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How we work

Being Churches Together

Core to all our activity in ACTS is the principle of being Churches Together. This is summarised in the Lund Principle adopted by the churches at the third world conference on Faith and Order (August 1952), which states that:

‘the churches should act together in all matters….except those in which deep difference of conviction compel them to act separately’.

Local, national and international ecumenical bodies therefore are not intended to become ‘superchurches’ but places where churches from the wide diversity of Christian experience, meet, engage, reflect and share in common action. This model of ‘being churches together’, is found throughout all ACTS structures.

Scottish Churches’ Forum

ACTS agenda is set at a national level, by the denominations, through their representatives on the Scottish Churches’ Forum.

The Church of Scotland and Roman Catholic Church each have four representatives on the Forum with the other members having two representatives each. The Forum has a Convener and two Vice Conveners.

Executive and Trustee Body

The Convener and Vice Conveners of the Forum, together with the Convener of the ACTS Finance Committee and the General Secretary, comprise the ACTS Executive and Trustee Body.

Networks

The heart of ACTS work is carried out by the four Networks on Church Life, Church and Society, Faith Studies and Mission. The Networks draw their membership from the member churches and from the Associated Ecumenical Groups and Bodies in Association. The Networks are given staff support by two Network Officers.

The remits of the Networks are grouped around four principles for the journey as Churches Together:

• Worshipping together - Church Life
• Serving the Community Together - Church and Society
• Studying together - Faith Studies
• Proclaiming Together - Mission

Associated Ecumenical Groups

The Associated Ecumenical Groups (AEGs) are bodies of the Scottish Churches’ which each have a specialist subject area and remit. There are currently 17 in total and each has an Annual Working Agreement with ACTS as to the level of staff and financial support given by ACTS. Each AEG is linked to a particular Network or the General Secretariat.

British and Irish Links

ACTS is one of the four national ecumenical instruments which, along with Churches Together in England (CTE), Cytun (Churches Together in Wales) and the Irish Council of Churches, comprise Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).

In addition to the member churches of CTBI there are four Commissions, Agencies and Bodies in Association. Many of the Bodies in Association have distinctly Scottish elements to their organisations, or indeed are located primarily in Scotland and so are also involved in the life of ACTS in addition to CTBI. The Bodies in Association also have the opportunity of being represented on the appropriate Network.

Beyond Britain and Ireland

ACTS is also in membership of the Conference of European Churches and the World Council of Churches .