Association of Interchurch Families
Encyclopedia
The Association of Interchurch Families is a charity that operates in Great Britain
as a support group for families in which the partners are members of different Christian denominations
, usually but not always where one of the spouses is a Roman Catholic.
Interchurch families take seriously both their marriage commitment and the fact that two traditions are represented in one family. More and more, they are being seen, not as a problem and burden, but as opportunity and gift for the healing of division.
Today, all over the world, interchurch families are gathering, supporting each other, walking with their pastors and their churches, working toward the unity for which Christ so ardently prayed
The Interchurch Families web site (see External Links below) is the largest single source of information for interchurch families. It seeks to link all those families, groups, and Associations so that together they may grow in Christian unity, by affirming at local, national and global levels the gifts of interchurch families and their potential as a catalyst for wider church unity.
The Interchurch Families Listserv, also hosted there, enables interchurch family to share joys and sorrows, to discuss ways of dealing with immediate issues which arise as a consequence of living their marital unity within churches which are divided. Many, be they interchurch couples, pastors, or family and friends of interchurch couples, have found it a source of great encouragement.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
as a support group for families in which the partners are members of different Christian denominations
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
, usually but not always where one of the spouses is a Roman Catholic.
Overview
They worship together, to the extent each family is able, in both their traditions, raising their children with an appreciation of the riches both bring to the one Church, the Body of Christ.Interchurch families take seriously both their marriage commitment and the fact that two traditions are represented in one family. More and more, they are being seen, not as a problem and burden, but as opportunity and gift for the healing of division.
Today, all over the world, interchurch families are gathering, supporting each other, walking with their pastors and their churches, working toward the unity for which Christ so ardently prayed
The Interchurch Families web site (see External Links below) is the largest single source of information for interchurch families. It seeks to link all those families, groups, and Associations so that together they may grow in Christian unity, by affirming at local, national and global levels the gifts of interchurch families and their potential as a catalyst for wider church unity.
The Interchurch Families Listserv, also hosted there, enables interchurch family to share joys and sorrows, to discuss ways of dealing with immediate issues which arise as a consequence of living their marital unity within churches which are divided. Many, be they interchurch couples, pastors, or family and friends of interchurch couples, have found it a source of great encouragement.
See also
- EcumenismEcumenismEcumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
- Churches Together in Britain and IrelandChurches Together in Britain and IrelandChurches Together in Britain and Ireland is an ecumenical organisation. The members include most of the major churches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It was formerly known as the Council of Churches of Britain and Ireland...
- Churches Together in EnglandChurches Together in EnglandChurches Together in England is an ecumenical organisation and the national instrument for the Christian church in England. It helps the different Churches to work together instead of separately so that they can be more effective and credible...