The “Engaging the Basis” conference on the Basis of Union was held in Melbourne on 9-11 July.  It attracted over 120 people.  Some of the papers are attached here. Some others will be published in Uniting Church Studies. These papers can also be found on the conference website: www.engagingthebasis.ucaweb.com.au.

 Theological Convictions: Norman Young

 Response to Norman Young and Dean Drayton: Dr. Julia Pitman

 Being True to UCA Tradition and Acknowledging Boundaries - Declaring and Guarding the Right Understanding of the Faith: Christopher C. Walker

 Guarding and Declaring the Right Understanding of the Faith in a Pluralist Culture: Geoff Thompson

 Engaging the Basis of Union: Dr Liz Boase

 Response to Clive Pearson: Yangrae Son

 A Conversation with the Basis of Union: David Busch

The Uniting Church has affirmed the ordination of women since its inception in 1977.  A significant paper was prepared and made available in 1990.  It sets out the theological basis for the UCA position which is still pertinent.

 Download Why the UCA Ordains Women

Towards a Theology Relating to Mission is a paper to encourage thinking on mission across the Uniting Church.  It provides a basic Uniting Church perspective and invites people to reflect on mission in the light of the paper.  At the end is some background to the paper and a study guide.

 Download Towards a Theology Relating to Mission

How to Read the Bible - 12 Simple Guidelines is a resource developed by the Doctrine Working Group. It offers some useful steps as to how people can truly enter into the biblical message. How to read the Bible is available a hard copy format from the Doctrine Working Group or can be accessed below, in the following languages.

English

Indonesian

Fijian

Tongan

Guidance for the Church’s Faithful Thinking is now available to download. This document describes the way to go about theological thinking with a view to controversial issues.

Guidance for the Church's Faithful Thinking

A Brief Statement on Ordination is now available to download, together with its companion Study Guide.

Download A Brief Statement on Ordination

Approved by the ASC, November 2008

Download A Brief Statement on Ordination - Study Guide
March 2009

Baptism - Life by Drowning

This paper was prepared to resource the conversation and decision-making of the Doctrine Working Group meeting 21-22 November 2004. Three members of the Working Group were asked to prepare a draft paper on baptism, but the more we thought about it, the more some background issues needed sorting out first. The paper therefore discusses some of the background issues to our theology and practice of baptism.

Download Baptism - Life by Drowning (Rob Bos, 2005)

How do we understand baptism? 

The content in this document has been drafted bearing in mind the many discussion papers and resolutions adopted by the Uniting Church over the years. We have also taken note of the statements of our partner churches, as we are baptised not just into the Uniting Church, but into the one universal (catholic) church existing through time and in many different contexts. The statement has been carefully considered by the National Working Groups on Worship and Doctrine appointed by the Assembly, as well as some other eminent Uniting Church scholars.

Download How do we understand baptism?