<P> The union is notable in that the Congregational and Presbyterian churches came from a strong theological tradition of Calvinism, while the Methodist tradition was Arminian . The union of these churches therefore required a decision on the part of both sides that the issues underlying this difference were not vital to the life of the church . Expressing this in a form acceptable to the members of all three uniting denominations was one of the many challenges faced by the writers of the Basis of Union . </P> <P> The Basis of Union provided for a continuing Presbyterian church, consisting of all members of the existing Presbyterian church who chose not to join the new UCA and all Presbyterian congregations which did not attain a required majority, and provided for the formation of new congregations to support these members in need . As a result, many formerly Methodist buildings were given to the Presbyterian Church of Australia . Schools and other facilities were also provided to the continuing Presbyterian church . </P> <P> The governance of the Congregational church made this provision unnecessary and probably impossible, as an independent vote was needed for each congregation . Forty congregations elected not to join, and subsequently formed the Fellowship of Congregational Churches . </P> <P> No provision was made for a continuing Methodist church, with many former members who elected not to join the UCA subsequently joining the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia . </P>

Basis of union of the uniting church in australia