[ACNS source: Lambeth Palace] The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has witnessed the signing of an historic covenant between the heads of eleven mission agencies of the Church of England. At a ceremony at Lambeth Palace last week, the eleven members of Partnership for World Mission signed up to an agreement committing themselves to increased co-operation whilst acknowledging the richness of their diversity.

The aim of the covenant is to enable the eleven agencies, all of which are Anglican based, to work closer together, to take joint action and speak with one voice where possible and to forge closer working relationships with the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Archbishop welcomed the signing of the covenant which, he said would take forward the church's work in mission.

"Mission is at the heart of the Church's life and has always needed to be part of our mainstream activity. We are indebted to these Anglican mission agencies for the rich history they share in helping the Church take forward that Gospel challenge. This covenant will help them continue that work of mission and build on that heritage for the future."

The full text of the covenant follows:

Common mission: a covenant

Mission Agencies of the Church of England

A common future

Over the last few years the mission agencies have been growing together within the framework of the Church of England's Partnership for World Mission (PWM). Historically these agencies have been the primary contributors on behalf of the Church of England to the founding and expansion of the world wide Anglican Communion. Such agencies remain a major channel for on-going mission relationships and grassroots initiatives within the Communion. There are growing numbers of public issues and debates where the agencies need to be more visible and where their contribution needs to be heard. This calls for new ways of working together to speak with one voice and take joint action. It includes recognising the significance of the Archbishop of Canterbury's role within the Anglican Communion and new opportunities for closer working between the Archbishop and the agencies.

A common vision

1. We believe in promoting confidence in the Gospel and an understanding of mission that is holistic and evangelistic within the context of the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion.

2. We believe that our task in proclaiming the Kingdom of God can only be undertaken in partnership and within the fellowship of the worldwide Church.

3. We believe the Church is God's instrument for mission and recognise and affirm the voluntary principle as a proven model for mobilising and encouraging effective engagement.

A common commitment

1. To increase co-operation while acknowledging the richness of our diversities.

2. To increase mutual support, discussion of common issues and the development of strategic co-operation through regular meetings of the General Secretaries.

3. To build up contact, regular meetings and working links between the Archbishop of Canterbury and the General Secretaries of the PWM agencies.

4. To ensure meetings of specialist staff to share concerns, models of good practice and engage in practical partnerships.

5. To issue agreed public statements, study and promotional materials on issues of common concern.

6. To consult as widely as possible on mission issues in the Anglican Communion and in collaboration with relevant commissions, working parties and networks authorised by the Primates Meeting and the Anglican
Consultative Council.

The eleven agencies and their signatories:

The Church Army
Captain Philip Johanson OBE
www.churcharmy.org.uk

Church Mission Society
The Revd Canon Tim Dakin
www.cms-uk.org

Crosslinks
The Revd Andy Lines
www.crosslinks.org

Church's Ministry Amongst Jewish People
The Revd Tony Higton
www.cmj.org.uk

The Mission to Seafarers
The Revd Canon Bill Christianson
www.missiontoseafarers.org

SPCK
Ms Sue Park (Director, SPCK Worldwide)
www.spck.org.uk

The Mothers' Union
Mr Reg Bailey
www.themothersunion.org

South American Mission Society
The Revd Canon John Sutton
www.samsgb.org

USPG (United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel)
Mr Michael Hart (Acting General Secretary)
www.uspg.org.uk

Church Pastoral Aid Society
Revd Robert Key
www.cpas.org.uk

Intercontinental Church Society
The Revd Canon Ian Watson
www.ics-uk.org

The Partnership for World Mission
The Revd Canon Stephen Lyon (Partnership Secretary)
www.pwm-web.org.uk