At the last Council of Churches of Christ in Australia (CCCA) meeting held in Perth, the CCCA decided to build on the interest in Churches of Christ that arose last year while many of our churches celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Thomas Campbell writing the Declaration and Address.  Many people requested various resources that were released by the CCCA and there was much feedback about attenders of our churches connecting with our history for the first time and discovering - partly - about what it means to be Churches of Christ. 

The CCCA has decided to build on this interest and create a Sunday where we focus on who we are as a Movement.  We are suggesting that as churches celebrated the 200th Anniversary on the 1st Sunday in October in 2009, that the 1st Sunday in October will become Churches of Christ Sunday.  We acknowledge that those of our churches may celebrate "World Communion Sunday" on that day and, if that is the case for your church, we would ask that you remember "Churches of Christ Sunday" at a more convenient time.

Our theme for 2010 will be:  We are a people of an open table...  

This theme is, of course, a reference to our characteristic of allowing all those who love Jesus to join with us in Communion.  It can also be described as a "generous hospitality" or "full communion".   All resourcing for this day will be provided by the CCCA office, and ideally it will cover a spectrum of media. Churches will receive the resources in pdf form, and will be encouraged to use them in whatever way is culturally appropriate for their church setting.  

This day will be low key as one of the characteristics of Churches of Christ is that we traditionally don't draw too much attention to ourselves.  But, we feel that creating an opportunity for churches to help their members understand who they are is an important step.  Our aim is not that we simply remember the past but that we:

remember our heritage, acknowledge our present and imagine our future.

As E L Williams writes in Churches of Christ - An Interpretation: 

The Lord's Supper involves the past, present and future.  It is an act of remembrance in which we are reminded of the earthly life and death of our Lord...But it is more than a memorial; it is also a communion with a Lord who not only lived and died, but who rose from the dead and lives as an ever available Saviour. (pg 70)

We would ask that you set aside some part of this upcoming day to reflect on who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going.

Feel free to contact me at or 03 9488 8800 for more information or to kick around some ideas.

Blessings

Craig Brown (Federal Coordinator Churches of Christ)