europe
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

The most important task of the churches in Europe is the common proclamation of the Gospel, in both word and deed, for the salvation of all.

The widespread lack of corporate and individual orientation and falling away from Christian values challenge Christians to testify to their faith, particularly in response to the quest for meaning which is being pursued in so many forms.

This witness will require increased dedication to Christian education (e.g. catechism classes) and pastoral care in local congregations, with a sharing of experiences in these fields.

It is equally important for the whole people of God together to communicate the Gospel in the public domain, which also means responsible commitments to social and political issues.

We commit ourselves

to discuss our plans for evangelisation with other churches, entering into agreements with them and thus avoiding harmful competition and the risk of fresh divisions;
to recognise that every person can freely choose his or her religious and church affiliation as a matter of conscience, which means not inducing anyone to convert through moral pressure or material incentive, but also not hindering anyone from entering into conversion of his or her own free will.

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