{
  "bookName": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials",
  "authorName": "M. K. Kuriakose",
  "publisherName": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge",
  "publicationYear": 2011,
  "chapterNumber": 192,
  "chapterName": "1965. The Church of North India: A Statement on its Approach to Unity",
  "pageFrom": 406,
  "pageTo": 407,
  "pages": [
    {
      "pageNumber": 406,
      "ocrText": "406\nHISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA\nthe united Church and the Anglican Churches, and these were\ntaken up by the Episcopal Synod of of the C.I.P.B.C. and forwarded\nfor consideration. The Negotiating Committee therefore met\nagain at Jabalpur towards the end of 1959; but, while it decided\nto adopt certain verbal and procedural changes in the inauguration\nservice, which were incorporated in a revised issue of the Proposed\nServices at the Inauguration, it decided against considering any\nfurther amendment of the Plan.\nIn the following years, the U.C.N.I. and the British and Austra-\nlasian Methodists secured favourable voting, but the M.C.S.A.,\nthe C.I.P.B.C. and the Brethren failed to get the majorities consis-\ntutionally required for going forward into union, and the voting\nof the Baptist Churches was very much divided. By the beginning\nof 1963 it was clear that further revision would be necessary in\nview of the adverse voting and criticisms, and by general agreement\nthe Working Committee initiated a review of the Plan which was\ncarried further by the Continuation Committee meeting at Nagpur\nin February, 1964. An endeavour has now been made to clarify\nwhere there has been misunderstanding and to remove objections,\nbut without making substantial alteration in the basic nature of\nthe Plan as accepted in 1952.\nThis Plan of Union owes much, as will be evident, to the scheme\nfor the Church of South India. In these later revisions and deve-\nlopments it has also borrowed much from the work of our brethren\nin Ceylon and in West Africa. It seeks to avoid over-elaboration\nof detail and to leave a great deal to be worked out in the process of\n'growing together' after the inauguration of Union. The Plan is\nagain issued with a deep sense of thankfulness to God for the\ngrowing measure of understanding in which we have been led\nforward in spite of obstacles, and with a growing faith, hope and\nprayer that, under His continued guidance, it may be used for the\nachievement of a Union in accordance with His will.\n192. THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA: A STATEMENT\nON ITS APPROACH TO UNITY (1965 A.D.)\nIn the fourth edition of the Plan of Union for North India the\nContinuation Committee included an explanation of what was being\nattempted and why. This was intended for the information of the\nchurches that would now vote on the proposal. Plan of Church Union\nin North India and Pakistan, 1965, pp. viii-x.\n1. What we are trying to do:\n(a) We are seeking the true and visible unity of the Church in\nNorth India/Pakistan.",
      "status": "completed"
    },
    {
      "pageNumber": 407,
      "ocrText": "SOURCE MATERIALS\n407\n(b) Believing that God created one Church, a spiritual union\nand fellowship of those who are in Christ through the indwelling\npower of the Holy Spirit, we pray and seek for a visible expression\nof this oneness in the worship, life and witness of the Church here\nand now.\n(c) We intend that the Church of North India/Pakistan shall\nmaintain fellowship with all those parts of the Church of Christ\nwith which we separately enjoy fellowship now.\n(d) We also desire, as opportunity offers, to seek an ever-\nwidening union with other parts of the Universal Church.\n(e) With full trust in the Holy Spirit, we are looking towards\na united Church which, as its members learn together in a wider\nfellowship, will maintain in reverent humility a readiness to correct\nand reform itself as God's will becomes more clearly known.\n(f) Though we are established as separate Churches in India/\nPakistan through the missionary zeal of Christians in other lands,\nwe desire the healing of these historic separations without the\nsurrender of any essential principle of Faith or Order.\n(g) We are agreed in seeking a united Church which will be an\nintegral part of the Universal Church, and yet develop the special\nand distinctive gifts which God has given to the people of India/\nPakistan in the expression of their worship, their faith and their\ncommon life.\n2. Why we are trying to do it :\n(a) We are seeking union because we believe that the restora-\ntion of the visible unity of the Church on earth is the will of God,\nand we believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us to resolve the diffe-\nrences which at present separate us. Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed:\n6\nthat they all may be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and\nI in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe\nthat thou hast sent me' (John 17: 21).\n(b) We believe that the unity to which God is leading us will\nmake the Church in North India/Pakistan a more effective instru-\nment for His work, more eager and powerful to proclaim by word\nand deed the Gospel of Christ, filled with greater charity and peace,\nand enriched in worship and fellowship.\n3. How we are trying to do it:\n(a) The negotiating Churches humbly and thankfully recognise\none another as parts of the One Church of Jesus Christ. God in\nHis mercy has blessed them and used them for His redemptive\nwork in India/Pakistan. Each Church in separation has received",
      "status": "completed"
    }
  ]
}