But we also are assured that as we commit ourselves to unity we shall learn afresh the depth and power of God's gifts through our faith, and be renewed in our ability to heed God's command to follow him. It is precisely because God has made us one that we are impelled to acknowledge, express, and seek, our deepest unity. It may help us give priority not to our separate traditions but to the massive hunger of the world-For peace and food enough, for meaningful work and hope of justice, indeed for the knowledge of a God himself concerned with such things. If so, God's promise of ultimate oneness will overcome our fears of the unknown and give us courage to venture forward in his name. Finally, we say that the gifts of unity will surely be seen most vividly in the life of our own congregations and communities.
Unity is no more abstract ideal.
What we shall find in this venture, we believe, is nothing less than a greatness in the Church's life. As we begin to commit ourselves to one another in common action, certain gifts will no doubt come quickly - better stewardship of our re sources, wiser corporate planning, mutual support in difficult circumstances. Through those gifts, still greater gifts will come. It is rather the danger of accepting something less than the Church Christ gives us, of understanding the mission of the Church as nothing more than the perpetuation of our differences, in increasing isolation from the real needs of our world and the measureless love of Christ for it. Over against this danger, which surely none of us can fail to see, stands the hope in God's gift, waiting for those who have the courage to reach out and take it.