Faith and Order is a Movement among the churches, and within the churches a theological movement, reflecting on the issues that divide and unit Christians. It is a historical movement, dating from the early 20th century in the global level and from 1950 in Myanmar. Faith and Order embraces 14 member churches of the Myanmar Council of Churches and 9 co-oped member organizations, other churches and other organizations.                                       

          Aim of the Faith and Order is …

·        To proclaim the oneness of the church of Jesus and call the churches to the goal of visible unity in one faith and one Eucharistic fellowship and in common life in Christ, in order that the world may believe.

Objectives of the Faith and Order are:

·        fostering mutual understanding and fellowship between and among churches

·        mutual recognition of each other’s faith and order

·        cooperating in every possible program on common issues

·        putting all-out effort for visible unity

Programs of the Faith and Order

            In order to implement the aim and objectives of the faith and order the following programs are organized.

Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM)

It is a WCC Faith and Order Commission’s official document which shows how much the churches agree on central areas of the church’ life. The BEM text is the result of a long and widely inclusive process. It witness to substantial convergence, but it also reveals many remaining difficulties and questions:

Baptism: If we all are baptized into Christ, how it is that we are not visibly united?

Eucharist:  What does it mean to partake of the Lord’s Supper? Why is it that we cannot partake at the same table?

Ministry: What is the meaning and function of the ordained ministry?

The Nature and Mission of the Church

It is also a WCC Faith and Order study document. The main purpose of this study is to give expression to what the churches can now say together about the nature and mission the church and within that perspective to state the remaining areas of disagreement. Thus in the style of BEM, this document seeks to evolve into what could be called a convergence text.

Ecumenical Hermeneutics

In every discipline both its subject-matter (content) and approach (hermeneutics) are equally important. In the ecumenical movement also both its content and hermeneutics are indispensable particularly when it comes to concretize ecumenical movement in our living context.

Nicaea-Constantinople Creed: from Ecumenical Perspective

It is to revisit to our common root (Nicaea-Constantinople Creed) to take concrete step towards visible unity in Myanmar living context. It is to study ecumenical text (content) from ecumenical hermeneutics.

Ethnic Identity, National identity and the Unity of the church

This study aim is to enable churches to understand the role of ethnic and national identity in their lives, in their relationships as churches and in their societies. To challenge any relationship between Christian faith and ethnic identity what prevents unity, cause disunity, and hinders the healing of historic division.

Models of Unity

The Myanmar Council of Churches (Faith and Order Commission) is to challenge take practical step towards visible unity. Therefore, to study models of unity in general with a view to sorting our any one/ some models of unity which are appropriate in our living context in Myanmar.

Other Programs

Other special programs on emerging issues are to be organized occasionally.

Publications

1.     1.Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (BEM) Myanmar translation.

2.     2.To be the Church (Myanmar Translation)

3.     3.An Earthen Vassals (Myanmar Translation)

4.     4.Nicaea- Constantinople Creed: from Ecumenical Perspective (Myanmar translation)

5.     5.Ethnic Identity, National identity and the Unity of the church (Myanmar translation)

Address:

                        Program Secretary

                        Faith and Order Commission

                        Myanmar Council of Churches

                        601, Pyay Road, Kamayut

                        Yangon, Myanmar.

                        Ph: 95-1-537957

                                         513579