Mission
The PCCNA Christian Unity Commission exists to serve the PCCNA by facilitating greater communication and cooperation between PCCNA constituents and other Christians for the sake of Christian unity and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Vision
Building on the ongoing cooperative work that takes place within and among the PCCNA churches themselves, the Christian Unity Commission encourages awareness among members of opportunities that lie outside the PCCNA to share the message of Pentecost with other Christians and churches. This sharing of the Pentecostal/Charismatic message and experience involves testimony, stewardship, leadership, and commitment to relationship.
Such an outward focus can be seen in the founding PCCNA document, the Racial Reconciliation Manifesto, article VII, "We commit ourselves not only to pray but also to work for genuine and visible manifestations of Christian unity," and also article XI, "At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Azusa Street Mission was a model of preaching and living the Gospel message in the world. We desire to drink deeply from the well of Pentecost as it was embodied in that mission. We, therefore, pledge our commitment to embrace the essential commitments of that mission in evangelism and mission, in justice and holiness, in spiritual renewal and empowerment, and in the reconciliation of all Christians regardless of race or gender as we move into the new millennium."
Goals
Meetings
The Commission will meet annually in conjunction with the annual meeting of the PCCNA. Additional meetings will also be scheduled each year, either in locations of common interest to Commission members, or via technology.
Initiatives
In this foundational season of the Commission, our aims are a) to work with denominational and organizational leaders to appoint Liaisons to the Commission, and b) to prepare workshops for the annual PCCNA meetings designed to provide training for Liaisons to engage in the work of "Relations with Other Christian Communities."
Origins
The Christian Unity Commission sees its formation as a way of answering the call that was issued at PCCNA's 1994 Memphis founding, inscribed in Article II of the PCCNA Bylaws that the PCCNA will "relate to one another as members of the body of Christ," to "demonstrate the essential unity of Spirit-filled believers," and to "serve as a forum of spiritual unity, dialogue, and fellowship."
A first step leading to the Commission's founding was the November 2012 action by the PCCNA executive committee to appoint a Liaison to the Greater Christian Community, who is tasked to communicate to PCCNA members issues of importance taking place in the greater Body of Christ, and to represent the PCCNA in interdenominational settings. Since that time, several individual PCCNA member churches have taken similar actions in the appointment of Liaisons on their behalf. As these Liaisons are appointed, they will form the initial membership of the Commission as it gathers to launch its work. In the summer of 2015 the PCCNA executive committee approved the official formation of the Christian Unity Commission, and its first gathering is scheduled for February 24, 2016 in Dallas, Texas.
Funding
PCCNA member organizations are encouraged to appoint and sponsor Liaisons who can serve as Commission members, attend annual meetings, and represent their organizations in participating in initiatives that promote Christian unity. Additional funding in support of the work of the Christian Unity Commission can be sent directly to the PCCNA and designated for the Christian Unity Commission.
PCCNA Christian Unity Liaisons
Reports and Resources
