Setting forth the word of Salvation - Uniting Church 40th Anniversary Reprise

<div>This week the Uniting Church will be 43 years old. So for today I am reprinting a short talk I gave at the 40th anniversary in Toowoomba.</div> <div><img src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/27045/Jn_71_20-21_UC_Anniversary_graphic.png" alt="Uc Anniversary" width="300" height="169" /></div> <div>The overriding idea is that the church exists to proclaim the word of salvation to all people. This was the vision which sparked the uniting church off. I don't know if we have the right formula for unity but we have the right vision, for it is Jesus' prayer that for the sake of the world we all be one.</div> <div> </div> <div>   “<em>“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.</em>” (John 17:20–21, NRSV)  </div> <div> <p><strong>Uniting church 40th anniversary address</strong><br /> Given at the anniversary party 17-6-2017<br /> at Middle Ridge Uniting Church 264 Stenner St, Centenary Heights QLD 4350.</p> <p>40 years ago in 1977 the majority of three Christian denominations came together. We did not come together on the basis of the lowest common denominator or by trying to stitch together a patchwork quilt of Congregationalism, Methodism, and Presbyterianism. While we honoured that heritage, we tried to do a new thing, stating the ancient Biblical faith in new ways. Our basis of coming together was the one Lord Jesus Christ upon whom both our faith and our unity are built. The purpose and goal of our union is to set forth the word of salvation for all people and to serve the world for which Christ died.</p> <p><br /> Our purpose was not to bring together three struggling churches. When the Basis of Union was developed, when the negotiations happened and when the votes were taken in the 60s and early 70s all the churches in Australia were still growing. Our desire was to be obedient to Christ, reflectin